Download Evolution Class IV 11/21/10 - Church of Christ at King Street

Scientific Evidence For The Bible
There Are Many Types of Science
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Astronomy, Geology,
Psychology, Meteorology, Botany, Politics, Forensics,
Medical Science (Neurology, Cardiology)
Archaeology
Sociology (manners, customs, history)
Diplomatics (decipher old writings, to ascertain their
authenticity, their date, signatures, etc)
Paleography (study of ancient writing)
Scientific Evidence For The Bible
Archaeology
The Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1946-1956 @ Qumran NW shore of Dead
Sea
date from 150BC - 70AD
972 documents (40% are copies of OT)
at least fragments from every book of OT (except
Esther)
Scientific Evidence For The Bible
Diplomatics
decipher old writings, to ascertain their authenticity,
their date, signatures, etc
Author
Date earliest copy app. span
Plato 427-347bc 900ad
1200yrs
Caesar 100-44bc
900ad
1000yrs
Aristotle 384-322bc 1100ad
Homer
900bc
400bc
NT
50-100ad 70-130ad
1400yrs
500yrs
20-80yrs
# copies accuracy
7
?
10
?
49
?
643
95%
5,686
99.5%
How did we get the Bible? What part did the council of
Nicea or other councils play in that?
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
The Council of Nicea (325AD)
1. the relationship between God the Father and Jesus; i.e.
are the Father and Son one in divine purpose only or also one in
being
2. The date of celebration of the Paschal/Easter observation
3. The Meletian schism
4. The validity of baptism by heretics
5. The status of the lapsed in the persecution under Licinius
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
The Councils of Hippo (393ad) & Carthage (397, 419ad)
these councils were called and held by officials of the
Catholic Church
The NT Canon was accepted by Christians before any of
these councils
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Christians believe NT is more authoritative than OT
2 Peter 3:14-16 (589)
Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be
diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and
regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our
beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to
you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in
which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught
and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures,
to their own destruction.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Christians believe NT is more authoritative than OT
2 Peter 1:19-21 (589)
So we have the prophetic word (OT) made more sure, to
which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your
hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is
a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever
made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit
spoke from God.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
OT completed and accepted by 400BC
what we know as OT known as "The Law of Moses"
or "The Law" or "The Law & The Prophets" or "The Law,
The Psalms & The Prophets" in NT writings
every book of OT quoted or referenced in NT
: possible exception - Esther
The Church Fathers?
Christian writers from 100AD - 400AD
men from all parts of known world (Roman Empire)
most of these writings in defense of Christianity
(all) NT quoted or referenced by CF before 200AD
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
How did The NT writings spread so far so fast?
Acts 8:1, 4 (532)
(1) Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death And
on that day a great persecution began against the church in
Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of
Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
(4) Therefore, those who had been scattered went about
preaching the word.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
How did The NT writings spread so far so fast?
Galatians 1:1-2 (564)
Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the
agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who
raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Colossians 4:16 (572)
When this letter is read among you, have it also read in
the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my
letter that is coming from Laodicea.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
How did The NT writings spread so far so fast?
James 1:1 (585)
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus
Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings
1 Peter 1:1 (586)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as
aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
Revelation 1:4 (593)
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to
you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to
come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
How did The NT writings spread so far so fast?
Zeal of the Christians to spread the word about the
Messiah
Christians realizing importance of Apostles'
writings
Christians copying & sharing Apostles' writings
Roman Empire
safe & easy travel (roads & sea lanes)
common language of the empire
An apostle as a Roman citizen (Paul-Ac.22:25)
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Matthew 28:16-20 (485)
"But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the
mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they
worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and
spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded
you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Ma. 10:1-4, Mk. 3:13-19, Lk. 6:12-16 name the twelve
apostles Jesus chose
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Matthew 28:16-20 (485)
"But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the
mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they
worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and
spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded
you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Ma. 10:1-4, Mk. 3:13-19, Lk. 6:12-16 name the twelve
apostles Jesus chose
Ma. 27:3-5 tells of Judas hanging himself
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
John 14:25-26 (524)
"These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My
name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all that I said to you."
John 16:12-15 (524)
"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot
bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will
guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own
initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will
disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will
take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father
has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will
disclose it to you.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Acts 2:1-4 (528)
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all
together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a
noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house
where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as
of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of
them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
At least 14 times in OT the Holy Spirit (Spirit of The
LORD) came upon someone and they were endowed
with some miraculous gift - usually prophecy
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Acts 8:14-19 (532)
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria
had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the
Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had
simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they
began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the
Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed
through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them
money, saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone
on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
Acts 19:1-7 (539)
It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed
through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some
disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when
you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard
whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said, "Into what then were
you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." Paul said,
"John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people
to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy
Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and
prophesying. There were in all about twelve men
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (557)
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And
there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are
varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all
persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit
for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge
according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit,
and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another
the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to
another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds
of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But
one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each
one individually just as He wills.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (558)
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will
be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is
knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we
prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be
done away.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (558)
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will
be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is
knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we
prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be
done away.
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (558)
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will
be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is
knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we
prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be
done away.
What is "the perfect"?
The Church Fathers?
Christian writers from 100AD - 400AD
men from all parts of known world (Roman Empire)
most of these writings were in defense of Christianity
(all) NT quoted or referenced by CF before 200AD
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (558)
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will
be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is
knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we
prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be
done away.
What is "the perfect"?
every individual has the ability to do what only a few
could do with spiritual gifts
How Did We Get The Bible?
NT History & Claims
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (557)
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And
there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are
varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all
persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit
for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge
according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit,
and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another
the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to
another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds
of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But
one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each
one individually just as He wills.