christianity on trial

Christianity on TrialChristianity on Trial“A Proposition of fact is proved, When it’s truth is established by

competent and satisfactory evidence.” - Simon Greenleaf

An Adversary Proceeding

Socratic SkepticismSocratic SkepticismI never enter the research phase to

"win the debate," but rather to find the truth. As I examine the material relevant to the theme of the debate, I have to ask myself several questions: 1) Is this the truth or is it someone's personal opinion, bias, or prejudice?

2) Is there sufficient credible evidence to support the truth claim?

3) Is it relevant to the argument?

- Josh McDowell

Honest or DishonestHonest or Dishonest

The Bible is:The Bible is: Made up of 66 different books.

Written over a span of 1,600 years (approximately 1500 BC to AD 100).

Written by more than 40 kings, prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus.

The Ancient Documents Rule The Ancient Documents Rule & Evidence& Evidence

““The law is the witness and external deposit The law is the witness and external deposit of our moral life. Its history is the history of our moral life. Its history is the history of the moral development of the race.” of the moral development of the race.”

– Oliver Wendell Holms, Jr.– Oliver Wendell Holms, Jr.

Ancient documents will be Ancient documents will be received as competentreceived as competent if they are “fair on their face” if they are “fair on their face” (i.e., their preservation (i.e., their preservation has been consistent with their content). has been consistent with their content).

Applying The Ancient Documents Rule:Applying The Ancient Documents Rule:

Q. Is the content of the Bible Q. Is the content of the Bible consistent with it’s preservation? consistent with it’s preservation?

A. Applied to the Gospel records, A. Applied to the Gospel records, and reinforced by responsible lower and reinforced by responsible lower (textual) criticism, (textual) criticism, this rule would establish this rule would establish their competency in any court of lawtheir competency in any court of law. . - Dr. John Warwick Montgomery - Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

What is Truth?What is Truth?

The Realm of FactThe Realm of Fact

Pilate Pilate InscriptionInscription

Caiaphas Ossuary Caiaphas Ossuary

Names, Dates, and Places?Names, Dates, and Places?

Tabgha. The Church of St. Peter’s Primacy (John 21:1–17)Tabgha. The Church of St. Peter’s Primacy (John 21:1–17)

““Ignorance of the law Ignorance of the law excuses no man; excuses no man; not that all men not that all men know the law, know the law, but because ‘tis but because ‘tis an excuse an excuse every man will plead.” every man will plead.”

––John Selden John Selden

Examine the Defendants CharacterExamine the Defendants Character

Liar, Lunatic, Legend, or Lord? Put simply, the best reason for believing that the Christian religion is true is Jesus, and the best reason for believing in Jesus is Jesus himself.

- James Shire

What Did He Teach?What Did He Teach?Jesus wants us to be Good: Saved (2 Pet. 3:9), Spirit-filled (Eph. 5:15–18),Sanctified (1 Thess. 4:3, 4), Submissive (1 Pet. 2:13–15), Willing to suffer (1 Pet. 4:12–19).

Unselfish LoveUnselfish Love Be not angry that you cannot make others Be not angry that you cannot make others

as you wish them to be, since as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.

Man proposes, but God disposes.Man proposes, but God disposes. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle,

strong, patient, faithful, prudent, longsuffering, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, longsuffering, manly and never seeking her own; manly and never seeking her own; for wheresoever a man seeketh his own, for wheresoever a man seeketh his own, there he falleth from lovethere he falleth from love..

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven or in earth; in heaven or in earth; for love is born of God, and cannot rest for love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created thingsbut in God, above all created things. .

- Thomas a’ Kempis (1420)- Thomas a’ Kempis (1420)

Greek PapyrusGreek Papyrus

Part 2: Lawyers ask Questions Part 2: Lawyers ask Questions

The Defendant posits a well reasoned faith:The Defendant posits a well reasoned faith: What Is Faith? What Is Faith? An arbitrary act of the will and feelings, An arbitrary act of the will and feelings, detached from the mind? detached from the mind?

Faith is that which Faith is that which I have evident reason I have evident reason to believe is true. to believe is true.

The Defendant Accredits the OTThe Defendant Accredits the OT

Practically…Legally…Logically

But no one can answer every But no one can answer every Question?Question?

“Only deductive logic and pure mathematics provide ‘apodictic certainty,” and they do so because they stem from self-evident formal axioms (e.g., the tautology, if A then A) involving no matter of fact. The moment we enter into the realm of fact, we must depend on probability; this may be unfortunate, but it is unavoidable.” -JWM -JWM

Truth and KnowledgeTruth and KnowledgeTruth Truth is a characteristic is a characteristic of statements that of statements that properly describe properly describe aspects aspects of the real world... of the real world... True affirmations True affirmations are those that are those that correspond correspond to reality. to reality.

The word The word knowledge knowledge denotes a person’s denotes a person’s proper proper understanding understanding of the true nature of the true nature of realityof reality

Truth doesn’t Truth doesn’t depend on anyone depend on anyone knowing the truth! knowing the truth!

The Art & Science of Answering QuestionsThe Art & Science of Answering Questions

Epistemology: Epistemology: The study of theories The study of theories of knowledge.of knowledge. 1. Rationalism 1. Rationalism 2. Empiricism 2. Empiricism 3. Historical 3. Historical 4. Intuition 4. Intuition

How do we How do we Know Know anything at all? anything at all? How can we know How can we know the world around us? the world around us? How can we know How can we know God? God?

The History of PhilosophyThe History of Philosophy The One and the ManyThe One and the Many

The Subject Object Problem The Subject Object Problem What Essence underlies Existence? What Essence underlies Existence?

Existentialism: Existence Precedes Essence Existentialism: Existence Precedes Essence

RationalismRationalism EmpiricismEmpiricism SkepticismSkepticism DespairDespair

Albert Camus: “Death is Philosophy’s only problem.”

AlexandriaAlexandriaRomeRome

JerusalemJerusalemPergamum TemplePergamum TempleAthensAthens

A Pagan OpinionA Pagan Opinion “ “I find that it has been the opinion I find that it has been the opinion

of the wisest men that of the wisest men that Law is not a product of human thought, Law is not a product of human thought, nor is it any enactment of peoples, nor is it any enactment of peoples, but something eternal which rules but something eternal which rules the whole universe by its wisdom the whole universe by its wisdom in command and prohibition. in command and prohibition. Thus they [the wisest men] Thus they [the wisest men] have been accustomed to say have been accustomed to say that Law is the primal and ultimate that Law is the primal and ultimate mind of God… - Ciceromind of God… - Cicero

Did Jesus rise from the Dead?

The last vice from Pandora’s box was hope. In Thessalonica an inscription on a stone reads, “After death no reviving. After the grave no meeting again.” Theocritus, a Greek philosopher and poet, wrote,

“Hopes are among the living. The dead are without hope.”

God is ImmanentGod is Immanent

AaronAaron

Mt. SinaiMt. Sinai

Burning BushBurning Bush

IsraelIsrael MangerManger

Events are written down in Hebrew (with portions in Aramaic) over many centuries. In Exodus, the LORD tells Moses to write in a book. Other writers, inspired by God, include leaders, kings and prophets. Together, these writings on leather scrolls and other materials are called the Hebrew Scriptures orOld Testament.

1500-400 BC

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Old TestamentOld Testament

According to Jewish tradition, Ezra, a priest and scribe, collects and arranges some of the books of the Hebrew Bible, around 450 BC.

450 BC

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EzraEzra

Stone, Leather, and ClayStone, Leather, and Clay

250-100 BC The SeptuagintThe Septuagint

The Septuagint is the first Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament).

It was translated in 250-100 BC by Jewish scholars in Alexandria, Egypt.

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QumranQumran

Followers of Jesus write eye-witness reports (Gospels), history, letters to other believers, and the Revelation.

• Matthew• Mark• Luke• John

• Paul• James• Peter• Jude

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AD 45-100 Followers of JesusFollowers of Jesus


““The Testimony of the Evangelists”The Testimony of the Evangelists”

““All that Christianity asks of men All that Christianity asks of men on this subject, is, on this subject, is, that they would that they would be consistent with themselvesbe consistent with themselves; ; that they would treat its evidences that they would treat its evidences as they treat the evidence of other things; as they treat the evidence of other things; and that they would and that they would try and judge its actors and witnessestry and judge its actors and witnesses, , as they deal with their fellow men, as they deal with their fellow men, when testifying to human affairs when testifying to human affairs and actions, in human tribunals.” and actions, in human tribunals.” - Simon Greenleaf - Simon Greenleaf

David InscriptionDavid Inscription

The Hearsay RuleThe Hearsay Rule ……a witness must testify a witness must testify

“of his own knowledge” not on the basis “of his own knowledge” not on the basis of what has come to him indirectly from othersof what has come to him indirectly from others. .

Applied to the New Testament documents, Applied to the New Testament documents, this demand for primary-source evidence this demand for primary-source evidence is fully vindicatedis fully vindicated by the constant asseverations by the constant asseverations of their authors to be setting forth of their authors to be setting forth “that which we have heard which we have seen “that which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, the word of life” and our hands have handled, the word of life”

- 1 John 1:1 - 1 John 1:1

Isaiah1:18 Isaiah1:18 "Come now, and "Come now, and let us reason togetherlet us reason together,","

A witness must testify “ A witness must testify “ of his own knowledge”of his own knowledge”

Luke 1:1, Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order Luke 1:1, Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among ushave been fulfilled among us, , just as those who from the beginning were just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministerseyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us… of the word delivered them to us… 2 Peter 1:16, …For we did not follow 2 Peter 1:16, …For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnessesbut were eyewitnesses of His majesty of His majesty. .

1 John 1:1, 1 John 1:1, That which was from the beginning, That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled… and our hands have handled…

Jerome starts translating the Scriptures into Latin in AD 410 and finishes 25 years later. This translation, called the Latin Vulgate, remains the basic Bible for many centuries.

Jerome

AD 400

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JeromeJerome

Germanic migrations (AD 378-600) cause new languages, other than Latin, to emerge.

AD 500

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Germanic Peoples

Roman Empire Roman Empire

DeclinesDeclines

The 27 books of the New Testament are formally confirmed as canonical by the Synod of Carthage in AD 397, thus recognizing three centuries of use by followers of Christ.

The The CanonCanon

AD 397

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Carthage


“A book is not the Word of God because it is accepted by the people of God. Rather, it was accepted by the people of God because it is the Word of God. That is, God gives the book its divine authority, not the people of God. They merely recognize the divine authority which God gives to it.”

- Norman Geisler

The Parole Evidence RuleThe Parole Evidence RuleExternal, oral testimony or tradition External, oral testimony or tradition

will not be received in evidencewill not be received in evidence to add to, subtract from, vary, or contradictto add to, subtract from, vary, or contradict an executed written instrument such as a will. an executed written instrument such as a will. Applied to the Biblical documents, Applied to the Biblical documents, which expressly claim to be “executed” and completewhich expressly claim to be “executed” and complete (Rev. 22:18-19), (Rev. 22:18-19), this rule insists that this rule insists that the Scriptures be allowed to “interpret itself” the Scriptures be allowed to “interpret itself” and and not be twisted not be twisted by external, extra-biblical data by external, extra-biblical data (comparative New Eastern religious texts (comparative New Eastern religious texts and practices, Sitz im Leben interpretations, and practices, Sitz im Leben interpretations, “historical-critical method “New Hermeneutic.” etc.).“historical-critical method “New Hermeneutic.” etc.).

-Dr. John Warwick Montgomery-Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

God indicates that his written word would be a complete and final

revelation!Exodus 20:1; Deuteronomy 4:2; 8:3; Psalm 19:7; 119:89, 152, 160; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; 24;35; Luke 16:31; John 10:35; 16:13; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 15:1; Galatians 1:9; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:2-4; Jude 3; Revelation 1:1; 22; 18-19

The Verdict PleaseThe Verdict PleaseDr. John Warwick Montgomery

“…to be skeptical of the resultant text

of the New Testament books is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as the New Testament.”

Part 3: Escape From ReasonPart 3: Escape From ReasonTo obtain the To obtain the largest amount of largest amount of true true beliefsbeliefs possible;simply possible;simply believe everything believe everything you hear (Gullible). you hear (Gullible).

To avoidTo avoid as much as much error as possible; error as possible; doubt everything doubt everything (Skepticism).(Skepticism).

Christians: Thou Shall Not Christians: Thou Shall Not Judge?Judge?

Only God can judge the human heart (Jer.17: 9). (1) Truth from error

(Rom.12:2, 9; 1Cor. 12:10; 14:29; 1Thess. 5:19), (2) Good from evil (Acts 17:11; 2Peter 2:1; 2Peter 3:2; 1John 4:1; Jude 17) (3) Sin, (Matt. 18:15; 1Cor. 5:9),

(4) False, corrupted or counterfeit worldviews. (Rom.16: 17; Gal 1:6; 2 Tim. 3:16, 4:4; Titus3:10; 2Tim.2:17) Hypocritical, unjust, and presumptuous judgments are always wrong. (Matt. 7:1-5, 23:1-3; Phil. 1:15; John 7:24; John 5:22; Acts 17;31 ; James 4:11, 5;9).

JudgmentJudgment Seat Seat

C.S. LewisC.S. Lewis“If nothing is self-evident, nothing can be proved. Similarly, if nothing is obligatory for it’s own sake, nothing is obligatory at all.” (The Abolition of Man)

Unprovable AssumptionsUnprovable Assumptions “Without an objective criterion

one is at a loss to make a meaningful choice among a-prioris. The resurrection provides a basis in historical probability for trying the Christian faith. Granted, the basis is only one of probability, not of certainty, but probability is the sole ground on which finite human beings can make any decisions.

Particular to UniversalParticular to Universal

“…the weight of historical probability lies the side of the validity of Jesus’ claim to be God incarnate, the Savior of man, and the coming Judge of the world. If probability does in fact support these claims (and can we really deny it, having studied the evidence?), then we must act in behalf of them.”

Universal to ParticularUniversal to Particular…“In geometry the “given” concepts

are called axioms. Geometry begins with certain concepts which are unproved, but from which the rest of geometry is deduced. Theology also has it’s axioms or beginning principles. This is why we do not hesitate to begin with the doctrine of the Trinity as our a-priori axiom.”

-Robert Morey

How Then Do I Judge?How Then Do I Judge?Without basic first principles of reality, nothing can be known. Everything we know about reality is known by them. Twelve basic first principles can be set forth.

First PrinciplesFirst Principles1. Being Is The Principle of Existence. 2. Being Is Being The Principle of Identity. 3. Being Is Not Non-being The Principle of Noncontradiction. 4. Either Being or Nonbeing The Principle of the Excluded Middle.

5. Nonbeing Cannot Cause Being The Principle of Causality.

6. Contingent Being Cannot Cause Contingent Being The Principle of Contingency (or Dependency). 7. Only Necessary Being Can Cause a Contingent Being The Positive Principle of Modality.

8. Necessary Being Cannot Cause a Necessary Being The Negative Principle of Modality.

9. Every Contingent Being Is Caused by a Necessary Being

The Principle of Existential Causality.

10. Necessary Being exists Principle of Existential Necessity.

11. Contingent being exists Principle of Existential Contingency

12. Necessary Being is similar to similar contingent being(s) it causes Principle of Analogy

The Case for ChristThe Case for Christ1. Truth is Knowable 1. Truth is Knowable 2. The opposite of 2. The opposite of true is false true is false 3. Theism is True 3. Theism is True 4. Miracles are Possible 4. Miracles are Possible 5. Miracles Confirm 5. Miracles Confirm 6. The New Testament 6. The New Testament is Historically is Historically Reliable Reliable

7. The New Testament says that 7. The New Testament says that Jesus claimed to be God Jesus claimed to be God 8. Jesus’ claim to be God 8. Jesus’ claim to be God was miraculously confirmed was miraculously confirmed 9. Therefore 9. Therefore Jesus is God Jesus is God 10. Whatever Jesus 10. Whatever Jesus (Who is God) Teaches is True (Who is God) Teaches is True 11. Jesus Taught that the Bible 11. Jesus Taught that the Bible is the Word of God is the Word of God 12. Therefore it is 12. Therefore it is True that the Bible is the True that the Bible is the Word of God Word of God (and anything opposed to it (and anything opposed to it is false). is false).

Part 4: ArgumentsPart 4: ArgumentsKalam Time Argument Kalam Time Argument Cosmological Argument Cosmological Argument The Design Argument The Design Argument Teleological Argument Teleological Argument Axiological Argument Axiological Argument Ontological ArgumentOntological Argument

Proving The UnseenProving The Unseen “If anything does now exist,

then either something must be eternal, or something not eternal must have come from nothing.” The Argument then proceeds to that it is more reasonable to believe that something is eternal; and that among the many hypotheses of eternal existence, the God of the Bible is the most reasonable, the most probable eternal being.

-Oliver Busswell -Oliver Busswell

Science is not Ultimate Science is not Ultimate Reality!Reality!

The Great Questions The Great Questions (origin, meaning, morality, and destiny); (origin, meaning, morality, and destiny); that underscore all of lifethat underscore all of life, are fundamentally , are fundamentally philosophical and theologicalphilosophical and theological. . Induction is limited to probabilities. Induction is limited to probabilities. But then, with just a pinch of faith, But then, with just a pinch of faith, they point us in the right direction. they point us in the right direction. “Best explanations,” are real explanations that “Best explanations,” are real explanations that we apply and live by every day. we apply and live by every day. Meaning, morality, and destiny won’t fit Meaning, morality, and destiny won’t fit into any test tube. into any test tube.

-Mal -Mal

There are Different Kinds of There are Different Kinds of ProofProof

Martin Heidegger: Philosophy cannot be based on history- neither on the science of history nor on any other science.

For every science rests on presuppositions which can never be established scientifically, though they can be demonstrated philosophically. All sciences are grounded in philosophy, but not vice versa.

John LockeJohn Locke “If, therefore, it be evident that

something necessarily must exist from eternity, it is also as evident that something must be a cogitative being; for it is as impossible that incogitative matter should produce a cogitative being, as that nothing, or the negation of all being, should produce a positive being or matter.”

InformationInformationJohn Gerstner observed; “Where ever we see matter, there is information in matter, that is not native to matter.” Ravi Zacharias adds, “We live in an ontologically haunted universe.” William Lane Craig asserts; “There needs to be some kind of ontic seeding.” Francis Schaeffer says it all; “Personality is central.”

Something ExistsSomething Exists“The DNA blueprint must encapsulate

not only every physical attribute of our bodies, but also the concepts that underlie our inborn instincts. For example, nature has managed to capture the notion of “height” in mammalian DNA. Psychological tests show that human beings, and most other mammals, fear heights at birth.

-Arno Penzias

Program, means Programmer

Four options for the origin of the cosmos. 1. The cosmos is an illusion 2. The cosmos is self-existent 3. The cosmos is self-created 4. The cosmos is created by something that is self-existent

“This is a modern restatement of St. Thomas Aquinas’s argument of necessary being (ens necessarium).”

-R.C. Sproul

1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause, 2. The universe began to exist, The universe had a cause. 1. The fine-tuning of the initial conditions of the universe is due to; natural law, chance, or design. 2. It is not due to natural law or chance. The fine tuning was designed.

1. If God does not exist, objective moral values don’t exist. 2. Objective moral values do exist. God exists.

Actually or Potentially Actually or Potentially Infinite?Infinite?

Oliver Buswell: “There is no religion or philosophy in all the history of human culture which teaches the omnipotence of God. This must be in the light of the fact that there is no other doctrine of creation from nothing, than that found in the Judeo-Christian tradition or derived from it. There are only three monotheistic religions in the world; Judaism, Christianity, and Mohammedanism.

Uncaused CauseUncaused CauseChristianity claims to be an outgrowth of the

Jewish revelation, and it is quite obvious that Mohammed, in the seventh century A.D. derived his concept of one, and only one, supreme God from Judaism and Christianity Polytheism could not, of course exist along with the doctrine of God’s omnipotence, for if there are many gods, each with a sphere of power, no one god could have all the power that is or could be.”

Part 5: Supernatural?Part 5: Supernatural?Is the Universe a Closed system. Is the Universe a Closed system. Is the Universe an Open System? Is the Universe an Open System?

What is mind? No matter. What is mind? No matter.

““Mental events Mental events are feelings of pain, are feelings of pain, episodes of thoughts, episodes of thoughts, or sensory experiences. or sensory experiences. Physical events are Physical events are happenings in the brain happenings in the brain and central nervous and central nervous system system that can be described that can be described exhaustively exhaustively using terms from using terms from chemistry and physics. chemistry and physics.

However, However, physical events physical events and their properties and their properties do not have the same do not have the same features features as do mental events as do mental events and their properties...and their properties...

What is matter? Never mind.What is matter? Never mind.…….Picture a pink elephant in your mind. .Picture a pink elephant in your mind. Now close your eyes and look at the image. Now close your eyes and look at the image. In your mind, you will see a pink property In your mind, you will see a pink property (a sense datum or a sensory way of experiencing). (a sense datum or a sensory way of experiencing). There will be no pink elephant outside you, There will be no pink elephant outside you, but there will be a pink image of one in your mind. but there will be a pink image of one in your mind. However, there will be no pink entity in your brain; However, there will be no pink entity in your brain; no neurophysiologist could open your brain and see no neurophysiologist could open your brain and see a pink entity while you are having the sense image. a pink entity while you are having the sense image. The sensory event has a property-pink-that no brain event has. The sensory event has a property-pink-that no brain event has. Therefore, they cannot be identical. Therefore, they cannot be identical. The sense image is a mental entity, not a physical one.” The sense image is a mental entity, not a physical one.”

- J.P. Moreland and Gary Habermas, - J.P. Moreland and Gary Habermas, Beyond DeathBeyond Death

One Breath Away: DeathOne Breath Away: Death “ “Body is form. Even Body is form. Even

now what makes our now what makes our bodies our bodies is bodies our bodies is not atoms but not atoms but structure. The atoms structure. The atoms change every seven change every seven years; yet it is the years; yet it is the same body because of same body because of its continuity of form.” its continuity of form.” (Peter Kreeft)(Peter Kreeft)

“ “If no necessity exists If no necessity exists between events and between events and interpretations, then interpretations, then there is no way of there is no way of determining which determining which meaning is correct.... meaning is correct.... This is both repugnant This is both repugnant and absurd. and absurd. There must be an There must be an empirical necessity empirical necessity that unites an event that unites an event or fact with its correct or fact with its correct interpretation.”interpretation.”

- Paul D. Feinberg - Paul D. Feinberg

Res ipsa loquiturRes ipsa loquitur “…“…AA resurrection considered

only as a fact to be proved by evidence, is a plain Case; it requires no greater ability in the witnesses, than that they be able to distinguish between a man dead, and a man alive; A Point, in which I believe every Man living thinks himself a Judge.”

-Thomas Sherlock

Primary Source DocumentsPrimary Source Documents“…“…no historian can legitimately rule out no historian can legitimately rule out

documentary evidencedocumentary evidence simply on the ground simply on the ground that it records remarkable events; that it records remarkable events; if the documents are sufficiently reliable, if the documents are sufficiently reliable, the remarkable events must be accepted the remarkable events must be accepted even if they cannot be successfully explainedeven if they cannot be successfully explained by analogy with other events by analogy with other events or by an a-priori scheme of natural causation.”or by an a-priori scheme of natural causation.” (Dr. John Warwick Montgomery)(Dr. John Warwick Montgomery)

Naturalism: Is the Universe a Closed System?

A Non-Analogous EventA Non-Analogous Event

““People like us, who believe in physics, People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.”stubbornly persistent illusion.”

(Albert Einstein) (Albert Einstein)

An awesome and wide open universe is best explained by an Awesome God.

C. S . LewisC. S . LewisMiracles : Miracles : “Now of course we must agree “Now of course we must agree

with Hume [Eighteenth Century Skeptic] with Hume [Eighteenth Century Skeptic] that if there is absolutely ‘that if there is absolutely ‘uniform experienceuniform experience’ ’ against miracles, against miracles, if in other words if in other words they have never happenedthey have never happened, , why then they never have. why then they never have. Unfortunately, we know Unfortunately, we know the experience against them to be uniform only the experience against them to be uniform only if we know that all the reports of them are false. if we know that all the reports of them are false. And we can know all the reports to be false And we can know all the reports to be false only if we know already only if we know already that miracles have never occurredthat miracles have never occurred. . In fact, we are In fact, we are arguing in a circlearguing in a circle.” .”

Who Moved the Stone?Who Moved the Stone?Frank Morison:

[1] If Jesus didn’t rise someone must have stolen the body; [2] the only people involved were the Roman authorities, the Jewish religious leaders, and Jesus’ disciples;[3] The Romans and the Jewish religious leaders would certainly not have taken the body, since to do so would have been against their own interests (the Romans wanted to keep Palestine quiet, and the Jews wanted to preserve their religious influence): and [4] the disciples would hardly have stolen the body

and then died for what they knew to be untrue.

Francis SchaefferFrancis SchaefferBut they failed [German Higher Critics] In the same way that the rationalistic philosophers had failed. They too were caught in the round room without an exit Their search for the historical Jesus was doomed to failure. The supernatural was so intertwined with the rest that if they ripped out all the supernatural, there was no Jesus left! If they removed all the supernatural, no historical Jesus remained; if they kept the historical Jesus, the supernatural remained as well.

Part 6Part 6

The Opposite of True is FalseThe Opposite of True is False

The Parole Evidence Rule insists The Parole Evidence Rule insists that the Scriptures be allowed to that the Scriptures be allowed to “interpret itself” “interpret itself” and and not be twistednot be twisted by external, by external, extra-biblical data extra-biblical data

What About New Prophets?What About New Prophets?

External, oral testimony or tradition External, oral testimony or tradition will not be received in evidencewill not be received in evidence to add to, subtract from, varyto add to, subtract from, vary, , or contradictor contradict an executed written instrument an executed written instrument such as a will.such as a will.

- The Parole Evidence Rule- The Parole Evidence Rule

The Verdict PleaseThe Verdict Please F. J. A. Hort “…in the variety and fullness of the evidence

on which it rests the text of the New Testamentstands absolutely and unapproachably aloneamong ancient prose writings.” F. F. Bruce writes:“There is no body of ancient literature in the world which enjoys such a wealth of good textualattestation as the New Testament.”

Primary or Secondary Source?Primary or Secondary Source? The Book of Mormon? The Book of Mormon? The Koran? The Koran? The New World Translation?The New World Translation?These are secondary sources; These are secondary sources; positing contradictory truth claims positing contradictory truth claims and no contemporaneous eyewitnesses. and no contemporaneous eyewitnesses.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

KEY WRITINGSKEY WRITINGS The Book of MormonThe Book of Mormon Doctrine and CovenantsDoctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great PricePearl of Great Price The Bible (The Bible (King James King James

Version only or Smith’s Version only or Smith’s “Inspired Version”)“Inspired Version”)

Authoritative teachings of Authoritative teachings of Mormonism’s prophets Mormonism’s prophets and other “general and other “general authorities”authorities”

MORMONISMMORMONISM

KEY WRITINGSKEY WRITINGS

Watchtower Bible and Tract SocietyWatchtower Bible and Tract Society

Include…Include…

– Bible (Bible (New World New World TranslationTranslation only) only)

– You Can Live Forever in You Can Live Forever in Paradise on EarthParadise on Earth

– Reasoning from the Reasoning from the ScripturesScriptures

– Watchtower Watchtower magazinemagazine– Awake!Awake! magazine1 magazine1

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSESJEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

KEY WRITINGSKEY WRITINGS Qur’anQur’an (Koran), scripture in Arabic (Koran), scripture in Arabic

ISLAMISLAM

In principle, no In principle, no translation is regarded as translation is regarded as conveying the exact conveying the exact meaning of the original; meaning of the original; although a few although a few translations are translations are considered acceptable, considered acceptable, non-Arabic speaking non-Arabic speaking Muslims are encouraged Muslims are encouraged to learn Arabic.to learn Arabic.

MormonismMormonism “ “Joseph Smith is credited with the “translation” of the Joseph Smith is credited with the “translation” of the

Inspired Version of the Bible. Inspired Version of the Bible. Actually, it is not a new translation, Actually, it is not a new translation, instead, Smith added to and subtracted from the King instead, Smith added to and subtracted from the King James Version (KJV)-not by examining Biblical manuscriptsJames Version (KJV)-not by examining Biblical manuscripts, , but by “divine inspiration.” Smith corrected, revised, but by “divine inspiration.” Smith corrected, revised, altered, added to, and deleted from’ the KJV. altered, added to, and deleted from’ the KJV. Virtually thousands of changes were introduced. Virtually thousands of changes were introduced. While it took 50 of the world’s greatest Bible scholars, with While it took 50 of the world’s greatest Bible scholars, with a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, seven years to finish their work on the KJV, seven years to finish their work on the KJV, it took Smith a mere three years to complete his work-it took Smith a mere three years to complete his work-despite the fact that he had virtually despite the fact that he had virtually no knowledge of the biblical languagesno knowledge of the biblical languages.” (Ron Rhodes).” (Ron Rhodes)

Jehovah Witnesses: New World Jehovah Witnesses: New World Translation?Translation?

Dr. Julius ManteyDr. Julius Mantey: : “a shocking mistranslation. “a shocking mistranslation. Dr. Bruce MetzgerDr. Bruce Metzger: : “a frightful mistranslation.” “a frightful mistranslation.” Dr. William BarclayDr. William Barclay:: “It is abundantly clear “It is abundantly clear that a sect which can translate the that a sect which can translate the New Testament like that New Testament like that is intellectually dishonest.” is intellectually dishonest.”

Islam: Politically Correct Islam: Politically Correct IdolatryIdolatry

“ “The earliest accounts of The earliest accounts of Muhammad’s life were Muhammad’s life were written at least 150 years written at least 150 years after his death. after his death. All are Muslim sources, All are Muslim sources, and there is no external and there is no external (i.e. non-Muslim) (i.e. non-Muslim) supporting evidence.” supporting evidence.” -Patrick Sookhdeo -Patrick Sookhdeo

“ “The very least we can say The very least we can say is the more Fundamental is the more Fundamental a Christian becomes, a Christian becomes, the more just and loving the more just and loving he will become; he will become; but the more Fundamental but the more Fundamental a Muslim becomes, a Muslim becomes, the more violent and the more violent and intolerant he will become. intolerant he will become. This is the reason why This is the reason why Islamic Fundamentalism Islamic Fundamentalism is almost synonymous is almost synonymous with terrorism. with terrorism. Not all Muslims Not all Muslims are terrorists, are terrorists, but almost all terrorists but almost all terrorists today are Muslim.” today are Muslim.”

- Hal Lindsey- Hal Lindsey

Let None Dare, Call It Let None Dare, Call It IdolatryIdolatry

“…There are at least 109 identifiable war verses in the Koran. One out of every 55 verses in the Koran is a war verse. War verses are scattered throughout Mohammed’s chapters like blood splatter at a crime scene.” -Don Richardson

David Hume (1711-1776)David Hume (1711-1776)

“ …“ …[Mohammed] bestows praise upon [Mohammed] bestows praise upon such instances of treachery, such instances of treachery, inhumanity, cruelty, revenge and inhumanity, cruelty, revenge and bigotry as are utterly incompatible bigotry as are utterly incompatible with civilized society. No steady rule with civilized society. No steady rule of right seems there to be attended of right seems there to be attended to, and every action is blamed or to, and every action is blamed or praised so far only as it is beneficial praised so far only as it is beneficial or hurtful to the true believers.”or hurtful to the true believers.”

Part 7Part 7

Law and Grace at the CrossLaw and Grace at the Cross

Ravi Zacharias: “The Crucifixion Ravi Zacharias: “The Crucifixion displays the horror of sin in concrete displays the horror of sin in concrete form.” form.”

Denotation and Description

The Cross Examination Principle:The Cross Examination Principle:

“ “All trials proceed upon the idea All trials proceed upon the idea that some confidence is due to human that some confidence is due to human testimony, and that this confidence testimony, and that this confidence grows and becomes more steadfast grows and becomes more steadfast in proportion as the witness in proportion as the witness has been subjected to a close and has been subjected to a close and searching cross-examination” searching cross-examination” (Justice Ruffin, in (Justice Ruffin, in State v. Morriss State v. Morriss 84 N.C. 764)84 N.C. 764)

Applied to the apostolic proclamation, Applied to the apostolic proclamation, this rule underscores this rule underscores the reliability of testimony to Christ’s resurrectionthe reliability of testimony to Christ’s resurrection which was presented contemporaneously which was presented contemporaneously in the synagogues- in the synagogues- among hostile cross-examiners among hostile cross-examiners who would certainly have destroyed who would certainly have destroyed the case for Christianity had the facts the case for Christianity had the facts been otherwise been otherwise

-Dr. John Warwick Montgomery-Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

Cross Examining the CrossCross Examining the Cross

1. Were the witnesses trustworth 1. Were the witnesses trustworth 2. Did anything external influence 2. Did anything external influence their motives? their motives? 3. Does their testimony harmonize? 3. Does their testimony harmonize? 4. Is the external physical 4. Is the external physical or written evidence consistent?or written evidence consistent?

McCloskey and Schoenberg: “the finest work on the subject.” Alan Saltzman

Richard A Givens: Richard A Givens: AdvocacyAdvocacy

EventEvent

RecollectionRecollection

Portion selected to be communicatedPortion selected to be communicated

SymbolsSymbols

Interpretation by listenerInterpretation by listener

John Warwick Montgomery: John Warwick Montgomery: Evidence for Faith, Part 6Evidence for Faith, Part 6

Evidence For Faith: Evidence For Faith: Pg. 328-329Pg. 328-329

The Historical JesusThe Historical Jesus Jesus was: executed by Jesus was: executed by

Roman executionersRoman executioners

Publicly buried Publicly buried

His Disciples were His Disciples were disoriented disoriented

His Guarded tomb was His Guarded tomb was found empty found empty

Many, witnessed Many, witnessed post resurrection post resurrection appearances appearances

Amazing Transformations: Amazing Transformations: From Fear to BoldnessFrom Fear to Boldness

The Early Church The Early Church proclaimed the proclaimed the ResurrectionResurrection

Proclaimed in JerusalemProclaimed in Jerusalem

The Growth of the ChurchThe Growth of the Church

Worship on SundayWorship on Sunday

Paul’s Conversion Paul’s Conversion

James’ ConversionJames’ Conversion

Gary Habermas: “Twelve Facts, even the Skeptics agree with”

Exodus 31:12

Just the FactsJust the Facts 1. Jesus was 1. Jesus was

publicly publicly crucified crucified and buriedand buried

2. Witnesses, 2. Witnesses, proclaim many proclaim many literal literal appearances of appearances of the risen Jesus the risen Jesus

3. The radical 3. The radical transformation transformation of the disciplesof the disciples

4. Paul’s 4. Paul’s conversionconversion

Paul’s Radical TransformationPaul’s Radical Transformation Paul …and that He was buried, and that He rose again the Paul …and that He was buried, and that He rose again the

third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:4) third day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:4)

…“the earliest evidence we have for the resurrection …“the earliest evidence we have for the resurrection almost certainly goes back to the time almost certainly goes back to the time immediately after the resurrection event is immediately after the resurrection event is alleged to have taken place. alleged to have taken place. This is the This is the evidenceevidence contained in the early sermons contained in the early sermons in the Acts of the Apostles… in the Acts of the Apostles… But there can be no doubt that But there can be no doubt that in the first few chapters of Acts its authors in the first few chapters of Acts its authors have preserved materiel from very early sources. have preserved materiel from very early sources. Scholars have discovered that the language used Scholars have discovered that the language used in speaking about Jesus in these early speeches in Acts in speaking about Jesus in these early speeches in Acts is quite different from that used at the time is quite different from that used at the time when the book was compiled in its first form.” when the book was compiled in its first form.”

- John Drane - John Drane

The Cowardly LionThe Cowardly LionPeter…And we are witnesses of all things Peter…And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, before by God, eveneven to us who ate and drank with Him to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. after He arose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people, He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to beto be Judge of the living and the dead. Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. will receive remission of sins.

(Acts 10:40 NKJV)(Acts 10:40 NKJV)

Therefore:Therefore:

SalvationSalvationThere are four kinds of people

when it comes to assurance of salvation; 1. Those who are saved

and know they are saved; 2. Those who are lost and know they’re lost; 3. Those who are saved

but think they are lost; 4. Those who are lost but think they are saved.

(Augustine) In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.

Walter MartinWalter Martin“The secular and scientific age in which we live

demands that things be tested and re-tested. They require evidence upon evidence, fact upon fact. Yet here in the truest sense is a controlled experiment. Christianity has been observed for almost two thousand years. Wherever it is faithfully proclaimed, accepted, and acted upon, it transforms men, cultures, and societies; and it can do this only because it is energized by a living Savior… To those who come to Him, Jesus Christ becomes the to all the problems of soul and body. The results of their experience with Him become the truly unanswerable argument of essential Christianity.”

christianity on trial

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