One of the questions people have regarding the Bible is, are we reading fictional stories? Or is the information historical fact?
Many skeptics have some things to say about the Bible’s seeming contradictions.
Others may find the stories in the Bible, many of which contain miracles, simply hard to believe from a scientific standpoint.
In this article page as well as a separate archaeology page, I’ll show how history does line up with what the Bible says.
The Bible was not written in a vacuum. A historical context does indeed surround the verses and passages you read.
In this article page, as on the rest of this website, I want to show how the Biblical text can be encouraging to your faith but with a historical twist.
I will share three examples of Scriptures that have a clear connection with something historical outside of the Biblical text itself.
1. John 20:27-28
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
How this passage encourages your faith
The first time you read this, you might focus on the encouraging story within the text. The story centers on the example of Thomas stopping his doubting and believing in Jesus.
However, there is more to the story that enhances one’s faith in Christ.
You’ll find in the historical background information surrounding this passage that
an emperor named Domitian was in power.
Domitian, as was the case with the other Roman emperors during that period of time, wanted to be worshipped. He is the one that wanted people to refer to him as “lord and god.”
And so, this puts into perspective how powerful of a statement a man like Thomas made…someone who at one time doubted the divinity of Christ.
Here is another passage showing how Israel was brought back to their homeland.
2. Ezra 1:1-11
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.
How this Passage Encourages Your Faith
Who was Cyrus? As noted by biblestudytools.com, "Cyrus was not a follower of the God of the Bible, but instead, he was a pagan king used by God to help His people."
In Ezra 1:1, it says ...the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia
1. God uses people to bless us, even ones who are not really our best friends.
2. This passage from Ezra is part of the narrative explaining how God restored the nation of Israel. Do you feel like your life has been in a state of disarray? Have you gone through what seems to have been a disaster or curse? This passage shows God is in the business of rebuilding and restoring!
3. II Timothy 3:10-12
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”
A major part of the historical context of this passage was a massive fire that happened in Rome.
Nero used this event to persecute Christians. Nero’s actions affected both Apostles—Peter and Paul.
Why is this important?
How does this event encourage our faith?
I watched the news as the coronavirus pandemic raged across the world. Clearly, in some ways, the event was used to attack Christians. Such messages were communicated online.
In a much more extreme example from the first century A.D., Nero used the massive fire of Rome in A.D. 64 not only to blame and attack Christians, but also to torture and kill them.
The reason I mention this example is that persecution, in whatever form it takes, has not eliminated or weakened Christianity. If anything, the movement has gotten stronger over the centuries.
Not even the worst atrocities by Nero could put an end to the Christian faith and the message of the Bible. Almost 2000 years later, Christianity and the Bible live on.
Tertullian, one of the early church fathers, emphasized this very point:
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
In other words, the martyrs willingly giving up their lives has only helped the Gospel spread effectively.
In your study of Bible background, look for how such facts can strengthen your faith. You can include news items about archaeological discoveries in that category as well. Such a page and newsletter is coming soon! I'll keep you posted.
For a synopsis of the Bible message, click here: