Visalia First

A. How can I KNOW the Bible is true?

Only 30% of 18-25 year olds believe the Bible is true.
39% of 26-44 year olds believe the Bible is true.

B. How could IMPERFECT men produce a perfect Bible?

“Inspiration is God’s superintending of human authors so that, using their own individual personalities, they compose and recorded without error in the words of the original autographs, His revelation to man.” - Dr. Charles Ryrie

C. What about the CONTRADICTIONS in the Bible?

Three More Reasons Why The Bible Can Be Trusted
(Textual Criticism Test)

A. INTERNAL Evidence Test

1. Archaeological DISCOVERIES. There has never been a discovery that has disapproved any name, event or location in the Bible.

2. The test of any document of Antiquity: Do the CONTRADICTIONS get shorter and shorter or longer and longer?

Three More Reasons Why The Bible Can Be Trusted
(Textual Criticism Test)

B. EXTERNAL Evidence Test

Author: Plato, Pliny, Aristotle, New Testament

# Of Copies: 7, 7, 49, 24,600

When Written: 427-347 B.C., 100 A.D., 384-322 B.C., 45-100 B.C.

Earliest Copy: 900 A.D., 850 A.D., 1,100 A.D., 125 A.D.

Time Span : 1200 yrs, 750 yrs, 1400 yrs, 25 yrs

Three More Reasons Why The Bible Can Be Trusted
(Textual Criticism Test)

C. Canonization of the Bible

1. Canon means measuring STICK.

2. The Apocrypha Books: Catholic additions.

3. The Gnostic GOSPELS: Rejected by early church leaders.