A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

Worthy of Trust

Can the Bible really be trusted?  Some may wonder.  'Does it refer to people who undeniably lived, places that actually existed, ad events that truly  happened?'  If we are to trust it, there should be evidence that it was written by  careful, honest writers.   This brings us to another reason for examining the Bible:  There is solid evidence that it is accurate and trustworthy.

Honest writers would record not just successes but also failures, not just strengths but weaknesses.  The Bible writers displayed such refreshing candor.   Consider, for example, the forthrightness of Moses.  Among the things he frankly reported was his own lack of eloquence, which in his view made him unfit to be Israel's leader (Exodus 4:10); the serious mistake he made that prevented his entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:9-12; 27:12-14);  the deflection of his brother Aaron, who cooperated with rebellious Israelites in making a statue of a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6):  the rebellion of his sister, Miriam,and her humiliating punishment (Numbers 12:1-3, 10); The profaneness of his nephew Nadab and Abihu  (Leviticus 10:1, 2); and the repeated complaining and murmuring of God's own people.  (Exodus 14:11, 12; Numbers 14:1-10)  Does not such frank, open reporting indicate a sincere concern for truth? Since the Bible writers were willing to report unfavorable information about their loved ones, their people,and even themselves, is there not good reason to trust their writings?

The consistency of the Bible penmen also stamps their writings as trustworthy.  It is truly remarkable that 40 men writing over a span of some 1,600  years are in agreement,even when it comes to minor details.  However, this harmony is not so carefully arranged as to arouses suspicions of collusion.  On the contrary, there is an obvious lack of design in the agreement of various details; often the harmony is clearly coincidental.

To illustrate, consider an incident that took place on the night of Jesus' arrest.  All four Gospel writers record that one of the disciples drew a sword and struck a slave of the high priest; taking off the man's ear.  Only Luke, however, tells us that Jesus "touched the ear and healed him."  (Luke 22:51)  But is that not what we would expect from the writer  who was known as "the beloved physician"?  (Colossians 4:14)  John's account tells us that of all the disciples present, the one who wielded the sword was Peter-a fact that is not surprising in view of Peter's tendency to be rash and impetuous.  (John 18:10; compare Matthew 16:22, 23 and John 21:7, 8)  John reports another seemingly unnecessary detail:  "The  name of the slave was Malchus."  Why does John alone give the man's name?  The explanation is provided by a minor fact stated in passing only in John's account-John "was  known to the high priest."  He was also known to the high priest's household; the servants were acquainted with him,and he with them.  (John 18:10, 15, 16)  It is only natural, then, that John should mention the injured man's name, whereas the other Gospel writers, t o whom the man was evidently a stranger, do not.  The agreement between all these details is remarkable, yet clearly unintentional.  There are scores of similar examples throughout the Bible.

So can we trust the Bible? Absolutely!  The candor of the Bible writers and the Bible's internal consistency give it the clear ring of truth.  People of honest heart need to know that they can trust the Bible, for it is the inspired Word of "Jehovah the God of truth."  (Psalm 31:5)  There are additional reasons why the Bible is a book for all people, as the next article will discuss.

Next time:A BOOK FROM GOD

Watchtower, 1998