Why I Believe the Bible Is True and Historically Accurate

A decorative metal Torah pointer navigating a Hebrew scroll, representing tradition and reverence.

How We Know the Bible is Historically Accurate

Why I need to know the Bible is true and accurate: If I can’t believe what I read, why do I live my life by it? What am I trusting in? Is it worth my time?

As a believer in Jesus/Yeshua, it was important for me to answer these questions about the Bible's reliability as truth and accuracy is key to ones faith. Once they were answered, it took my faith in God/YHVH to a whole new level. My faith became different from every other belief system in the world. It gave me confidence knowing that the Bible is the most reliable ancient text, and that I can live my life by this book and trust the stories and truths contained within it.

How do I know that what I am reading is true? How do I know if it is the word of God like so many people and the book itself claim? There must be a way to verify that the Bible is a work of history you can trust, and I found it in a humble Christian science curriculum called Exploring Creation with General Science by Dr. Jay L. Wile, copyright (2000). Though written for middle schoolers, it helped me see that the Bible is very trustworthy. This was the resource that finally brought me peace.

The Bible Passes the Tests

Science has become the buzzword for truth. If science can prove it, it must be true. Yet science cannot prove anything—only lend credibility through repeated testing, observation, and consistency. Even scientific laws can fall with a single counterexample.

Evidence That the Bible Is Historically Accurate

In the same way, ancient texts are tested. All historical documents are examined through three verification tests:

These three tests are:

• internal test,

• the external test,

• the bibliographic test.

The Bible passes all three better than any other ancient work.

The Bible Passes the Internal Test

In comparing the 66 books of the Bible, there is not a single contradiction in its teachings about God or its core narratives. Difficult passages exist, but they can be explained through:

• historical culture

• linguistic context

• translation variations

• differing eyewitness perspectives

It has been said, “The Bible has fewer difficulties from an internal test point of view than any other document of its time.” This gives me confidence that the Bible is a cohesive historical account written by those who experienced its events or heard them firsthand.

The Bible Passes the External Test

Greek Manuscripts 50. Psalter - Library of Congress Collection of Manuscripts St. Catherine's Monastery, Mt. Sinai (Public Domain)

When comparing the Bible with other ancient documents and archaeology, it passes with overwhelming reliability.

Non-believing historians who support biblical historical accuracy include:

• Cornelius Tacitus – Roman

• Thallus – wrote about the earthquake and darkness at Christ’s death

  historian, Annals (c. 116 AD)

• Flavius Josephus – Jewish Antiquities (c. 94 AD)

• Phlegon – recorded the same darkness, aligning with Scripture

  
  

Archaeology continues to affirm, not disprove:

• The stone inscription naming Pontius Pilate

• Babylon’s takeover of Jerusalem

• Numerous finds aligning with biblical locations and events

• 
  

The Bible stands solid.

The Bible Passes the Bibliographic Test

This test examines:

• number of copies

• time gap from original to copy

• agreement between manuscripts

Consider the accepted historical works:

Work & Author	Number of Copies	Time Between Original & Copy
Tacitus (Annals)	20 copies	1,000 years
Tacitus (minor works)	1 copy	900 years
Pliny the Younger	7 copies	750 years

Now compare:

Work	Number of Copies	Time Gap
New Testament	24,000+ copies	25 years

Minor differences exist, as expected from hand-copying, but the accuracy is astonishing.

For the Old Testament, the Dead Sea Scrolls (1945) changed everything:

• Date: 150 BC

• 95% word-for-word identical to Hebrew Isaiah

• Remaining 5% = spelling slips, not meaning changes

The Old Testament, like the New, passes the bibliographic test better than any ancient document ever preserved.

Historical Accuracy and Faith Working Together

Just as science does not prove but supports, faith rests on trust and assurance.

• Faith is being certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

• God gives each a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

Even with overwhelming evidence, believing Scripture is ultimately a step of faith. It is God’s promises contained in the Bible that secure my hope in Jesus/Yeshua’s return, His eternal reign, and the new creation.

This is why its preservation matters.

You Can't Teach What You Do Not Know

As a believer in the Bible, I encourage you to study to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15). Understanding Scripture not only equips you to divide the word correctly, but also to present it simply—even to children.

The deeper your well of knowledge, the more confidently you can share the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15-16).

Confidence in My Faith

Understanding how the Bible is historically accurate gives me strength to endure the storms of life. It helps me know trials are expected, but also temporary. This life is not the end.

The Creator of the universe loved me enough to bear my sins on the cross. I am not left as an orphan. Jesus/Yeshua is coming back, and I will live with Him in peace, under the Prince of Peace. Amen.

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