“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every
good work”. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
 

     Ten years ago, I was holding a Bible study with a group of middle school students at the Brice Christian Academy in Columbus, Ohio. I was not surprised when asked this question: “How do we really know that the Bible is true?” It’s actually a good question given the fact that the Bible was written over a period of 1600 years, by no less than thirty different authors. What’s more is that before the printing press, every manuscript of the Bible was copied by hand. You’d think there would be a lot of margin for error.

     But here’s the reality. Copying manuscripts was considered to be an exact science. Every letter had to be copied in the same, exact manner as the original. If it did not match the previous manuscript you’d have to start over with a whole new scroll. So, after almost sixteen centuries, Bible scholars believe that the words of Scripture we have today is within a margin of accuracy from the written word.

     While many people had a hand in writing and copying the Bible, the church believes that God’s hand traced it through and through. No human effort could sustain that of kind of accuracy over such a long period of time.

     Yet for me and for so many other Christians, the Word of God rings true not because scholars have proven it to be so. Rather, Jesus has proven his word to be true in my life. It is Jesus’ promise, followed by Jesus’ action, confirmed through my own eyes and ears that validates my faith in him. Time after time, Jesus’ promises and actions have confirmed my trust in him.

     But don’t take my word for it. Read the Scriptures for yourself. Listen closely to God’s voice with your own ears. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised as to the myriad of ways Jesus’ promises ring true in your life, too.