can we trust the bible? is it accurate?

Don McClainDon McClain W. 65th St church of Christ - February 1W. 65th St church of Christ - February 12, 20062, 2006

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• Why Should We Believe The Bible?

• How Did The Bible Come Down To Us?

• What Books Belong in the Bible?

• Does Historical & Archaeological Evidence Support The Trustworthiness of the Scriptures?

• Does Bible Prophecy Support the Divine Origin of Scripture?

• Has the Text of the Bible Been Corrupted?

• To What Extent Is The Bible Inspired?

• Can We Understand the Bible Alike?

• How Do You Explain The Alleged Contradictions In The Bible?


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“What is incredible about the Bible is not its divine authorship; it's that such a

concoction of contradictory nonsense could be believed by anyone to have been written by an omniscient god. To do so, one would first have to not read the book, which is the practice of most Christians; or, if one does

read it, dump in the trash can one's rational intelligence -- to become a fool for god, in

other words.” http://www.atheists.org/christianity/contradictions.h

tml


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What is a What is a contradictioncontradiction? ?


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con·tra·dic·tioncon·tra·dic·tion - Function: - Function: nounnoun

11 :: act or an instance of act or an instance of contradicting contradicting aa :: a proposition, a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and or implies both the truth and falsity of something falsity of something bb :: a a statement or phrase whose parts statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other <a round contradict each other <a round square is a square is a contradictioncontradiction in in terms>terms>

3 a3 a :: logical incongruity logical incongruity bb :: a a situation in which inherent factors, situation in which inherent factors, actions, or propositions are actions, or propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one inconsistent or contrary to one another another


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God is a being that God is a being that contradicts Himself contradicts Himself – –

Or - the Bible is Or - the Bible is NOT the inspired NOT the inspired word of God – 2 word of God – 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:19-21Peter 1:19-21


Does it Does it matter if the matter if the Bible Bible contradicts contradicts itself?itself?


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Text verses Text –Text verses Text –

Text verses Science –Text verses Science –

Text Verses Logic –Text Verses Logic –

Text Verses Copyist Text Verses Copyist ErrorsErrors


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On The Sabbath Day On The Sabbath Day – –

On The Permanency On The Permanency Of The Earth – Of The Earth –

On Seeing God –On Seeing God –

On Human Sacrifice -On Human Sacrifice -

On The Power Of God On The Power Of God

On Dealing With On Dealing With Personal Injury – Personal Injury –

On Circumcision -On Circumcision -

On IncestOn Incest

On Trusting GodOn Trusting God

On The Holy Life-On The Holy Life-StyleStyle

On Punishing CrimeOn Punishing Crime

On TemptationOn Temptation

On Family On Family RelationshipsRelationships

On Resurrection Of On Resurrection Of The DeadThe Dead

On The End Of The On The End Of The WorldWorld

http://www.atheists.org/christianity/contradictions.html


1111

He was justified by faith.

He was justified by works.

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath

whereof to glory.

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son

upon the altar?

httpSAB Contradictions://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html

Was Abraham justified by faith or works?

http://www.lookinguntojesus.net/answering.htmhttp://www.lookinguntojesus.net/answering.htm

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html





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How long was the ark of the covenant at Abinadab's house?

1 Sam.7:1-2 says that the ark of the covenant was brought to Abinadab's house and that it stayed there for 20 years. This was before Saul was made king (1

Sam.10:24).

But according to 2 Sam.6:2-3, David removed the ark from Abinadab's house. And Acts 13:21 says that Saul

(David's predecessor) was king for 40 years. So the ark must have been at Abinadab's house for more

than 40 years.






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Should you answer a fool according to his folly?

Yes. No.

Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool

according to his folly.

Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his

folly.


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How many sons did Abraham have? Abraham had only Abraham had only

one son.one son. Hebrews 11:17 Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham when By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered up he was tried, offered up

Isaac, ... his only Isaac, ... his only begotten son. begotten son. Genesis 22:2 Genesis 22:2

Take now thy son, thine Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, ... and only son Isaac, ... and offer him there for a offer him there for a

burnt offering. burnt offering.

Abraham had more than Abraham had more than one son.one son.

Genesis 16:15 Genesis 16:15 And Hagar bare Abraham a And Hagar bare Abraham a son: and Abram called his son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar son's name, which Hagar

bare, Ishmael. bare, Ishmael. Genesis 21:2-3 Genesis 21:2-3

For Sarah conceived, and bare For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son is his old Abraham a son is his old

age .... And Abraham called age .... And Abraham called him Isaac. him Isaac.


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400 years 430 years

Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in

a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them, and they shall afflict them four

hundred years.

Exodus 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was

four hundred and thirty years. Galatians 3:17

The law, which was four hundred and thirty years after.



How Long Was Israel In Egypt?


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How Long Was Israel In Egypt? ““430 years from the promise to the Law (Genesis 15; 430 years from the promise to the Law (Genesis 15;

Gal. 3:16-17)Gal. 3:16-17) The genealogical records of 1 Chro 6:1; 23:6-13, and Ex The genealogical records of 1 Chro 6:1; 23:6-13, and Ex

6:16-20 allows a 6:16-20 allows a maximummaximum of 352 of 352 (unless generations (unless generations are absent from the records)are absent from the records)

The Israelites returned to Palestine during the“fourth The Israelites returned to Palestine during the“fourth generation”— (Gen 15:16; cf. Ex 6:16-20, Num 3:17-19, generation”— (Gen 15:16; cf. Ex 6:16-20, Num 3:17-19, 26:57-59, 1 Chro 6:1-3; 23:6,12-13) (Jacob-Levi-Kohath-26:57-59, 1 Chro 6:1-3; 23:6,12-13) (Jacob-Levi-Kohath-Amram-Moses).Amram-Moses).

Archaeological research suggests that the Israelites Archaeological research suggests that the Israelites was in Egypt for 215 years. 1662 B.C. - 1447 B.C. —a was in Egypt for 215 years. 1662 B.C. - 1447 B.C. —a span of 215 years (David Rohl, 1995, pp. 329-332).span of 215 years (David Rohl, 1995, pp. 329-332).

In In Antiquities of the JewsAntiquities of the Jews, Josephus - the Israelites “left , Josephus - the Israelites “left Egypt in the month of Xanthicus, on the fifteenth day of Egypt in the month of Xanthicus, on the fifteenth day of the lunar month; four hundred and thirty years after our the lunar month; four hundred and thirty years after our forefather Abraham came into Canaan, but forefather Abraham came into Canaan, but two two hundred and fifteen years only after Jacob hundred and fifteen years only after Jacob removed into Egyptremoved into Egypt” (II. 15.2). ” (II. 15.2).


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7575 – Abraham’s age when promise – Abraham’s age when promise given (Gen 12:3-4)given (Gen 12:3-4)

2525 - years later Isaac was born – - years later Isaac was born – (21:5)(21:5)

6060 - years later Jacob was born – - years later Jacob was born – (25:26)(25:26)

130130 - years later – Jacob went into - years later – Jacob went into Egypt – (47:9)Egypt – (47:9)

215215 - years the people of Israel were - years the people of Israel were in Egypt – (Gal. 3:17)in Egypt – (Gal. 3:17)

430430 years - years -

+++

+

=

How Long Was Israel In Egypt?


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A bat is NOT a bird!! Lev. 11:13-19; Deut. 14:11-18

Rabbits do not chew the cud – Lev. 11:6

There is an error in the dimensions of the sea of cast bronze – the circumference should be 31.416 cubits, (10xPi). – 1 Kings 7:23


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The Bible is not a science book, yet it is scientifically accurate. We are not aware

of any scientific

evidence that contradicts the Bible.

PaleontologyPaleontologyAstronomyAstronomyMeteorologyMeteorologyBiologyBiologyAnthropologyAnthropologyHydrologyHydrologyGeologyGeologyPhysicsPhysics


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Abraham is told to offer his Abraham is told to offer his son as a burnt offering – Gen son as a burnt offering – Gen 22:2 – Isn’t this contradictory 22:2 – Isn’t this contradictory to the stated nature of God? to the stated nature of God? (cf. Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; Deut. (cf. Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; Deut. 12:31; 18:10; James 12:31; 18:10; James 1:13).1:13).

Jephthah’s offering his Jephthah’s offering his daughter as a human daughter as a human sacrifice – Judges 11:34-sacrifice – Judges 11:34-40.40.

The sacrifice of Christ & The sacrifice of Christ & resurrection - (1 Cor. 1:18-resurrection - (1 Cor. 1:18-25; 3:19)25; 3:19)


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The father of Salah – The father of Salah – Gen. 10:24; 11:12; Gen. 10:24; 11:12; Luke 3:35,36 Luke 3:35,36 [#288 [#288 Skeptics Annotated Skeptics Annotated Bible]Bible]

Perhaps Perhaps someone someone followed the followed the Sept. when Sept. when copying copying Luke’s Luke’s account account thinking that thinking that the copyist the copyist before him before him left it out.left it out.

Perhaps Cainan Perhaps Cainan was lost and was lost and the Sept. & the Sept. & Luke are Luke are correct.correct.

Arphaxad - Masoretic Text, Vulgate, and

Targum; Cainan, - Septuagint

reads Arphaxad begot Cainan, and Cainan

begot Salah 1 Tim. 1:4; Titus 3:91 Tim. 1:4; Titus 3:9


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How many men did How many men did the chief of David's the chief of David's captains kill? Was it captains kill? Was it 800 (2 Samuel 23:8) 800 (2 Samuel 23:8) or 300 (1 Chronicles or 300 (1 Chronicles 11:11)? 11:11)? [#1 Skeptics [#1 Skeptics Annotated Bible]Annotated Bible]

The difference The difference may be due to may be due to a scribal error a scribal error in copying in copying Chronicles for Chronicles for the Hebrew the Hebrew numerical numerical symbols 300 symbols 300 and 800 look and 800 look much alike. much alike. [BKC][BKC]

2 Sam. 23:82 Sam. 23:8800800 - Following

Masoretic Text and Targum;

300300 - Septuagint and Vulgate.


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Who prophesied Who prophesied about the potter's about the potter's field? field? Matthew Matthew 27:9-1027:9-10 mentions mentions Jeremiah as the Jeremiah as the prophet, however, prophet, however, no such prophecy is no such prophecy is found in Jeremiah. found in Jeremiah. The prophecy is The prophecy is found in found in Zechariah Zechariah 11:12-13.11:12-13.

Jeremiah was the Jeremiah was the first of the first of the prophets in the prophets in the “Book of the “Book of the Prophets,”Prophets,”

A transcribers' A transcribers' error? “this error? “this might be done might be done by the change of by the change of only a single only a single letter.” letter.”

Jeremiah = IriouJeremiah = IriouZechariah = Zechariah =

Zriou.Zriou.


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Text verses Text –Text verses Text –

Text verses Science –Text verses Science –

Text Verses Logic –Text Verses Logic –

Text Verses Copyist Text Verses Copyist ErrorsErrors


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• Why Should We Believe The Bible?

• How Did The Bible Come Down To Us?

• What Books Belong in the Bible?

• Does Historical & Archaeological Evidence Support The Trustworthiness of the Scriptures?

• Does Bible Prophecy Support the Divine Origin of Scripture?

• Has the Text of the Bible Been Corrupted?

• To What Extent Is The Bible Inspired?

• Can We Understand the Bible Alike?

• How Do You Explain The Alleged Contradictions In The Bible?


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Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's doorAnd heard the anvil ring the vesper chime:

Then looking in, I saw upon the floorOld hammers, worn with beating years of

time."How many anvils have you had," said I,

"To wear and batter all these hammers so?""Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling

eye,"The anvil wears the hammers out, you

know."And so, thought I, the anvil of God's word,For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed . . . the hammer's gone.

Author unknown


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can we trust the bible? is it accurate?

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