ERRORS IN THE BIBLE

If you are a believer, a follower of Jesus, and you read and appreciate the Bible, you may encounter others who want to disprove or disregard the Bible.

1- Ask the person why they are raising their question about the Bible.
A helpful quote, “Remember that every time you are answering a question, you are answering a person.”
The well-being of the person behind the question—and their soul—is most important.
Something in their life may be their real question, their biggest need.

2- While you may or may not have the answer to their question (and you may get the answer), ask the person if their question was answered, would they believe in the Bible and in Jesus.
That could make the conversation more real and honest and productive.

3- When someone brings up something they say is an error in the Bible, the best first step is to get a Bible and let them show you what they are referring to.
If they don’t know, then do not be critical or demeaning.
Take the opportunity to share something from the Bible that shows the singular message about sin and salvation.
You can also invite them to another conversation where they can show you from the Bible why they have the question.
A precious product of this—they had to open the Bible and study, even if with the wrong motive—many have come to faith in Jesus while trying to disprove the Bible.

4- Tell them you take their concern seriously.
Then refer to history filled with all kinds of mistaken ideas that were later corrected by additional information or discoveries.
There have been many disputed facts in the Bible that were proven true by archeology or literary technology.
At any point in time, we might not know everything to make conclusions about what the Bible says.
Have them consider how the Bible was recorded by 40 people over 1500 years, with astounding accuracy and continuity—consistent because it is God’s Word, inspired to be written down by people, to tell us what we need to know.

5- Try to shift the concern from less-important matters—questions that keep us from God—to all-important matters—our sin and our need for a Savior.
Consider the conversation with a person seeking answers, to be the hand of God putting you together to plant a seed in their life, for eternity.
Be honest and real about trying to answer their questions, or get the answers, while showing the greatest questions of life and death and eternity that the Bible answers.