Bible Authenticity

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 1 comment

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

Using Multiple Translations – Better Than Knowing Biblical Greek?

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 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

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

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 1:10-21). 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 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

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