Reliability of the New Testament Scriptures in the Bible
So much of what we know about Jesus comes from four books found in the Bible. Referred to as the gospels, they are simply titled by their authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
Are they accurate, historical portrayals of Jesus’ life and words, or imaginative fiction? Did Jesus really say and do those things? Yes.
And here’s why:
- The tone is historical. The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are written in a reportive rather than creative fashion. Luke even states the intent of his writing: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us…Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus [a Roman official], so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”1
- The Gospels are geographically and culturally accurate.The Gospels provide geographical details about the cities, rivers and seas, mountains, etc. And in reporting Jesus’ interactions with people, the writers include cultural details such as the temple, customs, festivals, political leadership.
Nelson Glueck, a highly respected Jewish archaeologist has stated, “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.”2 Archeology and historians have confirmed the accuracy of these specific facts.
- It wouldn’t be hard for the authors to have memorized Jesus’ words. Some have asked, “How could Jesus’ words possibly be accurately recorded, if written down 20 or 30 years after Jesus said them?” We know that in the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, it was customary for Rabbis and their students to memorize enormous volumes of information and pass this on verbally to others. Rabbis would memorize the exact wording of the entire (Old Testament) Scriptures and volumes of oral laws. And words of Rabbis were often committed to memory (sometimes using a type of shorthand notation). This was deeply part of their culture.
In the same way, these disciples of Jesus carefully committed to memory the words of Jesus. The similarities between Matthew, Mark and Luke substantiate this. It’s interesting to note that Jesus promised the disciples soon before he was crucified that “the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”3 Certainly the Spirit of God could help them remember everything Jesus said and did.
- All of the miracles are presented as matter-of-fact, “this is how it was.” One typical example is the account in Luke, chapter 8, where Jesus brings a little girl back to life. Notice the details and the lack of mysticism in its reporting:
“Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.
She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.”
Like other accounts of Jesus’ healing people, this has a ring of authenticity. If it were fiction, there are portions of it that would have been written differently. For example, in a fictional account there wouldn’t be an interruption with something else happening.
If it were fiction, the people in mourning would not have laughed at Jesus’ statement; get angry maybe, be hurt by it, but not laugh. And in writing fiction, would Jesus have ordered the parents to be quiet about it? You would expect the healing to make a grand point. But real life isn’t always smooth. There are interruptions. People do react oddly. And Jesus had his own reasons for not wanting the parents to broadcast this.
The best test of the Gospels authenticity is to read it for yourself. Does it read like a report of real events, or like fiction? If it is real, then God has revealed himself to us. Jesus came, lived, taught, inspired, and brought life to millions who read his words and life today. What Jesus stated in the gospels, many have found reliably true: “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.”4
Copyright 2000 Everystudent.com. Used with permission.
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