This week we are beginning session one for our “Person of Interest” class investigation. We will be looking at the investigative template that includes questions about the fuse (what happened leading up to the crime/the time of Jesus) and the fallout (what happened after the crime/the time of Jesus), and how the events at these two ends of the explosion tell us who our “Person of Interest” in the middle would be! J. Warner Wallace’s book gives us insight into the investigative methods he used to solve a real cold-case murder and, by using these same methods, he is also able to determine evidence, pointing to a particular world changing person of interest, is evidence for none other than the person of Jesus.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Overview notes from the presentation

Jesus: A Cold-Case

• No body
• No crime scene
• No physical evidence to examine

EVEN SO, A CASE CAN STILL BE MADE FOR THE HISTORICITY AND DEITY OF JESUS!!!

JESUS IS ”THE PERSON OF INTEREST”

The Fuse and the Fallout

• Just as every bomb begins with a fuse (the things that lead up to it)
• the blast results in fallout (the debris that bombs inevitably causes)

The FUSE and the FALLOUT will identify the FELON!!!

The Jesus Fuse and Fallout

Jesus’ explosive appearance would mark the pivotal point of history

Our calendar:

BC/BCE>>>>>>>>>>>> JESUS AD/CE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Investigative Template

1. What happened along the fuse?
2. What was the significance of the timing of Jesus’ appearance?
3. What was the ripple effect beyond the demarkation of time?
4. What was the fallout or debris?
5. How has the fallout affected the world up to today?

Before getting into the evidence, it would be important to look at the Justice System’s “Legal Burden of Proof.” These are standards for everything from search warrants to criminal convictions. These levels of proof may also help us in our faith journey as we grow in our understanding of the evidence that points to the truths of our Christian faith, and then come to the conclusion that Jesus is who He said He was with a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt!

Christianity: How does it fair in a court of law?

• Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853), phD Royale, Chair of Harvard’s Department of Law, and an “enlightened atheist” was challenged by some of his students to apply the rules of what he taught to the claims of the four Gospels of the New Testament, and he did.
• After careful investigation, he found that the rules of legal evidence thoroughly bared out the Gospels
• The result was his conversion to Christianity and his book “The Testimony of the Evangelists: The Gospels Examined by the Rules of Evidence.”

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

-Ecclesiastes 3:11

How much evidence do you need to believe?

LEGAL LEVELS FOR BURDEN OF PROOF
(and their approximate % of certainty)

• Criminal Law Guidelines
• At what level do you fall in your journey of faith?

Hunch: 0%

Something rings true about the statements but you have no evidential support

Example: A gut feeling

Everyone has that gut feeling that there is something beyond self. What we do with that feeling varies in belief systems from atheism to theism. For those who worry about loved ones who have passed, the thief on the cross only had time to begin at this level, he responded, and is with Jesus in Heaven today (see Luke 23:32-43).

Reasonable Suspicion: 15-25%

Defined as a common-sense conclusion upon which people are entitled to rely. This requires facts or circumstances that give rise to more than a bare, imaginary or purely conjectural suspicion. It is a hunch based on a few objective facts.

Example: The level needed to warrant a search in a criminal investigation

At this level a person has at least a clue about the existence of something beyond, and a sense that things are not the way they are supposed to be. What we attribute this to either begins a journey towards belief in God, or ends here with agnosticism.

Probable Cause: 35-40%

In criminal law, where known facts and circumstances of a reasonably trustworthy nature, are sufficient to justify a man of reasonable caution or prudence in the belief that a crime has been or is being committed.

Example: The level of certainty required for an arrest

This level of knowledge requires a reaction or decision to be made. A person at this level might claim to be a theist (believer in a god) but has not completely accepted the truth claims of Christianity. This is not a level where we should want to stay, further investigation is of eternal importance.

Preponderance of Evidence: 51% +

The trier of fact is convinced the truth of the fact asserted is more likely true than not. This is a minimal need for certainty at an intellectual level.

Example: The standard for most civil cases

At this point you are justified in making a commitment. You are open to a rebuttal, but you can argue a case, at least to a subjective point. Most people of faith are at this level. They think that what they believe is more likely true than not, but cannot necessarily articulate their reasons for this belief beyond personal reasons.

At this point we might pray like the man whose son was demon possessed:

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” “

Mark 9:21-24

And with that Jesus went on to heal his son!

Clear and Convincing: 70-80%

The trier of fact is convinced the truth of the fact asserted is highly probable.

Example: The standard used in probate cases—it requires more than the preponderance, but less than reasonable doubt

At this level you have some confidence that what you believe is really true. We may need a little more knowledge and evidence to help us articulate it, but we are convinced that we are right.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: 80-90%

The trier of the fact is fully satisfied, entirely convinced, or satisfied to a moral certainty that the fact is true. Practically, this standard represents a high level of conviction in an individual that causes him to act in accordance therewith.

Example: The level or standard for criminal cases

At this point all reasonable objections have been satisfied. This is the level we want to be at concerning our faith and belief about God, Jesus, and eternity. There is no way any evidence in the other direction would turn us, but there may be times we struggle with answering every question like John the Baptist from his prison cell (see Matthew Ch. 11).

Psychological Certainty: 90-95%

The individual holding the view has no doubt about some state of affairs and does not have to consider doubt. It is something taken for granted.

Example: Gravity, the sun will rise tomorrow, 2+2=4, etc.

Few people get to this level when it comes to their faith. At this level we would be able to face death if we confess that Jesus is our LORD and Savior. We can only be here if we commit time to the study of God’s Word (and in today’s culture this includes Apologetics). The Apostles, disciples, and other martyrs would have to have been at this level.

Absolute Certainty: 95-100%

The proposition is impossible to doubt. This is also known as Tautological Certainty or Axiomatic Certainty – beyond all possible doubt

Example: A triangle has 3 sides—A three sided object is a triangle – these are things that are true by definition (there are not too many things that fit this category)

Jesus models this level of certainty for us. He had absolute certainty in God’s purpose and plan. We can have confidence because of that and we can know for certain that we have an eternal home with Him (John 14:1-14).

“Jesus said: For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”  

John 17:8

“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” 

John 14:11-12

Reflection: Memorization Practice

To practice your memorization skills, and to improve your Biblical knowledge, practice memorizing the following things…

1. Review the Ministry Statement’s four focus points for your Christian Walk (from last week’s introduction) and reflect on how you think you are doing in each area, or how you might make improvements.
2. What is Christian Apologetics, and why do you think it is important for a Christian to practice? (From last week’s introduction)

Bible Study

(Review answers will be posted during the week so you can have a “leader’s guide” for your own studies)

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

NOTE: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions.

Read Acts chapter 13:44 through chapter 14 then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles; Paul’s acceptance and opposition

1. Read Chapter 13:44 through 14:28 with your table group

In the last part of chapter 13 through chapter 14 we find Paul and his companions beginning their ministry to the Gentiles:

a. What happened that caused Paul and Barnabus to turn their ministry towards the Gentiles, and what Old Testament Scripture about the Messiah did they cite (13:44-14:7)?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” and a study in the book of Acts! 

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15