Historians around the world clearly believe that the Bible was written a couple of thousand years ago and that Jesus lived during that time. All someone would have to do is look it up on-line and choose a credible source like Oxford University, and they’d read that the Bible is legitimate.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947, are ancient Jewish and Hebrew manuscripts found in caves in what was then Palestine. The scrolls were dated by historians to come from the 3rd century BC and up to the 1st century AD. They’re considered one of the most important finds in the history of archaeology and have great religious significance because they include the oldest surviving manuscripts of entire books later included in the biblical canons. So, there’s no doubt that it is a religious manuscript, it was written between a few hundred years before Jesus began his ministry, and of course wrapped up about 70 years after Jesus died. No one could prove otherwise.
So, I hope you agree that the Bible is legitimate as far as it being written way back then so here’s something for you to think about: a) Some people (like John and Matthew) wrote their manuscripts after Jesus died so the information is credible. They weren’t working off stories they got second hand, they were writing about what they heard and saw in following Jesus. I find it interesting that some people believe what they read about people like Alexander the Great, when historians pieced together his story 300 years after he had already died. Quite frankly, the Bible is way more credible than other stories written that long ago.
Now hopefully knowing the Bible is just as or even more credible than any historical manuscripts, let’s consider if the information inside the Bible is truthful. There are millions of people who think it’s hogwash. If the Bible isn't legitimate, then it’s the first fictional book ever written at a time when not only most people didn’t read, but certainly those who could wouldn’t waste their time on fiction. People didn’t read recreationally back then. It really makes no sense for people to believe they did. If it was fiction, why didn’t the authors write glowing stories about themselves instead of letting us know that they had all these various faults?
In the King James version of the Bible, there’s a verse that Matthew wrote (5:16) that I love, and it goes: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I’d like for you to ponder this – if not inspired by God, where did those words come from? Who could write like this back then? If you’re familiar with the Old Testament (Chronicles) the author provides a ton of detail on how to build a temple. There’s no way there’s any other reason to write something like that if it weren’t legitimate.
Who would come up with some of those stories? Why would anyone write about Moses and the Ten Commandments (which we also know are legit), if it weren’t true. It’s a case of who could make this up? Why would they make this up?
In looking at the hand scribed manuscripts all those years ago, everything was perfect from one copy to the next. This was before the Bible became the first ever publication in 1455. So why would all these different scribes across the various countries, pay such great care to get everything right (word for word) if it were just a book of fiction? It wouldn’t be logical. Kind of funny that some non-believers think that Christians are all about emotion and not logic, when it is so far from the truth.
The fact is, it’s easy to prove to someone the Bible is a legitimate source of information. They’d have to throw out logic to believe differently. And by the way, when it comes to stories that sound outrageous like Jonah and the whale or Moses parting the Red Sea, as a person of faith I figure God can do anything so the stories could easily be true and that’s the way I approach it when talking to someone who questions the Bible. May peace and joy be with you always.