The Bible is it true? @christians “@Jesus is a fairytale. The Gospels were written way after he died.” #hearsay #telephonegame Manuscripts - Reliability of historical documents - Number of documents - Date closest to the original writing Manuscripts - Aristotles philosophical manuscripts = 5 copies - Pliny's historical manuscripts = 7 copies - Herodotus' historical manuscripts = 8 copies - Caesar's historical manuscripts = 10 copies - Tacitus historical manuscripts = 20 copies - Homer's Iliad = 643 copies Manuscripts There are more than 24,000 historical New Testament manuscripts! Manuscripts - Reliability of historical documents - Number of documents - Date closest to the original writing Manuscripts - Aristotle's historical manuscripts were written between 384-322 BC and the earliest copy is from 1,100 AD = 1,400 year difference - Herodotus' historical manuscripts were written between 480-425 BC and the earliest copy is from 900 AD = 1,300 year difference - Caesar's historical manuscripts were written between 100-44 BC and the earliest copy is from 900 AD = 1,000 year difference Manuscripts - Caesar's historical manuscripts were written between 10044 BC and the earliest copy is from 900 AD = 1,000 year difference - Pliny's historical manuscripts were written between 61-113 AD and the earliest copy is from 850 AD = 750 year difference - Homer's Iliad was written in 900 BC and the earliest copy is from 400 BC = 500 year difference Manuscripts The New Testament historical manuscripts were written between 40100 AD and the earliest copy is from 125 AD = 25 year difference @christians “All you have are copies of copies, you don’t have the originals.” #authenticity #sabotage Oral Tradition - Jewish teachers had whole old testament memorized - Writings were poetic, had meter - Status symbol, profession - Would be corrected if any errors - Retelling would allow for some interpretation - Similar amount to the Gospels retelling of Jesus Oral Tradition The Iliad has over 15,600 lines with 400 lines in question. The New Testament with 20,000 lines has 40 lines in question, none of which substantially change the message. Iliad = 2.5% New Testament = 0.002% Early Creeds Much of the material written in the Bible predates when the books were actually written. 1 Corinthians 15:3 - Written 2-8 years after the crucifixion. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.” @christians “There’s no outside evidence that the Bible is true. ” #delusional #wakeupcall The Church of the Nativity Constructed around Jesus birthplace in AD 326 Church of the Nativity Star marks where the manger lies underneath it First century boat Similar to one Jesus and his disciples would’ve used Synagogue at Capernum Where Jesus gave his sermon on the bread of life John 6:22-35 Also where he healed a demonic man in Luke 7:3 2,000 year old foot with nail through it Pool of Bethesda - Pool where Jesus told sick man to get up and walk. - Archeologists and historians thought the Bible was wrong about this for a long time. Later proved historians wrong and John correct. - Five Porticos/walkways Pool of Siloam - The Pool of Siloam – John 9:7 - Pool where Jesus healed a blind man Pontius Pilate Proof that Pontius Pilate existed House of Peter - Probable home of Peter and Jesus - Changed from home to church - Many oils and perfumes - Hundreds of etchings on the walls such as “Lord Jesus Christ help thy servant” and “Christ have mercy”. - Etchings of crosses and a boat Sodom and Gomorrah “There are still the remainders of that divine fire; and the traces of the five cities are still to be seen.” - Flavius Josephus QuickTime™ and a 'avc1' decompressor are needed to see this picture. @christians “There’s no way to know that the books in the Bible should really be there. Lots of other Gospels were left out by the church.” #davincicode #tomhanksanddanbrownaremyheroes What Books Should Be in the Bible? Canon: A list of books considered to be authoritative. What Books Should Be in the Bible? Guidelines for Canonicity: - Apostolic authority - Written early - Widespread acceptance in the churches - Theological consistency What Books Should Be in the Bible? Myth: Early church leaders were cynical, powerful leaders who chose the books they wanted and rejected the books they didn't like in order to increase their control and power. What Books Should Be in the Bible? Reality: The early church fathers were leaders of a persecuted, minority religion that was struggling to survive against persecution. There weren't any powerful Christian lasers until after the time of Constantine when Christianity was made the state religion. The Books Left Out Gospel of Thomas: 100-110 AD "Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of Heaven." The Books Left Out Gospel of Peter: 130-150 AD The Books Left Out Gospel of Judas: 130-170 AD The Books Left Out Infancy Gospel of Thomas: 150-200 AD "And after certain days, as Jesus passed through the midst of the city, a certain child cast a stone at him and smote his shoulder. And Jesus said unto him: Thou shalt not finish thy course. And straightway he also fell down and died. And they that were there were amazed, saying: From whence is this child, that every word which he speaketh becometh a perfect work? 2 But they also departed and accused Joseph, saying: Thou wilt not be able to dwell with us in this city: but if thou wilt, teach thy child to bless and not to curse: for verily he slayeth our children: and every thing that he saith becometh a perfect @christians “btw, there are way too many versions of your bible.” #indecisive #getyourstorystraight Catholic vs. Protestant Bible Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees Never recognized by Jews as Scripture. Council of Trent - 1545 Bible Translations NASB Static NIV The Message Dynamic @christians “The Bible is just another book written by men.” #johngrisham #tomclancy Biblical Prophecy Prophecies demonstrate divine influence. Isaiah 53 @christians “I think that was pretty good evidence for the Bible. What’s the next class about?” #interested #newbeliever