Christian Apologetics, More Conversations: How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? Part 3

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This week we are continuing with our conversations about the Bible by looking at its reliability from evidence in the categories of eyewitnesses, both friendly and hostile, and in the science of “Textual Criticism.” By using the acronym MAPS-S we can cover multiple lines of evidence that give us reasonable and trustworthy confidence that the Bible is historically reliable, inerrant and the exact communication that God wanted us to have. This week, in part three, we are looking at the final three categories in the letter “M” for manuscripts.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes From the Presentation

Christian Apologetics: More Conversations

How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? Part 3 

MAPS-S

The acronym MAPS-S give us a snapshot of the evidence for the inspiration, inerrancy and reliability of the Bible.

M = Manuscript evidence

A = Archeological evidence

P = Evidence from Prophecy fulfillment

S = Evidence based on Scientific authenticity

S = Evidence from Saved Lives over the centuries

Manuscript Evidence

  1. Strong historical and literary support
  2. Excellent transmission over time
  3. Accurate translations
  4. Thorough canonization process – no inspired books are left out
  5. Contains multiple eyewitness accounts
  6. Authentication by both Christian and non-Christian sources
  7. The science of textual criticism eliminates errors in the copies

This week we are looking at numbers 5, 6 and 7 from our Manuscript Evidence…

Contains multiple eyewitness accounts

  • The Bible Authors were eyewitnesses of the events, or recorded eyewitness accounts of the events
  • There are multiple, not singular, accounts of events, especially the Gospel record
  • The accounts are historically accurate
  • The witnesses are of good reputation
  • Many of the witnesses died martyrs’ deaths for their beliefs
  • Hostile witness accounts support the Biblical stories
    • The Jewish and Roman authorities affirmed the crucifixion and empty tomb
    • Paul and James (the half-brother of Jesus) are examples of hostiles that became believers after personal experience with the risen Jesus

Authentication by both Christian and non-Christian sources

  • There are approximately 2135 cataloged lectionaries from early Church leaders
  • There are over one-million quotations of the New Testament Scripture in the early Church leaders’ letters and documents

Testimony of the Fathers – Christian Creeds

The early Christian Creeds attest to the fact that Christians believed what they believe from the beginning; nothing has been added or changed over time! There are several Creeds, including the famous “Apostles’ Creed” that can take us back to within a few years of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Here are two examples:

The Nicene Creed (325)

We believe [1] in one God [2], the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven  and earth [3], of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father [4]; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation [5] he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary [6, 7] and became truly human [8] . For our sake he was crucified [9] under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again [10] in accordance with the Scriptures [11]; he ascended into heaven [12] and is seated at the right hand of the Father [13]. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead [14] , and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified [15], who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church [16]. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins [17]. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

“The first Creed” (ca 40 AD)

1st Corinthians 15:3-8 

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (Peter), and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me…”

Testimony from non-Christians

  • Thallus, a Greek historian, writes of the crucifixion and mentions the day that suddenly turned dark – quoted by Julius Africanas
  • Tacitus, a Roman historian, echoes the Gospel account of the death of Christ including the mention of the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate
  • Josephus, a Jewish historian, writes about the death of Jesus, the martyrdom of James, the martyrdom of John the Baptist, the resurrection three days after the crucifixion, and early Christian communities
  • Suetonius, a Roman historian, mentions the expulsion of Christians from Rome which corresponds with the account in the book of Acts
  • Pliny the Younger, a Roman authority and administrator, writes of the early Christian community in Asia Minor
  • Mara Bar Serapion, Jewish philosopher
  • Phelgon, quoted by Origin
  • Marcion – the Gnostic heretic would be a hostile witness who was antisemitic

The science of textual criticism eliminates errors in the copies

  • There are over 25,000 early manuscripts with which to compare (New Testament); 2nd place goes to Homer’s Iliad with 1757 (both numbers are growing with new finds in archeology)
  • These manuscripts can be found in various museums, libraries and churches around the world for scholars to study
  • Error rate between manuscripts is only 2% – mainly in spelling, grammar, and word order (including a few deletions or additions) – all are rectified after comparison resulting in 98% for OT and 99.5% for NT

Overall:

  • The Bible is 100% reliable in its vox (meaning)
  • The Bible is 99.5% accurate in its verba (matching original wording of the autographs)

The Testimony of the Scrolls

“The number of manuscripts of the New Testament, of early translations from it, and of quotations from it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large that it is practically certain that the true reading of every doubtful passage is preserved in some one or the other of these ancient authorities. This can be said of no other book in the world”

            -Sir Frederick Kenyon, (Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 55)

Going Deeper

  • “Person of Interest” and “Cold Case Christianity” books by J. Warner Wallace
  • “Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible?” presentation by J. Warner Wallace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RebKd23Aaho
  • “Evidence That Demands A Verdict” by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell
  • How We Got The Bible” by Neil R. Lightfoot
  • Any work by New Testament Scholar Dan Wallace

Here is a link to one of J. Warner Wallace’s talks on the “Eyewitness Testimony of the Gospels”

Reflection

If you only had one minute for each question, to the best of your ability, give a quick answer in your own words, (note – these are building from the presentation notes each week):

  1. What are the four important areas for Christian growth?
  2. What are the twelve points that will help you tell the Bible’s Big Picture?
  3. What are the two most important questions you can ask when someone makes a claim about Christianity, or a belief that they hold to be true that is in conflict with the Christian Worldview?
  4. What is the Moral Law argument for the existence of God? Give an example.
  5. How is evil defined from a Christian Worldview? Give an example.
  6. What are the three factors in identifying sources of evil?
  7. What three characteristics does Satan possess that he wants to bring out in us?
  8. What does it mean for a Christian to have a proper perspective of eternity?
  9. What is a miracle, and how is it different from natural occurrences?
  10. What does the acronym MAPS-S stand for, and how does it help us confirm the Bible’s reliability?
  11. There are seven lines of evidence for the “M” in MAP-S. What are they?

Bible Study

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. 

Group Bible study:

We are encouraging you to study a book of the Bible on your own as a daily devotional. Discuss in your small group, or read together! We will be starting a new Bible study here next week in the book of 1 Thessalonians.

Join us next week as we continue our study in Christian Apologetics with more conversations on the topic of the Bible!

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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

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