Among all the books ever written, the Bible is unique. It’s not one book; it’s a library of 66 books. One of its most remarkable qualities is the complete unity of its message, considering it was written over roughly fifteen hundred years by forty different authors in various countries, Israel/Judea, Babylon/Persia, Egypt, Asia Minor/Turkey, Greece, and Italy, and three different languages, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. There are no natural explanations for the supernatural character and origin of Scripture. These facts alone make the Bible one of a kind, but many more incredible details defy natural explanations.

Shepherds, kings, scholars, fishermen, prophets, warriors, peasants, cupbearers, rich people, poor people, and priests are among those who penned portions of Scripture. They had different immediate purposes for writing, whether recording history, giving spiritual and moral instruction, or pronouncing judgment. Their works were written from palaces, prisons, the wilderness, and places of exile while writing history, laws, poetry, prophecy, and proverbs. In the process, the authors of the Bible experienced a wide range of personal emotions, including wonder, amazement, reverence, anger, sorrow, fear, frustration, joy, gratitude, hope, trust, and love. These emotions are evident in their writings and reflect their encounters with God.

The Bible displays flawless internal consistency despite 40 different authors of such varied backgrounds, most never meeting another author, and a marvelous array of topics and goals. It never contradicts itself or its common theme. It's one continuous story from Genesis to Revelation with one theme, one common thread that harmonizes the story of creation, man's fall, and God's redemptive love for humanity.

How is this possible?  God claims authorship of the Bible.

The writers of the Bible state that the Bible is God’s very Word. The apostle Paul writes that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). That is to say, all the words recorded in the writing of Scripture originated from God before ever reaching the minds and pens of the biblical writers. The apostle Peter writes that “prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God; “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.” (2 Peter 1:21). The phrase “carried along” is like a sail propelled by the wind. That is to say, the Holy Spirit directed the writing of Scripture. The Bible does not originate with man; the Bible comes directly from God and, therefore, carries the authority of God.

In addition to authorship of the Bible, the amount of prophecy in the Bible is unique among religious books. There is absolutely no emphasis on predictive prophecy in the Quran or the Hindu Vedas, for example. In contrast, the Bible repeatedly points to fulfilled prophecy as direct proof that it is God who speaks (see Deuteronomy 18:22; 1 Kings 22:28; Jeremiah 28:9). Given God’s omniscience, it should come as no surprise that the Bible contains so many clear predictions or that those predictions are literally fulfilled: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9–10).

The Bible accurately foretells specific events in detail, many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur. In fact, the Bible contains 1,817 prophecies. Twenty-seven percent of the Bible is prophecy!   And they are 100% accurate.  At least one half of all biblical predictions have already been fulfilled precisely as God had declared. Because of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling these prophecies, we can be assured that He will fulfill the rest of the prophecies in Scripture without fault (see Numbers 23:19).

Also, secular writings authenticate the Bible, there are several historical and archaeological sources that provide evidence supporting the events, characters, and locations mentioned in the Bible.

One of the most significant secular writings that authenticate the Bible is the work of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian. Josephus wrote extensively about Jewish history and the events surrounding the time of Jesus Christ. In his works, particularly “Antiquities of the Jews” and “The Jewish War,” Josephus mentions various figures and events that align with the narratives presented in the Bible. For example, he provides historical context for figures such as John the Baptist and James, the brother of Jesus, as well as details about Pontius Pilate’s role in Jesus’ crucifixion.

Another secular source that provides authentication of biblical events is the writings of Tacitus, a Roman historian who lived during the first century. In his work “Annals,” Tacitus refers to Christ and his execution under Pontius Pilate, corroborating the historical existence of Jesus and the circumstances surrounding his death.

Furthermore, archaeological findings have also contributed to authenticating the Bible from a secular perspective. Numerous discoveries, such as ancient inscriptions, artifacts, and ruins, have provided tangible evidence supporting various biblical accounts. For instance, discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls have shed light on the preservation of biblical texts over centuries and have validated the accuracy of many biblical manuscripts.

Moreover, secular scholars have conducted textual criticism and comparative studies to analyze the consistency and reliability of biblical texts. Through linguistic analysis, manuscript comparison, and historical contextualization, these scholars have affirmed the authenticity of certain biblical passages and events.

In summary, secular writings such as those by Flavius Josephus and Tacitus, along with archaeological discoveries and scholarly research, contribute to authenticating various aspects of the Bible from a non-religious standpoint.

In various instances throughout the Bible, the writers themselves acknowledge their own shortcomings and sins. For example, King David’s confession in Psalm 51 is a passionate and candid expression of his guilt and repentance. This self-awareness and willingness to confess their wrongdoings demonstrate the writers’ integrity and commitment to honesty. The honesty and integrity of the writers of the Bible, as evidenced by their portrayal of biblical characters’ flaws, their confession of personal sins, and their consistent presentation of balanced perspectives, contribute to the belief that the Bible is true.  Most people only tell of the good things in their lives and never the bad.

Another factor helping us trust the Bible is the life-changing impact the Bible has had for thousands of years. The Bible has withstood the attempts of kings, dictators, and whole societies to abolish it and yet the Bible remains the top-selling book of all time. Its words contain a hope not found in any other religious writing and has transformed the lives of millions. Other world religions claim loyal adherence, but the glue that holds most of their faithful is fear, intimidation, or human effort. The Bible promises what no other book does: life, hope, and purpose as a gift from Almighty God. Its words have transformed murderers, tyrants, and nations because the Bible resonates as truth in the deepest part of the human soul (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The Bible may be rejected, hated, or ignored, but its impact on those who heed it cannot be discounted.