Can we trust the Bible to be true?

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Here are the facts. You decide.

The Bible has 66 books written by approximately 40-45 authors. These authors lived in numerous places over a 1500 year course of history with varied backgrounds: one was a physician, another was a priest—and one was a tax collector. King David of Israel wrote much of the book of Psalms. Several were prophets correcting and guiding the people through their books within the Bible. Peter, a disciple of Jesus, wrote the book of Acts. He was a major player throughout the New Testament, alongside ten other disciples who authored numerous Biblical books.

Aside from the Bible being penned by different authors over 15 centuries, its multiple books of holy truth hold no contradictions. Imagine that, along with the fact no errors can be found in any of the Biblical books. Each author presented different angles and assessments, but they all proclaim the same truths about there being one God. Plus, the ultimate message totally supports the fact God has expectations of us while also being helpful, forgiving and loving.

How can the above be true? Because the authors writing these many books were each inspired by God to record exactly what God was saying to them. Second Timothy 3:16 declares that the Bible was “breathed out” by God.

Finally, consider the fact that for anyone who seriously reads the Bible, and follows it–their life is changed–by far for the better. Scripture brings out the “love nature” within human hearts, finding us more honest with ourselves and with others. Maintaining good manners makes for better relationships, both with those close to us and with those encountered momentarily day-by-day.

Multiple prophets spoke during the earliest centuries pointing to the coming of a Messiah who we now know as Jesus Christ our Redeemer, born as time changed from BC to AD (‘Anno Domini’, a Latin term for ‘Year of Our Lord.) In addition, these prophets of old portrayed definite details that only God could know about Jesus and what would happen through Him and to Him.

Reading the Bible makes us believers, hungry for truth. And, it brings our minds to higher realms expanding our comprehension of what this life is meant to be about. Scriptures help us experience the Spirit of the living God— helping us grasp the truth that God is “here for us” and that there is life with Him after death in a glorious place.

Subsequently, we want God’s guidance as we long to make the most of our time here on terra firma. We realize that what we do with our lives on Earth will determine how blessed we are while here–as well as in the afterlife. (See Matthew 25: 14-30). The more we read the Bible, the more truth we want.

The truths that come from reading the Bible bring meaning and purpose. We are uplifted and comforted when we read those truths as a part of daily living. Doing so can greatly lessen our fears and angst as it has for many billions of people throughout the centuries.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.