Our Faith does not require …… Our Faith does not require …… Blind Faith

WHY are YOU a Christian?WHY are YOU a Christian?

N

Y

Is The Bible True?Is The Bible True?Is The Bible True?Is The Bible True?

Does God Exist?Does God Exist?Does God Exist?Does God Exist?

Is Jesus God’s Son?Is Jesus God’s Son?Is Jesus God’s Son?Is Jesus God’s Son?

Y

Y

N

N

AtheismPantheismHinduismBuddhism

IslamPolytheism

Deism

Judaism Christianity

Is the BibleIs the BibleInspired by God?Inspired by God?

Is the BibleIs the BibleInspired by God?Inspired by God?

Verification:

What do othersWhat do othersbelieve?believe?

What do othersWhat do othersbelieve?believe?

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and

training in righteousness.”

2 Tim 3:16

What We Have Seen So Far:What We Have Seen So Far:

#1: The Dead Sea Srolls#2: The Septuagint#3: The canon of the OT#4-6: Authorship of OT books#7: The NT manuscript evidence#8: The Early Church Leaders#9: The creeds#10: The canon of the NT

The Old Testament was Accurately Copied/Preserved

Authorship and Dating of the Old Testament

The New Testament Manuscript Evidence

The Bible is Founded on Facts and TruthThe Bible is Founded on Facts and Truth

Authorship and Dating of the New Testament

Evidences from Archeology and History

Testimony of Non-Christian Writers

The Honesty of the Eye-witnesses

Analyzing the New TestamentAnalyzing the New Testament

Matthew

Mark

John

Luke

Acts

Rom

ans

1 Corinthians

Galatians

2 Corinthians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

2 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

1 Tim

othy

2 Tim

othy

Titus

Hebrew

s

Philem

on

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

2 John

1 John

3 John

Jude

Revelation

Gospels History

Pauline Epistles General Epistles Prophecy

Exhibit #11: The Synoptic Gospels and ActsExhibit #11: The Synoptic Gospels and Acts

‘M’Nativity

‘L’

‘Q’(Quelle)

90%

50%

60%

25%

10%25%

40%

25%25%

Mark

Matthew Luke

Evidence for MatthewEvidence for Matthew

Matth

ew

Mark

John

Luke

Acts

Gospels History

• Church tradition• Not a ‘logical’ choice• Papias (120 or even 110 AD): “Matthew also issued a written gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome.”• Greek as to be expected from a Jewish tax collector• Written by a Jew for Jews• Most extensive record of Jesus’ sayings & teachings

Evidence for MarkEvidence for Mark

Matthew

Mark

John

Luke

Acts

Gospels History

• Unanimous Church tradition• Not a ‘logical’ choice• Papias (120 or even 110 AD): Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. • Intriguing details: Mark 14:51-52; 14:12-16

Evidence for Luke & ActsEvidence for Luke & Acts

Matthew

Mark

John

Lu

ke

Acts

Gospels History

• Unanimous Church tradition• Not a ‘logical’ choice• Both are written by the same, well educated, native Greek writer• Marcion (140 AD) selected Luke for his canon • The ‘we’ clauses. Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-21:18, 27:1-28:16• Luke is referred to by Paul in Colossians 4:14, Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24

Dating the GospelsDating the Gospels

Establishing the order:Mark --> (Matthew -->) Luke --> Acts

Mark

Luke

Matthew

Acts

Evidences for Early DatingEvidences for Early Dating

• Acts mentions many details, ends in Rome but no mention of:- the Jewish revolt against the Romans nor the fall of Jerusalem- the persecution under Nero of the mid-60s- the death of Peter or Paul (mid-60s) but mentions Stephen/James

• Luke uses ‘Son of Man’ (changed to Son of God by early church) • In Mark (13), Matthew (24) and Luke (21), Jesus prophecies the fall

of Jerusalem, however this is not very explicit, nor is the fulfillment mentioned.

Therefore it is very likely that Acts was written before 65 AD; and therefore the other books were written even earlier!

“Do you see these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not onestone will be left on another; every one will be thrown done.”

Mark 13:2

“Do you see these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not onestone will be left on another; every one will be thrown done.”

Mark 13:2

Conclusions on DatingConclusions on Dating

Option 1: Mark (50-60) < Luke (55-62) < Acts (60-65)Option 1: Mark (50-60) < Luke (55-62) < Acts (60-65)

Option 2: Mark (65-70) < Luke (70-75) < Acts (70-90)Option 2: Mark (65-70) < Luke (70-75) < Acts (70-90)

Option 3: Acts is written after 90 ADOption 3: Acts is written after 90 AD

• within 20-60 years of the resurrection• during the lifetime of the eyewitnesses• too close to allow for forming of myths and legends• early enough for the authors to be corroborated as the writers of these documents

Exhibit #12: the Gospel of JohnExhibit #12: the Gospel of John

Matthew

Mark

John

Luke

Acts

Gospels History

• Ireaneus (170-180 AD)• the Ryland’s papyrus of 125 AD• Author was hew well familiar with Jewish customs and the OT• Knowledgeable of Palestine, particulary Jerusalem• Claims to be an eyewitness (John 21:24)• ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’• part of ‘the inner circle’• Does not mention the apostle John by name in the gospel• Refers to John the Baptist as ‘John’ only

Exhibit #13: the Pauline EpistlesExhibit #13: the Pauline Epistles

• Clement of Rome (95 AD), Ignatius (107 AD) and Polycarp (115 AD)• All letters claim to be written by Paul• Authorship and dating is generally undisputed• 2 Peter 3:15-17 confirms Paul’s authorship

Rom

ans

1 Corinthians

Galatians

2 Corinthians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

2 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

1 Tim

othy

2 Tim

othy

Titus

Philem

on

Paul’s Timeline Paul’s Timeline

33 35 46 48 50 52 53 57 59 62 67 70

Crucifixion

Eye witness period

Destruction of Jerusalem

Peter/PaulexecutedSaul/Paul

converted

Jerusalem council

1st missionary journey

2nd missionary journey

3rd missionary journey

Imprisoned in Caesarea

Imprisoned in Rome

Galatians Romans

1st/2nd Corinthians

‘prison’ letters

1st/2nd Thessalonians

Book ofActs

The New Testament - Timeline The New Testament - Timeline

-6 0 33 40 50 60 70 80 90

Jesus born Crucifixion

Eye witness period

Destruction of Jerusalem

Mark

Matthew

Luke & Acts

John

Paul’s letters

Rest of the New Testament

Peter/Paulexecuted

Paul’s missionary journeys

The Nag Hammadi LibraryThe Nag Hammadi Library

• Discovered in 1945 at Nag Hammadi, 300 miles south of Cairo• Texts in Coptic – Egyptian language written in Greek alphabet• 12/13 papyrus codices (52 writings) are dated between 350-400 AD• Translations from original Greek manuscripts:

• Gnostic Christian and non-Christian texts• non-Gnostic Christan texts• some miscellaneous texts

• Includes Gospels of Thomas, Judas, Philip, Truth, Mary Magdalene

What is Gnosticism?What is Gnosticism?

‘Gnosis’ = ‘knowledge’It developed in the ‘Middle East’ at the end of the first century,It reached its climax in the 2nd-3rd centuryIt attempted to influence/redefine Christianity

What does a Gnostic believe?

1. Dualism: different Gods in the OT and NT2. Cosmogony: the physical world is evil3. Salvation: salvation by knowledge only. No resurrection of flesh4. Eschatology: redemption of the soul into a spiritual world5. Cult and community: various rites of worship and sacraments

(see 1 John 4:2-3 and the Apostle’s Creed)

Exhibit #14: These ‘Lost’ Books were never LostExhibit #14: These ‘Lost’ Books were never Lost

Dated Text RemarksGospel of Judas 150-200 350-400 Gnostic

Gospel of Philip 150-300 350-400 Gnostic sacraments

Gospel of Truth 100-200 350-400 Gnostic salvation

Gospel of Mary 100-200 350-400 Gnostic redaction

Infancy of Thomas 100-200 various Christian fiction

Gospel of Hebrews 65-100 fragments Non-apostolic gospel

Early Church letters 90-110 Various Not apostolic

Gospel of Thomas 90-150? 350-400 Gnostic redaction

Gospel of Peter 90-150? 8th/9th cent Docetic* redaction

Q 35-50? ? Synoptic theory

* Believed Jesus was a spirit and the resurrection an illusion

The Old Testament was Accurately Copied/Preserved

Authorship and Dating of the Old Testament

The New Testament Manuscript Evidence

The Bible is Founded on Facts and TruthThe Bible is Founded on Facts and Truth

Authorship and Dating of the New Testament

Evidences from Archeology and History

Testimony of Non-Christian Writers

The Honesty of the Eye-witnesses

‘‘Digging’ for Evidence - What to Expect ?Digging’ for Evidence - What to Expect ?

• Archeology/History cannot prove the divine inspiration of the Bible. It can only confirm the accuracy of the events orit can DISprove the events

• We can only study and interpret the evidence left behind• How evidence is understood depends on the interpreter's

presuppositions and world view• Thousands of archives have been discovered,

but an enormous amount of material has been lost• Only a fraction of available archaeological sites have been surveyed,

and only a fraction of surveyed sites have been excavated

Silver ScrollsSilver Scrolls

Numbers 6:24-26

Found in 1976,in a burial cave near Jerusalem,

Two silver amulets,dated around 600 BC.

Sodom and GomorrahSodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 19:1-29

Sodom and GomorrahSodom and Gomorrah

Sodom?,Excavated site

Five ancient cities discoveredOccupied in 2000-3000 BC periodWell populated and fortified citiesMassive fire destroyed Bab Ehd-DhraOnly five cities (Genesis 14:1-3)

Evidence is considered ‘non conclusive’

The Nuzu or Nuzi tabletsThe Nuzu or Nuzi tablets

Nuzi or Nuzu(near Kirkuk, Iraq)

Collection of 1000s of clay tablets,Found in 1925, from 15th century BC

• Abraham’s ‘adoption’ of Eliezer as“son of his house” (Genesis 15:4)

• Hagar arranged as surrogate wife• Selling one’s birthrights (Esau-Jacob)• Binding character of a deathbed’s will• Rachel’s thefts of her father’s household gods (Genesis 31:19)

The Price of a SlaveThe Price of a Slave

The Walls of JerichoThe Walls of Jericho

Read Joshua 6:2-5

Over the past century four prominent archaeologists have excavated the site: Carl Watzinger from 1907-1909, John Garstang in the 1930's, Kathleen Kenyon from 1952-1958, and more recently Bryant Wood:

• Jericho has massive fortifications• the walls fell outwards• the city was totally destroyed by fire• destruction was around 1400 BC (date is subject to fierce discussions)

The City of ShilohThe City of Shiloh

“Shiloh, to the north of Bethel, and east of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem, and to the south of Lebonah.” (Judges 21:19)

The House of DavidThe House of David

House of David

Tel Dan Stela, a stone slab dated 9th century BC

The Kings of Israel and JudahThe Kings of Israel and Judah

Black Obelisk of Salmaneser III.Around 840 BC

Tribute ofKing Jehu, King of Israel(841-814 BC)

“Tribute of Iaua [Jehu], son of Omri. Silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden beaker, golden goblets, pitchers of gold, tin, staves for the hand of the king, [and]

javelins, I [Shalmaneser] received from him.”

The Kings of Israel and JudahThe Kings of Israel and Judah

Moabite Stone or Mesha Stela,Dated 840-820 BC.

Mesha, king of Moab (2 Kings 3:4), writes that Omri, king of Israel, and his son Ahab had subdued Moab because Chemosh, the national god, was angry with his land. Mesha, however, claims to have found favor with Chemosh and to have been enabled to rebel and reclaim the

land lost to Israel.

Confirms King Ahab and his fatherKing Omri.

Sennacherib's PrismSennacherib's Prism

On the six inscribed sides of this clay prism, King Sennacherib of Assyria recorded eight military campaigns undertaken against various peoples. As part of the third campaign, he besieged Jerusalem and imposed heavy tribute on Hezekiah, King of Judah

18As for Hezekiah the Judahite, 19who did not submit to my yoke: forty-six of his strong, walled cities, as well as 20the small towns in their area, 21which were without number, by leveling with battering-rams 22and by bringing up siege-engines, and by attacking and storming on foot, 23by mines, tunnels, and breeches, I besieged and took them. 24200,150 people, great and small, male and female, 25horses, mules, asses, camels, 26cattle and sheep without number, I brought away from them …

2 Kings 18:13 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.

The Cyrus CylinderThe Cyrus Cylinder

‘In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord

moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in

writing: This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people

among you—may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.”’

2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Written around 450-425 BC

500 BC

Archeological evidence for the Old Testament

Discovery Location Evidence/Inscription Significance

Silver Scrolls Before 600 BC Numbers 6:24-26 Confirms 6th century BC Torah texts

Sodom and Gomorrah Around 2000 BC Excavated ‘cities of the Plains’ Corroborates Genesis accounts

Nuzi or Nuzu tables Around 1400 BC Describe Bronze Age customs Corroborates Torah accounts and customs

Jericho Around 1400 BC Destroyed as described in Joshua chapter 6

Corroborates Joshua’s invasion of Canaan

Shiloh Around 1100 BC Destroyed around 1050 BC Corroborates books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel

Tel Dan Stela 9th century BC ‘House of David’, ’[Jeho]rm’,’[Ahaz]yahu’

Corroborates King David, Jehoram and Ahaziah

Tel Al-Rimah Stela 870-810 BC ‘Joash the Samarian’ Corroboratse king Joash (805-790 BC)

Moabite Stone 840-820 BC ‘House of David’. ‘Omri’, ‘Ahab’ Corroborates King David, Omri and Ahab

Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III 840 BC ‘the tribute of Jehu, son of Omri’ Corroborates Omri and Jehu

Annals of the king Tiglath-Pileser III

744-727 BC ‘the Land of Omri….king Pekah,,,,Hoshea’, ’As for Menahem….’, ‘..tribute of Azriau…Ahaz of Juda’

Corroborates accounts of Menahem, Pekah and Hoshea of Israel and Uzziah and Ahaz of Judah

Annals of king Sargon II 721-705 BC ‘I conquered…the Land of Omri’ Corroborates accounts of king Omri(885-874 BC)

Taylor Prism 700-680 BC ‘Hezekiah, the Jew…’ Corroborates Hezekiah

Prism B of king Esarhaddon 680-669 BC ‘….Manasseh, king of Judah’ Corroborates Manasseh (696-642 BC)

Rassam Cylinder of Ashurbanipal 668-633 BC ‘Manasseh, king of Judah’ Corroborates king Manasseh

Ration documents of Nebudchadnezzar

605-562 BC ‘to Jehoichin, king of Judah’ Corroborates Jehoiachin (597-560 BC)

Neo-Babylonian Chronicle 600 BC Records of Nebudchadnezzar Confirms Babylonian invasion of Palestine

Cyrus Cylinder 500 BC Cyrus’s victory and decree permitting free worship

Confirms Ezra 1:1-4

Exhibit #15: The OT is Historically ReliableExhibit #15: The OT is Historically Reliable

Noted archaeologist Nelson Glueck writes:

"As a matter of fact, however, it may be clearly stated categorically that no archeological discovery has ever

contradicted a single biblical reference. Scores of archeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the

Bible."

Peter’s House in CapernaumPeter’s House in Capernaum

Typical 60 AD house

Remains in Capernaum

Capernaum was inhabited till about 6th century (…Luke 10:15 curse)Jesus found his first disciples, lodged at Peter’s house and

had his headquarters in Capernaum

Found a 5th century Octagon church over a 1st century house (church)Christian inscriptions (incl Jesus and Peter)

Peter’s House in CapernaumPeter’s House in Capernaum

Joseph, Who was Called CaiaphasJoseph, Who was Called Caiaphas

Yehosef bar Kayafa'

(Joseph, son of Caiaphas)

Ossuary with inscription found in a burial cave in Jerusalem in 1990

“Besides which, he also deprived Joseph, who was called Caiaphas, of the high priesthood, and appointed Jonathan, the son of Ananus, the former high priest, to succeed him. After which he took his journey back to Antioch.” (Josephus)

Pontius PilatePontius Pilate

Evidence for Pontius Pilate, the governor who presided over the trial of Jesus, was discovered in Caesarea Maritama (1961).

In 1961, an Italian archaeologist named Antonio Frova uncovered a fragment of a plaque that was used as a section of steps leading to the Caesarea Theater. The inscription, written in Latin, contained the phrase, "Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a temple in honor of Tiberius." This temple is dedicated to the Emperor Tiberius who reigned from 14–37 A.D

The Crucified Man of Giva’at Ha-MitvarThe Crucified Man of Giva’at Ha-Mitvar

Ossurary discovered in 1968,bones dated first century

Evidence for:• crucifixion procedures• breaking of the legs

The Pool of BethesdaThe Pool of Bethesda

“Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.” (John 5:2)

Excavated 1914-1918

Erastus, the City’s Director of Public WorksErastus, the City’s Director of Public Works

Archaeologists excavating a Corinthian theatre in 1928 discovered an inscription. It reads, "Erastus in return for his aedilship laid the pavement at his own expense." The pavement was laid in 50 A.D. The designation of treasurer describes the work of a Corinthian aedile.

In Acts 19:22 and Romans 16:23, Erastus, a coworker of Paul, is named the Corinthian city treasurer

The Warren ShaftThe Warren Shaft

David’s capture of Jerusalem speaks of Joab using water shaftsThese are called Warren’s Shaft today (who discovered them) built by the Jebusites to surprise them and defeat them. Historians had assumed these were simply legendary, until archaeological excavations by R.A.S. Macalister, J.G.Duncan, and Kathleen Kenyon on Ophel now have found these very water shafts.

Read: II Samuel 5:6-8

Archeological evidence for the New Testament

Discovery Location Evidence/Inscription Significance

Excavated house Capernaum 1st century house church Peter’s house in Capernaum

Ossuary of Caiaphas Jerusalem ‘Joseph son of Caiaphas’ Bones of Caiaphas the High priest

Fragment of plague with inscription

Caesarea Maritama ‘Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea’

Confirms Pilate as governor

Bones of crucified man Giva’at ha-Mitvar Bones of crucified man Confirm crucifixion details

Pool of Bethesda Jerusalem Pool with 5 porticoes Confirms John 5:2

Pool of Siloam Jerusalem Pool with inscription John 9:7-11

Slab with ‘ordinance of Caesar’

Nazareth Strict prohibition against disturbing of graves

Confirms early Christian claims of resurrection

Galilean boat Sea of Galilee 1st century fishing boat Corroborate gospel accounts

Golden Gate Jerusalem Ancient gate under current Golden gate

Mark 11:11?

Slab of limestone in pavement

Corinth ‘Erastus in return for his aedileship…’

Romans (16:23),2 Timothy (4:20)

Temple inscription Damascus ‘Lysanias the tetrarch’ Luke 3:1

Dated Greek inscription Delphi ‘Lucius Junios Gallio…Achaia’ Acts 18:12-17

Exhibit #16: The NT is Historically ReliableExhibit #16: The NT is Historically Reliable

“The excessive skepticism shown toward the Bible by important historical schools of the eighteenth- and nineteenth centuries, certain phases of which still appear periodically, has been progressively

discredited. Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details,

and has brought increased recognition to the value of the Bible as a source of history.”

W.F. Albright