I Can’t Trust the Accuracy of the Bible
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
we’re in a series called The Bible Doesn’t Say That, where we’re addressing common myths about Christianity. One of the biggest is the idea that we can’t trust the accuracy of the Bible. Some say it’s just an ancient book, copied too many times to remain reliable—but Scripture itself, along with history, archaeology, and transformation, shows us otherwise.
1. Validation: History and Archaeology Confirm the Bible
The New Testament was written within one generation of Jesus’ life—while eyewitnesses were still alive. Its accuracy is backed by thousands of manuscripts. In fact, over 5,700 New Testament manuscripts exist, and 99.8% of them are identical, with the tiny variations not affecting doctrine at all. That makes the New Testament far more validated than classics like The Iliad or Beowulf.
The Old Testament also holds up under scrutiny. For centuries, the Masoretic Text was our oldest copy (from around 1000 AD). But in 1946, the Dead Sea Scrolls—dating back to 200 BC—were discovered, containing almost the entire Old Testament. The texts matched with incredible precision, showing that God’s Word has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
2. Preservation: Scripture Was Copied with Precision
Ancient scribes had a meticulous process for copying Scripture. Every letter, word, and line was checked against the original. If even a small error was found, entire scrolls were discarded. These practices ensured the Bible was preserved with unmatched accuracy.
The books of the Bible were not “chosen” by church leaders but recognized as God-inspired. From the earliest days, God’s people distinguished authentic Scripture from false writings, preserving the canon we read today.
3. Transformation: The Bible Changes Lives
Beyond historical and textual evidence, the greatest proof of Scripture’s accuracy is its power to transform. For centuries, people have encountered God through His Word, experiencing conviction, healing, and life change.
Consider King Josiah in 2 Kings 22–23. When God’s Word was rediscovered, he fell in repentance, sparking revival in the land. Even the “boring” parts of Scripture carry God’s breath and power to transform hearts.
The same is true today. As Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, God’s Word is living and active. It equips us, convicts us, comforts us, and leads us closer to Christ.
Conclusion: A Word You Can Trust
The Bible isn’t just an old book or a collection of human opinions. It is God-breathed, historically validated, meticulously preserved, and spiritually transformative. Culture changes, opinions shift, and trends come and go—but God’s Word remains true and trustworthy through it all.
So the next time you see your Bible on the shelf, remember: it’s not just a book—it’s the living Word of God, perfectly reliable and powerful to change your life.