How do we know that the Bible is divine in origin?

[Chad]

To defend the faith we must be equipped to demonstrate that the Bible is divine rather than human in origin. When we can successfully accomplish this, we can answer a host of other objections by appealing to Scripture.

To begin with, the Bible has stronger manuscript support than any other work of classical history— including Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Caesar, and Tacitus. Equally amazing is the fact that the Bible has been virtually unaltered since the original writing, as is attested by scholars who have compared the earliest extant manuscripts with manuscripts written centuries later. Additionally, the reliability of the Bible is affirmed by the testimony of its authors, who were eyewitnesses—or close associates of eyewitnesses—to the recorded events, and by secular historians who confirm the many events, people, places, and customs chronicled in Scripture.

Furthermore, archaeology is a powerful witness to the accuracy of the New Testament documents. Repeatedly, comprehensive archaeological fieldwork and careful biblical interpretation affirm the reliability of the Bible. For example, recent archaeological finds have corroborated biblical details surrounding the trial that led to the fatal torment of Jesus Christ—including Pontius Pilate, who ordered Christ’s crucifixion, as well as Caiaphas, the high priest who presided over the religious trials of Christ. It is telling when secular scholars must revise their biblical criticisms in light of solid archaeological evidence.

Finally, the Bible records predictions of events that could not be known nor predicted by chance or common sense. For example, the book of Daniel (written before 530 BC) accurately predicts the progression of kingdoms from Babylon through the Median and Persian empires to the further persecution and suffering of the Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes with his desecration of the temple, his untimely death, and freedom for the Jews under Judas Maccabeus (165 BC). It is statistically preposterous that any or all of the Bible’s specific, detailed prophecies could have been fulfilled through chance, good guessing, or deliberate deceit.

article origin: How do we know that the Bible is divine in origin? - Christian Research Institute

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[RJ]

I can add another, it is spiritual and with him in me, I just know. Just like the old gospel hymn, " how precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed"....I go back to that day and I know!

 

[Dave M]

this is my favorite study thing, finding non biblical evidence about the bible. There is so much out there that backs up the bible!! written by the very people who had nothing but disdain for christianity, yet proves the truths of bible. One is the three hours of darkness that occurred when Jesus was crucified that the bibles claims,is backed up by a historian that writes in a letter about the 3 hrs of darkness being a eclipse, however the longest recorded eclipse in the history of the world is minutes long not no 3 hrs.

 

[KingJ]

Good OP Chad, just some further support:

1. Truthful History. The bible contains the evils of the Jews. Before Wikipedia no country's history lessons could be trusted.

2. Jesus's followers / Christians. Jesus had a following of people unlike any other leader in history. As Napoleon acknowledged The Sacred Page: Napoleon's Proof for the Divinity of Jesus

3. A Christian nature cannot be faked. There is nothing sweeter then meeting a genuine Christian. How can a person be changed to such a degree that they would turn the left cheek and more / love their enemy / give expecting nothing in return / follow Jesus's teaching without being changed / supernaturally influenced? Christianity is 100% in the opposite direction to humanities common sense / selfishness.

4. Evil spirits flee in the name of Jesus. This does not even take being a Christian as Matt 7:21-22 explains. I watched a you-tube video of how a Muslim guy was being harassed by evil spirits. Nothing was helping him until a Christian told him that they only respect / fear the name of Jesus.

5. Persecution is real. There is a real attack on us from the world when we profess to be Christians. My dad use to tell me the story of a guy who was not a Christian, but suffered so much persecution because people thought he was one. This convinced him that it was the truth and he must actually become one . Today this point is blurred with a common dislike for Muslims. But soon this will be clearer as it will be only darkness vs light.

6. Common sense from intelligent design. The bible makes sense to a working brain. If we look at how well we are crafted we can conclude there is a caring / good God out there. If we look at how much beauty is in the world. How the human emotions work. How cute babies are and how much we cherish them. We can but only conclude there is a good and caring God up there. One who loves us so much John 15:13 that He would definitely make a way for us John 3:16 to be with Him.

7. Personal witness. The bible points to a personal experience. One that God ensures is real. we don't have to believe the bible is true. We can know it is true. We don't have to believe Jesus is God. We can know Jesus is God Matt 16:16-17 and 1 Cor 12:3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus as Lord to us. There is absolutely no such thing as an ex Christian atheist.