Statement: The Bible is fiction, was written by men, has been altered and therefore can’t be trusted as fact and reliable.
Donald Bohanon: Thanks for giving me a chance to respond to your statement. But you obviously know nothing about the Bible or its history. The truth of the matter is most people will cling to their opinions based on ignorance of God’s word and it’s history. And because it condemns much of the behavior that many of them practice. Regardless of what I say or what proof I provide.
The burden of proof falls on the unbeliever. Events that were previously foretold in the Bible like the birth of Christ and his detailed and eventual crucifixion. As well as God prophesying the rise and conquest of King Cyrus of Persia in the book of Isaiah centuries before either of them were born.
In addition to many other fulfilled prophecies prove the validity and authenticity of the Bible. As well as numerous archaeological finds that corroborate those biblical accounts and stories. God even prophesied that he surnamed Cyrus before he was born and elaborated on his future conquest. And King Cyrus hadn’t been born yet and didn’t even know God. Which came to pass exactly as God had outlined. Read about the history of Persia and its Kings to confirm this.
The Bible also foretold the birth and crucifixion of Christ centuries before he was even born.
Isaiah 9:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 53:3-12
King James Version (KJV)
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
The Bible also predicted the rise and conquests of King Cyrus of Persia centuries before he was even born.
Isaiah 44:24-28
King James Version (KJV)
24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 45:1-4
King James Version (KJV)
45 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
What other document or religious book can make these claims and back it up? What other-book can boast of fulfilled prophecy and numerous archaeological finds that corroborate its stories?
These things prove without a shadow of a doubt that the Bible is authentic, factual, infallible and indisputable. The suggestion by many in regards to the fact that because men wrote the Bible this supposedly, automatically, disqualifies it as fiction is ridiculous.
And that it can’t be trusted because it has been translated is ridiculous as well. The Bible has been translated not altered. It has not been drastically altered from its original content.
Altered means to change entirely. Translate means to translate from one language to another so the person of a foreign country or language can read and understand scripture to get around or break down the language barrier.
Also translated into different English formats so the individual who has a hard time understanding King James text will have an easier time comprehending and understanding the Bible..
The Bible says men that greatly feared God wrote as they were moved by the spirit to write and record. Every history book, scientific, and medical journal, etc, were written by men as they were moved to record that information based on their own observations and theories.
Does that automatically disqualify every book written by men as fiction, useless and untrustworthy, because they were written by men? Many that have not been proven authentic and valid as the Bible has. But yet you blindly follow the teachings and writings of men who record their own theories based on their own observations and studies. Many of which are untested, flawed and unproven. But are accepted by many intellectuals, scholars, and heads of state, etc, as recorded, documented fact and truth?
But yet you reject the Bible which has proven its validity and authenticity by fulfilled prophecy and numerous archaeological finds which corroborate its stories? Not to mention the creation of the Universe which God says proves his existence and because of it men are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20.
Based on your ridiculous reasoning every book written by men should be disqualified as useless and fiction. Which is obviously a fools reasoning. Your reasoning is obviously biased and based on ignorance and hate for the Bible and its accuracy, authenticity and authority.
And quite possibly because it condemns behavior that you may practice. I’m convinced these are what the real issues are. But although you refuse to accept the obvious overwhelming proof and evidence of the Bibles authority, accuracy and authenticity….you will before its all said and done,be believers. Just keep your eyes open and watch.