Mythbusters:Reliability of the Bible

Janet LeeBecky Song

?Still Applicable?

Can I trust?

Full Authority?

INTRODUCTION

The Bible is supported by:• manuscript evidence• archaeological

discoveries• fulfilled prophecies• heart

Show that the Bible is reliable

and true

GOAL:

TO BREAK THE ICE…

misconceptions

Of the

BiBle

MYTHSMyth #1:  Full of

Mistakes.Myth #2: Just Legends

and Fairytales!

Myth #3: Fabricated to Control

the Masses.Myth #4: Doesn’t Apply

to Us.

Burned. Banned. Best-selling.

The 411

66.440.1700.

MYTHSMyth #1:  Full of

Mistakes.Myth #2: Just Legends and

Fairytales!Myth #3: Fabricated to

Control the Masses.

Myth #4: Doesn’t Apply to Us.

Proximity

Reliability

Number of manuscript

S

Comparing Manuscripts

New Testament

Caesar Homer

Greek Text Others

< < < <

Only 5% Variation!

Few Errors in Transmission

versus

Narrow Time Gap100-150

800-1000

MYTHSMyth #1:  Full of

Mistakes.

Myth #2: Just Legends and Fairytales!

Myth #3: fabricated to Control the Masses.

Myth #4: Doesn’t Apply to Us.

ARCHAELOGICAL EVIDENCE

House of David Caiaphas' tomb Pool of Bethesda Dead Sea Scrolls Sodom and Gomorrah

House of David

Significance:

King David= Israel’s Most

Prominent King

Jesus descended from DavidHelps Confirm OT

CAIAPHAS’ TOMB

Discovered in 1990Key role in Jesus’ crucifixion

Inscription on tomb

POOL OF BETHESDA

JOHN 5

Ruins of the Pool of Bethesda

Discovered in the 19th century.

No evidence other than in John’s gospel until they found it.

Discovered in 1947

Oldest Biblical manuscripts

Many written before Jesus’ birth

Dead Sea Scrolls

Sodom and Gomorrah

GENESIS 19

Critics refuted claim

Cities discovered in 1989

Intense Heat!

SODOM AND GOMORRAH

…Recorded 300 years before!

Prophecy of the Coming of Jesus…

Fulfilled Prophecies

Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Prophecies of Jesus’ Birth

Psalm 22:16-18: “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”

Prophecies of Jesus’ Crucifixion

Share a point

ONE ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDING THAT MAKES THE BIBLE MORE CREDIBLE

MYTHSMyth #1:  Full of

Mistakes.Myth #2: Just Legends

and Fairytales!

Myth #3: fabricated to Control the Masses.

Myth #4: Doesn’t Apply to Us.

Controversial Nature of the Gospel

Existence of self-damaging Material

Two Arguments

Controversial at the time-challenged the rich

But, evidence points to …

Deaths of the Disciples:1. Judas (suicide by hanging)2. Andrew (crucified)3. Bartholomew (beaten, then crucified upside down)4. James, Son of Alphaeus (clubbed to death)5. James, Son of Zebedee (beheaded)6. John, brother of James and son of Zebedee (died of

old age in exile)7. Matthew/Levi (axed to death)8. Simon/Peter (crucified upside down)9. Philip (crucified upside down)10. Simon the Zealot (crucified) 11. Thaddaeus/Judas son of James (crucified)12. Thomas (speared to death)13. Matthias (burned to death)

Disciples’ DEATHS

Self-Damaging Material

Disciples portrayed in a bad light.

Women first to discover Jesus’ resurrection.

Aspects of Jesus’ life damaged his claim to divinity.

“If someone said that the Bible was all

made-up, how would you respond?”

break TIME

MYTHSMyth #1:  Full of Mistakes.Myth #2: Just Legends

and Fairytales!Myth #3: fabricated to

Control the Masses.

Myth #4: Doesn’t Apply to Us.

Chuck Colson

TESTIMONY

So What?

If it actually happened, then it’s a BIG DEAL.

POP QUIZ

Q.1 How can you refute the idea that bible has a lot of errors?

Q.2 What is the House of David and how is this supportive evidence?