Please Support the Bible Translation Work of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

$5.00

Why This Question Matters

As a teenager, you’ve probably wondered why people trust the Bible. Maybe a friend at school asked you how you can believe in something written thousands of years ago. Maybe you’ve seen videos or posts online claiming the Bible is full of contradictions or myths. Questions like these are normal and important to think about. Faith isn’t just about believing blindly—it’s about knowing the truth. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Let’s dive into why Christians believe the Bible is true and why it makes sense to trust it.

Who Wrote the Bible, and How Do We Know It Wasn’t Just Made Up?

The Bible wasn’t written by one person sitting down in a single moment. It’s a collection of 66 books written by about 40 authors over 1,500 years. These authors were kings, fishermen, prophets, and even a doctor. What makes this incredible is how their writings all tell one unified story about God’s plan to save humanity through Jesus Christ.

Think about this: if 40 people from different times and places all wrote about the same thing, how could their stories fit together unless someone was guiding them? That someone is Jehovah, who inspired the authors. As 2 Peter 1:21 explains, “No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Skeptics might claim the Bible was made up, but that doesn’t match the evidence. The Bible includes events and details that the writers wouldn’t invent because they don’t make the authors look good. For example, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, is shown denying Jesus three times out of fear (Matthew 26:69–75). If the disciples were making up stories to impress people, they wouldn’t include embarrassing moments like this.

What About Science and History?

You might have heard people say the Bible and science don’t agree. The truth is, they don’t conflict. The Bible isn’t a science textbook, but when it talks about the natural world, it’s accurate. For example, Isaiah 40:22 describes God as sitting above “the circle of the earth,” hinting at the earth’s roundness long before people discovered it scientifically.

In terms of history, archaeological finds consistently back up the Bible’s accuracy. For example:

The Bible mentions the Hittites, a people group skeptics used to claim didn’t exist. Archaeologists later uncovered evidence proving they did.
The city of Jericho, whose walls “fell down flat” (Joshua 6:20), has been excavated, and researchers found evidence of walls that collapsed in a way consistent with the biblical account.

No other religious text has been confirmed by history and archaeology like the Bible.

Isn’t the Bible Full of Contradictions?

One of the most common accusations against the Bible is that it contradicts itself. But when you dig deeper, these so-called contradictions can be explained by understanding the context. For instance, someone might say the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) don’t match because they describe Jesus’ resurrection slightly differently.

Here’s why this isn’t a contradiction: imagine four friends all describe a school event. Each person will highlight different details, but their stories don’t cancel each other out—they give a fuller picture of what happened. The Gospel writers did the same thing.

Another example is Proverbs 26:4–5, which seems contradictory:

Verse 4: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him.”
Verse 5: “Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes.”

At first glance, it looks confusing. But these verses are teaching two approaches to dealing with foolish people. Sometimes it’s better to stay quiet and avoid their arguments (verse 4), while other times it’s necessary to correct them (verse 5). The Bible isn’t contradicting itself—it’s offering wisdom for different situations.

How Do We Know the Bible Hasn’t Been Changed?

Another question people ask is whether the Bible we have today is the same as the original writings. After all, it was written thousands of years ago. Here’s the good news: the Bible has been copied and preserved with incredible care.

For the Old Testament, Jewish scribes followed strict rules when copying Scriptures. If they made even one mistake, they would destroy the whole manuscript and start over. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947, contain Old Testament texts that are over 2,000 years old, and they match the Bible we have today almost exactly.

For the New Testament, we have over 5,800 Greek manuscripts—far more than any other ancient book. These copies are so close to the originals that less than 1% of the text is in question, and none of those differences affect core Christian beliefs.

What About Other Religious Books?

Some people might ask, “Why should I trust the Bible instead of other religious texts?” The Bible is unique because it is the only book that is backed by fulfilled prophecy. For example, the Old Testament predicted Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), His death by crucifixion (Psalm 22:16–18), and His resurrection (Isaiah 53:10–11)—all written hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

Other religious books might have wise sayings, but they don’t have the same kind of supernatural evidence that the Bible does. The Bible isn’t just a human book—it’s God’s Word.

Can the Bible Really Change Lives?

One of the most powerful reasons to trust the Bible is how it changes lives. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.” The Bible isn’t just a book to read—it’s a book that reads you.

When you apply the Bible to your life, it transforms you. It gives you hope when you feel lost, direction when you’re confused, and peace when life feels overwhelming. It shows you how to have a relationship with Jehovah and points you to Jesus, who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6).

How Can You Start Trusting the Bible?

If you want to trust the Bible, start by reading it for yourself. Don’t just take my word for it or someone else’s. Begin with the Gospel of John, which explains who Jesus is and why He came. As you read, ask questions and think about what it says. Proverbs 3:5–6 encourages us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

The more you read and understand the Bible, the more you’ll see why it’s true. And when doubts come (because they will), remember that it’s okay to ask questions and seek answers. Jehovah isn’t afraid of your questions—He invites them.

You May Also Benefit From

What Should Christian Students Do to Prepare for Life on a Secular College Campus?

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).