Can We Really Trust the Veracity of Bible?

When you buy a new car – or a car that’s new-to-you – it usually comes with an owner’s manual, right? You probably don’t sit down and spend hours reading through it, unless you’re having trouble sleeping. But most likely you don’t question whether those guidelines and instructions from the manufacturer are accurate and justified.

 

Similarly, when was the last time you got an owner’s manual for anything – maybe a refrigerator or microwave, a TV, or a computer – and thought, “Who do they think they are to tell me how to set this up and operate it?” We don’t do this (unless we’re naturally defiant) because we trust the manufacturer has determined the correct specifications and how to get the maximum benefit from using whatever it is.

 

Would you be surprised to know that the Bible is God’s “owner’s manual” for our everyday lives? Some people view the Scriptures as a collection of “do’s” and “don’ts.” Isn’t that what the 10 Commandments are all about – ‘thou shalt this’ and ‘thou shalt not that’? They couldn’t be more wrong. In reality, the Scriptures are God’s perfect way to provide us with principles and instructions for how to enjoy the most fruitful, most fulfilling lives possible.

Speaking to His followers, Jesus Christ said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Another translation phrases it “the abundant life.” Who doesn’t want an abundant life? Jesus says we can experience this by following the guidelines set forth in His Word.

 

Writing to his protégé, Timothy, on how to live a godly life, the apostle Paul declared, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Read this again, especially the words teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.

 

When many of us have started new jobs, one of the first things we received was a job description on what the job entailed, what our responsibilities were, and how we were to carry them out. Paul was reminding Timothy that the Scriptures can serve as God’s ‘job description’ for us – teaching us about Himself and ourselves; rebuking us when we’ve gotten off track; correcting us when some changes are needed; and training us in what righteous, holy living should look like.

 

We have much we can use to prove the authenticity and veracity of the Bible. There’s an ever-growing collection of historical, scientific and prophetic evidence to demonstrate this. Archaeology in many ways has located and confirmed sites described in the Bible. It also has uncovered many historical records that validate biblical accounts and timelines about people and events. Hundreds of Old Testament prophecies have proved true, including more than 300 Messianic predictions that Jesus fulfilled.

 

But the greatest proof of all is when we learn and apply the truths and principles God gives to us through His Word. When we do, we come to the realization, “This works!”

 

Whenever we try to do something by following the accompanying manual and we succeed, isn’t that gratifying? Not being mechanical at all, I was amazed when we bought a piece of do-it-yourself furniture and the step-by-step instructions were simple to follow – and they worked. I’ve found it’s the same way when we trust what God teaches in His Word.

 

In the process of learning and living out biblical truths and principles, we are introduced to timeless guidelines for marriage, raising children, handling finances, building a successful career, and enjoying a rewarding life. Most important of all, we discover what it means to have a personal, growing relationship with God through Christ. 

 

As His followers, we become what some might describe as “satisfied customers.” Having learned through first-hand experience that what the Bible teaches is true, we gain the desire to help others find that out for themselves as well. Encountering Good News, it’s only fitting to want to share it with others. 

 

After the despised Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well and discovered from their conversation that He was the promised Messiah, she couldn’t keep the news to herself. “Many of the Samaritans from (her) town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did’” (John 4:39).

As Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). In a world in which truth is becoming harder and harder to discern and is often under attack, the Scriptures are the one unchanging, unfailing source of truth. Not only for today, but for all of eternity! 

One Shall Become a Thousand

When I started writing these posts in 2008, I had no aspirations or expectations. I just wanted an avenue for expressing random thoughts about a variety of topics. My desire was to offer my perspectives as both journalist and follower of Christ, applying biblical truths I believe are as practical and relevant today as they were when God inspired dozens of men to record them many centuries ago.

When I first thought about writing a blog, I wasn’t sure I could sustain it. So I wrote several posts before publishing the first one, reasoning it would be silly to run out of steam after just one or two. Obviously, I haven’t. It was my plan to write only one per week, but soon realized that wouldn’t accommodate all the stuff I was “just thinking” about.

Initially I limited each post to 300 words, since someone had told me that was the optimum length for online articles. Before long, however, I found that limit too restrictive, especially for including Bible passages related to the issue at hand. Soon my word count grew to 600 or more, with occasional gusts up to 900 or so.

My first efforts included topics like personal finances, communications, holidays, death, setting goals and making resolutions. Over the years since, I’ve revisited many of these, as well as others. The question I’ve always asked and sought to answer was, “What do the Scriptures have to say about this subject?”

Today marks my 1,000^th post, which I suppose is an anniversary of sorts. A lot has happened over the past 11 years – career changes, additions of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, learning about the aging process firsthand, hearing daily about a polarizing figure named Trump. But what hasn’t changed is my conviction that the Bible is true and that God has provided it as His perfect Owner’s manual for how He intends for us to live.

I know there’s an incredible range of opinions about the Scriptures. Some consider it outdated and irrelevant; there’s a segment of people who have labeled it “dangerous”; and others find it “figurative,” that we’re free to pick those things in it we like and ignore – or re-interpret – the rest. However, I concur with what the Bible says of itself: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

A friend was leading a Bible study and asked one of the participants what she thought that passage meant. She replied, “It means that God wrote a book!” I wholeheartedly agree. Jehovah God, who created the universe, saw fit to guide and inspire the writing and compilation of a book that stands unique from any other. As someone has said, “Many books can inform, but only the Bible can transform.”

I recall a top executive speaking to a crowd years ago, telling how he had spent countless hours listening to and reading books by self-help gurus who claimed to know the secrets to business success. Then he discovered the Bible, and after thorough examination, concluded it was superior to all the other resources combined. 

Sharing that view, I continue to offer these posts in the belief that the teachings and principles the Lord gives us in the Scriptures – starting with how we can receive forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life through Jesus Christ – provide the answers to all of life’s biggest questions. We’ve become what some call a “post-Christian nation,” which I think is much to the detriment of our society. But that doesn’t diminish the importance and impact of the timeless truths available to us as we read from Genesis to Revelation.

Toward the end of one of the Bible’s prophetic books it says, “one shall become a thousand” (Isaiah 60:22). I’m sure this had no reference to online commentaries – unless Isaiah was an even more insightful major prophet than we realize. But as of today, my idea for one short blog post has literally become a thousand. 

I haven’t a clue as to what I’ll find to write about, Lord willing, for the next 1,000 posts. But I know one thing: I’m eager to get started in writing post No. 1,001. Because as Psalm 45:1 states so well, “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”

Putting Enduring, Practical Principles to Use

The person with a well-used Bible rarely has a misused life.

“God will never give you a principle in His Word that you cannot implement.”

A longtime friend made this statement during a retreat recently. Sounds bold and all-encompassing, doesn’t it? What, no exceptions? Well, he didn’t stop there, adding, “When you follow biblical principles, you can never go wrong.”

There are those who would beg to differ, but my friend, Albert, spoke from a vast storehouse of personal experience. A survivor of the ravages of World War II as a boy in the Netherlands, and then more than three years of treatment for tuberculosis, he and his wife eventually immigrated to the United States, where they raised a family and he forged a successful business career.

However, his life has hardly fit the proverbial “bowl of cherries” description. In addition to suffering from a variety of other health maladies, some nearly fatal, Albert’s had his share of business setbacks. And yet, since committing his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 40, he’s found that any time he has encountered a biblical principle and determined to apply it, it’s proven to be sound and practical.

Principles he’s implemented range from decision-making, indebtedness, giving, avoiding surety (becoming obligated for the debts of others), communications, leadership, even rejecting bankruptcy as an option in times of severe financial reversal.

One of the paramount principles Albert has followed comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” With that as the foundation for approaching each day, thoughts and actions can be guided by what the Lord teaches in the Scriptures about right living, working and playing.

I have made the same discovery over the years, both firsthand and through the insights of hundreds of people I’ve had the privilege of interviewing for articles and books. God doesn’t promise any of us pain-free, worry-free lives. Existing in an imperfect world, we’re all affected by its brokenness. But following the truths and principles presented in the Bible helps to make our journey over the bumps and potholes of every day a bit smoother.

Although the Scriptures were written and passed on thousands of years ago, they remain relevant and meaningful – if only we’re willing to consider them with open, receptive minds. As Hebrews 4:12-13 declares, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow…. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

If we’re looking for direction, wisdom in how to successfully navigate the challenges life inevitably presents, we’re wise to embrace the biblical principles God has graciously provided. Israel’s King David, who experienced his share of stumbles over the course of his own life, observed,

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your (God’s) word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have had hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9-11).

How can we know for certain? What if we try to implement a biblical principle, especially one that seems counter-intuitive to the world around us, and we wind up in a ditch?

God doesn’t seem at all worried about that. In one particular area – generous giving – He even invites us to put Him to the test: “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it’” (Malachi 3:10).

Speaking with the voice of experience, Albert said, “A loving father will never ask you to do something that is not good for you. And our God is truly a loving Father.”

No Expiration Date

Virtually everything in everyday life has an expiration date.

When you buy food at the grocery store, particularly dairy products, do you check the expiration date? Occasionally I forget and discover several days or a week later that the milk remaining in the carton has expired and taken a turn for the worse. Or the formerly white cottage cheese has turned green, but not from envy.

These days virtually all consumable products – packaged lunchmeat, canned goods, cereals, even over-the-counter drugs, have expiration dates. “Best when used by,” “sell by,” “best enjoyed thru,” or simply, “Exp. Date.” Things get old. They spoil or get stale. They lose their usefulness. (Sometimes I suspect there must be one of those dates stamped on me somewhere.)

Even medication carries
expiration date warnings.

Computers and TVs don’t carry such dates, but we can readily recognize when their time is up. They just don’t have the speed, expanded features or capacities of the newer versions. Planned obsolescence is standard in the technology industry. We buy devices and they’re out of date almost before we learn how to use them.

That’s why I marvel at the Bible – and frankly, it's one of my reasons for writing this blog. Despite claims by some that the Scriptures are archaic and irrelevant, outmoded by “enlightened” 21^st century society, I’ve found just the opposite.

Over the years as I’ve read through the Bible – some passages dozens of times – it’s proved to be timeless, just as important and meaningful as when the 39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books were written and compiled centuries ago.

Are you looking for wisdom on how to build a healthy, thriving marriage? You’ll find no greater advice than in the Scriptures. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:25-33). Not a simple solution for complex relationships, but a good starting point.

What about handling finances? “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Those are just two of hundreds of verses the Bible offers about money and the uses – and abuses – of material wealth.

Wondering how to successfully raise children in a challenging, sometimes terrifying world? “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Again, a good foundation to build on.

Unlike most things, the Bible does not come with
any expiration dates.

Wanting to know how to succeed in the workplace? “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

Questions about relationships? “The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

This hardly scratches the surface of the wisdom and instruction I’ve gained from reading the Bible almost daily for more than 30 years. Its depth on every topic of importance has amazed me, and yet there’s so much more to learn.

How is it that almost everything around us has time restrictions and limitations, but the Bible doesn't? I believe the reason is simple: Eternal truth has no expiration date.

Unlike passing fads (bellbottom pants, the Twist, long sideburns) and slang vocabulary (“cool,” “groovy,” “far out,” “hot”), the truths about life transcend time, culture and trends. Just as gravity is a physical constant, truth about human nature – especially truth found in the Scriptures – is equally constant and unchanging.

‘Decoding’ the Secret

Years ago cereal boxes contained “secret decoder glasses” as prizes. The back of boxes had squares consisting of seemingly random assortments of colored dots. If you put on the red-lensed glasses, however, words appeared.

Without the specially colored lenses functioning as a revealing filter, the message remained hidden.

It’s somewhat similar in seeking to communicate biblical truth. As followers of Jesus, it seems clear – so obvious. But trying to convey heartfelt convictions to nonbelievers, the message often seems obscured. Almost as if they need secret decoder glasses.

C.S. Lewis, the brilliant one-time atheist turned Christian apologist, and author of many books on the nature of faith, stated: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

That would imply that apart from the truths of Christianity, spiritual sight is impeded. The truths serve as the filter through which believers see reality. The Scriptures agree: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Another passage explains the Holy Spirit takes the red-lenses glasses role: “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Today the term “worldview” describes factors that influence how we perceive and interpret the world around us. My worldview undergirds much of what I write in this blog. Once I believed in God intellectually, but not in a personal or practical way. Now His truth in the Scriptures serves as my filter for understanding life. Christianity, to me, isn’t about rules, rituals, even religion. It’s about relationship – getting to know God, discovering His purpose, and finding ultimate meaning.

This is not being “better” than others, or “special.” It’s simply that God, for whatever reason, has graciously offered the equivalent of red-lensed glasses so we can see what He wants us to know.

How then can we relate God’s truth to the spiritually blind? Just as no amount of persuasion can give vision to those without physical sight, what’s needed first is prayer – for God “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).

Unless God answers this prayer, as the apostle Paul declared, “you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving…” (Acts 28:26).