The scientific method use to examine the physical world is not the same methodology used in studying the Bible. Scriptures are examined more as a legal proceeding, the Bible is a witness in the case of God vs mankind.
Jurors must decide if they believe a witness’s testimony. But lawyers may impeach witnesses by raising doubts about their credibility or motives.
Those studying the Bible are the jurors and the lawyers raising the doubts and issues of credibility are those that wish to impeach the Bible and free the world of its moral authority.
The reliability of a witness is determined by several factors. Not only do they apply to the witness of the Scriptures but also to the credibility of those attempting to impeach it.
- Do the witnesses have a personal or financial interest in the case? For instance, do they have a relationship with the crime victim or one of the parties (the defendant or prosecution)?
- Did the government offer them leniency or immunity for their own possible crimes in return for their testimony?
- Are the witnesses biased for or against either party?
- Is the testimony clear, consistent, and convincing?
- Does other evidence support or contradict what the witnesses said? This could include a witness’s own previous statements that contradict the testimony at the trial.
- Do the witnesses have a reputation for being honest and trustworthy?
- Was there anything that hindered the witnesses’ ability to see or hear the events they’re testifying about? Do they have visual or hearing impairments? Were they under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time?
- Do the witnesses’ appearance and demeanor support or undermine their credibility? Do they appear uncertain or sure of their testimony? Juries might be less likely to believe witnesses whose age or mental condition suggests memory problems.
The Bible as a whole is a witness but its reliability is dependent upon the reliability of each author of the several books and each and every verifiable anthropological, scientific, and historical record, contained therein. The Bible contains many historical records and also provides much information in the way of human nature and science.
The attacks on the Bible are assaults upon its credibility as a witness. Toward that purpose, there are many accusations brought against it in the form of supposed contradictions, challenges of authorship, time of authorship, historical challenges, etc.
Thus far, contrary to the false accusations of some, the Bible has held its own and has been found to be unquestionably reliable. All that which can be verified as true has been found to be so; this lends weight to the truth of those things that cannot be verified.
As of today, the Bible has been found a true and reliable witness. Naturally, the case continues in trial and the attempt to impeach it.
Sink the Bible to the bottom of the ocean, and still man’s obligations to God would be unchanged. He would have the same path to tread, only his lamp and guide would be gone; the same voyage to make, but his chart and compass would be overboard!
Henry Ward Beecher (1627-1691) Minister, abolitionist
Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.
Robert Charles Winthrop (1809-1894) Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Bible is the key to peace, civility, and freedom, without which civilizations fall into depravity and enslavement, as is happening currently as the Tribulation approaches.
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