Why I believe the Bible is true, authoritative, infallible, inerrant and perfectly sufficient in all matters of faith and practice

The title of this post is meant to be provocative, particularly in this day that Scripture is being attacked and perverted. In reality, Scripture has always been twisted, disparaged and misused. It claims to be the very Word of God, and there is nothing the Adversary loves more than to cast doubt on the truth of that Word.

From the very beginning, Satan has questioned His Word:

Genesis 3:1–5

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (ESV)

Briefly, I want to outline the reasons that I believe that the Bible is the authoritative source of truth (ASoT):

1. Jesus authenticates it
2. The Holy Spirit lives in me and testifies to it
3. The Holy Spirit has stewarded it throughout the ages
4. The harmony of its message across time, cultures, and languages
5. The historical evidence of preservation

Jesus, who is the embodiment of truth, authenticates it

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (ESV)

John 17:17

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (ESV)

John 10:35b

"Scripture cannot be broken" (ESV)

The Holy Spirit lives in me and testifies to it

John 16:13–15

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (ESV)

2 Timothy 3:16–17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)

The Holy Spirit has stewarded it throughout the ages

2 Timothy 3:16–17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)

2 Peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)

This is the number one misconception that people have about Scripture and one even believers can fall for to cause doubt in the Scriptures. The reasoning goes, "the Bible was written and compiled by Man, man is fallible, therefore the Bible is not infallible". The challenge to that reasoning is that the Holy Spirit is appointed to keep the written word of God holy. So, even though Man is used as the means of writing and compiling Scripture, the Holy Spirit is the source and administrator of the delivered Word. This precludes any error being introduced that would invalidate the truth of the Scriptures.

The harmony of its message across time, cultures, and languages

The Bible is a compilation of 66 individual books, written over the course of about 2000 years by 40 separate authors, in 3 different languages, spanning 3 continents. With that in mind, the overarching harmony of its message, "God loves His people and will save them", is amazing to consider.

The historical evidence of preservation

Scripture, Old and New Testaments, has more documentation, full and partial, than any other ancient documents. Despite numerous attempts to censor, suppress, and destroy it, the Lord has protected His Word for His people over time. To doubt the historicity of the Bible is to doubt any ancient historical accuracy.

Again, this is not meant to be exhaustive, but a resource for those that are seeking to strengthen their faith and be comforted that, as Scripture testifies:

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever. (ESV)

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

Here is a good article by AW Pink.