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External evidence for the truth of the Bible include its historically reliable, internally consistent, demonstration of the fulfillment of prophecies, and its poignant and accurate analysis of human nature. Taking manuscript evidence alone, the Bible has 25,000 manuscript copies of the New Testament existing today. The closest second for ancient literature is Homer’s Iliad, with only 643 manuscripts surviving. For more information, see Chapters 3 and 4 from ‘The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh MacDowell.

However, if the Bible is the ultimate authority because God claims them to be his very own words (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21), then there is ultimately no higher authority than one can appeal to that the Bible itself for its own authority and truthfulness – while this may seem to be a circular argument, circular arguments are inevitable when dealing with issues of final authority. The Scriptures also have a self-authenticating nature to them, in that God’s Spirit makes readers realize that this Book is indeed God’s word (John 10:27).