old hippie here-got one for the atheists-christians welcome also but i believe i know your answer on this one-

"Little by little, one city after another, one civilization after another, one culture after another, whose memories were enshrined only in the Bible, were restored to their proper places in ancient history by the studies of archaeologists... Contemporary records of biblical events emphasized by contrast and comparison... Nowhere has archaeological discovery refuted the Bible as history."

-John Elder "Prophets, idols and Diggers" (New York: Bobbs Merrill, 1960) p. 16

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"A substantial proof for the accuracy of the Old Testament text has come from archaeology. Numerous discoveries have confirmed the historical accuracy of the biblical documents, even down to the obsolete names of foreign kings... Rather than a manifestation of complete ignorance of the facts of its day, the biblical record thus reflects a great knowledge by the writer of his day, as well as precision in textual transmission."

-Norman L. Geisler, William Nix "A General Introduction to the Bible" 5th Edition (Chicago: Moody Press 1983) p. 253

That is all the the bible is in the Old Testament. Well that and maybe some prophecy. I believe that in origin it was a way to keep track of the progress of people during that time.

There are whole sections of "this one begot that one" It kept track of wars, and people and events, it was not until the new testament that they started talking about what is known as miracles (Jesus).

It is important to remember that the contents of the bible were not formed until after the death of Jesus. It is also important to understand that the Old Testament is what is used for the Jewish Religion and if you look at it, the Christian bible is missing a lot from that time.

But mostly I believe it is cause if it was not, how would we as man have the right to change the word of the one that created us?

Nice question. And i agree with you, the old testament has historical accurate references in it, when you take all the God and the miracles out of it.

Funny thing is, you are here actually just trying to do the believers a favor, by showing that the bible has historical value. Yet, some religious people seem to take offence to your question, when i'm reading some of the above answers.

Well I think that the geography is pretty good. Seems to keep track of the kings and armies of that time. So it does contain some history. I believe in evolution so the whole creationism thing drives me nuts. I am a person who believes in a greater being, God? maybe. I do not consider myself a Christian,though I was raised Catholic and can argue religion with the best of them.I do think that there are some historical facts in the Bible, do I believe it word for word? No

It's not very accurate. Just like any other fictional book set in a historical setting, the author sometimes gets things mixed up. Especially if he's writing hundreds of years after the event and has never visited the area.

What an interesting question! I suppose there are several different ways to look at how to answer it--so here is one way:

The OT is the story of one nation's encounter with God--this story is told in several different ways in various kinds of books (law, history, wisdom, poetry). The psalms, which were prayers or liturical compositions show us how people spoke to God or sang in worship settings. We have the Geneis collection of narratives that tell us how Israel envisioned the beginnings of time and the story of how their nation came into existence through the generations of patriarchs. Proverbs, which represents Israel's contribution to Wisdom literature, was a well-known genre in the ancient near east, and the prophetic writings which social commentary and critique on how well or not Israel looked after the less fortunate and kept the law --these help us understand the social structure and value system at that time, and how their understandings of what God expected helped them to treat the poor and how to render justice in complex matters. And of course, the books of law, which prescribe ritual obligations alongside of dealings with fellow citizens, even how animals were to be treated with respect and care.

As such, the OT presents a "history" in the form of a collection of these various kinds of writings. Leaving out the name of God and references to God I think would reduce the OT to a rather meaningless collection of disjointed verses, as so much of what was recorded flowed out from Israel's realtionship with God through communication delivered by the prophets.

Many of the Proverbs would have intact meanings if God was removed, as they offer general guidlines for ethical and wise living, but for the rest of the OT, I think without having God as a context, what remains would have questionable value for us to use as a historical reference.

i am no atheist but i also am not a christian.

i have studied the bible and as far as a historical book i find it rather accurate even if you took out all the god said or god did. this book was written by man and is interrupted by man so their is going to be things that mean different things to different people

Peace and Love to you Old Hippy

Blessed Be

Fellow atheist here.....but one that started out as a fervent Christian.

Much of the historical references in the Bible you will find out to be very accurate, especially the lineages of kings. Sorry to bust your bubble, I know you're looking for anti-Christian ammunition. Get a real hobby. Go do some good in the world instead of looking for arguments.

there's no way that the old testament could be used as a historical reference, it's been changed around too many times to be considered accurate.

well lets take a look and see how it comes out, ill do the first 10 verses of genesis

In the beginning the earth. and the earth was void and without form and the face of the waters. then and there was, and there was light and dark on the first day.

just doesnt quite make sense without God does it? kind of like life today.