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The Reliability of the Bible
nWhen compared against classical literature, the historical reliability of the Bible is outstanding
nNumber of manuscripts: NT 24,000; Iliad by Homer 643
nTime between when written and earliest copy: NT 25 years; Iliad 500 years
nOT accuracy verified by the Dead Sea Scrolls
This historical reliability of the Biblical text is far greater than that of other ancient writings. The “Iliad” by Homer has the second best documentation, but it pales in comparison to the support for the Biblical text. Yet people constantly want to question the Biblical text, while accepting other ancient writings at face value. People want to place the Bible in doubt because they don’t like the message, not because there are justifiable reasons for doing so!