What are some questions the Bible answers that demonstrate it is true? There have been many people who question the truth of the Bible. What are some questions that a person can ask to help them determine the authenticity of the Bible for themselves? One thing we know is that something is neither true nor false simply because someone says so. Illustrations surround us that demonstrate the inaccuracies of both pro and con testimonies in every area of life. Truth is revealed by questioning. What questions does the Bible answer that demonstrate it is true?

1- Has the text been faithfully copied over time? (Does the current text accurately represent the original text?)

2- Does the text accurately represent known history?

3- Does the text accurately represent known geography?

1- It is safe to say that no text in all of human history has been as studied, questioned and evaluated as meticulously and continuously as the Bible. The science of textual criticism has overwhelmingly concluded that the present text of the Bible accurately represents the original. Regarding the Old Testament texts: “Perhaps the strongest evidence for the reliability of the OT is the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947 at Qumran.” …… Comparing the Dead Sea Scrolls with older Masoretic texts, “Their conclusion? 95% word for word copying accuracy over almost 1100 years! And the 5 % of variations consisted of nothing more significant than omitted letters or misspelled words—slips of the pen.” Anyone can search the subject on the internet. There are numerous pro and con internet sites that address the issue. It is both wise and fair for a person to investigate the issue for themselves rather than simply taking the word of others regarding the textual accuracy of the Bible (or any other religious text). Do a Google search: “How accurate is the Old Testament text?

2- Anyone truly interested in knowing the Bible accurately should have no reluctance to research the historical contents of the Bible. If the Bible is not historically accurate it is not true. Do the stories of the Bible, both generally and specifically fit into real world historical events. Is there evidence that Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and many others were real people? Were the Hittites and the Edomites real people? If the peoples or individuals named in the Bible could not be found in other historical records it would be a good indication that they were not real and thus the Bible untrue, no matter who claimed otherwise. We should all be willing to investigate the historical accuracy of the Bible, or any other text we value. Who would want to be faithful to a deception?Do a Google search: “How accurate is the Old Testament history?

3- In addition to the verified text, and the truly historical people and events, archaeology is one of the things that demonstrates the authenticity of the Bible. True and real history leaves evidence not just on paper but in the ground. Where there were cities, foundations remain, where there were wars, destructions are evident. The Bible describes many specific places and events that archaeology has clearly confirmed. If there were no specific, identifiable archaeological remains in the places the Bible describes it would be wise to seriously doubt its authenticity. Again, there are many sources that discuss the archaeological validity of the Bible. If it is real and true the Bible can stand up to any investigation. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out and decide for yourself.Do a Google search: “How accurate is the Old Testament archaeology?

~~~~~~~

Not very many people are bold enough to claim that their own ideas and writings have innate authority worthy of wide allegiance, so they either legitimately or illegitimately claim that their ideas come from God. So our challenge is not to just believe or disbelieve a prophets’ revelations but to find some ways to determine the validity of their claims. It is reasonable to assume that there have been many people throughout history who have claimed to receive messages from God. We have probably all heard someone say “God told me,” or even said it ourselves. Most people do not claim to have heard an audible voice, but many claim to have had dreams, visions, impressions that they believe came from God. The majority of these “revelations” have likely been personal and unshared, but there have been many that claim to be messages that God means to be widely shared. This category of revelations are shared by people generally described as “prophets,” individuals through whom God delivers His truth to others. It is this kind of prophecy or revelation upon which religious movements are built. Should we believe someone is a “prophet” simply because they, or others, simply claim to be a “prophet?" In this 2026 study through the Old Testament I must admit that if I am going to consider the study to have supreme authority in my life I must recognize that the authority of the Old Testament rests on the validity of it’s often repeated claim to be revelations from God, given by people who are describe as prophets of God. If any of the prophets or any of their revelations fail the tests of absolute accuracy then there is significant reason to doubt their validity and their authority. I am not capable of exhaustive research into the accuracy of the Bible, (no one person is) but I am (and everyone is) capable of some investigation. While I am prone to do the very thing I criticize, namely simply believe something because I feel like it is believable, I ought to recognize that my present and eternal relationship with God rests on the validity of the source from which I get my religious authority. I have proven time and again throughout my life that to trust my feelings or the advice of others can be a big mistake. The validity, accuracy, authenticity, indeed the reality of my sources of truth are crucial factors in deciding what to believe or disbelieve in life. It may not be life altering in what I believe about the best car to buy, or how to vote, but it absolutely matters in my choice of who and what to believe regarding my relationship with God.

Remembering the fact that simply believing (even convinced believing) cannot change something that is false into something that is true, there must be some things that can best guide my choices to truth. How can I evaluate the Old Testament or any "Scriptures" most appropriately? Surely there are some questions I can investigate.

How accurately have the messages been transmitted from what the original prophets claimed to have received from God? Is what I can read true to the original text? I have only an amateur understanding of Hebrew and Greek, but I have studied both pro and con writers who address the faithfulness of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible. While there are people who argue that the present texts are far removed from the original writings, there are many many textual critics who have concluded that in evaluating the thousands upon thousands of texts copied in the original languages it is reasonable to believe that there is more than 95% certainty that we are able to read the original texts accurately.

Regarding the authenticity and authority of the Bible, and specifically for this study of the Old Testament, I have spent many years reading the text, evaluating evidence of its historical, geographical, linguistic, and philosophical accuracy. My personal conclusion is that the Biblical Prophets are indeed reliable and thus their individual and collective messages from God are reliable and make the Bible the most authentic and authoritative source of truth to guide every dimension of my present and future life. If there were no real earthly evidence of a people called Israelites, no country called Judea, or no cities called Jerusalem, or Bethlehem, or no Roman persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ, could the Bible be really true? Could praying and believing make all those non-existent things really true? Of course the testimony that Neil Evans believes the Bible to be true ought not be the foundation for anyone else to believe it. Believing is a personal choice, but it seems to me that the choosing ought to involve continual and serious evaluation of the available evidence.

The Apostle Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas” because he questioned the resurrection of Jesus. He said: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later Jesus appeared to the disciples when Thomas was with them. Jesus said to Thomas: “put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Jesus gave Thomas tangible evidence of His resurrection. Jesus gave tangible evidence to hundreds of people that He is alive. Thomas was not wrong to seek evidence. He would have been wrong to not believe the evidence he found. I look forward to reading the Old Testament and studying again the combined justice and grace of God as He faithfully rescues people from their sin. I hope you will read the Old Testament too.

~~~~~~~

I have read the Bible over and over for many years. The more I read it the more I learn; the more I am drawn into the captivating LIFE God gives me in spite what I deserve. I long for others to know God's LIFE too.

I have good friends who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Every year their church publishes a study called "Come Follow Me." Each year they go through one of their Scriptures: The Old Testament / The New Testament / The Book of Mormon / The Pearl of Great Price / The Doctrine and Covenants. I have read these study guides to better understand what their church teaches. This year (2026) the LDS are reading through their "Come Follow Me - Old Testament.

Many Christians read through their Bible each year with various programs or schedules. I am choosing to read through the Old Testament generally following the LDS "Come Follow Me" schedule. Rather than focusing on the topics in the LDS study guide I am focusing on pondering the Bible text itself.

I have tried discussing and asking questions about their studies with some individual Mormons but am generally referred to more writings of LDS Church authorities. For this reason I believe that rather than sharing my perspectives and questions about the LDS study guide, I share questions that sincerely interested people may be challenged to ponder as they read the Bible.

Some people have called this "The Information Age" because information about any and every subject imaginable is so readily available. But this availability often leads to more confusion than clarity. It also fosters the idea that every idea is as valid as the next, which is the common idea that "truth is relative." But, if whatever anyone believes is The Truth, no one really has The Truth.

It is valuable for people to try to understand what their friends believe regarding their particular religion. But, for people who claim to be Christians, it is most important to understand what the Bible itself says in both the Old and New Testaments. And, rather than simply reading or listening to what others say about the Bible it is crucial to read and ponder what the Bible itself says.

Throughout 2026 I am reading through the Old Testament, aware of the study schedule of my friends using the LDS "Come Follow Me - Old Testament - 2026" study guide. My focus will be on asking questions more than making comments. My hope and prayer is that people will be prompted to read and ponder what the Bible itself actually says. May God Bless you with His LIFE, with HIMSELF, as you "follow Jesus thru the Old Testament."

~~~~~~~

While the Bible is the most published book in the world. The real question is how much is it read? And an even more important questions is how many people ask and answer questions as they read the Bible? My fear is that too many people do not do the work of asking and answering questions as they read the Bible. Too many people are content with what they already think they understand, not just about the Bible but about many other important things in life. We tend to forget that one of the main ways we learn, and thus grow, is to ask and answer questions. Our questions about both familiar and unfamiliar things are critical to our accurate and effective understandings of everything in life. And I would argue that there is nothing more important to work at truly understanding than the Bible which describes the present and eternal relationship between God and men.

For these reasons I challenge everyone to not only read the Bible, but to read it often and regularly. I challenge myself and others to ponder what we read by prayerfully asking questions with willingness to accept the answers the Bible gives.

Here is one last observation. In the Bible, God asks us more than five hundred questions. It is easy to overlook God's question either by not noticing them or by ignoring them.

I hope we will read the Bible seeking not simply confirmation of our previous beliefs, but by asking and answering questions which will lead to the blessings God promises to those who "delight and meditate on the Bible day and night." (Psalm 1:2)

~~~~~~~

Every moment of every day I choose who I will follow. The Bible is the story of God’s work and God’s Glory. There are many temptations that seek to blind me and keep me from truly knowing God. As I read through the Old Testament I have the constant choice (like Adam and Eve) of whether I will seek to know what God actually says in the text, or be content with what I already believe or with what other people tell me it says.

“THIS IS MY WORK AND MY GLORY” is a good summary, not only of Genesis but of the Old Testament and the whole Bible. It is easy to see how creation is God’s work and God’s Glory. Many suggest that history shows the glory of man’s work. But in fact Genesis and the rest of history shows the shame of man’s continual unfaithfulness. God’s Glory is demonstrated in His repeated faithfulness. God has kept every one of His promises. He has been faithful to His covenants. The story of the Bible and the facts of history demonstrate that mankind has not kept promises to God, and has in fact been unfaithful to every covenant we have entered with God. The Glorious Work of God is His Faithfulness to rescue us from our unfaithfulness. Is the Bible a record of my work and my glory, or of God's work and God's glory? What I believe has both present and eternal consequences.

Is there a difference between “doubt” and “testing”? My strong feelings have been proven wrong many times. Even my spiritual feelings have been demonstrated as false at times. Just because I have good feelings about something being true does not make it true. Is the earth flat because many people feel certain that it is? The conflicting religions of the world are each affirmed by people who feel certain that their beliefs are revealed truth. There must be some more trustworthy ways to determine truth than feelings. For instance, I have no doubt that Jesus Resurrection is true. There is abundant real world evidence (historical, archaeological, textual, linguistic, philosophical) that when tested give me the certainty of the truth of it. I think it is probably true that most of us often rely on our feelings to determine truth. However, the more important the issue, the more it should be tested, and retested. Every wrong decision I have ever made began with a feeling that it was a right decision. If something is really true it should welcome both questions and testing.

The Old Testament begins with "In the Beginning God..." The Bible from beginning to end describes the works of God. And it is all to God's glory as He rescues people from the lives of their own making. The great privilege of my LIFE is to work at glorifying God by enjoying Him and His amazingly gracious works.

Watch a 5 minute video "The Story of The Bible"

~~~~~~~

(Meditate, Contemplate, study etc.)

1. Pray - Intentionally ask God to help you understand, believe, and apply the Bible Truths you read.

2. Read the Bible - Regularly, over and over and over - (pray and read a Bible passage over and over seeking to have a sense of what the text itself is actually saying)

3. Ask questions - such as:

? What do the words mean in this context?

? Why are these words used and not others?

? What does the rest of the Bible say about these ideas?

? What does this teach me about GOD, the World (others) and Myself?

? What do other Believers think about this text? (check your observations with others)

4. Pray and thank God for teaching and growing you?

~~~~~~~

My sincere desire is to prompt people to read the Bible for themselves, and to ponder what God is saying and doing in His world. If you have a similar desire, and if you think what I write helps people to follow God through the Bible, then please consider posting invitations to your friends to follow this "Have LIFE" website. (The Old Testament blog begins on Sunday, January 4th, 2026.) Be assured that I will not sell anythng or share any contact information. I simply and sincerely want people to follow God as He speaks to us through the Bible.

Thank you very much,

Neil

~~~~~~~