Is the Bible reliable?

If you’ve ever wondered what Passion Church believes about the Bible, let me put it simply:

We believe the Bible is God’s Word — not just ancient text, but God revealing Himself, His heart, and His will to us. That may sound like a big statement, but it’s one the Bible makes about itself over and over again. Where You Find Your Truth Shapes Your Life. Here’s something I’ve learned as a pastor and as a follower of Jesus: If you don’t choose your source of truth, culture will gladly choose it for you.

And culture is a shaky place to build a life. If you haven't noticed, our country's idea of truth, if it exists, morals, and beyond are, well, perhaps the best way I can describe them is on fire. The news decides which side of what story to publish, and social media is a melting pot of good intentions, fake posts, and angry people yelling at each other. Very few people know where to turn for real information, and everyone seems angry about something. America is leaning further into a toxic and violent mindset than many of us want to admit, and all this is fueled by the idea that Truth, if it exists, is fluid; it changes based on our situation, culture, and who we are. If I'm privileged in one way or another, then my truth changes from those who are starting a few steps behind, because I can mean that it's right for me.    

But God doesn’t change.

His character doesn’t shift with the polls.

His Word doesn’t fade like trends.

The Bible gives us clarity that doesn’t move — because God Himself doesn’t move.

In Scripture, God reveals: Who He is, how He saves us, and who He created us to be. This is why Christians have anchored their lives to the Bible for centuries. There is peace that comes from knowing that what you base your life on does not change. It's a foundation that doesn't shift and brings incredible peace through life's battles.

When we talk about Scripture being “God’s Word,” we’re not using a religious slogan. One of the greatest pieces of evidence that the Bible is divine is the sheer scope of its creation:

Around 40 different human authors

Written across multiple kingdoms and empires — Israel, Judah, Babylon, Persia, Rome

Spanning roughly 1,500 years

Written in three languages — Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek

Authors from every walk of life — kings, shepherds, generals, prophets, fishermen, tax collectors, a doctor

And yet, somehow, through all of that diversity…

The Bible tells one unified story about one God pursuing one humanity with one plan of redemption.

Moses wrote the first five books around 1400 BC, likely while leading Israel through the wilderness.

David wrote Psalms around 1000 BC — worship, pain, repentance, and raw honesty.

Isaiah prophesied in the 700s BC, speaking clearly about the coming Messiah long before Jesus arrived.

Daniel wrote from Babylonian captivity, faithfully serving foreign kings while staying true to God.

Matthew, once a tax collector, wrote his Gospel in the first century AD to show that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

Luke, a physician and historian, wrote Luke and Acts around 60 AD, giving orderly accounts of Jesus and the early church.

John, one of Jesus’ closest friends, wrote his Gospel and Revelation near the end of the first century AD.

Different centuries.

Different nations.

Different languages.

Different backgrounds.

Same God.

Same message.

Same story unfolding.

That unity is not humanly manufactured.

This isn’t just a book. It’s God revealing Himself through history, through people, and through the Holy Spirit — so every generation can know Him.

Let’s be real:

The Bible doesn’t skip the hard stuff.

It talks openly about: sin, sexuality, justice, forgiveness, repentance, sacrifice, heaven and hell, and the parts of life we’d rather avoid. Sometimes we will hold beliefs that our culture doesn’t like. And that’s okay. We don’t follow Jesus because He fits neatly into cultural expectations. We follow Him because He is truth.

Jesus walked with people, listened to them, knew their stories—and then spoke the truth. We’re called to do the same. The Bible Is True, Clear, and Reliable Scripture doesn’t just contain truth — it is truth.

Psalm 119 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet…” “All your words are true.” “The sum of your word is truth.”

God’s Word is steady when the world shakes.

One way to picture the Bible is a lot like Google Maps. It doesn’t just give us random information — it shows us the route God has laid out so we can reach the destination He intends for us. It guides, directs, corrects, and gives purpose. And it doesn’t let us down. But here’s what happens: People hit a confusing passage — something culturally distant, linguistically different, or hard to understand — and they turn away. They assume the Bible is outdated or irrelevant. Or they decide to look elsewhere for truth. But confusion doesn’t mean Scripture is unclear. It means we’re invited to learn.

The Bible was written in: a different time, different cultures, with ancient idioms and references, in languages most of us don’t speak. That doesn’t make Scripture less true — it means we need to study, research, and dig deeper. When we do, God’s message becomes even more powerful and relevant.

We have to be honest about the cultural moment we’re in. For many people today, “The Bible says…” doesn’t carry much weight. Some see it as irrelevant. Others see it as offensive. Some walk away the moment Scripture is mentioned. That means we must rethink how we share truth — not whether we share it.

Let people see Jesus in how you live long before they hear Him in what you say.

Truth carried on the back of love reaches places arguments never can.

Build a Relationship With God by Reading His Word

The Bible is how we get to know God — not the filtered, Instagram version of Him, but the real, living God.

And just like any relationship, the more time you spend with Him, the more clearly you understand Him.

Think about a close friend or spouse.

After years of walking together, you finish each other’s sentences, you can predict their reactions, you know their heart. Why? Because you’ve spent consistent time together.

Imagine knowing God like that.

Imagine understanding His heart so deeply that you can sense what He wants, recognize His voice, and confidently interpret Scripture because you’ve grown familiar with Him.

Imagine what that would do to your life — and to the lives of your family, your friends, and everyone you influence.

Reading Scripture builds that kind of relationship.

The more you know God’s Word, the more you understand: who He is, what He wants, how He speaks, and how to interpret other verses biblically and accurately. So don’t stop when you hit something confusing, lean in.

God reveals Himself richly to those who keep seeking.

The passages below talk directly about the Bible itself —

what it is, what it does, and why it matters:

Read them this week.

Ask the Holy Spirit to speak.

Let the Word shape you.

And if you haven’t already, download the YouVersion Bible App.

Start a simple devotional — even 5 minutes a day creates space for God to speak and helps you build a steady habit of reading.

Also, don’t underestimate the value of trusted, mature Christians.

A mentor, a Bible study group, or a seasoned believer who has walked with Jesus for decades is priceless. Their wisdom can help you interpret Scripture, understand context, and stay grounded.

There are also excellent books that provide strong historical, archaeological, and logical evidence for the reliability of Scripture and the truth of Jesus. Here are five solid and accessible books I recommend:

These resources will help strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding, and give you confidence that Scripture really is what it claims to be: God’s Word.

We believe the Bible is God’s Word.

Steady.

True.

Loving.

Life-giving.

Eternal.

We don’t worship the Book — we worship the God who speaks through it.

Let’s be a church that doesn’t just read the Bible…

but builds our lives on it.