The Bible is Just A Bunch of Random Writings by Ancient People:
I hear this argument constantly, often from those who are educated and seem relatively intelligent. To refute the argument that the Bible is just a collection of ancient texts with nothing provable, one can focus on historical facts corroborated by archaeological discoveries and other external evidence.
Here are some points to consider:
1. Historical Accuracy: Numerous events and figures mentioned in the Bible have been confirmed by archaeological evidence. For example:
- The Hittites: Once thought to be a biblical myth, the existence of the Hittite empire was confirmed by archaeological discoveries in the early 20th century, including the uncovering of the Hittite capital, Hattusa, in modern-day Turkey.
- King Hezekiah’s Tunnel: The tunnel mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30, built by King Hezekiah to protect Jerusalem's water supply, was discovered in 1838 and is still visible today.
- The Dead Sea Scrolls: Found between 1947 and 1956, these scrolls contained some of the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, dating back over 2,000 years, confirming the textual reliability of many biblical books.
2. Fulfilled Prophecy: Many prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled, adding credibility to the claim that it contains divine insight.
- The Destruction of Tyre: In Ezekiel 26:3-21, the prophet Ezekiel foretold the destruction of the ancient city of Tyre. Centuries later, Alexander the Great fulfilled this prophecy when he destroyed the city during his campaign.
- Rebuilding of Jerusalem: The Bible prophesied that Jerusalem would be rebuilt after its destruction (Isaiah 44:28), and it was, during the time of Nehemiah, about 100 years after Isaiah's prophecy.
3. Historical Figures in the Bible: Several biblical figures have been corroborated by external sources.
- Pontius Pilate: Once only known from the Bible, his existence was confirmed in 1961 when an inscription bearing his name was found in Caesarea Maritima.
- King Nebuchadnezzar II: The Babylonian king who destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC is well-known from both the Bible (2 Kings 24:10–16) and Babylonian records, including the famous Babylonian Chronicle.
4. Manuscript Evidence: The Bible, especially the New Testament, has more manuscript evidence than any other ancient work. There are over 5,800 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament alone, with some fragments dating as early as the 2nd century AD, much closer to the original writings than other historical texts, such as those by Homer or Plato.
5. Cultural and Legal Influence: The Bible’s influence on laws and moral frameworks is historically undeniable. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20, have shaped legal and ethical systems in many Western nations.
These facts illustrate that the Bible is more than just a collection of ancient texts—it’s a document with historical grounding, offering insights into past civilizations and events. While not everything in the Bible is provable in a scientific sense, there is significant historical evidence supporting its accuracy and influence.