The Reliability of Scripture
Class Notes
I. The Central Question: Is the Bible Reliable?
Conservative Christianity grounds its worldview in Scripture. Therefore, the primary objection to conservative Christianity often targets the Bible itself.
Common Objection: “The Bible is not reliable enough to serve as the foundation of a worldview.”
If Scripture is unreliable, then Christianity collapses. Our task is not merely to assert reliability but to provide reasonable defenses.
II. Common Accusations Against the Bible
A. Misunderstandings Concerning Inerrancy
Inerrancy means:
Scripture is without error in the original writings (i.e., autographs).
Truth is determined according to authorial intent and literary genre.
Scripture may use phenomenological language (e.g., the sun rises and sets).
Scripture allows summarization and selective reporting.
Inerrancy does NOT mean:
Every modern translation will be identical or that a modern translation is inerrant.
The authors of Scripture provide exhaustive detail in every account.
The elimination of ordinary human language conventions.
Confusion arises when doctrine is misdefined.
B. Apparent Contradictions
Critics often cite examples such as:
The Sabbath: Exodus 20:8 vs. Romans 14:5 (i.e., Exod 20:8 asserts to observe the Sabbath, Rom 14:5 seems to abolish the sabbath) – context shows Romans 14 concerns ceremonial observances, not abolishing the moral law.
Seeing God: Genesis 32:30 vs. John 1:18 (i.e., Gen 32:30 describes Jacob seeing God’s face, John 1:18 asserts that no one has seen God) – context shows Genesis 32:30 using an idiom or colloquialism, while John speaks of seeing God in His unveiled essence.
Circumcision: (i.e., the requirement of circumcision in the Abrahamic Covenant and lack of circumcision in the NT is seen as a contradiction) – however, differences between OT and NT application reflect covenantal development, not contradiction
Many “contradictions” dissolve when context, genre, and theology are considered carefully.
C. Supernatural Elements
Examples:
The Flood
Healing miracles, the wedding of Cana, feeding of the multitude, etc.
The Resurrection
Modern naturalism rejects the supernatural by definition. However, if God exists, miracles are not logically impossible. The debate is not primarily about evidence—it is about worldview assumptions.
D. Conflict with Contemporary Ideology
Critics object to Scripture when it contradicts cultural norms, particularly regarding:
Sexual ethics
Gender roles
Authority structures
The objections are often moral rather than evidence-based.
E. “The Bible is Just Another Holy Book”
Some argue that the Bible is no different from other religious writings (e.g., the Qur’an). This claim requires evaluation of historical, textual, and theological distinctives rather than assuming equivalence.
F. New Testament Reliability
Why is the NT frequently targeted?
It makes direct historical claims
It grounds central Christian doctrines
Skeptics often treat it differently than other ancient documents
Yet, compared to other ancient writings, the New Testament is exceptionally well-attested.
III. How Can We Know the Bible is True?
We examine both internal and external evidence.
A. Internal Evidence
1. Unity Across Diversity
Written by multiple human authors
Over approximately 1,500 years
In multiple languages (i.e., Aramiac, Greek, and Hebrew)
Yet it presents a coherent storyline.
2. Redemptive Narrative
Creation
Fall
Redemption
Consummation
3. Thematic Development
Themes such as:
Temple motif
Kingdom of God/Heaven
Salvation
unfold progressively across Scripture.
5. Fulfilled Prophecy
Predicted elements that find later realization.
B. External Evidence
1. Archaeology
The Tel Dan Stele referencing the House of David.
The Pilate Stone confirming Pontius Pilate’s governance.
The current dig in Shiloh
2. Non-Christian Historical Sources
Josephus – mentions Jesus, James, and John the Baptist
Tacitus – confirms persecution of Christians
Pliny the Younger
Rabbinic sources (e.g., Talmudic references)
3. Historical Geography
Accurate descriptions of real places and political structures.
4. Manuscript Evidence
The NT has an unparalleled number of manuscripts compared to other ancient works.
IV. Conclusion
The reliability of Scripture is not defended by blind assertion but by:
Careful definition of doctrine
Contextual interpretation
Historical investigation
Archaeological support
Textual manuscript evidence
The Christian claim is that Scripture is both internally coherent and externally corroborated.
If Scripture is reliable, then the Christian worldview grounded in Scripture stands on firm footing.
Additional Resources
Biblical Contradictions, American Atheists
