Is the Bible Reliable?

In an age marked by skepticism, historical revisionism, and the rise of alternative spiritual narratives, the question "Is the Bible reliable?" remains more relevant than ever. For some, the Bible is a sacred book, divinely inspired and historically grounded. For others, it is a collection of ancient myths, subject to human error and cultural bias.

But what does the evidence actually say? Can we trust the Bible as a reliable source of truth, historically, textually, and spiritually?

This blog seeks to offer a clear, compelling, and scholarly-informed response that’s also accessible for seekers, skeptics, and believers alike.

What Do We Mean by “Reliable”?

To ask if the Bible is reliable is to ask whether it can be trusted:

  • Historically - Did the events it describes actually happen?

  • Textually - Has the Bible been preserved accurately over time?

  • Theologically - Are its teachings internally coherent and relevant across cultures and generations?

  • Experientially - Does it continue to speak meaningfully to people’s lives?

1. Historical Reliability: Did These Events Really Happen?

- Archaeological Support: 

While the Bible is not a history textbook, many of its historical claims have been corroborated by archaeological discoveries:

  • The Tel Dan Inscription confirms the existence of King David.

  • The Cyrus Cylinder aligns with the biblical account of the Persian king allowing exiles to return.

  • Discoveries like the Pool of Siloam, Pontius Pilate’s inscription, and ancient Jericho ruins lend weight to New Testament and Old Testament narratives.

- Eyewitness Testimony and Early Sources

Especially in the New Testament, we see strong signs of early eyewitness testimony:

  • The Gospel accounts were written within the first century, some within 30 years of Jesus' death, far too early for myths to replace memories.

  • Paul’s letters (written earlier than the Gospels) refer to hundreds of living eyewitnesses (1 Cor. 15:3-8), inviting scrutiny

2. Textual Reliability: Has the Bible Been Corrupted Over Time?

- Manuscript Evidence

The Bible has unparalleled manuscript support among ancient texts:

Work             Earliest Copy         Time Gap         Number of Manuscripts
Homer’s Iliad     500 years         500 yrs         ~1,800
Plato’s Dialogues     1,200 years         1,200 yrs         ~200
New Testament     ~25–50 years         ~50 yrs         Over 5,800 (Greek)

When compared with other ancient literature, the Bible is not only preserved but super-abundantly so.

- Dead Sea Scrolls

Discovered in the 1940s, these ancient scrolls included portions of almost every Old Testament book. Remarkably, they showed that the Hebrew Bible had been transmitted with great care and minimal variation over a span of a thousand years.

3. Internal Consistency and Unity

Despite being written by over 40 authors across three continents and spanning over 1,500 years, the Bible displays remarkable thematic unity:

  • The theme of redemption threads from Genesis to Revelation.

  • The Messianic expectation in the Old Testament finds precise and profound fulfillment in the New Testament.

  • The ethical teachings of Scripture maintain coherence and transcendence across cultures and centuries.

Such consistency across such diversity is not easily explained by human effort alone.

4. Theological Depth and Transformative Power

While evidence matters, the Bible’s reliability is also validated by its transformative effect on individuals and societies:

  • It has inspired the abolition of slavery, the formation of hospitals, and the birth of modern education systems.

  • Millions across centuries testify to its life-changing message, experiencing freedom, hope, and moral clarity through its words.

  • As Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is living and active…” a claim that finds real-world verification in the lives it touches.

5. Common Objections Answered

“What about contradictions?”

Most alleged contradictions dissolve with careful contextual study. Apparent discrepancies often arise from genre differences, perspectives, or translation issues not actual errors.

“Wasn’t the Bible written by flawed men?”

Yes, but that is the miracle. The Bible claims divine inspiration through human authors (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). Just as a musician uses an instrument to compose a song, so God used human minds and contexts to reveal His will.

“Isn’t it full of outdated rules?”

Many cultural laws (e.g., dietary or ceremonial) were given within a specific covenantal context (Old Testament Israel). The moral and theological principles, however, are enduring and continually relevant.

Conclusion: A Trustworthy Foundation

The Bible stands tall among ancient text, not just because of manuscript reliability or archaeological verification, but because of its internal coherence, historical rootedness, and spiritual power.

For skeptics, the challenge is this: If the Bible were not reliable, what would reliability look like? Few other ancient works hold up to the same rigorous standards.

For believers, the encouragement is this: Our faith rests not on myths, but on a solid foundation, intellectually credible and spiritually rich.

So yes, the Bible is reliable.

Not just as a document of the past, but as a guide for the present and a hope for the future.

By Dr. Daniel Folarin 

Further Reading

  • F.F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?

  • Craig Blomberg, Can We Still Believe the Bible?

  • Timothy Paul Jones, Misquoting Truth

  • N.T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God


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