Is the Bible historically reliable?

One of the most common objections to Christianity is this: "Can we really trust the Bible as a historical document?" After all, it was written thousands of years ago by dozens of authors. Hasn't it been changed, exaggerated, or corrupted over time?

Let’s walk through the historical evidence and see why we can say with confidence: Yes, the Bible is historically reliable.

1. Unmatched Manuscript Evidence

The New Testament alone has over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, plus thousands more in Latin and other languages—far more than any other ancient work.

To compare:

• Homer’s Iliad: ~1,800 manuscripts

• Plato’s works: ~250 manuscripts

• New Testament: 5,800+ in Greek, 24,000+ total

Even more compelling: Many of these manuscripts date within 50–150 years of the originals, whereas other ancient texts are often copied centuries later.

The New Testament is the best-attested document in ancient history.

2. Early Dating and Eyewitness Testimony

Most New Testament books were written between AD 45–95, placing them within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Writers like Paul, Luke, John, and Peter weren’t reporting distant legends—they were recording what they saw or heard from those who did (Luke 1:1–4; 2 Peter 1:16).

Even non-Christian scholars agree that 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, which lists eyewitnesses of the resurrection, is an early creed that dates to within 5 years of Jesus’ death.

3. Archaeological Confirmation

Archaeology continues to confirm places, people, and events mentioned in the Bible:

• Pontius Pilate: Long doubted until a stone inscription was found in 1961 bearing his name.

• King David: Once dismissed as a myth, now confirmed by the Tel Dan inscription.

• Hittites: Considered fictional until their capital was uncovered in modern-day Turkey.

• Jericho, Nineveh, and many other cities have been excavated, matching biblical details.

Not one archaeological discovery has ever definitively disproven a biblical account.

4. Internal Consistency

The Bible was written by more than 40 authors over 1,500 years on 3 continents—and yet it tells one consistent story.

While skeptics point out "contradictions," most of these are easily explained by context, perspective, or language. Different Gospel accounts highlight different details—not because they conflict, but because they complement each other like different eyewitness angles.

This remarkable unity points not to human invention but to divine inspiration.

5. Non-Christian Sources Confirm the Core Story

Several non-Christian historians in the first and second centuries mention key facts about Jesus and the early church:

• Tacitus (Roman): Confirms Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

• Josephus (Jewish): Mentions Jesus as a wise teacher and reports His crucifixion and the belief in His resurrection.

• Pliny the Younger: Describes early Christians worshiping Christ as God.

These sources affirm that Jesus lived, was crucified, and had followers who believed He rose again—all outside of the Bible.

What About the Old Testament?

Though older, the Old Testament is also supported by archaeology, manuscript evidence (like the Dead Sea Scrolls), and historical records.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in 1947, contain copies of nearly every Old Testament book dated to before the time of Christ. When compared with later copies, the text is nearly identical, confirming the Bible has been faithfully transmitted.

Conclusion: You Can Trust the Bible

The Bible isn't just spiritually powerful—it's historically credible. It holds up under the same scrutiny applied to any ancient document, and in most cases, it exceeds the standards.

“Your word is truth.” — John 17:17 (ESV)

So when you open your Bible, you're not reading a fairy tale or religious fiction. You're reading a well-preserved, well-supported, and well-attested account of God's work in human history.