Is the Bible Divinely Inspired (Part 2)

Why Study This?Because Christianity in our countrys history is under attack more than ever.Because truth has nothing to hide!

IntroductionIt was briefly shown that the Old Testament is in fact a reliable historical document.More importantly, evidence supports the Bibles inherent declaration at being divinely inspired.The New Testament?What aboutWhat About the N.T.?There were no meticulous scribal work like the O.T., so how we do know the manuscripts we have today are reliable?*Well VERY SIMPLY look at the transmission of the manuscripts; external & internal evidences to answer the above question.Islamic-Awareness: http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Bible/Text/Bibaccuracy.htmlThe Word of God (in favor of the Majority Text/Byzantine text, mitch): http://www.bible-researcher.com/kutilek1.htmlWestcott & Hort vs. Textus Receptus: Which is Superior? http://www.bible-researcher.com/kutilek1.html

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Papyrus 52 (P52)John 18:31-33, 37-38DOUBLE EDGED SWORD:While the sheer volume is GREAT evidence in support of textual criticism it also opens itself up to skeptics when dealing with varients.The sheer volume: # of people; generations of copies; etc.Varients more likely because of sheer volume (probability for mistakes, etc.).6Sheer Volume** From various languages; from fragments to whole worksHomers Illiad: 800 B.C.Josephus Works: 75-95 A.D.Caesars Gallic Wars: 100-44 B.C.No. ofAUTHORWhen WrittenEarliest CopyTime SpanCopiesCaesar10044 b.c.a.d. 9001,000 yrs.10Livy59 b.c.a.d.1720Plato (Tetralogies)427347 b.c.a.d. 9001,200 yrs.7Tacitus (Annals)a.d.100a.d. 11001,000 yrs.20 (-)also minor worksa.d. 100a.d. 1000900 yrs.1Pliny the Younger (History)a.d. 61113a.d. 850750 yrs.7Thucydides (History)460400 b.c.a.d. 9001,300 yrs.8Suetonius (De Vita Caesarum)a.d. 75169a.d. 950800 yrs.8Herodotus (History)480425 b.c.a.d. 9001,300 yrs.8Horace900 yrs.Sophocles496406 b.c.a.d. 10001,400 yrs.193LucretiusDied 55 or 53 b.c.1,100 yrs.2Catullus54 b.c.a.d. 15501,600 yrs.3Euripides480406 b.c.a.d. 11001,500 yrs.9Demosthenes383322 b.c.a.d. 11001,300 yrs.200*Aristotle384322 b.c.a.d. 11001,400 yrs.49Aristophanes450385 b.c.a.d. 9001,200 yrs.10From Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, rev. ed. (San Bernardino, CA: Heres Life, 1979), 42. Story, D. (1997). Defending your faith (39). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

7Original Writing to First CopyThe John Rylands fragment of the gospel of John may date to within twenty-five years of its original writing. There are numerous other manuscripts, some containing most of the entire New Testament, dating from early in the second century.Earliest copy found to date (117-135 A.D.)

Original Writing to First Copy What is significant about all this? In the case of the New Testament Gospels, unlike other ancient works, whether secular or religious, not enough time elapsed between when Jesus spoke and when His words were recorded to allow for misrepresentation or the development of legendary material about Him. Nor has enough time elapsed between the autographs and existing translations to allow significant transmission errors or tampering.Larry A. Taylor (The Canon of the Bible, 1999)The Canon of the Bible (1999)Larry A. Taylor9Church FathersSo many direct quotes written by the Church Fathers written within the first 150-200 years from the time of Christ could be taken to reconstruct all of the New Testament Scriptures, save 11 verses.No. ofAUTHORWhen WrittenEarliest CopyTime SpanCopiesCaesar10044 b.c.a.d. 9001,000 yrs.10Livy59 b.c.a.d.1720Plato (Tetralogies)427347 b.c.a.d. 9001,200 yrs.7Tacitus (Annals)a.d.100a.d. 11001,000 yrs.20 (-)also minor worksa.d. 100a.d. 1000900 yrs.1Pliny the Younger (History)a.d. 61113a.d. 850750 yrs.7Thucydides (History)460400 b.c.a.d. 9001,300 yrs.8Suetonius (De Vita Caesarum)a.d. 75169a.d. 950800 yrs.8Herodotus (History)480425 b.c.a.d. 9001,300 yrs.8Horace900 yrs.Sophocles496406 b.c.a.d. 10001,400 yrs.193LucretiusDied 55 or 53 b.c.1,100 yrs.2Catullus54 b.c.a.d. 15501,600 yrs.3Euripides480406 b.c.a.d. 11001,500 yrs.9Demosthenes383322 b.c.a.d. 11001,300 yrs.200*Aristotle384322 b.c.a.d. 11001,400 yrs.49Aristophanes450385 b.c.a.d. 9001,200 yrs.10From Josh McDowell, Evidence That Demands a Verdict, rev. ed. (San Bernardino, CA: Heres Life, 1979), 42. Story, D. (1997). Defending your faith (39). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

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External EvidencePapias (friend of apostle John)Iranaeus (student of Polycarp, disciple of John)Roman historian: Cornelius Tacitus 56-117 A.D.Jewish historian: Flavius Josephus

Flavius JosephusExternal EvidenceArchaeology: as seen in the thousands of copied manuscripts, findings of cities (Nazareth), and verification of individuals (Pilate) and events

This is the first time we are able to connect archaeological finds with the famine that occurred during the siege of Jerusalem at the time of the Great Revolt, Eli Shukron, excavation director for the IAA, said in a statement. The Great Revolt was the first of several Jewish uprisings against Roman rule that began in A.D. 66. The revolt was ultimately unsuccessful. The Romans eventually took back Jerusalem from the Jewish rebels and destroyed much of the city, including the Second Temple. Article on 2013-06-29Matthew 24:7-21 Jesus talks of a great event that will shake Jerusalem (war, destruction, famine); Josephus in hindsight shares what happened in His Works http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/29/jerusalem-famine-cooking-artifacts-cistern_n_3518458.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Chp-desktop%7Cdl15%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D338191 12Internal EvidencesThe ancient document rule: document is true unless shown to be contrary or proven inaccurate. 2 Pe. 3:14-16The parol evidence rule: The document in question is to be fairly (objectively) examined...not with bias (preconceived assumptions). Matthew 24:7-21The hearsay rule: First-person testimony. Cp. 1 Jn. 1:1The cross-examination rule: Such would allow for close examination to disprove a document, or else strengthen its authenticity.John Warwick - Law professor and historian: fundamental principles of the law of evidences (used in British legal system)13ConclusionLike the Old Testament, the New Testament has been scrutinized under a microscope for centuries and has shown to be historically authentic and reliable as a document.More importantly, it stands without fault in its inherent claim as the inspired Word of God.