Ever since man has been searching for truth. There has always been this inquisitiveness about him what made him this way. Did God make us like this. Then again that begs the question immediately After "Do you believe in God and the bible? For one to accept truth from the bible one has to prove that the bible is truth . so this takes us in an endless cycle .
Not disregarding the fact that you may not believe in the bible and all things being equal lets take the advice of the bible about seeking truth. For the bible itself teaches us how to seek truth and if the bible is true then its methods of doing seeking truth and its revelations within if it is true should hold fast.
let me simplify, if what is in the bible is true then the bible must prove itself to be true by not contradicting itself.
Another consideration all things must be taken by faith until proven true.
So even the alternative to the bible which is " there is no God , and that the bible is printed fairy tales and full of lies must be taken by faith . Get this the bible says every man is given a measure of faith.
look at Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Put simply every thing must be proven ,tested analyzed, questioned,before accepted.
Examples :
1. In a court of law one must be proven to be Innocent or guilty you are innocent until proven guilty.
2. How does a woman know she is pregnant she sees the baby growing in her there is evidence.
If a man has a growing belly he may ask the question am i pregnant?
If all the symptoms are classical pregnancy symptoms then he may be inclined to believe .
If he does a test like ultrasound then he does it to verify , he tries to disapprove more than likely that he is pregnant
The idea test must be done.
Is the bible True ? only one way to find out test it, test the one who claim to be the author.
The bible encourages people to test it this is what it says.
1 Thessalonians 5: 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Unity of thought
is it possible for some many writers so many sub books over a period of 1500 years to maintain one essential theme trough different aspects of life.
Consider the first writer in the Bible, Moses. Although a Hebrew by birth, he lived in the midst of a thriving Egyptian culture. He was reared in Pharaoh's court and "was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22).
It would be natural to imagine that his writings would be heavily influenced by Egyptian thinking—yet they aren't. Instead they reflect thoughts and principles that after more than 3,000 years still have an enormous impact on most of the world's religious and social values.
Hundreds of prophecy proven by history.
In Daniel the image in Nebuchadnezzars dreams speaks about kingdoms. all of which had distinct qualities of metals .. is it coincidence that all the metals mention correctly align to the time : look at it
Daniel 2:32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
his interpretation
what the bible says about it self
1 Thessalonians 5: 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
2 Tim 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
John 17: 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.john 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
so if the author of truth writes and says his word is truth, if he says i and the father are one
Can God speak lies ?
Friend his word is truth .