Thank you for the question on the historicity of the Bible and belief, “I realize the Bible is a fiction story, but how do I explain my beliefs?”
As a Christian, I do not believe the Bible is a fictional story. In our present culture, there are those who want to destroy our culture and the beliefs in our culture. There are those who seek to make “A Brave New World” with the belief only in science. Before you give up on your faith, may I ask that you do some due diligence as reading about recent Biblical discoveries and even discoveries about our world.
I cite for your consideration:
- Did you know that geologists now thinks that there is/are bodies of waters/oceans in the earth crust? (Hmm, Is there any truth to Gen. 1 or 6–7
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25723-massive-ocean-discovered-towards-earths-core/
2. Did you know that are approximate 100 – 200 billion Galaxies in our Universe? All this energy from a singular particle that is smaller than a proton. Cosmologist are considering what was there before this particle existed or exploded. One can read articles on the Big Bang on the internet. Hmm, somehow a particle came into existence that never existed before and has that much energy in it! Just chance?
3. Did you know that Genesis 1 stated the “macro-evolutionary” process before the Evolutionary Theory came into existence from lower form to high forms of life? I do believe in adaptation of life form.
4. Did you know that on every mountain top like Mt. Everest, the Andes, the Rocky Mountains all have sea life on it? Hmm, doesn’t Genesis 1 or 7 reflect that the planet was once under the oceans. Surely tectonic shifts lifted up the present mountains but that only shows that they were once under the ocean, doesn’t it?
Granted that archaeologist has discovered except for a few records of the Jews leaving Egypt to the Promised Land, but remember the Jews didn’t build any permanent settlements in the Sinai Peninsula. They lived in tents and wandered for 40 years. Is there a Solomon Temple? Archaeologists debate that topic and there are indications that one did exist as one writing states the “house of David.” Please do read about recent archaeological discoveries in Israel:
In fairness, one ought to read the pros and cons of and for one’s beliefs. Don’t just based on beliefs just because it was passed onto one by their parents or attending church. Due diligence is required, pondering the questions and seeing how the argument is presented by both sides, then come to one’s own conclusion.
The bottom line for me is would the Jews fabricate a history and religious beliefs would their own commandments declare that they are not to bear false witness for the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. To argue that some Christian monks in the 4th century would sit down and write the life of Jesus, making up names is not credible to me. Honest and truthfulness is one of the cornerstone of the Christian faith. History has born out the existence of Assyrians and Babylonians, their rulers before the sites were excavated or the Babylonian tablets being discovered. If it was fantasy, then those civilizations and rulers wouldn’t existed, but they do. Could there be more to the Bible than one thinks?
Personally, I believe scientists and archaeologists will affirm the historicity of the Bible. The lack of evidence does not mean that those events didn’t exist. It may not be discovered yet and even then it will be subject to interpretation of any evidence is found like the signet/seal rings that has Biblical names on it.
SUMMARY: The Bible can’t be half true and half false. Have one engaged in due diligence before discrediting or believing the Bible? I am on that path and I trust that you will as well.
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/I-realize-the-Bible-is-a-fiction-story-but-how-do-I-explain-my-beliefs