Have Christians corrupted the Bible?

what does the bible say?

Some people claim Christians have corrupted the Bible by altering or mistranslating its original message over time to serve religious or political agendas. Critics argue that because the Bible has been copied, translated, and interpreted across centuries, it has likely been changed from its original form. They often point to the formation of the biblical canon or church councils as moments when books were included or excluded, claiming that they did this to fit theological goals. Additionally, some suggest that key doctrines such as the divinity of Christ or the Trinity were emphasized more heavily later in church history. These claims challenge the reliability of the Bible, especially for those unfamiliar with the evidence for its preservation and historical accuracy. Scholars who study the Bible’s textual history confirm that the vast majority of the biblical text is not in question, and the differences that do exist are minor and do not affect any doctrinal teachings or commands. The Bible tells us that God has preserved His truth forever (Proverbs 30:5-6; Psalm 119:160; Revelation 22:18-19), and He has. The overwhelming manuscript evidence, the consistency of core doctrines, and the reverence with which ancient scribes treated the Scriptures all support the Bible’s authenticity. Far from being corrupted, especially by Christians, the Bible remains a trustworthy record of God’s revelation—unchanged in its essential message and power in its ability to transform lives today. While many Muslims especially claim that Christians have corrupted the Bible, the Qur’an teaches that the Bible is an important book for Muslims to know. It teaches that Allah sent the Law and Gospels (Sura 3:3). Sura 2:75 calls the Bible the Word of God. Muslims can read the Bible and see for themselves what it teaches about life, salvation, Jesus, and how a person can know he or she can spend eternity with God (John 3:16).

from the old testament

• The Bible tells us that God’s Word is true and proves true; it hasn’t been changed to meet an agenda. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5).
• God warns us about those who try to add to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2).
• Proverbs 30:6 says something similar about not adding to God’s Word: “Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”

from the new testament

• The New Testament confirms that the Bible is God’s Word: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
• The Bible warns us of consequences if we add words or take away words (Revelation 22:18-19).

implications for today

Muslims often use this argument that Christians have corrupted the Bible in attempts to disprove Christianity. This allegation has no credible evidence. The Qur’an itself praises the Bible (Surah 3:3) and encourages Muslims to ask Christians and Jews about its contents if they are in doubt (Surah 10:94), indicating a positive view of the Bible’s reliability. Aside from grammar and spelling variation, the Bible today is essentially the same Bible that Muhammad praised (Surah 3:3). The Qur’an also says that God’s Word cannot be changed (Surah 6:34; 10:34, 64), and it makes no distinction between the various revelations of God (Surah 2:136). The New Testament was completed 500 years before Muhammad received the Qur’an, so any claim of biblical corruption requires clear evidence, as the burden of proof lies with the newer text, not the older one. Newer, more modern religions, such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses, have attempted to disqualify the Scripture as being corrupted, thereby ushering in their newer, “corrected” versions of the Bible. They have no basis for doing this since the Scriptures have not changed since being established during the early church era. To clarify, the canon of the Old and New Testaments was not created by church councils to push a religious agenda. Rather, these councils affirmed what was already accepted as Scripture by God’s people based on specific criteria: confirmed and authoritative authorship, consistent content with established doctrine, widespread use in worship, and clear evidence of divine inspiration. The Old Testament canon was established well before the time of Christ, affirmed by Jesus Himself (Luke 24:44), and preserved faithfully by Jewish scribes. The New Testament canon was functionally closed by the end of the 4th century A.D., though the writings themselves were completed in the 1st century A.D. Church councils, such as those at Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD), did not invent the canon but formally affirmed the books already widely used and trusted across the early church. These councils responded to heresies and forgeries, not to reshape doctrines, but to preserve the true teachings handed down from Christ and the apostles. The process of the canon shows that Christians did not corrupt the Bible but faithfully preserve the writings God had inspired.

Recap

understand

• The Bible has been faithfully preserved, not changed.
• The canon was recognized, not created.
• Even the Qur’an affirms the Bible’s reliability.

reflect

• What evidence strengthens or challenges your confidence in the reliability of the Bible?
• How does the reliability of the Bible not being corrupted spur you on in your walk of faith?
• What does it mean for your daily life that God has preserved His Word without corruption?

engage

• How can we respond to arguments that the Bible is corrupted respectfully and truthfully?
• How do the manuscript evidence and historical church councils actually support the Bible’s trustworthiness rather than undermine it?
• How does the Quran’s view of the Bible open doors for meaningful conversations with Muslims about the reliability of Scripture?