Bible Forgery Essay

I have been asked to present a reasoned explanation as to why one should have confidence in the authenticity, correctness, and relevance of the Bible. As part of this explanation, I am to present evidence that the Bible is genuine and not a forgery; that the Bible is accurate and not a myth; and that the Bible addresses modern man’s situation. I wish to be up front in stating that I feel the essay questions beg the question as to the Bible’s accuracy and authenticity, which I find distressing as a starting point for objective discussion. On the relevance of the Bible for modern human life and struggles, I am bit less uneasy.

First, I think it is necessary to properly define terms that will be used in this essay:

1. Forgery

In terms of the biblical witness, the word “forgery” should be understood as the word is commonly understood in contemporary culture. When most people see the word “forgery,” they automatically assume a negative connotation and the intention of deception on the part of the pseudonymous author.

For example, in I Timothy 4:7, the author writes, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” It is clear that the author is referring to falsehood in this passage. But this is not the way modern sociologists understand the word.

Many modern biblical scholars and sociologists understand myth in an almost opposite way to the biblical writers. For these scholars, myth refers to something that may not be literally true, but which carries significant ethical or spiritual truth for those who incorporate those mythic stories into their daily understandings of how to act and live in the world. The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion, by Sir James George Frazer, is perhaps the most well-known supporting this newish view of