Posts Tagged ‘accuracy of the Bible’
Inspiration and Trivia
Short Talk Question: How can the Bible claim to be from the mouth of God when it contains so much trivial information, such as Paul’s request to bring his cloak in II Timothy 4:13? Surely, these things cannot be inspired! Answer: I. What superficially appears to be trivial may, upon deeper reflection, be a rich depository…
Read MoreWhy were only books which agreed allowed in the Bible? Wouldn’t writings by men naturally have variances?
Question: I read with interest your response to the ‘missing books in the Bible’ issue. I also wish to thank you for taking the time to respond to such a matter. However, your response is brief at best, no… it is brief, and ultimately comes across as a veiled threat from a semi-benign dictator to…
Read MoreDoes the Bible state the world is flat?
Question: [This is the first point in an overly long document that was sent, purporting to prove there are errors in the Bible. This first point claims that the Bible states the world is flat. I’m not going to give space for false teaching, but I want to illustrate with this first point the errors…
Read MoreLeprosy!
by Paul Williams The repulsive disease of leprosy has a strange fascination. God’s law for Israel described its symptoms in detail and gave minute instructions to the priest for its diagnosis. This law also said, “As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall…
Read MoreWhen did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign?
Question: When did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign? II Kings 24:8 and II Chronicles 36:9 give two different numbers. Answer: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem” (II Kings 24:8). “Jehoiachin…
Read MoreHow many years of famine did God threaten David with?
Question: How many years of famine did God threaten David with? II Samuel 24:13 and I Chronicles 21:12 have a different number of years. Answer: “So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months…
Read MoreHow many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah?
Question: How many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah? II Samuel 24:9 says 800,000 and 500,000; but I Chronicles 21:5 says 1,100,000 and 470,000. Answer: When dealing with numbers, you must ask yourself two questions: Are the same group of people being counted and could one account or the other be rounding…
Read MoreHow can I know the God of the Bible isn’t a myth?
Question: How do I know that believing in God is the right thing to do? How do I know that the Bible isn’t something that is made for mankind to get by through life without worrying as much as non-believers do? I don’t know what to think about God and life and death. Just the…
Read MoreI’ve read that Joshua’s conquest of Jericho and Ai could not have happened.
Question: I’ve been reading about archaeology and the city of Ai and that Joshua’s conquest could not have happened there as the Bible claims. I really could use some help with that. Answer: You need to keep in mind that the “datings” by archeologists are based on modern-day chronologies which have a likelihood of errors. What is…
Read MoreHow can I believe the Bible when science has proven it wrong?
Question: That was an interesting article about the possible age of the earth. I am a Christian but still need some answers so I can feel comfortable about where I stand. So if I understand it correctly, there is scientifically proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, undeniable truth that the earth is much, much older…
Read MoreConstantine created the King James Bible
Question: Left unedited. I read “The Origin of the King James Version” and find it very interesting but you never say anything about the actual origin of the King James Bible. In short, this version was created by Emperor Constantine in the year 325AD. At this time, he was losing his hold on his empire…
Read MoreI really appreciate “The Historical Accuracy of the Bible” article
Question: I just want to say that I really appreciate “The Historical Accuracy of the Bible” link you have up. Answer: Glad to be of service.
Read MoreCouldn’t Jesus’ use of Lord for YHWH be due to later tampering of the text?
Question: In “Why is YHWH translated LORD?” you said: Some, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, object to using LORD in place of YHWH. However, they are ignoring God’s own translation of His name. For example, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 in Matthew 22:37, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all…
Read MoreDoes the Bible teach that the sun rotates around the earth?
Question: In school, I learned that the Earth rotated around the sun. Now in our church, we are taught that the earth stands still. Do you have an opinion on this? Answer: Yes, my opinion is that you need to find a true church. Long before Einstein came up with his theory of relativity, people…
Read MoreThe Historical Accuracy of the Bible
by Jim Sasser To be divinely inspired, a book must be historically accurate. For if its credibility cannot be established on the basis of known events, it certainly cannot be relied upon as an adequate guide in matters beyond our ability to check. On the other hand, if we can demonstrate that such a book…
Read MoreHow do we know that we have an accurate rendition of the oral teachings?
Question: Since parts of the New Testament were first delivered orally, how do we know if we have a 100% accurate rendition of the original writings that were spoken by the Holy Spirit? I’ve heard that through oral teachings, details could be lost and distorted. For example, someone may deliver a story to 20 people…
Read MoreIf Jude said the faith was once delivered, could Revelation be included if it was written after Jude?
Question: I have a question about whether Jude was written before Revelation or not. If everything was once and all delivered to the saints does that make Revelation a newer testament or is it ok because it coincides with the rest of the Bible? Sorry, something came to mind about the dating of Jude and…
Read MoreThank for the refutation on Dan Billingsly’s teachings and the information on the historical accuracy of the Bible
Question: I came across your site twice in two days. Once when I was looking for refutations to the teachings by Dan Billingsly and now when I was looking for information on the historical accuracy of the Bible. Thanks for the help. I also came across a reference to the Mesha Stele in Wikipedia that supports the reference in II…
Read MoreThe Mesha Stele
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In 1868, a stone monument was found at the ancient site of Dibon, once the capital of Moab. The site is currently located in the modern country of Jordan. The black basalt stele is a record of King Mesha of Moab recounting his rebellion against Israel. “Now Mesha king of Moab…
Read MoreWhy does Hebrews 9:27 state what it does and yet Elijah and Enoch did not experience physical death?
Question: Why does Hebrews 9:27 state what it does and yet Elijah and Enoch did not experience physical death? Answer: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The writer of Hebrews is stating a general principle. Because of Adam’s sin, man is appointed to die. “In the…
Read MoreWhat Kind of Flood?
by Edwin L. Crozier via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 1, Jan. 6, 2008. I have heard Bible believers debate the flood. I use the term “Bible believers” loosely here because some of these so-called believers can’t seem to accept the Bible for what it says. Genesis 6:17 says, “I will bring a flood of…
Read MoreWas Matthew originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic?
Question: One of the problems I would have with your explanation is whether or not Matthew wrote the words in Greek or did he write the words in the original Aramaic. Most Bible scholars believe that Matthew wrote in Aramaic and while Mark’s words are almost identical, he too was a Jew who would have spoken a…
Read MoreDo historians and the Bible disagree?
Question: Do you think there is a conflict between the Bible and historians regarding when man first existed on this earth? An article in our paper stated aboriginal people were in Australia at least 60,000 years ago. Could this statement be in line with the Bible in regards to time? Answer: Of course, the commonly stated…
Read MoreHow Did They Know?
by Doy Moyer via Gospel Guide, Vol. 27, No. 7, July 1995. Fountains of the Deep Moses wrote, concerning the flood, that “all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened” (Genesis 7:11). Then later he said that “The fountains of the deep and the windows of…
Read MoreThe Genuineness of Mark 16:9-20
by Dudley Ross Spears The last verses from Mark’s gospel, (Mark 16:9-20) have been called “The Longer Ending of Mark.” The first time I came across this criticism it was in response to quoting verses 15 and 16. Mark 16:16 affirms, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not…
Read MoreBiblical Reliability
by Dudley Ross Spears How reliable is the Bible? How do we know it is truly the word of God? What evidence is there that justifies our respect for and allegiance to the Book? In this installment, we will consider the things that prove the Bible to be a reliable revelation of the mind of…
Read MoreThe Harmony of the Scriptures
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 30:2-9 I. The denominational world has long debated the relationship of faith, works, and grace in man’s salvation. A. Some argue that salvation is by faith alone while others argue the necessity of works. Some turn their attention to grace and argue that grace alone saves men. B. The problem has…
Read MoreHow did Saul actually die?
Question: I want to know how Saul died. In I Samuel 31:4 the Scripture says that Saul fell upon his own sword and in verse 6 it says Saul, his three sons, and his armorbearer died that same day. Then in II Samuel 1:10. the Scripture says an Amalekite stood upon him and killed him.…
Read MoreDid people normally tie a scarlet cord on a twin at birth?
Question: Why did midwife tie a scarlet thread around Zerah’s wrist? Was this a common action for twins? surely if it was custom to tie a ribbon surely this would have been done once the baby had been ‘birthed’. This whole procedure seems unlikely and extremely messy. Answer: “Now it came to pass, at the…
Read MoreDid Orson Pratt originate the idea that the Bible is unreliable?
Question: Good morning. Back in the 1800’s Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt stated that the Bible is fundamentally unreliable; that it had been mistranslated over the centuries. What I want to know is, was this statement by Pratt original with him, or did this kind of claim originate earlier in history? [My objective in knowing this…
Read MoreHow could people live to be so old?
Question: In the Old Testament, when people lived to be hundreds of years old — did they really live years as we know it or did they count seasons as years? How could anyone have lived to be 400 years old? Answer: The word used for “years” did not change meaning in the Old Testament.…
Read MoreI believe Jesus was married and had a son
Question: I believe Jesus was married and had a child, a son actually. At the time, men his age were married and had families. What makes him different? Mary Magdalene was his wife and Judah was his son. He could not do his preaching in that time without being married. The men would think of…
Read MoreHas the Bible Been Changed?
by Greg Gwin We are frequently asked about the reliability of our Bibles. Specifically, how can we be sure that the Bibles we are reading today are true to the original messages delivered so long ago? In particular, can we be sure that the New Testament has not been altered and changed in the almost…
Read MoreThe Character of the Bible’s Witnesses
by Jerry Blount “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no…
Read MoreWhy are there two different stories of creation in Genesis?
Question: Why are there two different stories of creation in Genesis? Answer: Let’s start with a basic observation: two people observing the same events will not give the same account. For example, an accident happens and the police gather information from the multiple witnesses, yet even if every witness told the absolute truth, none of…
Read MoreDid Matthew fabricate a prophecy to support his claim that Jesus was the Messiah?
Question: I have another question. It may seem like I am attacking Christianity with this one, but I’m not. I’m just very interested in studying the Bible and every now and then I come across an objection I need help answering. So here is the objection I found on another website: The fabrication of a…
Read MoreHow could the Israelites have left Egypt if they crossed into the Sinai peninsula?
Question: I have a question regarding the map of your proposed route for the Exodus. You show the Israelites going south and crossing the Gulf of Suez. The problem I see is that this route invalidates Exodus 12:41 which states that the Israelites “left Egypt” on precisely the same day they entered 430 years earlier.…
Read MoreWhat About All Those Mistakes in the Bible?
by Jon Quinn It is quite amazing to me that a common complaint made about the Bible is that it has so many contradictions and mistakes. It is not surprising that such a charge would be made by some unbelieving scholar who will investigate the Bible’s pages and turn logic on its ear in order…
Read MoreThe Development of the New Testament Text
by Jim Snapp II The history of the development of the New Testament begins (of course) with the original text. The first document to contain the original text is called the “autograph.” That is what the “A” in this box stands for. By “autograph,” I do not necessarily mean the text written by the main…
Read MoreDid King Jehoshaphat remove the high places or not?
Question: I am looking for a source of information concerning the apparent discrepancy regarding Jehoshaphat and the high places of Judah. In II Chronicles 17:6 the record says the king removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. The parallel account in I Kings 22:43 says he failed to take away the high places. I have read several…
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