How do we know the Bible is real? How do we know it is not just a big joke? — Sara of Hays, KS

Dear Sara,

There are several reasons to believe the Bible is real. First, it has proven to be correct when it describes people and places. For instance, Isaiah wrote that Sargon was king of Assyria (Isaiah 20:1). For many years some people thought that Isaiah was wrong. But then Paul-Emile Botta discovered Sargon's palace in 1843. This showed that the Bible was right after all. Such has happened many times.

Second, the predictions in the Bible were correct. For instance Isaiah, who lived about 700 years before Jesus, described Christ's death perfectly (read Isaiah 53). How did Isaiah know what would happen 700 years away? God must have told him what to write.

Third, the Bible does not contradict (go against) itself. About 40 men wrote the books of the Bible. They also lived many years apart and in different places. Yet, their writings all agree about what is right and what is wrong. The writings of men today are not like that. This shows how special the Bible is. It also shows how important it is to study and obey it.