Unshaken Trust: Understanding the Reliability of the Bible
Doubts and Questions
As Christians, we’ve all been there – questioning the reliability of the Bible. Whether it’s due to our own doubts or the skepticism of others, it’s natural to wonder if we can truly trust God’s word. Peter Williams, a renowned Bible scholar, joins us to address these concerns and provide assurance to those who have ever felt their trust shaken.
The Original Manuscripts: A Non-Issue
One common concern is that we don’t have access to the original manuscripts of the Bible. But, as Peter Williams points out, this is a non-issue. “We don’t really care about the original manuscripts. God didn’t give physical things; he gave words.” The words themselves are what matter, not the physical material they were written on. And, just like a copy of a podcast or a sports broadcast, we can still access the original wording even if we don’t have the original manuscript.
The Accuracy of Copies
But how can we be confident in the accuracy of all those copies? Peter Williams argues that this is a false dilemma. We live in a culture where copying is a normal part of life, and we don’t question the accuracy of copies in other areas. Why should the Bible be any different? The ancient civilizations that copied the Bible were professional scribes who took their job seriously. The economy was based on copying, and it’s unrealistic to assume that they would intentionally corrupt the text.
The Telephone Game Analogy
Skeptics often compare the copying process to the game Telephone, where a message is distorted as it’s passed from person to person. However, Peter Williams points out that this analogy is flawed. The Telephone game is a deliberate exercise in corruption, whereas the copying of the Bible was a careful and intentional process. We have no reason to assume that the scribes would intentionally distort the message.
Trust in the System
In today’s digital age, we have an implicit trust in the accuracy of copies. We don’t question the fact that our cell phones and computers can accurately transmit information. Similarly, we should trust the system of copying that was in place in ancient times. It’s unrealistic to assume that scribes would falsify the text, given the economic cost and effort involved in copying a Bible.
By understanding the historical and theological context of the Bible, we can have confidence in its reliability. Our trust in God’s word should not be shaken by doubts and questions, but rather strengthened by a deeper understanding of its origins.
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