Tag: accuracy

Is the Bible Reliable? 

Carl Pollard

That question isn’t new, but it feels more urgent than ever. In a world where truth is constantly shifting, people want to know, Can we actually trust the Bible? Here’s a short list of reasons to save for future use: 

First, consider the Bible’s consistency. It was written over roughly 1,500 years by more than 40 authors, kings, shepherds, prophets, fishermen, across three continents and in multiple languages. Yet it tells one unified story, God’s plan to redeem mankind through Jesus Christ. That kind of harmony over that kind of time isn’t normal. It points to something beyond human effort.

Second, consider its preservation. The Bible is the most well-attested ancient book in history. Thousands of manuscripts exist, far more than any other ancient writing. When scholars compare these manuscripts, they find an incredibly high level of agreement. What we read today accurately reflects what was originally written. You’re not holding a corrupted message, you’re holding something carefully preserved.

Third, consider its historical credibility. The Bible names real people, real places, and real events. Archaeology has repeatedly confirmed details once questioned, cities like Jericho, figures like David, and customs described in Scripture. Luke begins his Gospel by emphasizing careful investigation (Luke 1:1–4), and that’s exactly what you see, a record grounded in history, not myth.

Fourth (what I believe to be the strongest evidence), consider its prophetic accuracy. The Old Testament contains detailed prophecies about the coming Messiah, His lineage, birthplace, manner of death, written hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Those prophecies are fulfilled in Christ with remarkable precision. There is no possible way a human could do that. That’s divine authorship.

And then there’s its power. The Bible doesn’t just inform, it transforms. For centuries, it has changed lives, convicted hearts, and reshaped entire cultures. People from every background have opened its pages and found truth that cuts deep and lifts high at the same time. 

So, is the Bible reliable? If by reliable you mean consistent, preserved, historically grounded, prophetically accurate, and personally transformative, the answer is yes! 

But it’s more than reliable. It’s authoritative. Which means the real question isn’t just, “Can I trust the Bible?” It’s, “Will I listen to it?”

“Weaponizing” The Bible

Neal Pollard

While politicians have quoted the Bible as far back as the founding fathers, have you noticed the trend especially in the last 20 years or so to use Scripture to push a policy or score a point? Perhaps it’s to pander to a group or to reinforce one’s position. During the historic impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives, the Bible was “weaponized” by both sides of the aisle in embarrassing, repulsive ways. One side compared the impeachment trial of the President to Jesus before Pilate, producing a tasteless, horrific analogy. The other side ripped Romans 1:25 from context to admonish the President’s supporters as worshipping the “creature” more than the “Creator”–I wonder if this extremely liberal politician bothered to read the very next few verses? The God of heaven must be filled with righteous wrath over such misuses of His Word!

Unbelievers have long tried to weaponize the Bible against those who believe God’s Word is inspired. A favorite “go to” is Matthew 7:1 (“judge not that you be not judged”) as a shield for any number of immoral deeds which Scripture itself condemns. This is often an effort to turn what people claim to follow (the Bible) against them to defend their actions. John 8:7 (“let him that is without sin cast the first stone”) is a close second and used similarly 

Yet, each of us needs to be careful not to remove a Bible verse from its context to make it say what it is not saying. Peter warned that “the untaught and unstable distort” the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Pet. 3:16). Often, it’s a general ideas like “God wants me to be happy” or misuses of Scripture like “where two or three are gathered together in my name” to have it say what it does not mean.  Perhaps we defend our actions with our physical or Christian family by appealing to wonderful Bible concepts like grace, love, and freedom, but in effect weaponize them to suit our lifestyle choices. Scripture itself says these concepts can be misappropriated (Jude 4, 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Gal. 5:13, etc.). 

Scripture is a powerful weapon which God intends for us to use in spiritual warfare (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:14-17). But, as with every weapon, it must be handled properly (2 Tim. 2:15). I must understand that God will be displeased if I misuse this omnipotent tool. Used properly and in context, Scripture is powerful. Used otherwise, we will hurt ourselves and probably others!

221b Baker Street