Easy answer: No, there are no inspired books that were left out of the Bible, otherwise it would not be Christianity! Classical Christianity is based on the teachings of the 66 books of the Christian Bible. Other books that skeptics have said were “left out” teach something completely different than what we get in… Continue Reading
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A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 6 – Authentication of the New Testament
Question: When you were in school (or if you still are) did the teachers or professors lecture from their own material? In other words, do teachers and professors only use their own writings or do they lecture from sources that others have authored? With some exceptions (mainly at the university level), most teachers and professors… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 5 – How were the books of the Bible decided?
How were the final books selected for our Christian Bible? Who decided what books would be chosen and which ones would be left out? Why do some Bibles contain books that others do not? Skeptics of Christianity will often pose these questions and Christians struggle to answer them. This week we will help you… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 4 – Can we trust the Bible translations we have today?
Translations “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” –Colossians 2:8 Over the last two weeks we looked at the transmission of both the Old and New Testament, from the time of Moses… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 3 – How did we get the New Testament?
New Testament Transmission: Last week we looked at the transmission of the Old Testament from the time of Moses to today, roughly a 3500 year period. The New Testament has a shorter transmission timeline, yet it comes under attack by skeptics more than the Old Testament. Could that have anything to do with Jesus being… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence, Part 2 – How has the Old Testament been transmitted over time?
Our “case-making” for the reliability, historicity, and authenticity of the 66 books of the Christian Bible continues this week as we uncover evidence using the acronym MAPS-S (Manuscripts, Archeology, Prophecy, Science and Saved lives). We are currently on “M” for manuscripts and we can find historical evidence in abundance for this category. Today we are… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 1, A Few Important Facts
Some interesting historical and literary facts about the Bible: If you put 10 people in a room and gave them a subject to write about what would you expect the outcome to be? Would you expect them to have the same theme, ideas, storyline, and conclusions? Would they have the same personal beliefs and views… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Reasons to investigate
Last week we took a basic quiz on Biblical literacy. How well did you do? If you struggled with it, and you are a practicing Christian, you are not alone. As we have seen from the statistics, Biblical literacy is at an all time low even among professing Christians. Muslims know their Quran, Mormons know… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: How well do you know the Bible?
Last week we looked at some alarming statistics concerning Biblical illiteracy in our culture today, even among practicing Christians. Developing a Biblical worldview takes time and practice. It is a lifetime commitment and part of what we should desire as we grow closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus. How often do you spend time… Continue Reading
A Case for the Bible 101: Why do we need to make a case?
This week we are starting a new series called “A Case for the Bible 101” (the actual class will be taught in April at Sea Coast Grace Church in Cypress, CA). This is part of a Christian Apologetics’ program that we am running over the course of this year, and it is the culmination of… Continue Reading