Historical Accuracy of the Bible

"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4

Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, was a well-respected physician in his day. He wasn't the kind who takes wooden nickels. Luke wasn't afraid to ask the hard question and was in a constant search for truth. His Gospel is written to give a historical documentation of the truth of this new faith called Christianity. Since his primary audience was the Greeks, he had to make sure his arguments were solid and proven. He did. They are!

That brings us to our second proof of the authenticity of the Bible:

Second, Historical Accuracy

Quoting Alex McFarland, "The historical accuracy of the Scriptures is in a class by itself, far superior to the written records of Egypt, Assyria, and other ancient nations. Archaeological confirmations of the biblical record have been almost innumerable in the last century."

Dr. Nelson Glueck, is regarded by many as the greatest modern authority on Israeli archaeology. He observed, "No archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible."

Here are a few of the document archaeological finds that support biblical claims:

Old Testament discoveries:

The city of Jericho (by the way, the walls DID fall in)

The city of Nineveh

Ur, which had Ziggurats (similar to what scholars had imagined the Tower of Babel would have resembled).

Babylon, a clay fragment was unearthed there with the following inscription referring to one particular ziggurate: "Offended the gods, was destroyed at night....people scattered with speech made strange." (sound familiar?)

Meggido, the failure to discover this city was cited as a criticism against the authenticity of the Old Testament. But guess what? It was recently discovered and was found to be where, indeed, Solomon kept his stables for 450 horses. (See I Kings 9 and II Chronicles 8)

This is just a partial list, but impressive historical documentation for any open-minded researcher.

Want some New Testament historical evidence?

The following places referenced in the New Testament have been verified by archaeological finds:

Bethany

Bethlehem

Bethesda

Cesarea

Cana - in 725 A.D. an inscription was found referencing "Cana, near Nazareth" and referring to the "miracle of the wine."

Capernaum

Emmaus

Again, this is only a partial list of the archaeological documentations.

Skeptics, atheists, and agnostics put their confidence in historical records and manuscripts far less documented than the Old and New Testaments. So, faith ultimately becomes and issue of the heart not the head.

For those of you who have given your hearts to Jesus, here is some good stuff to wrap your head around!

June 6, 2017

I want to honor my amazing wife on this the 30th Anniversary of our wedding! Barbara, you have been a tremendous blessing in my life. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. It has been a blast! Shall we say, "A blessed blast?"

"That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:7-8

Can a Christian believe in evolution? Is it possible for the two ideas about our origins to be reconciled or melded into a coherent explanation? Could God have used evolution to create the world?

Let's take a logical think about that.

Obviously, a confessed believer fully accepts the biblical account of creation as conclusive truth. To believe otherwise would be to conclude that part of the Bible is untrue. That doesn't work because if any of the Word is untrue then all of it is untrue. So, that presents a HUGE problem.

For Christians, the final arbiter of faith is the Bible, the Word of God. Does the Bible answer this question? Did God anticipate this debate and offer us some guidance?

Yes, He did!

In addition to the Genesis account of creation, consider these Scripture references:

* In Mark 10:6, Jesus quotes from a Genesis passage when He says, "From the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female'."

God didn't "morph" them or evolve them, He hand made them!

* Paul writes in Colossians 1:16-17, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

* John 1:10 explains, "He [Jesus] was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not."

Still not convinced? Let me ask you a couple of questions. Why would you not want to accept the biblical account of creation with God as the Creator? If you know Him you know He is well able to create anything He desires. Evolution at best, marginalizes God's handiwork and at worst it denies it. Why would you want to do that?

Let's let Jesus have the final word on this issue. As usual, He asks this probing question, "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings , how will you believe My words?"

So, what part of "God created" don't you understand?

May 5, 2017

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God." Psalm 14:1

One of the big themes of recent posts has been the contention that behind the push for Evolution and against Creationism is the promotion of an anti-God agenda. Most of the prime movers of this agenda show an arrogance and an ignorance that refuses to acknowledge God and to demean the intelligence of those who do.

When the Psalmist wrote the Psalm I referenced above, he was referring not to the intelligence or the intellect of a person who denies the existence of God and His role in the origin of man, it refers to his morality. The word "fool" means "morally deficient". Question the morality of anyone who denies Creation.

Early attacks in this movement began with attacks on the veracity of the Bible and then challenges to the Christian foundation of our nation. Fortunately, there are still a few courageous and principled men who are willing to stand for the truth. Watch this and be encouraged.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpQOCvthw-o

Know what you believe. Know why you believe it. Live like you believe it and stand courageously for it!

June 4, 2017

"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." I Corinthians 1:20-21

Evolutionists try to infer that those of us who believe in Creation and Intelligent Design are simple-minded fools. They imply that we are intellectually inferior because we "cling to faith and religious fables".

The purpose of this post is to show that Christians who believe in the Genesis account of Creation do not have to be intimidated by evolutionists. We ARE people of faith, but it takes a giant leap of faith to embrace the "Big Bang" and evolution as the origins of the universe.

Consider this reference to former atheistic evolutionist, Fred Hoyle, an astronomer who, in 1953, figured out the preconditions necessary for the formation of carbon. He reasoned that the likelihood of this happening by chance, as the Big Bang theory suggests, were phenomenally low, and this revelation lead him to convert from atheism to a belief that the universe reflects a "purposeful intelligence." Hoyle admitted that the 'probability of life originating at random is so utterly minuscule as to make the random concept absurd.'" Again, Hoyle's conclusion does not prove that there is a God or an Intelligent Designer; however, it is important to note that Hoyle's intellectual honesty about evolution led him to the conclusion that it, too, required a great act of faith. Hoyle's conclusions then, suggest that it takes as much or more faith to believe in evolution than it does to believe in a purposeful Designer.1

Hoyle is not alone. Over the past century and a half, paleontologists have examined an estimated 1 billion fossils representing 250,000 to be the oldest in which fossils of living creatures have been found. Interestingly, all of these remains found within the Cambrian rocks are fossils of fully formed creatures. Life-complete, fully mature creatures - appears en masse.

This "Cambrian explosion" - the term coined to refer to the puzzling fact that these creatures seemed to have "burst on the scene" -- brings to the surface a fact particularly troubling for the evolutionary theory. Each of these living forms appears suddenly - completely developed - in fossil record, not through gradual transition as evolution would suggest. Charles Darwin himself recognized that the earth's fossil record does not reveal this long-sought "intermediate varieties." Regarding this complete lack of transitional fossils, Darwin had to admit, "This, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory."

So, with a complete and honest examination of the evidence, it takes a greater leap of faith - and logic - to believe that God did NOT create the universe. 

Who is the fool and who is the wise man?

1 -"The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity" - Alex McFarland, pp. 58-59

June 3, 2017

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:18-21

This portion of Scripture has a lot to say about how to benefit from the Word of God. Today I am thinking of Jesus' parable about the sower and how when he sowed the seed it fell on four different types of soil and resulted in four different types of results.

From these verses here in James, as well as in Jesus' teaching it is clear that for the teaching of the Word to be effective there must be some preparation on the part of the hearer. The seed of God's Word can only produce fruit if it falls on fertile soil.

When prepared hearers interact with a prepared teaching the result is a spiritual harvest.

James is presenting a point of view quite different from the mindset of modern church-goers. He is placing the responsibility on the hearers of the Word to make sure they are spiritually prepared when they show up for the teaching. It is apparent that he understood the power was in the truths being taught not in the techniques of the teacher.

The modern church is characterized by a vastly different attitude and approach. Many 21st century believers come to church unprepared and expect the preacher to move them with his presentation and oratory skills. No wonder there are so many anemic Christians and unhealthy churches.

Certainly, the more skillful a communicator is the easier it is to receive his teaching, but even the most skilled teacher can only sow the seed and the seed is subject to the soil upon which it lands. It is the duty of any preacher or teacher of the Word to show up well prepared and to work hard to continually hone his communication skills. That is a given. But the listener shares an equal responsibility to show up prepared.

A healthy church is a place where a well-prepared teacher of the Word interacts with properly prepared hearers in the power of the Spirit. In that atmosphere the preaching gets better and the people get better!

How do you prepare?

James gives a couple of insights on that!

First, prepare your attitude. He specifically mentions the problem with anger. Angry people don't learn well for a host of reasons. I think there are people who come to hear the Word for inspiration. They want the teaching or the sermon to make them feel good - or bad - who knows? But coming to church just to get moved emotionally is not healthy. The Word is about instruction not just inspiration. It is your responsibility to come with an open mind and a teachable spirit. James suggests the attitude of humility.

Second, come prepared to actively involved yourself in learning. Bring your Bible. Bring your pen to jot down notes. Expect to hear from God and to be convicted by the Holy Spirit. Understand that growth results from obedience. James says the Word is like a mirror that will show you the spiritual flaws in your life. If you are not prepared to take an objective look at your soul, save yourself the hassle of coming because once you hear the truth you are responsible for what you do with it.

Spiritual growth and health are the result of prepared teaching connecting with prepared hearers. When the seeds of truth are planted in good soil your get a spiritual harvest!

Want to help your preacher be better? Be a better hearer! Expect him to be prepared so you come prepared.

Creation Vs Theory of Origin

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3

To believe in creation requires faith. Accepting the evolutionary theory of origin also takes faith. Because faith is defined as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". Neither creationists or evolutionists have seen their "first cause" each is certain of its existence. Creationists put their faith in Scripture while evolutionists put their trust in science. Which do you think forms the best foundation?

Frank Crick is a Nobel-prize winning biologist who helped with the discovery of DNA. He is a man who has devoted his life to science and has invested great faith in it. Here is a quote from him relating to the origin of the universe, "An honest man, armed with all the knowledge available to us now, could only state that in some sense, the origin of life appears at the moment to almost be a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have to have been satisfied to get it going."

Science journalist and author, Charles Siefe observed, "It seems like a tremendous coincidence that the universe is suitable for life."

Coincidence? Miracle? Random chance occurrence? What is the origin of our universe?

One thing is sure, the tolerance for error in the beginning of the universe was extremely slight. Astro-physicist, Lawrence Krause, for instance, wrote that if the force of gravity were changed by 0.0000000000000000000000000000000001%, both the planet Earth and the sun would be nonexistent.

Honest examination of the facts and the evidence and the mathematical probabilities strongly favor supernatural creation as the origin of our universe. But your final answer will come down to where you place your faith. And faith is based on what you hope to be true.

Evolutionists hope that God does not exist and that the universe spontaneously exploded into existence. Why would they not want God to be the Creator of the universe?

Again, I hearken by to my two main reasons offered previously:

1) They want to be in control of their own lives.

2) They want to sin without having any consequences.

If, as Scripture records, God is the Creator, then He is in control and we are accountable to Him. But, if the scientific theory of the "Big Bang" and evolution are correct, then their is no God and we are in charge.

That is the essence of sin. St. Paul expressed it this way:

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:19-21

I would caution you against hoping God away from the creation process. If there is no God and if all that we see in our world and universe is an incredible coincidence, then where is our security? If it all came together via a random occurrence of matter and energy, what is to keep it from all coming apart? How can you have hope in the midst of that uncertainty? If we can only be certain of the moment in which we live then what is the purpose of living? If we are gods, what has our deity gained us?

If you are trusting in science, has science ever been wrong? Are you sure that you want to pin your hopes on something as inexact as science?

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for...." 

Be careful what you hope for.

Two Ways To Approach Life

Our Founding Fathers wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are create equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights..."

Why did these distinguished and learned men not have trouble deferring to God's wisdom and being accountable to His principles? Could it be that they were more committed to a pursuit of truth than to believing the lie?

The lie? What lie?

The lie that rules the world, the deception that we can be in control of our own lives and live without consequences. It began, of all places, in Heaven! It spread to another unlikely venue, Paradise (Eden). 

Unfortunately, it continues to spread:

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie (or "the lie"), and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen." Romans 1:21-25

We don't seem to do too well when we take control of our own lives and when we don't worry about the consequences of our sinfulness. The future trend doesn't seem too hopeful:

"The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe 'the lie' and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." II Thessalonians 2:9-12

What must you do to resist "the lie"? The text I just referenced tells us that we must believe the truth. Actually, that should be "Truth" with a capital "T" because it is not referring merely to statements and concepts but to a Person! Jesus is "the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life". Are you clinging to Him? Have you surrendered control of your life to Him? Have you sought His forgiveness for your sins?'

Bottom line, there are just two ways to approach life - two ways to view your world - The Truth or The Lie.