We challenged if we could trust the Bible. Yes we can, and there is a lot of evidence.
We took on the main issues people have with the Bible.
- Bible Reliability
- Canon (basis for the books in the Bible)
- When & Who Wrote it (Proximity to Events)
- Accuracy & Errors (original language manuscripts)
- Translations (Why so many?)
- Inerrancy (Contradictions)
- Old Testament Problems
- Miracles & Prophecy
We found out the critics either don’t look honestly for an answer or they chose to ignore it. We have plenty of evidence to address every challenge. Far more than any other book in history. No book has been challenged more, read more, and we are still talking about it because the Bible withstands every challenge every time.
I told you that the Bible is inerrant in that there are no contradictions in the Bible. I’m not saying word for word, because I’d have to ask in what language or which manuscript. But I believe, men often error but the Bible does not. The Bible is truth from the person who is truth.
We took on the challenges to the supernatural, miracles and prophecy. I have to tell you, I’ve seen it. To deny the supernatural is simply to choose ignorance. The act of choosing is already supernatural act of our mind which is beyond matter and nature.
Next we looked at the historical Jesus and evidence for the resurrection. We talked about the objections and alternative theories.
Main Objections to Jesus are;
- The Jesus we preach is just Myth or Legend but this is countered by the Evidence of Historical Jesus. Much of this evidence is outside of the Bible. In fact, there is more sources outside the bible for Jesus, than most of the Caesars from the time of Jesus.
- People challenge the Deity Claims of Jesus as latter concoctions or simply not true, but this is countered by clear confirmation of the Deity Claims from 1st Century. Example was P66
- People have many challenges to the Crucifixion of Jesus but there are many Non-Christian sources that Affirm the Death of Jesus. No serious scholar challenges that Jeus was a real person and died by Roman crucifixion.
- The resurrection is the most challenged and there are lots of alternative theories, wrong tomb, stolen body, evil twin, etc. But the evidence of resurrection is very strong. The story has no features of a conspiracy, many people involved, embarrassing details like the women as first witnesses, cowering disciples, denying Peter. Then apparently overnight the cowering disciples become bold and confident and willing to die for what that believe.
There are no practical challenges for why the apostles were willing to die, except that it is true. And I haven’t even talked about Paul, the Christians in Roman, all the martyrs.
This is the end of How to Defend your Faith Session 12: the Plan (Part 3 of 4)
