Question: How do we know that the Bible is true? I think many people are ignorant and apathetic about the Bible because they really do not believe it is the word of God.
Answer: I think you are exactly right. Our American culture has largely lost his faith in the Bible as the word of God, and most Americans have never read the Bible even one time. When one begins to read and study it carefully, its truthfulness and accuracy become immediately apparent. Let me give you an example using the details provided concerning Christ’s empty tomb.
All four of the Gospel accounts contain various details, which supplement but do not contradict one another. For example, in John 20, we are informed that these events occurred on the “first day of the week.” They are introduced with the word, “now.” Matthew states that this occurred late on the Sabbath day (Saturday), “as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,” (Mt. 28:1). Matthew, who wrote primarily to Jews, is obviously using the Jewish reckoning of the “day,” which began at 6:00 AM and ended at 6:00 PM.
From these two accounts we can tell that these events occurred in the early morning hours of what we call Sunday. This is confirmed by the accounts of Mark and Luke, who state, “when the Sabbath was past,” (Mk. 16:1) and “on the first day of the week at early dawn,” (Lk. 24:1). John provides the additional details that it was “early” and “while it was yet dark.” Descriptions in different words, which essentially compliment one another, are a well-known mark of trustworthiness, (see also Mk. 16:2).
John informs us that he, John, arrived at the tomb first, (Jn. 20:4), but that he hesitated, stooped and looked inside, (Jn. 20:5). He states further that he and Peter both saw the “linen cloths”, that Peter went into the tomb first, and saw the napkin “in a place by itself,” (Jn. 20:5-7). These details are significant because of their precision, and because of the unlikelihood that they were manufactured, for if they had, they could have easily been denied or contradicted. They are also confirmed in Luke’s account, (Lk. 24:12).
Mark and Luke supply details about women who came to the tomb. Mark says that the women brought spices that they might “anoint him,” (Mk. 16:1), Luke supplies the additional detail that the spices have been “prepared” by these women, (Lk. 24:1). Mark further tells us that the women conversed among themselves regarding who would roll away the stone, (Mk. 16:3), and that they fled the tomb with trembling and astonishment, (Mk. 16:8). He also reports that they did not speak to one another for fear, (Mk. 16:8).
The inclusion of such specific details from four different records, which could have easily been contradicted or denied at the time if they were untrue, is one of the many ways that these accounts ring very true. It is unimaginable that such detailed records would have withstood the test of scrutiny if they had been simply manufactured or made up. Yet, they have withstood the test of repeated scrutiny and examination for over 2,000 years. How did this happen, unless they are indeed authentic and reliable?
Another indication of truthfulness is the inclusion of numerous pieces of information in the records which are not complimentary to the writers, and would ordinarily have been excluded. Men do not usually include in their memoirs pieces of information which make them and their friends look indecisive, cowardly or less than ideal. Yet that is precisely what we find in a number of instances regarding the resurrection of Christ, (see Jn. 20:2, 4-5, 10; Mt. 28:1; Lk. 24:11). This is a mark of truthfulness.
The truthfulness and accuracy of the Bible record is actually quite astounding. The various Gospel accounts do not read at all like fiction. They read like carefully written, first hand accounts of eyewitnesses. These are some examples of the many ways by which we can have full assurance and confidence in the accuracy of God’s word. This is a book which has stood the test of time. It has brought comfort and hope to the hearts of millions, and has long endured the most brutal, cruel and unfair attacks of skeptics and atheists alike. Yet it is not proud or boastful. It stands as a savior, humbly offering the greatest treasures imaginable, and imploring its readers to freely drink of its fountains of life. Those who have respectfully done so have been blessed immeasurably. Will you?
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
