Why Do We Believe The Bible: The Issue of Attestation

In this blog, we will address why we believe the Bible is true from the vantage point of the validity of the text.

However, before we delve into the subject, I must offer what I believe to be an essential truth that is foundational to this and every point that has been made in this series. David F. Wells said this in his book Above All Earthly Powers: “The biblical Word is self-authenticating under the power of the Holy Spirit.” Indeed the writer of Hebrews agrees when he declared under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). What I am saying is while God chooses to use us in His service; He is not dependent on us to accomplish His will. In other words, I don’t present these arguments because God needs a little help in getting the word out. I present these arguments because they are true. The power of God is in His Word, not in my explanations of it. His Word is the message of Jesus Christ and is powerful and able to accomplish His will. This is not to say that we should not be adamant and passionate in presenting truth supportive to the Bible, but it does mean that we should know our place, which is subordinate to Him and His revelation: the Bible.

God’s Word is the most attested (reliable) text ever written. When we speak of attestation we are talking about affirming something to be true or genuine. F. F. Bruce declares in his book The New Testament Documents that there are over 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament in whole or in part, some of which date back to AD 250. He goes on to make the comparison to other textual material such as Caesar’s Gallic War, which only has nine or ten decent manuscripts still in existence, the oldest being some 900 years after the actual writing. He also cites other works of which the Bible far surpasses in the number of manuscripts and early dates of copies. While virtually no one challenges these less attested texts, men question the validity of Scripture constantly. The point is, the proof is there for the reliability of biblical text. Bruce cites Sir Frederic Kenyon’s statement: “The interval then between the dates of original composition and the earliest evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has not been removed. Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as fully established.”

Now we must understand that the process of attestation is complicated and very deep. However, we should also know that no Christian need cower in the face of unfounded criticism when it comes to the validity and authenticity of the Bible. There are facts we can all present as to the integrity of the Scriptures. Their validity has been thoroughly debated and the Bible has passed textual tests with flying colors. So when someone inquires why we believe the Bible, we need to have some answers ready as to the soundness of the text. The Bible text is authentic and valid.

There is also extra biblical textual support for the Bible. While there is not room here to cite the writings, there are at least seventeen non-biblical sources in which various details of Jesus’ life are mentioned that correctly coincide with the biblical account. Then there are the citations of the church fathers. The writings and/or accounts of Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Polycarp are dated just a few years after the writing of the last New Testament book. These writings help validate the historicity of Jesus and the Gospel writings.

Also, archeological evidence and historical records authenticate the textual record of the Bible. Many discoveries in these areas have lent proof of the trustworthiness of Scriptural texts.

The Bible is the most attested text in the world. It has stood the onslaught of critics and skeptics and will continue to prove itself over and over again as being the historical, Divinely inspired Word of the Living God.