Answer
The question of whether Christianity is true is profoundly significant. The answer not only impacts individual lives but also communities around the world. Examining whether Christianity is true involves a look at the foundational beliefs of Christians, scriptural reliability, prophetic fulfillment, and the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. An additional consideration is the impact of the gospel on the lives of believers.
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who lived a sinless and perfect life, died on the cross for the sins of humanity, and rose from the dead. Paul summarizes the gospel like this: “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, ESV).
To determine the truth of Christianity, we must assess the reliability of “the Scriptures,” as the Bible is the basis for belief. The Bible, particularly the New Testament, is one of the most well-documented ancient texts. The sheer number of manuscript copies—over 5,000 ancient Greek manuscripts—far surpasses that of any other ancient text. Due to the plethora of documents available, we can cross-reference and verify the veracity of the manuscripts.
Furthermore, archaeological findings have repeatedly corroborated biblical accounts. As has often been said, every turn of the archaeologist’s spade seems to confirm the Bible. The discovery of the Pool of Bethesda in 1911 (see John 5:2), the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, the discovery of the Pilate Stone in 1961 (see Luke 23:1–25), and the discovery of the Hezekiah Seal in 2015 provide tangible evidence of biblio-historical claims.
Another compelling argument for the truth of Christianity is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus. Isaiah 53:5 is one such prophecy: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (ESV). This was written almost 700 years before the time of Christ. It is remarkable, then, that it perfectly aligns with the crucifixion of Christ.
Not only was Christ crucified, but He rose again on the third day. His resurrection, like His death, is not just a theological concept to help us understand God better; it is a historical event. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV).
The resurrection of Christ is supported by multiple lines of evidence: the empty tomb, the transformation of the disciples from fearful followers to bold proclaimers of the risen Christ, and Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to individuals and groups (1 Corinthians 15:6) all provide a compelling case for the truth of Christianity. Additionally, early Christians willingly faced persecution and death for their faith in the resurrection of Christ, which speaks volumes about their conviction of its truth.
The personal experiences of believers also support the truth of Christianity. Many Christians testify to experiencing a transformative personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, characterized by faith, love, and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13). These experiences, when combined with the teachings of the Bible and supported by the witness of other believers, provide additional weight to the truth claims of Christianity.
Ultimately, accepting the truth of Christianity involves an element of faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (ESV). While reason and evidence can bring us to threshold of belief, we must continue forward into faith to fully embrace the truth of Christianity: “Without faith it is impossible to please him [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).
