1. Manuscript Evidence: Historical criteria for determining reliability of

manuscripts from antiquity.

AUTHOR When

Written

Earliest

Copy

Time

Span

# of

Copies

a. It’s Origin is Authenticated….

through its truthfulness, even painfully so,

about its chief characters.

Abraham = lied, King David = adultery & murder Samuel = kids were wild and

dishonest Moses = disobeyed Gods words

It’s Origin is Authenticated…. through

its truthfulness, even painfully so, about

its chief characters.

Abraham = lied, King David = adultery & murder Samuel = kids were wild and

dishonest Moses = disobeyed Gods words

Dead Sea Scrolls

a. Oldest complete OT manuscript was

from 900 A.D.

b. Dead Sea Scrolls date back to 400 B.C.

c. 1300 year span and no changes to

our understanding.

Archaeology a. Historically accurate book The Bible is rooted in History. It did not happen in a vacuum with a one time

event like a mountain top experience and over 25 years a new book appears

25,000 different dig sites which correspond with 25,000 specific people, cities, and events in the Old Testament alone

Prophecy

a. Jesus fulfilled over 700 prophecies

about the promised Messiah.

(10 = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000)

-17

There was a Jesus Christ of Nazareth

a. The Historicity of Jesus is air tight

Biblical manuscripts, both in quantity and

quality. Extra Biblical sources talk about

there being a Jesus.

Archeology, specific governor, inscription

on coin, census.

• If the Bible is true.

• If there is a battle between God, the Kingdom of Light vs. Satan, the Kingdom of Darkness.

• If the focus of God’s love was revealed through Abraham and the nation of Israel.

• Than wouldn’t you expect this nation to be the center of controversy and fighting?