The BibleThe Bibleis it true? is it true?

@christians “@Jesus is a fairytale. The Gospels were written way after he died.” #hearsay #telephonegame

@christians “@Jesus is a fairytale. The Gospels were written way after he died.” #hearsay #telephonegame

- Reliability of historical documents- Number of documents- Date closest to the original writing

- Reliability of historical documents- Number of documents- Date closest to the original writing

ManuscriptsManuscripts

- 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

- 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

ManuscriptsManuscripts

There are more than 24,000 historical New Testament manuscripts!There are more than 24,000 historical New Testament manuscripts!

ManuscriptsManuscripts

- Reliability of historical documents- Number of documents- Date closest to the original writing

- Reliability of historical documents- Number of documents- Date closest to the original writing

ManuscriptsManuscripts

- 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

- 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

ManuscriptsManuscripts

- Caesar's historical manuscripts were written between 100-44 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

- Caesar's historical manuscripts were written between 100-44 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

ManuscriptsManuscripts

The New Testament historical manuscripts were written between 40-100 AD and the earliest copy is from 125 AD = 25 year difference

The New Testament historical manuscripts were written between 40-100 AD and the earliest copy is from 125 AD = 25 year difference

ManuscriptsManuscripts

@christians “All you have are copies of copies, you don’t have the originals.” #authenticity #sabotage

@christians “All you have are copies of copies, you don’t have the originals.” #authenticity #sabotage

- 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

- 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 TraditionOral Tradition

Oral TraditionOral TraditionThe 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%

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%

Much of the material written in the Bible predates when the books were actually written.

Much of the material written in the Bible predates when the books were actually written.

Early CreedsEarly Creeds

1 Corinthians 15:3 - Written 2-8 years after the crucifixion.1 Corinthians 15:3 - Written 2-8 years after the crucifixion.

“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.”

“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.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-81 Corinthians 15:3-8

@christians “There’s no outside evidence that the Bible is true. ”#delusional #wakeupcall

@christians “There’s no outside evidence that the Bible is true. ”#delusional #wakeupcall

The Church of the NativityThe Church of the Nativity

Constructed around Jesus birthplace in AD 326Constructed around Jesus birthplace in AD 326

Church of the NativityChurch of the Nativity

Star marks where the manger lies underneath itStar marks where the manger lies underneath it

First century boatFirst century boat

Similar to one Jesus and his disciples would’ve used

Similar to one Jesus and his disciples would’ve used

Synagogue at Capernum

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

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 it2,000 year old foot with nail through it

Pool of BethesdaPool 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 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

- The Pool of Siloam – John 9:7- Pool where Jesus healed a blind man- The Pool of Siloam – John 9:7- Pool where Jesus healed a blind man

Pool of SiloamPool of Siloam

Pontius PilatePontius Pilate

Proof that Pontius Pilate existedProof that Pontius Pilate existed

House of PeterHouse 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

- 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

“There are still the remainders of that divine fire; and the traces of the five cities are still to be seen.”

- Flavius Josephus

“There are still the remainders of that divine fire; and the traces of the five cities are still to be seen.”

- Flavius Josephus

Sodom and GomorrahSodom and Gomorrah

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

@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

Canon: A list of books considered to be authoritative.Canon: A list of books considered to be authoritative.

What Books Should Be in the Bible?

What Books Should Be in the Bible?

- Apostolic authority

- Written early

- Widespread acceptance in the churches

- Theological consistency

- Apostolic authority

- Written early

- Widespread acceptance in the churches

- Theological consistency

What Books Should Be in the Bible?

What Books Should Be in the Bible?

Guidelines for Canonicity:Guidelines for Canonicity:

What Books Should Be in the Bible?

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.

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?

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.

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.

Gospel of Thomas: 100-110 ADGospel of Thomas: 100-110 AD

The Books Left OutThe Books Left Out

"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."

"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."

Gospel of Peter: 130-150 ADGospel of Peter: 130-150 AD

The Books Left OutThe Books Left Out

Gospel of Judas: 130-170 ADGospel of Judas: 130-170 AD

The Books Left OutThe Books Left Out

Infancy Gospel of Thomas: 150-200 ADInfancy Gospel of Thomas: 150-200 AD

The Books Left OutThe Books Left Out

"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 work."

"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 work."

@christians “btw, there are way too many versions of your bible.” #indecisive #getyourstorystraight

@christians “btw, there are way too many versions of your bible.” #indecisive #getyourstorystraight

Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 and 2 MaccabeesTobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees

Catholic vs. Protestant Bible

Catholic vs. Protestant Bible

Never recognized by Jews as Scripture.

Council of Trent - 1545

Never recognized by Jews as Scripture.

Council of Trent - 1545

Bible TranslationsBible Translations

StaticStatic DynamicDynamic

NASBNASB NIVNIV The MessageThe Message

@christians “The Bible is just another book written by men.” #johngrisham #tomclancy

@christians “The Bible is just another book written by men.” #johngrisham #tomclancy

Biblical ProphecyBiblical Prophecy

Prophecies demonstrate divine influence.Prophecies demonstrate divine influence.

Isaiah 53Isaiah 53

@christians “I think that was pretty good evidence for the Bible. What’s the next class about?” #interested #newbeliever

@christians “I think that was pretty good evidence for the Bible. What’s the next class about?” #interested #newbeliever

#IAM#IAM