Bible's Reliability:

In a world filled with skepticism, the question of the Bible's reliability is often raised. Critics may argue that it is just another ancient text, subject to the same decay and distortion over time as any other. However, when we compare the New Testament to other historical writings, the evidence overwhelmingly supports its authenticity and reliability. This post will explore how the Bible stands as a uniquely preserved and reliable document, offering believers confidence in the Word of God.

The Importance of Manuscript Reliability

For any ancient text, its reliability is measured by how faithfully it has been transmitted over time. Scholars typically assess this by examining:

1. Time Span: The interval between the original writing and the earliest surviving copy. The shorter this span, the less chance there is for errors or distortions to creep in.

2. Number of Copies: A higher number of copies allows for more cross-referencing, which helps identify and correct any discrepancies, ensuring the text remains true to its original form.

How the Bible Compares to Other Ancient Texts

Let’s look at how the Bible’s New Testament compares to other ancient works that are widely accepted as reliable:

• The dating of the Iliad is commonly placed between 750 and 700 B.C., based on linguistic and historical evidence. While some sources might suggest a traditional or approximate date of 900 B.C., this is more an estimation rather than a precise scholarly agreement. Regardless of the exact date, the fact remains that there is a significant time gap of about 400 years between the composition and the earliest surviving manuscripts.

  Proverbs 10:7 (ASV): "The memory of the righteous is blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot."

• Regarding Plato, his works were indeed composed in the 4th century B.C. The earliest surviving manuscripts date from around the 1st century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., though these are often fragments rather than complete texts. The more complete manuscripts that we rely on today come from the 9th century A.D. Thus, while the fragments from the earlier periods provide some evidence, the more intact manuscripts we use today originate from the 9th century A.D. This observation supports the timeline presented in the graph.

  Psalm 112:10: "The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish."

• The situation is similar with Aristotle. His works were written between 384 and 322 B.C. The earliest surviving manuscripts of Aristotle's writings date from the 1st century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., generally as fragments. The most complete manuscripts available today come from the 9th century A.D. Thus, the more comprehensive texts that scholars refer to are indeed from this later period, even though earlier fragments exist.

  Jeremiah 17:5: "This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.’"

• Julius Caesar wrote The Gallic Wars between 58 and 50 B.C. The earliest surviving manuscripts date from the 9th century A.D., which are copies made long after the original work. Although there are incomplete fragments from the 1st century B.C., the most complete versions come from the 9th century A.D. This gap highlights the challenges of textual preservation, but the numerous manuscripts help scholars reconstruct the text with confidence.

• Psalm 146:3-4: "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing."

• Tacitus wrote The Annals between A.D. 56 and 120. The earliest surviving manuscripts are from the 9th century A.D., reflecting a significant gap from the original text. While earlier fragments exist, they are incomplete. The 9th-century manuscripts provide a more complete version, highlighting the challenges of preserving ancient texts. Despite the gap, the available manuscripts allow scholars to reconstruct the text with reasonable accuracy.

  Ecclesiastes 3:19: "Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless."

• Herodotus authored Histories between 484 and 425 B.C. The earliest surviving manuscripts are from around the 5th century A.D., making them many centuries removed from the original text. Earlier fragments from the 1st century B.C. exist but are incomplete. The 5th-century manuscripts provide the most complete version available today, offering valuable insight despite the long gap in preservation. This evidence highlights the difficulties in maintaining ancient texts over time but still allows for a reasonably accurate reconstruction.

  1 Corinthians 1:19: "For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’"

• Livy wrote History of Rome between 59 B.C. and A.D. 17. The earliest surviving manuscripts date from the 5th century A.D., long after Livy’s original work. Earlier fragments from the 1st century B.C. are known but are incomplete. The 5th-century manuscripts offer the most complete versions available, reflecting how the text was preserved and transmitted over time. Despite the significant gap, the existing manuscripts provide a reasonably accurate reconstruction of Livy’s work.

  Isaiah 40:23: "He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing."

The New Testament’s Exceptional Manuscript Evidence

The New Testament, a cornerstone of Christian scripture, was composed between A.D. 50 and 100. Remarkably, the earliest fragments of these writings can be traced back to as early as A.D. 100-150, providing us with a direct link to the original texts. By A.D. 150-200, we see complete books of the New Testament in circulation, and by around A.D. 300, the entire New Testament was available in manuscript form.

Matthew 24:35 (NIV): "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

What sets the New Testament apart from other ancient texts is the remarkably short gap between its original composition and the earliest surviving copies. This period spans just 29 to 100 years, a notably brief interval compared to the centuries that often separate original works from their surviving manuscripts. This proximity in time enhances the reliability of the New Testament texts, reducing the likelihood of significant errors or distortions.

1 Peter 1:25 (NIV): "But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

The New Testament is supported by a vast array of manuscript evidence, with over 5,800 Greek manuscripts cataloged. Beyond these, there are numerous early translations and Old Testament quotations that bring the total number of manuscripts to over 60,000. This extensive manuscript tradition not only attests to the widespread dissemination and preservation of the New Testament but also provides scholars with ample material to cross-check and verify the text's accuracy.

Luke 16:17 (NIV): "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law."

The sheer volume of manuscript evidence for the New Testament offers an unparalleled opportunity to study and understand the original texts. Unlike many other ancient writings, the New Testament’s manuscript trail is robust and relatively clear, underscoring its historical significance and the dedication of early Christian communities to preserving these sacred writings.

Psalm 12:6 (NIV): "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times."

For those interested in historical accuracy and textual integrity, the New Testament's manuscript evidence stands out as a remarkable testament to its preservation through the ages.

Isaiah 40:8 (NIV): "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."

Conclusion: A Divine Safeguard

The extraordinary preservation of the Bible, especially the New Testament, is no coincidence.

Psalm 119:152: "Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever."

For Christians, this is a testament to the divine safeguarding of God’s Word.

Psalm 119:89: "Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."

While other ancient texts have been altered, lost, or corrupted over the centuries, the Bible has remained intact and reliable, a clear sign of its unique role in conveying God's truth to humanity.

As believers, we can be confident that the Scriptures we hold today are a faithful representation of God’s original revelation. The Bible is not just another ancient document; it is the inspired Word of God, preserved for generations to guide, instruct, and bring us closer to our Creator.

1 Thessalonians 2:13: "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.