The Bible demands its readers take it seriously. The biblical authors make several claims that force us to evaluate the Bible differently than we would a textbook or a work of fiction.
The Bible claims it is historical. Throughout the Bible, we find the inspired writers referring to real, verifiable people, places, and events. This practice opens the Bible to examination. By writing in this way, the authors allowed readers to test the Bible’s credibility. Such a move may seem risky! It actually bolsters the Bible’s claims. The overwhelming weight of historical and archaeological evidence corroborates the Bible’s historical references.
The Bible claims it is true. Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God proves true” (ESV). In the modern world, a work may be historical but not true. The line between fact and fiction blurs in works like I, Claudius, which rely heavily on historical events, but embellish and fill in unknown details with speculations and fabrications. We call this historical fiction, but in some ancient sources, it was common for the historian to use similar techniques to fill in gaps in his knowledge of an event or civilization. The inspired writers consciously avoid such techniques.
The Bible claims it is inspired. Not only does the Bible claim it is historical and true, but it also points to God as its primary source. This claim raises the stakes on the first two claims. A merely human author may present a work that he or she claims is both historical and true, but readers will still recognize the author is fallible. Humans have limited intellects, imperfect memories, and incomplete knowledge, no matter how scrupulous or well-studied we may be.
On the other hand, God says He is omniscient (all-knowing, cf. Psalms 139, 147; 1 John 3:20) and flawless (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:30). God applies these characteristics to the Scriptures as well. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active…discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Psalm 12:6 says, “The words of the LORD are pure words (the NIV says flawless), like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.”
The combined weight of these claims forces the honest reader of the Bible to read it differently than any other book. If the Bible does not measure up to its own claims, it deserves nothing less than abandonment. If, however, it does measure up, it merits full devotion. What, dear reader, will you do with it?
Clay Leonard