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I Tried to Prove the Bible Wrong: A Trauma Survivor’s Journey to Faith
Processing trauma is like anything else meaningful in life — it takes work.
Understanding the Christian faith takes work.
Studying what the Bible actually says about different topics takes work.
I’ll be honest: I’ve done a lot of work trying to prove the Bible wrong.
What I found through that process wasn’t disillusionment — it was a deeper, steadier faith in Jesus.
The names in this list span more than a hundred generations. Clay seals, stone inscriptions, ration lists — the everyday paperwork of ancient lives — still speak. And when I pause and ask myself how I could even prove my own great-great-great-grandparents existed, the miracle of these discoveries becomes clearer. Scripture doesn’t float above history. It walks through it.
I don’t trust the Christian Bible only because archaeology confirms that people existed — though that matters deeply to me. I also trust it because of historical fulfillments, which I’ll share more about later. But for a trauma survivor, faith is uniquely challenging. Trust doesn’t come easily. Authority doesn’t feel safe. And the idea of a loving Father can feel abstract, or even threatening.
That’s why I took such a deep dive.
I needed proof — not just intellectually, but emotionally — that there was a Father who loved me. My relationship with my own dad was marked by trauma, and that created real cognitive dissonance. I couldn’t reconcile the idea that a male figure could love me, protect me, and remain present without conditions.
And then, one day, when I finally acknowledged what I had been doing — the questioning, the testing, the searching — I heard a soft, gentle voice say:
“I am here.”
He always has been.
He always will be.
No matter where I go, no matter which path I take, He is with me — not leading from a distance, but walking beside me. What comfort that brings.
I sometimes take archaeology for granted. Then I pause and think:
How would I prove my grandparents’ grandparents’ parents existed?
That’s only a few generations back.
And yet here we are — holding names, seals, inscriptions, and records of people who lived 2,600 to 3,000 years ago.
As you read through this list, keep that in mind. These discoveries don’t just support Scripture — they quietly testify to the staggering endurance of memory, record-keeping, and truth across civilizations.
During a year-long deep dive into religious antiquities, I encountered The Lost Gospel, a book that proposed fascinating connections between ancient texts and Christian imagery. It referenced Byzantine mosaics and symbolic parallels to figures like Helios and Artemis. While mainstream scholarship does not support the idea that early Christian churches literally used Apollo and Athena to represent Jesus and Mary, what is true is that Byzantine mosaics portray Christ and the Virgin Mary with extraordinary theological depth and beauty.
My travels to Greece helped clarify this for me. I learned how early Christians often repurposed pagan temples and sacred spaces — not by merging beliefs, but by redeeming them. In Athens, for example, what was once a temple to Athena Parthenos was later transformed into a church honoring Mary, the Theotokos — “God-bearer.” The overlap of sacred space and language gave me a new lens for understanding how Christianity engaged the culture around it.
Greek gods didn’t become Christian figures.
Christian truth reclaimed the sacred landscape.
That distinction mattered to me. A lot.
(For clarity: I don’t recommend spending the time I did on The Lost Gospel. Its claims — particularly regarding a romantic relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene — are widely considered speculative and unsupported by historical or archaeological evidence.)
Why This Matters (And Why I Love the Proof)
These discoveries don’t create faith.
They anchor it.
They remind us that:
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The Bible wasn’t written in mythic isolation
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It was written among kings, scribes, enemies, wars, seals, and records
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God worked through real people, in real places, at real moments in time
And when doubt creeps in, archaeology doesn’t argue — it simply whispers:
These people lived.
They acted.
They were remembered.
Biblical Figures Confirmed by Archaeology
1. David
Who: King of Israel and founder of the Davidic dynasty.
What’s Found: The Tel Dan Stele references the “House of David.”
Why It Matters: Confirms David as a real dynastic founder, not a later myth.
Biblical (ESV): 1 Samuel 16–17; 2 Samuel 5–7
2. Solomon
Who: Son of David; king during Israel’s united monarchy.
What’s Found: Monumental architecture at Megiddo, Hazor, and Gezer consistent with 10th-century royal building.
Why It Matters: Aligns biblical descriptions of centralized rule and prosperity with archaeology.
Biblical (ESV): 1 Kings 1–11
3. Omri
Who: King of Israel; founder of a powerful dynasty.
What’s Found: The Mesha Stele and Assyrian records call Israel the “House of Omri.”
Why It Matters: Confirms Israel’s geopolitical significance.
Biblical (ESV): 1 Kings 16:21–28
4. Ahab
Who: Son of Omri; king of Israel.
What’s Found: Assyrian records (Kurkh Monolith) list Ahab in the Battle of Qarqar.
Why It Matters: Verifies Israel’s military involvement on the international stage.
Biblical (ESV): 1 Kings 16–22
5. Jehu
Who: King of Israel who overthrew Ahab’s house.
What’s Found: Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III shows Jehu bowing to Assyria.
Why It Matters: First known image of a biblical figure.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 9–10
6. Jeroboam II
Who: King of Israel during territorial expansion.
What’s Found: Seal impressions and inscriptions referencing his reign.
Why It Matters: Matches biblical prosperity described by prophets.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 14:23–29
7. Hezekiah
Who: King of Judah during Assyrian invasion.
What’s Found: Hezekiah’s Tunnel inscription; royal seal (bulla).
Why It Matters: Confirms defensive preparations described in Scripture.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 18–20
8. Manasseh
Who: King of Judah; son of Hezekiah.
What’s Found: Assyrian tribute lists.
Why It Matters: Shows Judah as a vassal state, matching biblical tone.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 21
9. Josiah
Who: Reforming king of Judah.
What’s Found: Administrative seals from his era.
Why It Matters: Supports centralized religious reform period.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 22–23
10. Jehoiachin
Who: King of Judah taken into Babylonian exile.
What’s Found: Babylonian ration tablets listing him by name.
Why It Matters: Confirms exile accounts with precision.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 24:8–17
11. Nebuchadnezzar II
Who: King of Babylon.
What’s Found: Extensive Babylonian inscriptions.
Why It Matters: Confirms destroyer of Jerusalem.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 24–25; Daniel 1–4
12. Belshazzar
Who: Babylonian regent.
What’s Found: Cuneiform texts identifying him as coregent.
Why It Matters: Resolves long-standing historical skepticism.
Biblical (ESV): Daniel 5
13. Cyrus the Great
Who: King of Persia.
What’s Found: Cyrus Cylinder.
Why It Matters: Confirms policy of restoring exiles.
Biblical (ESV): Ezra 1:1–4; Isaiah 45
14. Darius I
Who: Persian king.
What’s Found: Behistun Inscription.
Why It Matters: Confirms administrative structure.
Biblical (ESV): Daniel 6
15. Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
Who: Persian king.
What’s Found: Royal inscriptions at Persepolis.
Why It Matters: Matches Esther’s setting.
Biblical (ESV): Esther 1–10
Prophets & Officials
16. Isaiah
Who: Prophet in Judah.
What’s Found: Seal impression reading “Isaiah the prophet” (debated but compelling).
Why It Matters: Possible material link to a major prophet.
Biblical (ESV): Isaiah 1–66
17. Jeremiah
Who: Prophet during Judah’s fall.
What’s Found: Bullae of his associates.
Why It Matters: Confirms historical network around him.
Biblical (ESV): Jeremiah 1–52
18. Baruch son of Neriah
Who: Jeremiah’s scribe.
What’s Found: Multiple seal impressions.
Why It Matters: Confirms named literary transmission.
Biblical (ESV): Jeremiah 36
19. Gedaliah son of Ahikam
Who: Governor of Judah.
What’s Found: Seal impressions.
Why It Matters: Verifies post-destruction governance.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 25:22–26
20. Pashhur son of Immer
Who: Temple official.
What’s Found: Bulla bearing his name.
Why It Matters: Confirms priestly administration.
Biblical (ESV): Jeremiah 20
21. Gemariah son of Shaphan
Who: Royal official.
What’s Found: Seal impressions.
Why It Matters: Matches Jeremiah’s court setting.
Biblical (ESV): Jeremiah 36
22. Jehucal son of Shelemiah
Who: Court official.
What’s Found: Bulla discovered in Jerusalem.
Why It Matters: Directly named in Scripture and archaeology.
Biblical (ESV): Jeremiah 37–38
23. Shebna
Who: Royal steward.
What’s Found: Tomb inscription.
Why It Matters: Confirms elite officials by name.
Biblical (ESV): Isaiah 22:15–25
24. Azariah son of Hilkiah
Who: High priest.
What’s Found: Seal impressions.
Why It Matters: Confirms priestly line.
Biblical (ESV): 1 Chronicles 6
25. Hilkiah
Who: High priest who found the Book of the Law.
What’s Found: Seal impressions.
Why It Matters: Anchors reform narrative.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 22
Foreign Kings Mentioned in the Bible
26. Shalmaneser III
Who: Assyrian king.
What’s Found: Black Obelisk.
Why It Matters: Records Israelite kings.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 17
27. Tiglath-Pileser III
Who: Assyrian king.
What’s Found: Royal annals.
Why It Matters: Confirms deportations.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 15
28. Sargon II
Who: Assyrian king.
What’s Found: Palace inscriptions.
Why It Matters: Confirms fall of Samaria.
Biblical (ESV): Isaiah 20
29. Sennacherib
Who: Assyrian king.
What’s Found: Taylor Prism.
Why It Matters: Confirms siege of Jerusalem.
Biblical (ESV): 2 Kings 18–19
30. Esarhaddon
Who: Assyrian king.
What’s Found: Succession treaties.
Why It Matters: Confirms regional dominance.
Biblical (ESV): Ezra 4:2
New Testament Figures
31. Jesus of Nazareth
Who: Central figure of Christianity.
What’s Found: Tacitus, Josephus, Pilate inscription.
Why It Matters: Confirms crucifixion under Roman authority.
Biblical (ESV): Gospels
32. Pontius Pilate
Who: Roman prefect of Judea.
What’s Found: Caesarea inscription.
Why It Matters: Confirms trial authority.
Biblical (ESV): Matthew 27
33. Herod the Great
Who: King of Judea.
What’s Found: Massive building projects.
Why It Matters: Confirms Gospel context.
Biblical (ESV): Matthew 2
34. Herod Antipas
Who: Tetrarch of Galilee.
What’s Found: Coins and inscriptions.
Why It Matters: Confirms John the Baptist narrative.
Biblical (ESV): Luke 3
35. Caiaphas
Who: High priest.
What’s Found: Ossuary inscription.
Why It Matters: Confirms trial leadership.
Biblical (ESV): John 18
36. Annas
Who: High priest.
What’s Found: Ossuary family tombs.
Why It Matters: Confirms priestly dynasty.
Biblical (ESV): Luke 3:2
37. Felix
Who: Roman governor.
What’s Found: Roman records.
Why It Matters: Confirms Paul’s trial.
Biblical (ESV): Acts 24
38. Festus
Who: Roman governor.
What’s Found: Inscriptions.
Why It Matters: Confirms Acts timeline.
Biblical (ESV): Acts 25
39. Agrippa I
Who: King of Judea.
What’s Found: Coins and inscriptions.
Why It Matters: Confirms persecution accounts.
Biblical (ESV): Acts 12
40. Agrippa II
Who: King.
What’s Found: Coins.
Why It Matters: Confirms Paul’s defense.
Biblical (ESV): Acts 26
41–53. Additional Officials, Priests, and Scribes
Who: Named individuals from Jeremiah, Kings, Chronicles, and Ezra.
What’s Found: Bullae, seals, inscriptions.
Why It Matters: These are ordinary people whose names survived in clay — proving the Bible records real communities, not legends.
Biblical (ESV): Jeremiah; Ezra; Nehemiah
Below is a table of 30 fulfilled prophecies that are widely recognized as historical fulfillments (not symbolic stretch-claims). Many involve nations, kings, cities, exile, or the life of Jesus — events that unfolded decades to centuries later. What changed things for me wasn’t one prophecy — it was the accumulation. These weren’t vague spiritual predictions. They involved named cities, empires, timelines, rulers, and outcomes. Some were fulfilled within decades. Others unfolded across centuries. And some are still unfolding in front of us. When I pause and think about how difficult it would be to prove my own ancestors existed just a few generations back, the weight of fulfilled prophecy over thousands of years becomes impossible to dismiss.
30 Concrete Fulfilled Biblical Prophecies
| Who / What Was Prophesied | What Happened | Timeframe | ESV References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babylon would judge Judah | Babylon invaded, destroyed Jerusalem, exiled the people | ~20–40 years | Habakkuk 1:5–11 → 2 Kings 24–25 |
| Judah’s exile would last 70 years | Return under Cyrus after ~70 years | ~70 years | Jeremiah 25:11–12 → Ezra 1:1–4 |
| Babylon would fall suddenly | Babylon fell in one night to Persia | ~160 years | Isaiah 13; Daniel 5 |
| Babylon would become desolate forever | City abandoned, never rebuilt | ~200+ years | Isaiah 13:19–22 |
| Cyrus named as deliverer before birth | Cyrus conquered Babylon and freed Jews | ~150 years | Isaiah 44:28–45:1 → Ezra 1 |
| Nineveh would be destroyed | Nineveh fell to Babylonians/Medes | ~150 years | Nahum 1–3 |
| Tyre would be scraped bare | Alexander the Great destroyed mainland Tyre | ~250 years | Ezekiel 26 |
| Egypt would lose dominance | Egypt never regained empire status | ~100 years | Ezekiel 29:14–15 |
| Israel would be scattered among nations | Assyrian & Babylonian dispersions | ~30–100 years | Deuteronomy 28:64 → 2 Kings 17 |
| Israel would survive despite dispersion | Jewish people preserved identity | Ongoing | Jeremiah 30:11 |
| Jerusalem would be destroyed | Babylon destroyed the city | ~40 years | Micah 3:12 → 2 Kings 25 |
| Jerusalem would be rebuilt | Returned exiles rebuilt the city | ~70 years | Jeremiah 29:10 → Nehemiah |
| Messiah born in Bethlehem | Jesus born in Bethlehem | ~700 years | Micah 5:2 → Matthew 2:1 |
| Messiah born of a virgin | Virgin birth of Jesus | ~700 years | Isaiah 7:14 → Matthew 1:22–23 |
| Messiah would suffer, not conquer | Jesus crucified | ~700 years | Isaiah 53 → John 19 |
| Messiah rejected by His own people | Jewish leadership rejected Jesus | ~700 years | Isaiah 53:3 → John 1:11 |
| Messiah pierced, not stoned | Roman crucifixion | ~1,000 years | Psalm 22:16 → John 20:25 |
| Lots cast for Messiah’s clothing | Soldiers cast lots | ~1,000 years | Psalm 22:18 → John 19:23–24 |
| Messiah buried with the rich | Jesus buried in Joseph’s tomb | ~700 years | Isaiah 53:9 → Matthew 27:57–60 |
| Messiah would rise from death | Resurrection of Jesus | ~1,000 years | Psalm 16:10 → Acts 2:31 |
| Temple would be destroyed again | Romans destroyed Second Temple | ~40 years | Matthew 24:1–2 → AD 70 |
| Gospel would reach the nations | Christianity spread globally | Ongoing | Isaiah 49:6 → Acts |
| Rome would rule during Messiah’s time | Roman occupation during Jesus’ life | ~600 years | Daniel 2; 7 |
| Messiah betrayed for silver | Judas betrayed Jesus for silver | ~500 years | Zechariah 11:12–13 → Matthew 26:15 |
| Field purchased with betrayal money | Potter’s field bought | ~500 years | Zechariah 11 → Matthew 27 |
| False prophets would increase | Documented rise in sects | Ongoing | Matthew 24:11 |
| Earthquakes and turmoil increase | Historically recorded | Ongoing | Matthew 24:7 |
| Israel regathered to the land | Modern return beginning 1900s | ~2,500 years | Ezekiel 37 |
| Hebrew language revived | Hebrew restored as living language | ~2,500 years | Zephaniah 3:9 |
| Jerusalem a burden to nations | Ongoing geopolitical tension | ~2,500 years | Zechariah 12:3 |
Why I Choose to Trust the Christian Bible:
1. Archaeological and Historical Evidence
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You’ve already got this covered with the 53 confirmed figures.
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It’s amazing to me that people like David, Hezekiah, and Baruch actually existed—archaeology confirms the Bible isn’t just stories.
2. Fulfilled Prophecies
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Messianic prophecies pointing to Jesus, or historical prophecies about nations.
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Reading the Bible, I notice prophecies written hundreds of years before events happened—they came true in ways I find really compelling.
3. Internal Consistency
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Across centuries and authors, the Bible tells a coherent story about God, humanity, and salvation.
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Even though it was written by many people across hundreds of years, the message fits together in a way that feels divinely inspired.
4. Life-Transforming Power
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Beyond historical proof, the Bible impacts lives today.
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The principles, hope, and wisdom in these pages have shaped my life—I see the truth of it in real, everyday ways.
5. Textual Reliability
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ESV comes from careful translation work with attention to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
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I trust the ESV because the translators aimed for accuracy and readability, so I feel confident the words reflect the original text.
6. Personal Experience with God’s Voice
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Personal prayer, conviction, or insight
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When I read the Bible, I feel like God speaks to me personally through it—it resonates in a way nothing else does.
Final Summary
What ultimately changed things for me wasn’t a single prophecy, artifact, or argument — it was the accumulation. Named cities. Recorded empires. Timelines unfolding across decades and centuries. Some prophecies were fulfilled quickly, others slowly, and some are still unfolding before our eyes. When I consider how difficult it would be to prove my own ancestors existed just a few generations back, the weight of fulfilled prophecy and preserved history over thousands of years becomes impossible to dismiss.
For me, faith didn’t collapse under scrutiny — it grew steadier, gentler, and more trustworthy. In that process, I didn’t just find evidence. I found a Father who stayed.
It took work — reading, studying, meditating. As my dad would say, if it were easy, everyone would do it. Where are you putting your energy?