BibleAuthenticity, Author at Bible Authenticity

IS THE BOOK OF JONAH HISTORY OR FICTION?

November 27, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 1 comment

How does the Bible picture the modern church? Critical scholars say the book of Jonah is fiction.

“A light satire, with no prentions to being historical . . . This fictional form is unique in the prophetic tradition”—Catholic commentary on Jonah

“There are convincing reasons why the book cannot be historical”—Dictionary of the Bible, by John L McKenzie

“Jesus replied, ‘Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here–but you refuse to repent'”—Matthew 12:39-41 NLT (also, see Matthew 16:4 and Luke 11:29,30,32). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, regarded the book of Jonah as historical, and beneficial. So did Bible writers Matthew and Luke. read more

Does War With Israel Signal the End Is Near?

November 16, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 5 comments

There is much being made these days by some Christians about the Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah-Iran war as being a signal of “the end time” (Jude 18 HCSB). (For more detailed background information on this subject, please take a look at the Category headings: “End of the World,” and “Israel,” on this site.)

However, the Bible indicates that “old covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:14) with “Israel according to the flesh” (1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV) was “cancelled” (Ephesians 2:14 NLT), and “replaced” (2 Corinthians 3:11 NLT) by his “new covenant” (Hebrews 9:15) with the Christian “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15,16 NIV), which has Jesus Christ as its “high priest” and “mediator” (Hebrews 9:11,15). Indeed, according to the scriptures, “the kingdom of God” was “taken away from” fleshly Israel, “and given to a people, producing the fruit of it” (Matthew 21:43 NASB), that is, to Christians in the “new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:6). read more

Archaeological Discoveries of Baalis, King of Ammon

October 27, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 19 comments

Is the Bible reliable? — Archaeological discoveries of Baalis, king of Ammon, help confirm the Bible’s accuracy

Critics claim the Bible is largely a work of fiction. However, archaeological discoveries of Baalis, king of Ammon help to prove the Bible’s authenticity.

“Now Johanan, son of Kareah, and all the military leaders in the field came to Gedaliah in Mizpah and said to him, ‘Surely you are aware that Baalis, the Ammonite king has sent Ishmail, son of Nethaniah, to assassinate you?’ But Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, would not believe them”—Jeremiah 40:14 NAB

Even in minor details, the Bible proves true, when examined in the light of external evidence. “Baalis, the Ammonite king” is mentioned only once in the Bible (Jeremiah 40:14), and that in a very incidental way. A seal and a seal impression with the name of Baalis have been discovered. read more

Articles About Israel On This Site

October 11, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Due to the fierce fighting that has been going on in Israel and Gaza lately, there is much keen interest in Israel and the Bible. Below are some articles on this website about Israel and the Bible:

“Should We Pray for Israel?”

“Does Modern Israel fulfill Bible Prophecy?”

“Are Restoration Prophecies About Israel Literal — Or Symbolic?”

“The Spiritual Use of ‘Israel’ in the Bible”

“Restoration Prophecies — Israel of God” read more

SHOULD WE PRAY FOR ISRAEL?

October 10, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 13 comments

Modern Israel — Does modern Israel fulfill Bible prophecy? Should we pray for Israel?

Many Christians strongly believe that modern day Israel is “God’s Chosen People,” and that Jews en masse will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before the end. Based on this viewpoint, they pray for modern day Israel. But, should we pray for Israel? To get the correct Biblical view in answer to this question, we need to understand and view the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and not the other way around. People often misunderstand and mistinterpret the scriptures by doing this. read more

Should We Observe “Yom Kippur,” “the Day of Atonement”?

September 24, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 28 comments

Every year, “Yom Kippur,” “the Day of Atonement” is observed by practicing Jews, Samaritans, and some Christians, on “the tenth day of the seventh month” (Leviticus 25:27). On our calendar, this day comes in either late September or early October. In 2023, it began at sundown on September 24th and ended at sundown on September 25th. This Jewish festival was very important under the Old Mosaic Law Covenant that Almighty God made with the ancient nation of Israel, as elaborated in detail in Leviticus chapter 16. “He has not done this with any other nation” (Psalm 147:19,20 NLT). Jews today “observe many other traditions” in connection with “Yom Kippur” which “go beyond what is written in Scripture” (1 Corinthians 4:6 GWT). read more

Alexander the Great Predicted in Bible 200 Years in Advance

September 4, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

Critics assert that accurate predictive prophecy is impossible. However, Alexander the Great was predicted in the Bible 200 years in advance.

“Alexander of Macedon son of Philip . . . defeated Darius king of the Persians and Medes, whom he succeeded as ruler, as first of Helias. He undertook many campaigns, gained possession of many fortresses . . . So he advanced to the ends of the earth, plundering nation after nation; the earth grew silent before him, and his ambitious heart swelled with pride. He assembled very powerful forces and subdued provinces, nations and princes, and they became his tributaries . . . Alexander had reigned twelve years when he died”—1 Maccabees 1:1-7 NJB read more

SHOULD CHRISTIANS PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS?

August 26, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 3 comments

Many who profess to be Christians strongly believe that it is their duty to be involved in politics for the good of this world. There is no doubt that many of these Christians are very sincere and well-meaning in their efforts. Should Christians participate in politics?

“If I had to do it all over again, I would avoid any semblance of involvement in partisan politics . . . An evangelist is called to do one thing, and one thing only: to proclaim the gospel.”—Billy Graham, during an interview in the later years of his life read more

ARE THERE MULTIPLE PATHS or WAYS TO GOD?

August 13, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 9 comments

It is popularly believed that there are many ways or paths to God. Many truly believe that one can find God through either any of such diverse paths as Christianity, or Buddhism, or Hinduism, or Islam, or Shintoism, or Confucianism, or Paganism, or Mysticism, or Sun Worship, or through their own enlightenment and path, or Native American religion, or Spiritism, or “the energy of the universe,” or New Age, or by being a good person, or through no religion at all, or through nature, or any combination of these and/or other beliefs, etc. Those who disagree with this populist idea are viewed as narrow-minded, or ignorant. read more

Ahaz and Rezin Authenticated as Kings of Judah and Aram

August 9, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 5 comments

Critics have long doubted the Bible’s historicity, but archaeology has authenticate the existence of many of the people, places, things and events in the Bible. Ahaz and Rezin have been authenticated as kings of Judah and Aram, or Syria,

“Ahaz . . . reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years”—2 Kings 16:2 NIV

He is remembered most for his war against Israel (under Pekah) and Aram (Syria) (under Rezin):

“Then Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him”—2 Kings 16:5 NIV read more