Is the Bible Reliable?

The following material was developed by Ralph Muncaster. If you would like more material from Mr. Muncaster, see his website at www.evidenceofgod.com


Can we ever “prove” anything? Apart from mathematical proofs, many critics would say no, especially regarding history or even regarding the world around us.

However, statisticians and most other scientists agree there is a point when the probability of something happening is so remote that it becomes absurd or essentially impossible. As a guideline, scientists accept that anything with a probability less than one chance out is 1050 (ten followed by 50 zeros) is “impossible.” If such an “impossible” event happens to occur, it may be concluded that it required God’s action or some other supernatural action outside of the dimensions of time and space.

For example, suppose a friend correctly foretold the winning number in a state lottery with one single prediction (like buying one ticket). The odds of that are about one in 10,000,000 (or one in 107).You might be extremely impressed, but you probably wouldn’t claim he had “divine insight.” How suppose he did it a second consecutive time – again with one single prediction. The odds immediately jump to one in 100,000,000,000,000 (1 in 10 to the 14th). Suddenly it would seem impossible without some trick or supernatural information. Imagine someone successfully picking three consecutive lotteries (one chance in 1021). Such an “impossible” feat would likely end lotteries forever – because the odds of such a chance occurrence are nil.

The miraculous insights in the Bible occurring by chance has a probability far more remote than that of winning dozens of lotteries in the manner described above. Only supernatural inspiration can account for it. “Statistical proof” of God’s inspiration comes in at least three ways:

Scientific insights- Scientific information in the Bible that was written hundreds, even thousands of years before modern science had the knowledge to recognize the Bible was correct. These insights are in the areas of physics, biology, engineering and medicine, among others (see Science – Was the Bible Ahead of Its Time? in the Examine the Evidence series).

Concealed evidence - Cross-reference information contained in books of the Bible that were written hundreds of years apart by very different authors in different situations in different parts of the world.

Prophecy miracles - The future foretold with precision and total accuracy. Over 1000 specific prophecies are recorded in the Bible, of which 668 are historical. None have errors. All types of prophecies are included – about people, places, and events. Irrefutable evidence exists that these prophecies could not have been contrived.

The importance of Perfect Prophecy

How important is prophecy? Some people might believe that prophecy is interesting, but not especially important. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Prophecy is a key standard the Bible tells us to use
To “test” Whether something is truly from God
(Deuteronomy 18:19-22).

This standard is obviously critical. It means that words spoken, writings, and information of all types that are claimed to be from God should be judged based on any prophecies made. If a holy book is supposed to be inspired by God, it must be 100 – percent accurate regarding all prophecies. This is a big problem for the holy books of some religious.

Only the Bible commands its readers to “test everything”
(1Thessalonians 5:21).

Only the Bible is 100-percent accurate in hundreds of specific prophecies.

How accurate is biblical prophecy? As indicated below, hundreds of specific historical prophecies have already been verified exactly as predicted in the Bible. Many were fulfilled in the lifetimes of the prophets. Others were fulfilled centuries later. Of the Bible’s historical prophecies, all but three have been verified as being fulfilled. (This does not mean these three were not fulfilled – just that we have no confirmation of their fulfillment.)

The choice of prophecy by God to verify His involvement in history is significant. Many people seem to think miracles are the strongest evidence of God. Yet the Bible tells us that Satan “is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14) The Bible also describes many counterfeit miracles not performed by God that were used to deceive people (for example, Exodus 7:11,12:2 Thessalonians 2:9). Hence even “good” miracles – including healing and other helpful occurrences – are not necessarily from God. !!!!

The Bible’s Prophecies 14

Note: count of prophecies is limited to distinct references.2,14 Breaking prophecies into parts or adding model-type prophecies would increase the number considerably.

*Unknown fulfillment: Jeremiah 35:1-19; 49:1-6; John 1:40-51

The following describes the Messiah only from Old Testament Prophecy
(The numbers refer to the Scriptures in the box on the side of the page.)

The Messiah will descend from Shem,1 Abraham,2 Issac,3 Jacob,4 Judah,5 Jesse,6 and King David.7 He will be born in the city of Bethlehem in the country of Ephrathah8 when a bright star appears.9 It will be a miraculous, virgin birth.10

The Messiah will be unique, having preexisted His birth.8 He will perform many miracles: calming the sea,11 causing the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the mute to talk.12 He will be referred to in many ways, including: God with us,10 wonderful counselor, mighty God. Everlasting Father, and prince of peace.13 He will be a great teacher and will use parables.14 One day he will rule over everything- all nations will bow down to him.15,22

But the Messiah will come to save mankind.16 He will become man’s sin offering16 and present Himself to Jerusalem as both the anointed King18 and the Passover Lamb.16 This will occur exactly 173,880* days after the decree by Artaxerxes to rebuild both Jerusalem and the Temple.17 So, on April 6, 32 AD, the Messiah will present Himself to a rejoicing Jerusalem riding on a donkey.18 But then He will suffer greatly.16 He will be rejected by many, including His friends.16 He will be betrayed by a friend25 for 30 pieces of silver.19 Later that money will be thrown on the floor of the temple19 and will eventually go to a potter.19 At His trial He will not Defend Himself. He will say nothing16 except as required by law. Israel will reject Him.20
Location of Prophecy

1 Genesis 9-10
2 Genesis 22:18
3 Genesis 26:4
4 Genesis 28:14
5 Genesis 49:10
6 Isaiah 11:1-5
7 2 Samuel 7:11-16
8 Micah 5:2
9 Numbers 24:17
10 Isaiah 7:14
11 Psalm107:29
12 Isaiah 35:4-6
13 Isaiah 9:6
14 Psalm 78:2
15 Isaiah 45:23
16 Isaiah 53:3-9
17 Daniel 9:20-27
18 Zechariah 9:9
19Zechariah11:12,13
20 Isaiah 8:14
21 Genesis 22
22 Psalm 22
23 Psalm 69:20-22
24 Zechariah 12:10
25 Psalm 41:9
( partial listing )



The messiah will be taken to a mountaintop identified by Abraham as “the Lord will provide.”21 There He will be crucified with His hands and feet pierced.22 His enemies will encircle Him,22 mocking Him, and will cast lots for His clothing.22 He will call to God, asking why He was “forsaken.”22 HE will Be given gall and wine.23 He will die with thieves, none of His bones will be broken.22 His heart will fail,22 as indicated by the blood and water spilling out22 when He is pierced with a spear.24 He will be buried in a rich man’s grave.16 In three days He will rise from the dead.22

There is compelling evidence that the prophecies of Christ contained in the Old Testament could not have been contrived. In existence today are two sets of documents written hundreds of years before Christ.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Hundreds of manuscripts, including all of the Old Testament books except Esther, were discovered in caves in the region of Qumran (near the Dead sea) in 1947. Many of these works were written long before Christ, and some date as far back as 250 BC. Because the scrolls were hidden for centuries, they were left untouched and unaltered since they had been placed there in 70 AD. All biblical prophecies of Christ are in the scrolls. Researchers have found almost no deviation in words or letters from the Hebrew versions of the Old Testament in use today. This provides us assurance that the documents were accurately duplicated over many centuries.

Jesus . . . the Messiah of Isaiah

When the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in 1947, one particular scroll, the book of Isaiah, was found in almost perfect condition in a clay container, though written long before Christ. The scroll can now be viewed in its entirety at the Shrive of the Book of Jerusalem. Isaiah provided more prophecies about the Messiah than anyone; they include the most detailed description of Jesus (Isaiah 53). It is so specific to Jesus of Nazareth that some Jewish sects have deleted it from their Scripture. Yet the scroll in Jerusalem contains Isaiah 53 along with Isaiah’s many other prophecies of Christ.

The Septuagint

In about 280 BC., Jewish leaders decreed that seventy selected scholars would officially translate the Hebrew Scripture into Greek (Greek was in common usage at the time). The Septuagint (“seventy”) provides the best ancient scholarly translation for Hebrew to Greek of Holy Scriptures . . . completed at least 200 years before the time of Jesus. A few copies of this ancient document are still in existence, providing more assurance that prophecies of Christ were complete and accurate before Jesus was born.

Were the Gospels Created to Match Prophecy?

A skeptic might ask, “Were the four Gospels written to match already-existing prophecy?”

Fact 1: The gospel accounts were widely circulated in the lifetime of eyewitnesses. A lie would not stand this test.
Fact 2: Eleven of 12 apostles who know the truth were executed (over a number of years) for their beliefs. Why would they die for a known lie?
Fact 3: Many other people died in support of the truth, some in the lifetime of eyewitnesses (seven million catacomb graves verify this). Why?
Fact 4: Paul, a prominent persecutor of Christians, gave up wealth and status, and later died to tell the story after seeing the risen Jesus. Why?

Prophecies of Israel and the Jews

There are many, many prophecies in the Bible concerning Israel and the Jewish peoples. Entire books have been written on selected prophecies. Here are some prophecy examples:

• Covenants with Abraham
  
  Name—Abraham’s name would be great. Those blessings his descendents would be blessed, and those cursing them would be cursed (Genesis 12:2,3).
  
  No name has become great in the same sense as that of the Jews. Though they were scattered from their homeland in 70 AD until the formation of Israel in 1948, the identity of the Jews has remained intact (that is, Jews live in many nations, yet are still known as the Jews). Historically, once separated from its homeland, no other people has ever maintained its heritage and identity for more than about five generations.
  
  Slavery—Descendants of Abram (later named Abraham) would be strangers in a country not their own and would become enslaved for 400 years (Genesis15:13-16). This occurred during the time from Joseph (circa 1800 BC ) to Moses (circa 1450 BC.).
  
  Land—Abram was promised land reaching from the “river of Egypt” to the great river Euphrates—that the land occupied by the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perissites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites (Genesis 15:17-21). All these peoples were conquered by Israel, as indicated in the Old Testament books of history.
  
  
  Conquering the Land
  
  Several leaders of Israel received specific prophecies of victories in the conquest of the land:
  
  Moses
  
• Deliverance through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-21)…………..Fulfilled: Exodus 14:23-28
• Promise of defeat of Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16)…………….Fulfilled: 1Samuel 15:1-32; 1 Chronicles 4:4
  

  Joshua

• Promise of defeat of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-5)…………..………...Fulfilled: Joshua 6:6-27

• Promise of defeat of Ai (Joshua 7:1-8:8)………………..……….Fulfilled: Joshua 8:18-29

• Promise of defeat of northern kings (Joshua 11:1-6)……………Fulfilled: Joshua 11:7-15
  
  Men of Judah

• Promise of defeat of Canaanites (Judges 1:1,2)…………………Fulfilled: Judges 1:3-20
  
  Deborah and Barak

• Promise of defeat of Sisera (Judges 4:1-11)…………………..…Fulfilled: Judges 4:12-24
  
  Gideon

• Promise of defeat of Midianites ( Judges 6:11-24)………………Fulfilled: Judges 7
  
  Saul

• Promise of defeat of Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-3)……………..Fulfilled:1 Samuel 15:4-9
  
  David

• Promise of defeat of Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-4)………………Fulfilled: 1 Samuel 23:5