THE BIBLETHE BIBLE

Welcome to

An Special Sunday service of theMetro Cavite Christian Church

with Rolan D. Monje

THE BIBLETHE BIBLE

Can the Bible survive the attacks?

Attacks on the BibleAttacks on the Bible

Not relevant! Not relevant! Not coherent! Not coherent! Not complete! Not complete! Not accurate!Not accurate! Not understandable!Not understandable!

Some Bible attackersSome Bible attackers

Expert skepticsExpert skeptics Uninformed skepticsUninformed skeptics Fiction enthusiastsFiction enthusiasts Wide readersWide readers Ordinary readersOrdinary readers

Examples from HistoryExamples from History

The Deist movement (1700’s)The Deist movement (1700’s) The Rationalist movement (1750’s)The Rationalist movement (1750’s) The Existentialist movement (1850’s)The Existentialist movement (1850’s) The Postmodern movement (1950’s)The Postmodern movement (1950’s)

A question of evidenceA question of evidence

Everyone will have to make a Everyone will have to make a personal judgment on the Biblepersonal judgment on the Bible

Before you make a judgment, you Before you make a judgment, you need to look at need to look at allall the facts the facts

People vs the BiblePeople vs the Bible

Attempts to attack the Bible Attempts to attack the Bible backfire on the people who start backfire on the people who start them.them.

Instead of the Bible losing Instead of the Bible losing credibility, it’s the other way credibility, it’s the other way around; people’s motives, faults, around; people’s motives, faults, and inconsistencies get exposed.and inconsistencies get exposed.

Bible Controversy #1Bible Controversy #1

““New AgeNew Age

Teachings”Teachings”

New Age’s growing New Age’s growing influenceinfluence

On the New Age movement…On the New Age movement…

Dr. Carl A. Raschke, a professor of Dr. Carl A. Raschke, a professor of religious studies at the University of religious studies at the University of Denver says it is "the most powerful Denver says it is "the most powerful social force in the world today." social force in the world today."

Characteristics of New Age Characteristics of New Age TeachingsTeachings

Pantheism – everything is GodPantheism – everything is God Relativism – what works for you is Relativism – what works for you is

good; only what feels good is true good; only what feels good is true Mysticism – abnormal use of the Mysticism – abnormal use of the

mind, occult references, mind, occult references, relic/symbol worshiprelic/symbol worship

New Age Teachings on GodNew Age Teachings on God

Benjamin Crème:Benjamin Crème:

"In a sense there is no such thing as God, "In a sense there is no such thing as God, God does not exist. And in another God does not exist. And in another sense, there is nothing else but God, sense, there is nothing else but God, only God exists....All is god. And only God exists....All is god. And because all is god, there is no God.”because all is god, there is no God.”

New Age Teachings on JesusNew Age Teachings on Jesus

Alice Bailey, highly regarded New Alice Bailey, highly regarded New Age teacher:Age teacher:

……through the through the constant returnconstant return … to … to the school of life on earth, there to the school of life on earth, there to undergo the perfection process of undergo the perfection process of which He (Jesus) was the which He (Jesus) was the outstanding example. outstanding example.

New Age Teachings on JesusNew Age Teachings on Jesus Jaime Licauco speaks on "The Other Jaime Licauco speaks on "The Other

Meaning of Christ's Birth": Meaning of Christ's Birth":

……that Christ's birth represents God's that Christ's birth represents God's becoming man, is only half of the becoming man, is only half of the story. … the same story also story. … the same story also represents the possibility of man's represents the possibility of man's becoming Godbecoming God… For why should God … For why should God descend to the level of man except to descend to the level of man except to lift him up, and to show that he, too, lift him up, and to show that he, too, can become God?can become God?

Is New Age really “new”?Is New Age really “new”?

1970’s – TM, Scientology1970’s – TM, Scientology1980’s – Unified Theory1980’s – Unified Theory1990’s – “Conversations with God” by 1990’s – “Conversations with God” by

NDWalsch, etc.NDWalsch, etc.

But these have common elements and But these have common elements and concepts from as early as 600BC!concepts from as early as 600BC!

Conclusion – New Age Conclusion – New Age TeachingsTeachings

Not really ‘new’! Re-hash of Not really ‘new’! Re-hash of Hinduism, Buddhism, mysticism, Hinduism, Buddhism, mysticism, paganism, etc. paganism, etc.

Ranges from strange to Ranges from strange to superstitioussuperstitious

Focus on feeling over obedience Focus on feeling over obedience Goes vs the Bible, and vs God as he Goes vs the Bible, and vs God as he

is presented in the Bibleis presented in the Bible

Bible Controversy #2Bible Controversy #2

The Gospel The Gospel

of Judasof Judas

What is the Gospel of Judas?What is the Gospel of Judas?

Historical Historical backgroundbackground

33rdrd /4 /4thth century doc century doc Coptic languageCoptic language

Judas, who is portrayed as ‘greater’ than the other apostles, was commissioned by Jesus to be the instrumental hero towards the ultimate goal: for (the true) Jesus to be ‘released’ from his mortal body

What is the Gospel of Judas?What is the Gospel of Judas?

The Gospel of Judas & The Gospel of Judas & GnosticismGnosticism

Gnosticism: from ‘gnosis’; hybrid Gnosticism: from ‘gnosis’; hybrid philosophical and religious system of philosophical and religious system of belief; emphases - ‘the all’, ‘flesh is belief; emphases - ‘the all’, ‘flesh is evil’, ‘elite knowledge’evil’, ‘elite knowledge’

Vocabulary & theology Vocabulary & theology Gnostic Gnostic leaningsleanings

Nag Hammadi documents (largely Nag Hammadi documents (largely Gnostic)Gnostic)

Related text: Gospel of ThomasRelated text: Gospel of Thomas

Problems with Gospel of JudasProblems with Gospel of Judas

Influence of Gnostic philosophyInfluence of Gnostic philosophy Late time of writing; at least 3 Late time of writing; at least 3

generations from the writing of the generations from the writing of the other gospels other gospels

Removed from Jesus’ lifetimeRemoved from Jesus’ lifetime Cryptic, non-orthodox teachingCryptic, non-orthodox teaching Not accepted by the early churchNot accepted by the early church

Rejection of false gospelsRejection of false gospels

What the Paul writes vs What the Paul writes vs GnosticsGnostics

Col 2:8,21,23 …no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy….These are all destined to perish with use… Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

The Gospel of Judas-The Gospel of Judas-ConclusionsConclusions

Represents a later reaction (like other Represents a later reaction (like other Gnostic writings) on the original and Gnostic writings) on the original and earlier teaching of the apostlesearlier teaching of the apostles

Presents vocabulary and theology Presents vocabulary and theology different from NTdifferent from NT

Does not shed any light on our Does not shed any light on our historical understanding of Jesus and historical understanding of Jesus and the NTthe NT

Bible ControversyBible Controversy #3 #3

Dan Brown’s Dan Brown’s

““Da Vinci Da Vinci Code”Code”

Dan Brown’s Da Vinci CodeDan Brown’s Da Vinci Code

A novelA novel A suspenseful, thought-provoking plotA suspenseful, thought-provoking plot Includes an intro: “FACT:…All Includes an intro: “FACT:…All

descriptions of artwork, architecture, descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”novel are accurate.”

A novel nonethelessA novel nonetheless Category (per printer): FictionCategory (per printer): Fiction

Cracking the code…Cracking the code…

Impossibility of the storylineImpossibility of the storyline Misrepresentation of organizationsMisrepresentation of organizations

Cracking the code…Cracking the code…

Wrong information on art historyWrong information on art history

Art historian Denise Budd, Columbia Art historian Denise Budd, Columbia University: There is University: There is no real evidenceno real evidence at all at all that Leonardo da Vinci was a member of that Leonardo da Vinci was a member of the Priory of Sion or any other secret the Priory of Sion or any other secret organization. The documents that Dan organization. The documents that Dan Brown relied upon…appear to be 20Brown relied upon…appear to be 20thth century century forgeriesforgeries……

Cracking the code…Cracking the code… Wrong information on art historyWrong information on art history

Art historian Diane Cappadona of Georgetown Art historian Diane Cappadona of Georgetown University:University:

[On Brown’s supposition that the ‘John’ [On Brown’s supposition that the ‘John’ character in the Last Supper is really Mary] character in the Last Supper is really Mary] It nicely fits with feminist It nicely fits with feminist theology...However, that doesn’t make it theology...However, that doesn’t make it true…No, I do not believe that there is a true…No, I do not believe that there is a woman in the Last Supper and I do not woman in the Last Supper and I do not believe in any way that it is Mary Magdalene.believe in any way that it is Mary Magdalene.

Cracking the code…Cracking the code…

Cracking the code…Cracking the code…

Dan Brown guilty of Dan Brown guilty of ‘stealing ideas?’‘stealing ideas?’

““FACT:…All descriptions of FACT:…All descriptions of artwork, architecture, artwork, architecture, documentsdocuments, and secret , and secret rituals in this novel are rituals in this novel are accurate.”accurate.”

Dan Brown’s introDan Brown’s intro

documentsdocuments

Claim #1 regarding Claim #1 regarding documentsdocuments

Ch 55, p.251: “The Bible as we Ch 55, p.251: “The Bible as we know it today, was collated by know it today, was collated by the pagan Roman Emperor the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine the great…” p.254 Constantine the great…” p.254 “…Constantine commissioned “…Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible…”and financed a new Bible…”

Did Constantine collate the Did Constantine collate the Bible?Bible?

New Testament books were New Testament books were written by 100 written by 100 ADAD, and were in circulation already by that , and were in circulation already by that timetime

Constantine (and the Council of Nicaea, Constantine (and the Council of Nicaea, 325 AD) came 200 years later, and had 325 AD) came 200 years later, and had nothing to do with ‘choosing’ which books nothing to do with ‘choosing’ which books of the Bible would be included in the Canonof the Bible would be included in the Canon

Constantine commissioned the ‘copying’ of Constantine commissioned the ‘copying’ of Bibles, meaning there was already a Bible Bibles, meaning there was already a Bible to be copied!to be copied!

Dan, get your facts straight!Dan, get your facts straight!

90AD180AD

400BC

30AD

325AD

2200BC

OT Compile

d

OT Complete

d

NT Completed

NT 85% Compiled

Nicaea, Constantin

e

NT & Bible Compiled

380AD

Claim #2 regarding documentsClaim #2 regarding documents

Ch 55, p.254: “Some of the gospels Ch 55, p.254: “Some of the gospels that Constantine attempted to that Constantine attempted to eradicate managed to survive. The eradicate managed to survive. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1950’s hidden in a cave…And of 1950’s hidden in a cave…And of course, the Coptic scrolls in 1945 at course, the Coptic scrolls in 1945 at Nag Hammadi…these documents Nag Hammadi…these documents speak of Christ’s ministry in very speak of Christ’s ministry in very human terms.”human terms.”

Do the Dead Sea Scrolls teach Do the Dead Sea Scrolls teach that Jesus was merely human?that Jesus was merely human?

The Dead Sea Scrolls The Dead Sea Scrolls

Contains OT booksContains OT books Contains Jewish tractatesContains Jewish tractates Contains various Jewish Contains various Jewish

writingswritings Don’t talk about Jesus at all!Don’t talk about Jesus at all!

Comments on DVCComments on DVC

Bart Ehrman, University of North Bart Ehrman, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill): Carolina (Chapel Hill):

There is no evidence that Jesus was There is no evidence that Jesus was ever married, let alone married to ever married, let alone married to Mary Magdalene.Mary Magdalene.

Comments on DVCComments on DVC

James Robinson, Claremont Graduate James Robinson, Claremont Graduate School, on the Da Vinci hubbub: School, on the Da Vinci hubbub:

We are a Jesus-haunted culture that’s We are a Jesus-haunted culture that’s biblically illiterate.biblically illiterate.

Comments on DVCComments on DVC

Skeptic Magazine (atheist magazine), Skeptic Magazine (atheist magazine), on Dan Brown’s research:on Dan Brown’s research:

““In matters of historical analysis, it is In matters of historical analysis, it is not possible to be more wrong than not possible to be more wrong than this.”this.”

Truths, Half-truths, LiesTruths, Half-truths, Lies

Mk 3:22 Mk 3:22 By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.

he is driving out demonsby the prince of demons

Problems with Da Vinci Code in Problems with Da Vinci Code in the area of ‘documents’ onlythe area of ‘documents’ only

Erroneous statements on the gospelsErroneous statements on the gospels Confusion regarding early writings Confusion regarding early writings

and later reflectionsand later reflections Misunderstanding of the role of Misunderstanding of the role of

church councilschurch councils Inaccurate assessment of Inaccurate assessment of

Constantine’s role in 4Constantine’s role in 4thth cen cen ChristianityChristianity

Da Binchee hu?Da Binchee hu?

Leonardo Da Vinci Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)(1452-1519)

Da Binchee hu?Da Binchee hu?

Renaissance painter, architect, Renaissance painter, architect, engineer, mathematician, scientist engineer, mathematician, scientist and philosopher and philosopher

He lived in the 15He lived in the 15thth century, 1400 century, 1400 years after Christ!years after Christ!

When did Da Vinci become an When did Da Vinci become an authority in religious truth?authority in religious truth?

Will you base your faith on this man?Will you base your faith on this man?

Conclusion on the DVCConclusion on the DVC

Dan Brown’s assertions on the roots Dan Brown’s assertions on the roots of Christianity are not just of Christianity are not just disturbing, but erroneous, his disturbing, but erroneous, his fallacy-laden arguments stemming fallacy-laden arguments stemming from extremely poor research, from extremely poor research, personal bias, or both.personal bias, or both.

Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading

On evidences/apologeticsOn evidences/apologetics““Evidence that Demands a Verdict”Evidence that Demands a Verdict”by Josh MacDowellby Josh MacDowell

On Bible text historyOn Bible text history““The Canon Debate” by Lee The Canon Debate” by Lee

MacDonaldMacDonaldOn Church historyOn Church history

““Church History in Plain Language”Church History in Plain Language”by Bruce Shelleyby Bruce Shelley

More to be posted at More to be posted at www.addtoyourlearning.comwww.addtoyourlearning.com

The Bible Under FireThe Bible Under Fire

Attempts to attack the Bible Attempts to attack the Bible backfire on the people who start backfire on the people who start them.them.

Instead of the Bible losing Instead of the Bible losing credibility, it’s the other way credibility, it’s the other way around; people’s motives, faults, around; people’s motives, faults, and inconsistencies get exposed.and inconsistencies get exposed.

You will find out…

That it’s a GREAT BOOK!

If you will just read the If you will just read the Bible…Bible…

What’s so great about the What’s so great about the Bible?Bible?

1. Unbelievable Unity1. Unbelievable Unity

Around 40 authors, 3 languages, 3 Around 40 authors, 3 languages, 3 continentscontinents

Written in a span of about 1500 years Written in a span of about 1500 years in very different contextsin very different contexts

Coherent, singleness of thoughtCoherent, singleness of thought

What’s so great about the What’s so great about the Bible?Bible?

2.2. Amazing AccuracyAmazing Accuracy

Contains factual information which Contains factual information which corresponds with realitycorresponds with reality

Contains incidental information which Contains incidental information which corresponds with truthful accountcorresponds with truthful account

What’s so great about the What’s so great about the Bible?Bible?

3.3. Terrific ToughnessTerrific Toughness

Withstood the tests of time and Withstood the tests of time and troubletrouble

Bernard Ramm: .. No other book Bernard Ramm: .. No other book has been has been chopped, knived, sifted, scrutinized, and vilified

What’s so great about the What’s so great about the Bible?Bible?

4. 4. Incredible ImpactIncredible Impact

The number one best seller of all timeThe number one best seller of all time Translated into more than 2,200 Translated into more than 2,200

languages and dialectslanguages and dialects UBS sells around 50,000 /dayUBS sells around 50,000 /day Changed lives the world overChanged lives the world over

Conclusion – Bible Under Conclusion – Bible Under FireFire

What do we do with the Bible?

Ps 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in

your law

Conclusion – The Bible is for Conclusion – The Bible is for YOUYOU

• Learn it!

• Love it!

• Live it!

THE BIBLETHE BIBLE

THE BIBLETHE BIBLE