One of the strongest proofs that the Bible has not been changed over time is the staggering amount of ancient manuscript evidence we have. The Old Testament is supported by thousands of Hebrew manuscripts, the most famous of which is the Masoretic Text. We also have the Dead Sea Scrolls, dating back to before Christ, which largely confirm the integrity of the Masoretic Text. The New Testament is even more astounding, with approximately 5,900 Greek manuscripts, some of which date back to the 2nd century C.E., just decades after the original writings. The sheer number of manuscripts allows scholars to cross-reference them to verify their consistency, thus ensuring that what we have today closely aligns with the original texts.
Textual Criticism
Textual criticism is a rigorous academic discipline that scrutinizes the available manuscripts to identify what the original text most likely said. Even though minor variations exist among the manuscripts—often the result of copying errors or local linguistic adaptations—the core message and doctrines remain unaffected. Using the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament as a reference, we find that only a fraction of the text (less than 1%) is in any serious doubt. These are often minor issues, like word order or spelling, that do not alter doctrine or the message of the Bible.
Historicity and Archaeological Evidence
The field of archaeology has repeatedly confirmed the historical accuracy of the Bible, further strengthening the case for its reliability. Places like Jericho, cities mentioned in the conquests of Israel, as well as figures like Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, have all been verified through archaeological discoveries. The Bible’s historical accuracy strengthens the case for its textual integrity because a document that proves reliable over and over in areas that can be verified is likely to be reliable in areas that cannot be directly tested.
Early Translations and Quotations
Additionally, there are thousands of early translations of the Bible, such as the Latin Vulgate, Syriac Peshitta, and Coptic versions. Early Church Fathers also extensively quoted the Scriptures. These translations and quotations corroborate the text of the Bible, offering extra layers of verification. If any substantial changes had been made to the Biblical texts, they would be glaringly apparent when cross-referencing these multiple sources.
Consistency in Message and Doctrine
The consistency in the Bible’s message is another point often overlooked. Despite being written over a span of about 1,600 years by more than 40 different authors from diverse cultural backgrounds, the Bible remains incredibly unified in its central message and core doctrines. This internal consistency further asserts that the text has not been tampered with in any significant manner.
Divine Preservation by Restoration
The Bible itself makes a claim for its preservation. Isaiah 40:8 states, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” The meticulous nature of the scribes who copied the Hebrew Scriptures, along with the reverence with which the text has been treated throughout history, adds a spiritual dimension to the Bible’s preservation. We can conclude that the care exercised in safeguarding the text lends credence to the claim that the Scriptures have been divinely preserved by preservation through the Masoretes for the Old Testament and dozens of textual scholars for the Old and New Testaments.
Conclusion
The criticism that the Bible has been changed is not supported by the overwhelming manuscript evidence, the rigorous academic discipline of textual criticism, or historical and archaeological verifications. Also, the internal consistency of the Scriptures and the historically meticulous methods of their copying argue convincingly against any substantial alteration over time. Therefore, the claim that “we cannot be sure the Bible has not been changed” is not only intellectually unfounded but also disregards the multi-dimensional evidence affirming the Bible’s remarkable preservation. The Bible we have today is reliably close to the original manuscripts, both in letter and in message.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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