IS THE BIBLE RELIABLE OUR APOLOGETIC Is the
IS THE BIBLE RELIABLE?
OUR APOLOGETIC Is the Bible the Word of God? Is Jesus God? Does God Exist? Does Truth Exist?
IS THE BIBLE RELIABLE?
OUR THREE HISTORICAL TESTS The Honesty Test The Telephone Test The Corroboration Test
THE HONESTY TEST Principle of Embarrassment • Jesus calls Peter Satan Matt 16: 23 • Disciples fall asleep • Asks Phillip ‘do you not know me? ’ Martyrs
THE TELEPHONE TEST Its proximity to the events it records • It takes time for history to move into legend • Those who are eyewitness to the event or know eyewitness’ can best know about the event.
1600 1400 NEARNESS TO EVENTS 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Homer's Illiad Ceasar's Gaelic Wars Herodotus' History Tacitus' Annuls New Testament Plato Demosthenes
TELEPHONE TEST Amount of Manuscripts (copies) of the text • Manuscripts allow us to check variation • I am making your favorite, jambalaya with corn bread and sweet team. • I making your favorite, jambalaya with corn and sweat tea. • I am making your favorite, jamborie with corn bread and sweet tea. • I am making your flame right, jambalaya with corn bread and sweet tea.
6000 NUMBER OF MANUSCRIPTS 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 New Testament Homer's Illiad Demosthenes Plato Tacitus Ceasars Gaelic Wars Heroditus
‘We have more and early manuscript evidence about the person of Jesus Christ than we do anyone else in the ancient world, including Julius Caesar and Alexander the great. ’ -Dan Wallace
6000 DATES & MANUSCRIPTS 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 New Testament Homer's Illiad Demosthenes Plato Manuscripts Dates Tacitus Ceasar's Gallic Wars Heroditus
MANUSCRIPTS
THE CORROBORATION TEST
ARCHEOLOGICAL SUPPORT Old Testament New Testament • Jericho • Ossuary of James • Walls were collapsed • Evidence of Crucificiton • One section of wall was still standing • Pool of Siloam- John 9 • Large grain storages, with top of grain storages burned • Inscription of Pontious Pilate as Prefect • City wasn’t plundered • Luke is considered a first rate historian • Nazareth did exist
There can be no doubt that archeology has confirmed the substantial historicity of the Old Testament Tradition – William F. Albright
TEXTUAL SUPPORT OTHER THAN THE TEXT ITSELF • Josephus (Jewish and Roman Historian) • Tacitus (Roman Senator and Historian) • Lucian (Satirist and Rhetorician) • Mara Bar-Sarepion (Roman Stoic Philosopher) • Jewish Talmud (Jewish Commentary on Old Testament
HOW DID WE DETERMINE THE CANNON? • It was discovered not created • Did authors do miracles? • Is it quoted as authoritative? • Collected early as one volume • Commentaries are written on them. • Opponents agreed they were written by apostles • Does if fit accepted scripture AND accepted history
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