Defending the Faith Apologetics apologetics ahplahjetiks 1 a

Defending the Faith

Apologetics - apol·o·get·ics “ ah-pä-lah-'je-tiks” 1: a systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine)

The Bible: Where’s the proof?

-Historically - Archaeologically - Textually

Historically Average time-span between ancient work and manuscript is about 1000 years. The Bible’s is between 120 – 150 years.

Archaeology - Kings Saul, David, and Solomon are supported - Sodom and Gomorrah have been located (“…there is permanent evidence of a great conflagration that took place in the long distant past” - archaeologist Clifford Wilson)

Archaeology (Cont. ) - One world language - Pool of Bethsaida - Existence of Hittite people -Lysanius the Tetrarch - Luke’s record of the Census

Textually - Doctrines in jeopardy due to variances: 0 - Average % of corruption in Most Ancient Works - 10% Homer’s Iliad - 5% the Bible -. 05%

Jesus: But, what if…?

“The Three L”s - eat them, breathe them, sleep them, love them: Liar Lunatic Lord

Liar: - usually can't keep the lie going, - wouldn’t die for a lie » CONFLICT « Jesus was a great moral teacher; to teach what He did, blatantly lying, with His moral structure is absurd. He wouldn’t have been resurrected, would still be in the grave, and His opponents would have pointed this out.

Lunatic: - usually responds inappropriately to situations - usually displays a conspiracy complex; feels watched - usually display inappropriate emotions at the wrong time » CONFLICT « Jesus was very emotionally stable: His anger at the merchants in the Temple, His sorrow at Lazurus’ death, His frustration at the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Lord: -would perform miracles - would forgive sins - would fulfill OT prophecies » NO CONFLICT « Performed miracles, forgave sins, fulfilled every OT prophecy.

Jesus: How do we know?

The Crucifixion: Did he really die?

Hematidrosis: Sweating drops of blood Physical effects of crucifixion: - kidneys shut down, resulting in extreme thirst - nails would’ve pierced nerves - ultimate cause of death was asphyxiation - IMPOSSIBLE to get off cross unless guards removed them.

The Resurrection: How could He really rise?

“The disciples stole the body” - The Gospels [already established as historically accurate] clearly state no one stole the body. - Tomb was sealed by Jewish leaders, specifically for third day - Stone was designed so that it was nearly impossible for one man to move.

“Facts about it don’t match up” Core facts (Joseph, tomb, women vistied – found it empty) all match. Jewish “day” referred to any given time-frame, not necessarily 24 hrs. No Gospel attempts to list everyone who approached the tomb. However, Mary Magdeline is always included in the names.

Historical Affirmations: - something turned sniveling fisherman, tax-collectors, and tentmakers into leaders of the church. -the existence of the church -if the tomb wasn’t empty, Joseph was still in town and the jews could’ve easily opened the tomb and seen the body.

Historical Affirmations (cont. ): - Major changes occurred in a people who hadn’t changed practices in centuries: gave up Sabbath - Discarded Torah/Moses’ laws of sacrificing - Changed traditional Ruling Messiah view to Suffering Messiah - Conversion of skeptics (James, Paul, etc)

The Thorny Issues: The less-than-pretty stuff

Hell: If He’s so loving, why’s he throwing people into eternal damnation?

The Exclusive Claims of Christianity: What’re you packing?

POP QUIZ

POP QUIZ 1) How many Greek MSS do we have for the NT? Homer’s Illiad? Tacitus Annals? 2) What is the autograph? 3) 4) What is the average time in years between autograph first available MSS for most works of antiquity? time lapse for NT? 4) 5) What is the earliest dated MSS for NT? What book is the fragment from? 5) T/F: According to archeologists, Luke is a good historian?

POP QUIZ 6) According to archaeologists, T/F: Nazareth existed? Pool of Bethesda? Sodom and Gomorrah? Abraham? Batman? 7) According to Textual Scholars, how many doctrinal issues are at stake in the Bible due to scribal variants? 8) 8) What % of textual corruption is considered to be an issue for the Bible?

POP QUIZ

POP QUIZ 1) For ancient biographers, which was more important: accurately describing the factual details about a time in the life of the subject, or accurately describing the teaching or “snapshot” of their life for the didactic purpose? 2) 2) Paul received the creedal statement of I Corinthians 15 around which time: 30 -33 AD 33 -35 AD 35 -38 AD 38 -40 AD Much later than that 3)

POP QUIZ 3) “Creative community” is: - the community specialized in arts and entertainment - the community creatively expressed, but did not change the Scripture - the community changed whatever was taught them about Jesus, preserving it in ways that fit their needs, and then writing that down, which we read today. 4) In the Ancient world, which way of transmission of history was preferred—oral or written?

POP QUIZ 4) The first official listing of the NT canon occurred at where in 393 ? 5) The Hebrew canon of OT scriptures was set at the Council of Jamnia when? 6) 6) For the NT canon, what were the 3 rules generally considered to be the determining factors?