Bible Authenticity

Is the Trinity in the Book of Isaiah?

March 10, 2024 BibleAuthenticity Comments 22 comments

“A cornerstone belief of the Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity . . . What is the doctrine of the Trinity? . . . There is only one God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal, coequal Persons where each Person is independently conscious and self-directing but never acting independently of one another and always manifesting the same character attributes and the same nature. Where in the Bible is the Trinity taught? . . . It is taught in 25 of the 27 books of the New Testament and in 13 of the 39 books of the Old Testament”—“Does the Book of Isaiah Teach the Trinity?”, Reasons to Believe (RTB) blogsite, by Hugh Ross, July 20, 2020 read more

When, and by Whom, Was the Book of Isaiah Written?

February 19, 2024 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

When was the book of Isaiah written?

“The vision which Isaiah, son of Amos, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah”—Isaiah 1:1 NAB

Until about the last 250 years, the book of Isaiah was generally accepted by Christians as being written entirely by the prophet Isaiah in the latter part of the 8th century BCE. Nowadays, however, many “scholars” think the book was written by various writers over the course of several centuries, citing factors such as differences in subject matter, style, theology, vocabulary, and the viewpoint that predictive prophesy is impossible. The real reason for this is, however, that they don’t think predictive prophecy is possible. While there are a variety of views about the writership of Isaiah, critics often claim that chapters 40-66 were not written by “Isaiah, son of Amos.” However, careful examination of the book reveals that chapters 36-39 are a historical interlude that concludes the first section of the book, chapters 1-35, and introduces the last section, chapters 40-66. This reveals the unity of the entire book. read more

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

January 5, 2024 BibleAuthenticity Comments 112 comments

Some people, even preachers, say that everything that happens in the world – good, bad, or otherwise – is the will of God. Is it? But often, people wonder, “Why do tragic things happen to good people?”

“I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek. They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others” (Psalm 73:3-5 NAB). The realities of this life often just don’t seem to make any sense, even as they didn’t to Bible writer Asaph 3,000 years ago. The opposite of what common sense would tell us is what often happens. Why? read more

Are God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit a Trinity? – 2 Corinthians

December 28, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 21 comments

Holy Spirit greetings? — Where is the Trinity in 2 Corinthians?

The New Testament book of 2 Corinthians was written about 25 years after Jesus’ death and the start of Christianity. Is the Trinity doctrine in 2 Corinthians?

“The Trinity is one of the most important teachings of the Christian faith. It defines God’s very essence and describes how he relates to us”—The Forgotten Trinity, back cover

Since Second Corinthians was written about twenty-fives after the start of Christianity, we would expect to see at least some evidence of such an important doctrine as the Trinity in the letter’s 13 chapters, if it is a true Christian doctrine. Let’s examine scriptures from this book which tell us something about God, Jesus, and the holy Spirit. read more

Advantages of Using Multiple Bible Translations

December 13, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 1 comment

NT canon — Greek manuscript of the New Testament. Is using multiple Bible translations better than knowing Biblical Greek?

Does a person need to know Biblical Greek to understand the New Testament, or is using multiple Bible translations, just as good, or better?

“Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding”—Proverbs 4:7 NIV

“By studying Biblical Greek, you can gain a deeper understanding of the original text and the cultural context in which it was written”—Quora, February 6, 2023

Some Bible teachers and preachers are big on the idea that knowing Biblical Greek (Koine’) is important, even vital, in getting the best understanding of the Bible. While this may have a lot to do with their ego, we must grant that some are very sincere in holding and promoting this belief. It is certainly fine for anyone who has the inclination, the time, the resources, and the opportunity, to do so, that is, to learn Biblical Greek. It is a good thing that some have become scholars in Biblical Greek, and have been active in Bible translation and have written Biblical commentaries. But it takes many years of intensive study to become proficient in Biblical Greek. read more

Is Jesus Christ God, or Part of a Trinity, in Philemon?

December 8, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 1 comment

Is the Bible reliable? — Is the Trinity in the book of Philemon?

Is the Trinity in the book of Philemon?

“For love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you–I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus”—Philemon 1:9 ESV

In this very short New Testament book of only 25 verses, Jesus Christ is specifically mentioned eight times, God two times, and the holy Spirit is not mentioned at all. In such a brief letter, only so much can be discussed, of course, so the holy Spirit’s omission is not surprising. This is especially so when we consider that the letter’s subject matter is not primarily doctrinal, but, instead, focuses on the relationship of the wealthy Christian Philemon with his runaway slave Onesimus, whom the apostle Paul in Rome has recently converted to Christianity, and is sending him back to Philemon in Colossae with this letter, appealing to Philemon to do the right thing (Philemon 1:20-21). read more

Invitation to Comment/”Leave a Reply” About Articles on this Website

December 7, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 0 Comment

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence”—1 Peter 3:15 NAB

After each article on this website, there is a place to “Leave a Reply.” We invite all sincere readers who feel inclined to do so, even if you disagree with something in the article.

This website is a place where issues related to the Bible can be openly and sincerely discussed with reason and good attitudes, but is not a place for such things as advertisements, promotions, hostility, bad language or profanity, personal attacks, debate just for the sport of it, etc. read more

Articles about “Eternal Security,” or “Once Saved, Always Saved”

December 3, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 1 comment

There are six scripturally based articles on this website that deal with this issue, since there are some very deep-seated, very emotionally entrenched beliefs in this doctrine. These articles can also be browsed on the Homepage of this website under Categories by clicking on: “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

“Eternal Security: ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’?

“Once Saved Always Saved?: How About Works?”

“Does 1 John 5:13 Prove ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’?” read more

IS THE BOOK OF JONAH HISTORY OR FICTION?

November 27, 2023 BibleAuthenticity Comments 2 comments

How does the Bible picture the modern church? Critical scholars say the book of Jonah is fiction. “Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah the son of Amittai” (Jonah 1:1 LSB). However, the book itself presents the account as historical, authentic non-fiction.

CRITICAL SCHOLARS VIEW OF JONAH

Many Protestant and Catholic scholars and commentaries regard the book of Jonah as fiction.

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