Why should we trust the Bible as our primary source for knowing God?

Why trust the Bible to learn about God? Using the CAFES framework—Consistency, Archaeology, Fulfilled Prophecy, External Sources, and Scientific Facts—we survey the major lines of evidence for Scripture’s reliability and briefly explain how God preserved His Word from the prophets and apostles to the Bibles we hold today. Includes practical next steps, key passages, and resources for your study.

Outline (CAFES)

1. Consistency of Scripture — 66 books, ~40 authors, ~1,500+ years, one unified message.

2. Archaeological Evidence — Pilate inscription (Caesarea Maritima), Tel Dan (House of David), Hezekiah’s seal.

3. Fulfilled Prophecy — Messianic predictions and the remarkable regathering of Israel.

4. External Sources — Non-Christian historians (e.g., Josephus, Philo) corroborate people/places/events.

5. Scientific Facts — The Bible avoids the scientific errors common in ancient literature.