Doubting the reliability of the Bible

[jelli<><]

I've never worried about this before. Now, everywhere I read there are articles displaying the contradictions in the Bible.

If there are any errors at all in it, how can we trust the whole thing? Who are we to decide what is genuine and what is real in the Bible?

Why couldn't God have preserved his word perfectly when the translations were made? (kjv)

Hating this nagging thought that some of what I've read and believed many not be so. :(:

[scottruff]

Recommended reading: The New Testament Documents. Are They Reliable? by FF Bruce. It is an easy read and it is inexpensive too. A more massive volume which deals with this topic is More Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell.

Bottom line: There are MINOR copyist errors in the texts which in no way affect doctrine. Have confidence in your Bible.

[chrislb]

Now, everywhere I read there are articles displaying the contradictions in the Bible.

where are they and we'll find you an explanation.



Why couldn't God have preserved his word perfectly when the translations were made? (kjv)

I once was kjv-only, maybe still I am (i don't know). I answer this quesiton, though, with manuscript evidence. Since there are over 24,000 copies, we can see what the originals were. For instance, in the kjv in judges 18:30, it says that Gershom is the son of Manessah. Well, due to all the manuscript evidence, we know that it should read, "son of Moses." If you cross reference different versions, again due to the manuscript, we can derive at what the original should read.

Hating this nagging thought that some of what I've read and believed many not be so.

don't worry, it is so. what are you having problems with?

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by jelli<><
I've never worried about this before. Now, everywhere I read there are articles displaying the contradictions in the Bible.

If there are any errors at all in it, how can we trust the whole thing? Who are we to decide what is genuine and what is real in the Bible?

Why couldn't God have preserved his word perfectly when the translations were made? (kjv)

Hating this nagging thought that some of what I've read and believed many not be so. :(:

Actually... He did!

The people who pull out of scripture what they say are contradictions are not contradictions at all. They wrench something out of context, and don't let the Bible interpret the Bible. A lot of things in the Bible need to been seen in the light of other things in the Bible because they wont make sense on their own. Kinda like over hearing half of a conversation, and then drawing conclusions.

Be careful reading that kinda stuff. It's ok to review it and ask questions to find the answer for yourself, but it can easily become an obsession and you'll begin to doubt. Satan is a slick deceiver...

[kerri]

Originally posted by jelli<><
I've never worried about this before. Now, everywhere I read there are articles displaying the contradictions in the Bible.

If there are any errors at all in it, how can we trust the whole thing? Who are we to decide what is genuine and what is real in the Bible?

Why couldn't God have preserved his word perfectly when the translations were made? (kjv)

Hating this nagging thought that some of what I've read and believed many not be so. :(:

Well- those articles are most likely written by those who don't have the Holy Spirit to guide them.

If you have questions, or stumble upon things you don't understand, the best thing to do is to give an honest open-hearted search... not looking for more contradictions from the stand point of not trusting the Spirit- but looking for answers as guided by the Spirit.....

Prepare to do some very deep study- of Hebrew and Greek words and meanings, of archeology, of Biblical commentaries, or whatever the Lord leads you too for answers.

There is so much to learn and study- and sometimes you have to go VERY deep before the lightbulb goes off- and you finally "get it".

If you have any particular questions- ask them :):

[toadblossom]

Ran into a similar problem yesterday.

My unbelieving mother started a conversation with "You don't believe all that rapture stuff do you?".

Believe me I'm praying for the wisdom to witness... but the issues out of this phone call are:

1. She believes the Bible is basically a work of fiction.

2. She believes that you can be good enough to get to heaven, BUT, how do you know you even want to be there? She doesn't believe in the alternative, hell.

3. As for Jesus Christ being the Son of God, well, she makes a sound indicating disbelief and that I'm a fool. (and that's the nicest way I could put that) Nevermind that He died so that she could be saved from her sins.

4. The rapture... well... That in her mind is akin to Jim Jones and grape kool-aid. Or, that cult that committed suicide so they could be picked up by aliens.

My problem, is that if she doesn't believe in #1, how do you discuss 2 through 4? Any websites that could help? She has a high school education and a short attention span.

Oh... now she thinks I'm certifiable! :wacko

[Christ Rocks On]

Toadblossom -You might want to point out to your mother that most of the thousands of prophecies that were predicted in the bible have come to pass with 100% accuracy, and the ones that haven't are yet to be fulfilled.

I will be praying for your mother, too. :):

Jelli -I read a book called "When Critics Ask" by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe that answers the questions on difficulties found in the bible. Reading this book, or one similar to it, would help you a great deal, I believe.

[cayte]

What "articles" are you referring to that point out "contradictions" in the Bible? Are the "articles" written by Biblical scholars and theologians, if so, of what denomination? Very rarely is anything written entirely objectively, especially articles so the author's perspective is important to keep in mind.

If they are secular "articles" those are out there to create doubts in the minds of believers. If you are in doubt, pray to your Heavenly Father. Afterall, the Bible is His Holy Word, and His Holy Spirit will guide you when you read it, if you ask and put your trust in God.

Once you begin to doubt the Bible's authenticity, doubts about your faith will follow, so be careful, keep devotions and pray. Remember the devil is out there in the world, like a hungry lion, seeking whom he can devour.. make no mistake about that. Angels and demons do exist. Satan is real and can really influence and possess people, that I believe. That is why we need to encourage eachother and keep in step with God in our faith and trust that He is there for us.

As far as the Judges 18:30 verse, kjv, that one poster mentioned, what makes you think there is an error. Moses is long dead in the book of Judges... this is the time when Hebrews are in their land before the time of the first kings and Samuel, after Joshua. The names of Moses' children are never mentioned, by the way, and his wife is mentioned only in passing-way before he went back to Egypt to free the people. No where does it mention that his wife went on the Exodus with her husband. For all we know, she could have died.. Moses was well past the age of men at that time when they started families, etc when God called him to lead his people out of Egypt.

Now Manasseh, on the other hand, is the son of Joseph. Joseph is not a tribe leader of Israel, remember? Israel gave Joseph's blessing to Joseph's eldest son, Manasseh. Though this particular Manasseh may not be the Manasseh, but of Manasseh's tribe.

[blitzkreig]

One of the primary reasons for prophecy is to prove the prophet one way or another either true or a false prophet.

Here is a neat site: http://www.100prophecies.org/

[7Rock]

There is nothing more reliable than the Word Of God.

All of the bibles we have today are translations, that were translated by fallible man, and they all have manmade errors.
This is no way takes anything away from the perfection of God`s Word.

His Word is Perfect.
We are not.

[PaulStGermain]

The most important thing is to never let these books sidetrack you. The more you read and understand the more you can make your own decisions.

[gzusrulzme]

The History of the Bible all in itself is amazing! How it was nearly wiped out over and over again, Bibles burned, people killed for owning one, etc. etc.

This book is everywhere! It has been published in many languages, and it has survived. We know that the Bible will always survive anything~~because it is the word of the Lord.

It was written by about 39 people from 1700 b.c. to 100 a.d.
These were Inspired men of God told through time to write HIS words. It was not produced in a few years by some unknown authors. It took a long time, and alot of Godly men specifically chosen to write.

2 peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.