If you were to ask the average person on the street “what is the Bible?” the variation in responses would be astounding. Perhaps more worryingly, if you were to ask a Christian the same question, there would be more discrepancy than you would anticipate. In view of this, we must ask ourselves what the Bible is and whether it trustworthy or not.
The Bible is inspired
Firstly, we can trust the Bible because it is an inspired text. Inspiration is not to be understood in the motivational sense, but rather, that all Scripture is “theopneustos” – giving us the compound word “God-breathed” or “breathed out”.
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
2 Timothy 3:15-16
Grudem writes:
“Since it is writings that are said to be “breathed out,” this breathing must be understood as a metaphor for speaking the words of Scripture. This verse thus states in brief form what was evident in many passages in the Old Testament: the Old Testament writings are regarded as God’s Word in written form.”[1]
Although Paul here refers to the Old Testament, the New Testament texts are also divinely inspired. Peter affords Paul’s epistles the status of Scripture in identifying them “with the other scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Paul quotes Jesus’ words in Luke 10:7, also identifying them as “scripture” (1 Timothy 5:18). Therefore, as the Old Testament writings are Scripture which is breathed out by God, so it is with the New Testament. The entire canon of Scripture is inspired; they are God’s very own words penned down by human authors whose individual backgrounds, styles and points of doctrinal emphasis are expressed.
The Bible is consistent
Secondly, we can trust the Bible because of its remarkable consistency at which we can marvel. The Bible is comprised of 66 books, written by 40 different authors. These span over 1500 years and are various different literary genres. Nonetheless, they collectively tell one coherent story of God reconciling sinners unto Himself. As we open the pages of Scripture we see the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation, pointing us toward Jesus Christ in whom salvation and eternal life lie.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me
(John 5:39)
The Bible reflects God’s character
With God being the source of all Scripture, the nature of the Bible correspondingly reflects His own character. God Himself does not lie (Numbers 23:19; Proverbs 30:5; Titus 1:2), thus what He has spoken in His Word does not contain falsity. Additionally, it is impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, Scripture does not and cannot err – rendering it both inerrant and infallible. What have in Scripture is the complete truthfulness of God. Any apparent contradictions should be approached with prayerful study and consideration. Ask those who are more well-trained in the theology (e.g. your pastors), consult commentaries, scholarly articles and books (click here for an example).
You can trust the Bible – every single page, every single letter and every stroke of the pen is trustworthy. God has given us His authoritative Word at our very finger tips to strengthen our faith, guide us along the way and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
[1] (Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (1st edn Inter-Varsity Press, 1994) 74-75
