During our summer break, we have been reviewing one of our previous classes: A Case for the Gospels! This week we will finish up with a conclusion to the Gospel case with an overview of the categories that we have covered and a way to help us give answers to questions ask of us concerning the Gospels and the Bible in general. But first, your final exam…
FINAL EXAM
At your table groups, answer the following:
- Go over the categories and the 27 books found in the New Testament.
- Go over the 15 major historical events of the Bible – add in the major players and Covenants for those events.
- Recite the Memory Verse (without looking):
Christian Apologetics Theme Verse
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)
Watch the class presentation on this topic:
REVIEW OF A CASE FOR THE GOSPELS
Overarching question: How do we know the Gospels are reliable?
Over the past several sessions we have looked at multiple lines of evidence in making our “Case for the Gospels” that gives us confidence in the reliability of the Gospels, and we can share it with others…
- God’s Inspiration
- The fuses leading to the coming of Messiah (cultural, spiritual and prophetic)
- Eyewitness accounts (in multiple)
- Transmission lines
- Translation processes
- Canonization methods
- Academic Textual Criticism
As one would do in a court of law, compelling evidence for the Bible, and the Gospels in particular, can be laid out as follows:
Physical Evidence
- Consistent internal evidence of a cohesive historical document (the Bible) spanning at least 1500 years of time with 40 different authors from various walks of life, yet a singular mega-theme runs through all of the 66 individual books
- Confirmation by both Christian and non-Christian scholars as reliable and valid historical documents of antiquity
- Deemed a literary masterpiece by both Christian and non-Christian scholars
- Supported by Jewish history, well established centuries before the time of Jesus
- Strict Scribal copying rules (4000+) over the centuries that contributes to the accuracy of transmission
- Massive amounts of early manuscripts and fragments in the original languages available for comparison (tens of thousands and growing)
- Strong archeological support from over 25,000 finds confirming Biblical accounts, none ever discounting any Biblical record
- Confirmed prophecy in Old Testament times and hundreds of fulfilled messianic prophecies in Jesus
Eyewitness accounts
- Multiple eyewitness testimony reported in primary sources that support its historical accuracy
- Non-Christian testimony from historians and hostile witnesses that support the Biblical record
- Millions (possibly billions) of changed lives that evidence saved lives over the centuries that have been recorded in personal testimonies and experiences with Jesus through the Word of God
To help you recall this landslide of evidence, use this memory tool:
MAPS-S
M=Manuscripts:
Physical evidence from processes in identifying ancient historical literature and its transmission, canonization and translation; textual criticism; and recorded eyewitness accounts from both Christian and non-Christian sources.
There are tens of thousands (and growing) early New Testament manuscripts with 5800 (and growing) in the original Greek language and the scholarly field of textual criticism finding 99.5% agreement within them indicating a match to the autograph, and with early lectionaries and quotations from the first through the third century A.D. leaders – we can assert 100% accuracy.
Remember: Bibles today, like NASB, KJV, NIV and others have only been translated once from the original languages.
A=Archeology:
Physical evidence from uncovered, geographically confirmed locations and artifacts, along with confirmed historical records of people, places, and events that corroborate Biblical accounts.
Over 25,000 (and growing) archeology finds that have confirmed and corroborated Biblical accounts – None have been found that disprove any historical account or narrative in the Bible.
P=Prophecy:
Evidence of predicted verifiable outcomes of historical events, and Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus including 300 (plus) specific and incidental prophecies from the Old Testament that were fulfilled accurately in the life and times of Jesus Christ.
If even 8 of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus it would be equivalent to 1 chance in 10 to the 17th power or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000! This would be statistically impossible, but it happened!
None of the prophecies have been disproven and many are still to come.
S=Science: The Bible makes no claims that are considered scientific absurdities and it has amazing scientific authenticity in the areas of cosmology, biochemistry, medicine, health, nutrition, geology, and the Laws of Nature vs. other so-called Holy Books.
The Creation account in Genesis is also supported by the evidence found in the “Cosmological and Teleological Arguments.”
S=Saved Lives: Millions (possibly billions) of saved lives are seen through the centuries (evidenced by personal testimonies of changed lives) confessed by the saving work of Jesus’ death and resurrection THIS IS THE GOSPEL—individual stories like yours cannot be disputed.
Going Deeper
If we are truly serious about sharing the Gospel, and making a case for the truths of Christianity, we need to be thinking about the next generation. Whether we have a young person(s) in our home, or in our life, or somewhere near our sphere of influence, there are a few things that would be helpful in reaching them for the faith, or in strengthening their own faith. J. Warner Wallace has excellent video training sessions and works with other Christian Apologists to promote training for the next generation. Here is one of the many talks he has given on that topic:
Watch J. Warner Wallace on “Five Ways to Help Your Kids Grow in Their Christian Confidence”
J. Warner Wallace’s coldcasechristianity.com website and YouTube channel has tons of resources and information to help you and those you are trying to reach for the Gospel!
Bible Study
Each week, we are encouraging you to take some dedicated time and spend it in God’s Word. We will be doing just that for the book of Philippians in our next class!
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.
Join us next week as we start a new class: Bible Blueprint (with a study in the book of Philippians)!
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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