defending the faith master
TRANSCRIPT
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
What are we doing Introductory Apologetics
Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of a position NOT an apology Someone who engages in apologetics is called an apologist comes from the Greek word apologia (Ἀπολογία) meaning the defense of a
position against an attack ndash httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
The origin of the concept of apologetics lies in the beginnings of Christianity Between the second and fourth century a number of Christian teachers wrote defenses of Christianity against pagan critics httpwwwcalvarychapelcomredbarntermshtm
Access to Tools Ideas and Concepts
Why are we doing this
Our faith is being challenged more amp more by contemporary culture Da Vinci Code amp ldquoNew Gospelsrdquo Evolution amp Naturalism Competing Religions amp Cults Relativism and Post-Modernism
1 Peter 315 - but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you
What is in it for you (1) A more confident Christian walk by knowing that it is rationally
justifiable ndash we need not check our brains out at the door when we come to church
(2) Increased confidence in our ability to share the Gospel in a secular world ndash secular society has marginalized the person of faith
(3) A new way to witness ndash challenge the unsaved to rethink the Christian stereotype
(4) Obedience to Godrsquos Word we are called to be disciplinedhelliprdquoBuy the truth and do not sell it get wisdom discipline and understandingrdquo (proverbs 2323)
(5) Have you encountered a situation where your faith was tried or challenged by an acquaintance friend or family member or by worldly wisdom
httpwwwapologeticsnetApologetics_101htm
Methods
Evidentialism Christian apologetics is a form of pre-evangelism intellectual preparation that precedes the actual gospel presentation the Christian witness to the non-christian inquirer should initially set aside the
existence of God the claims of Christ and the authority of the Bible
Presuppositionalism one should not try to isolate the apologetic task from the evangelical witness
and the theological context One should not set aside the authoritative claims of God Christ and Scripture
in a quest for common ground with the skeptic Nor should one grant the hypothetical possibility of a world independent of
God that can successfully function and be successfully understood in terms of the axioms of logic and science
httpcapoorgcpcapolo00htm
Characteristics of the Challenger
In spite of general revelation the pagan world does not know the true and the living God because of the distorting nature of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 121)
Fallen mans intellectual sin bias is so basic and so complete that even when he is exposed to Gods truth in plain language through the special revelation of Scripture he still does not know Gods truth in any spiritually significant sense (1 Corinthians 214)
He knows but he does not know (Isaiah 69) The god of this age has blinded his mind (2 Corinthians 44)
He is like an illiterate man with an open book in his hands (Isaiah 2912) He sees Gods truth spelled out before him but he cannot grasp its meaning for to rationally comprehend Gods truth is to be persuaded by it and to submit to it in faith
To know the formal content of Gods special revelation and not to believe is to see without perceiving (cf Acts 2824-28)
httpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=deathhttpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=death
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
What are we doing Introductory Apologetics
Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the systematic defense of a position NOT an apology Someone who engages in apologetics is called an apologist comes from the Greek word apologia (Ἀπολογία) meaning the defense of a
position against an attack ndash httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
The origin of the concept of apologetics lies in the beginnings of Christianity Between the second and fourth century a number of Christian teachers wrote defenses of Christianity against pagan critics httpwwwcalvarychapelcomredbarntermshtm
Access to Tools Ideas and Concepts
Why are we doing this
Our faith is being challenged more amp more by contemporary culture Da Vinci Code amp ldquoNew Gospelsrdquo Evolution amp Naturalism Competing Religions amp Cults Relativism and Post-Modernism
1 Peter 315 - but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you
What is in it for you (1) A more confident Christian walk by knowing that it is rationally
justifiable ndash we need not check our brains out at the door when we come to church
(2) Increased confidence in our ability to share the Gospel in a secular world ndash secular society has marginalized the person of faith
(3) A new way to witness ndash challenge the unsaved to rethink the Christian stereotype
(4) Obedience to Godrsquos Word we are called to be disciplinedhelliprdquoBuy the truth and do not sell it get wisdom discipline and understandingrdquo (proverbs 2323)
(5) Have you encountered a situation where your faith was tried or challenged by an acquaintance friend or family member or by worldly wisdom
httpwwwapologeticsnetApologetics_101htm
Methods
Evidentialism Christian apologetics is a form of pre-evangelism intellectual preparation that precedes the actual gospel presentation the Christian witness to the non-christian inquirer should initially set aside the
existence of God the claims of Christ and the authority of the Bible
Presuppositionalism one should not try to isolate the apologetic task from the evangelical witness
and the theological context One should not set aside the authoritative claims of God Christ and Scripture
in a quest for common ground with the skeptic Nor should one grant the hypothetical possibility of a world independent of
God that can successfully function and be successfully understood in terms of the axioms of logic and science
httpcapoorgcpcapolo00htm
Characteristics of the Challenger
In spite of general revelation the pagan world does not know the true and the living God because of the distorting nature of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 121)
Fallen mans intellectual sin bias is so basic and so complete that even when he is exposed to Gods truth in plain language through the special revelation of Scripture he still does not know Gods truth in any spiritually significant sense (1 Corinthians 214)
He knows but he does not know (Isaiah 69) The god of this age has blinded his mind (2 Corinthians 44)
He is like an illiterate man with an open book in his hands (Isaiah 2912) He sees Gods truth spelled out before him but he cannot grasp its meaning for to rationally comprehend Gods truth is to be persuaded by it and to submit to it in faith
To know the formal content of Gods special revelation and not to believe is to see without perceiving (cf Acts 2824-28)
httpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=deathhttpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=death
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Why are we doing this
Our faith is being challenged more amp more by contemporary culture Da Vinci Code amp ldquoNew Gospelsrdquo Evolution amp Naturalism Competing Religions amp Cults Relativism and Post-Modernism
1 Peter 315 - but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you
What is in it for you (1) A more confident Christian walk by knowing that it is rationally
justifiable ndash we need not check our brains out at the door when we come to church
(2) Increased confidence in our ability to share the Gospel in a secular world ndash secular society has marginalized the person of faith
(3) A new way to witness ndash challenge the unsaved to rethink the Christian stereotype
(4) Obedience to Godrsquos Word we are called to be disciplinedhelliprdquoBuy the truth and do not sell it get wisdom discipline and understandingrdquo (proverbs 2323)
(5) Have you encountered a situation where your faith was tried or challenged by an acquaintance friend or family member or by worldly wisdom
httpwwwapologeticsnetApologetics_101htm
Methods
Evidentialism Christian apologetics is a form of pre-evangelism intellectual preparation that precedes the actual gospel presentation the Christian witness to the non-christian inquirer should initially set aside the
existence of God the claims of Christ and the authority of the Bible
Presuppositionalism one should not try to isolate the apologetic task from the evangelical witness
and the theological context One should not set aside the authoritative claims of God Christ and Scripture
in a quest for common ground with the skeptic Nor should one grant the hypothetical possibility of a world independent of
God that can successfully function and be successfully understood in terms of the axioms of logic and science
httpcapoorgcpcapolo00htm
Characteristics of the Challenger
In spite of general revelation the pagan world does not know the true and the living God because of the distorting nature of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 121)
Fallen mans intellectual sin bias is so basic and so complete that even when he is exposed to Gods truth in plain language through the special revelation of Scripture he still does not know Gods truth in any spiritually significant sense (1 Corinthians 214)
He knows but he does not know (Isaiah 69) The god of this age has blinded his mind (2 Corinthians 44)
He is like an illiterate man with an open book in his hands (Isaiah 2912) He sees Gods truth spelled out before him but he cannot grasp its meaning for to rationally comprehend Gods truth is to be persuaded by it and to submit to it in faith
To know the formal content of Gods special revelation and not to believe is to see without perceiving (cf Acts 2824-28)
httpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=deathhttpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=death
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
What is in it for you (1) A more confident Christian walk by knowing that it is rationally
justifiable ndash we need not check our brains out at the door when we come to church
(2) Increased confidence in our ability to share the Gospel in a secular world ndash secular society has marginalized the person of faith
(3) A new way to witness ndash challenge the unsaved to rethink the Christian stereotype
(4) Obedience to Godrsquos Word we are called to be disciplinedhelliprdquoBuy the truth and do not sell it get wisdom discipline and understandingrdquo (proverbs 2323)
(5) Have you encountered a situation where your faith was tried or challenged by an acquaintance friend or family member or by worldly wisdom
httpwwwapologeticsnetApologetics_101htm
Methods
Evidentialism Christian apologetics is a form of pre-evangelism intellectual preparation that precedes the actual gospel presentation the Christian witness to the non-christian inquirer should initially set aside the
existence of God the claims of Christ and the authority of the Bible
Presuppositionalism one should not try to isolate the apologetic task from the evangelical witness
and the theological context One should not set aside the authoritative claims of God Christ and Scripture
in a quest for common ground with the skeptic Nor should one grant the hypothetical possibility of a world independent of
God that can successfully function and be successfully understood in terms of the axioms of logic and science
httpcapoorgcpcapolo00htm
Characteristics of the Challenger
In spite of general revelation the pagan world does not know the true and the living God because of the distorting nature of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 121)
Fallen mans intellectual sin bias is so basic and so complete that even when he is exposed to Gods truth in plain language through the special revelation of Scripture he still does not know Gods truth in any spiritually significant sense (1 Corinthians 214)
He knows but he does not know (Isaiah 69) The god of this age has blinded his mind (2 Corinthians 44)
He is like an illiterate man with an open book in his hands (Isaiah 2912) He sees Gods truth spelled out before him but he cannot grasp its meaning for to rationally comprehend Gods truth is to be persuaded by it and to submit to it in faith
To know the formal content of Gods special revelation and not to believe is to see without perceiving (cf Acts 2824-28)
httpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=deathhttpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=death
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Methods
Evidentialism Christian apologetics is a form of pre-evangelism intellectual preparation that precedes the actual gospel presentation the Christian witness to the non-christian inquirer should initially set aside the
existence of God the claims of Christ and the authority of the Bible
Presuppositionalism one should not try to isolate the apologetic task from the evangelical witness
and the theological context One should not set aside the authoritative claims of God Christ and Scripture
in a quest for common ground with the skeptic Nor should one grant the hypothetical possibility of a world independent of
God that can successfully function and be successfully understood in terms of the axioms of logic and science
httpcapoorgcpcapolo00htm
Characteristics of the Challenger
In spite of general revelation the pagan world does not know the true and the living God because of the distorting nature of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 121)
Fallen mans intellectual sin bias is so basic and so complete that even when he is exposed to Gods truth in plain language through the special revelation of Scripture he still does not know Gods truth in any spiritually significant sense (1 Corinthians 214)
He knows but he does not know (Isaiah 69) The god of this age has blinded his mind (2 Corinthians 44)
He is like an illiterate man with an open book in his hands (Isaiah 2912) He sees Gods truth spelled out before him but he cannot grasp its meaning for to rationally comprehend Gods truth is to be persuaded by it and to submit to it in faith
To know the formal content of Gods special revelation and not to believe is to see without perceiving (cf Acts 2824-28)
httpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=deathhttpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=death
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Characteristics of the Challenger
In spite of general revelation the pagan world does not know the true and the living God because of the distorting nature of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 121)
Fallen mans intellectual sin bias is so basic and so complete that even when he is exposed to Gods truth in plain language through the special revelation of Scripture he still does not know Gods truth in any spiritually significant sense (1 Corinthians 214)
He knows but he does not know (Isaiah 69) The god of this age has blinded his mind (2 Corinthians 44)
He is like an illiterate man with an open book in his hands (Isaiah 2912) He sees Gods truth spelled out before him but he cannot grasp its meaning for to rationally comprehend Gods truth is to be persuaded by it and to submit to it in faith
To know the formal content of Gods special revelation and not to believe is to see without perceiving (cf Acts 2824-28)
httpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=deathhttpmeaningoflifetvvideophpspeaker=albaceteamptopic=death
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
How should we defend
First Christian truth is best defended when it is held both firmly and humbly
Second our knowledge of biblical truth should grow over a lifetime
Third Jesus said that the meek not the belligerent will inherit the earth
Fourth no matter how adept our advocacy of the faith we must glory in the Lord and not in our apologetic prowess
Fifth whatever our skill at defending the faith any humble presentation of Christian truth is a powerful tool in Gods hands
httpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htmhttpwwwequiporgfreeDA152htm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Where should we start
Theology History Philosophy Religion Doctrine Science
httpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503biblehttpwwwstrorgsiteNews2page=NewsArticleampid=53503bible
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Truth About The Da Vinci Code
Responding to the book amp moviersquos claimsResponding to the book amp moviersquos claims
Why not with a HOT topic
A great introduction into apologetics
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Questions From the Book
Is Jesus God Is the Bible true Was Jesus married Lost Books of the Bible - Are They Real What is the Sacred Feminine What about the Holy Grail
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is Jesus God
ldquoMy dearrdquo Teabing declared until that moment in history Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man but a man nevertheless A mortal
Not the Son of God
Right Teabing said Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea
The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is Jesus God
Consider This Jesus was viewed as divine from the very beginning of Christianity He is referred to as God at least seven times in the New Testament and Lord as a divine title many other times
Consider This The earliest documents from the Christian church ascribe to Jesus divine status
Consider This The entire flow of the Old Testament requires that God come into the world as Immanuel (God-with-us eg Isaiah 714)
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is Jesus God
Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 233
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is Jesus God
Consider This Even non-Christian writings from Romans such as Celsus Pliny and Lucian state that the Christians venerated Jesus as God
Consider This Jesus original followers were routinely martyred for their belief that Jesus was God - a belief they would not recant even unto death
Consider This It is always possible to find someone holding such a view but to claim there are many is simply untrue
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
The Bible is a product of man my dear not of God
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
Consider This The Bible is the most reliable book of antiquity - with more manuscript evidence and less significant variations deviation than any other by a long shot
Consider This The Bible demonstrates its inspired origin in many ways including its lofty doctrine its historical precision its predictive prophecy and the way that it was acclaimed by Old and New Testament figures especially Jesus and the apostles
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
[The Bible] has evolved through countless translations additions and revisions History has never had a definitive version of the book
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
Consider This The New Testament has more manuscript evidence for its preservation as the original authors wrote than any other book in antiquity
Consider This The nearly complete consistency between the many versions is recognized as an astonishing testimony to its single origin
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
The Bible as we know it today was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 231
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
Consider This The earliest testimony we have today of a list which corresponds exactly to our New Testament is from Athanasius of Alexandria in 367 However the concept of a New Testament and much of its content are attested as early as I Clement (95 AD) and is essentially the same as ours by the mid second century which is 175 years before the Constantinersquos rule (306-337)
Consider This Tradition strongly suggests Constantine became a Christian in 312 He did a lot for the church including forbidding persecutions and calling councils but it would not have occurred to him to collate the Bible
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
Fortunately for historians some of the gospels Constantine tried to eradicate somehow survived (in the Dead Sea Scrolls)
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p 234
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible True
Consider This There are two main types of documents contained in the scrolls Biblical books (all except Esther) and a large collection of documents some complete some in fragments of stuff written by the Essenes However there is no Christian literature in the Dead Sea scrolls at all
Consider This Not only was no attempt made to suppress these books but they cast considerable light on the New Testament background
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
ldquoJesus was the original feminist He intended for the future of the church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalenerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
Consider this If Jesus had married Mary Magdalene we would expect to see some type of her veneration in the history of the early church ndash like we see for Mary Jesusrsquo mother However there exists no reference or tradition anywhere to worship or veneration of Mary Magdalene
Consider this The Son of God came to earth not to start a family but to save the Church which is his true bride (Ephesians 522-33)
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
ldquoIf Jesus were not married at least one of the Bibles gospels would have mentioned it and offered some explanation for His unnatural state of bachelorhoodrdquo
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p245
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
Consider this Whenever Jesus family is referred to it is his brothers and sisters who are mentioned but never a wife Contrast this to descriptions of the rest of the apostles Peter Paul and the brothers of the Lord all of whom are said to have had wives
Consider this At the crucifixion Jesus shows no special concern for the care of Mary Magdalene as he does his mother
Consider this This claim commits the fallacy of Hasty Generalization ndash just because the majority of Jews would be married it doesnrsquot follow that EVERY Jew would be
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
When Grail legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ hellip it speaks in fact of Mary Magdalene - the female womb that carried Jesus royal bloodline
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p249
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
Consider this There exists no mention of a wife in any scripture of Jesus in his ministry when he was tried and crucified or after his death
Consider this The legend of the Grail is indeed about the lost cup from the Last Supper But biblical language about a mothersrsquo womb is always a reference to gestation and protection never about bloodlines Indeed shed blood was always about the opposite of birth that is death
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
Companion of savior is Mary Magdalene Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on the mouth The disciples were offended at this
Gospel of Philip The Da Vinci Code p 246
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Was Jesus Married
Consider this This passage comes from the Gnostic gospel of Philip and was written very late It was written in Coptic not Aramaic or Hebrew and there IS no word in Aramaic where companion means spouse
Consider this The actual manuscript is broken at this passage so we dont know where it claims Jesus kissed Mary
Consider this The Gospel of Philip is a Gnostic document and Gnostics held that the physical expression of sex is not sacred or spiritual - it actually defiles the soul who believes by holding to the corrupt physical
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament and yet only a relatively few were chosen
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p231
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this Other than the four recognized gospels there are only eleven ancient documents still in existence today that are called gospel
Consider this In all of antiquity there are only twenty eight other sources no longer in existence that are cited or mentioned in Jewish or Gnostic writings as gospels
Consider this Most of the Gnostic works are rejected because they are too late to be written by the purported authors they rely heavily on the stories in the existing gospels and they contradict the beliefs taught in the orthodox gospels
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
The Nag Hammadi and the Dead Sea Scrolls [are] the earliest Christian records
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p245
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All of the Biblical gospels date from the last half of the first century where the two texts the Da Vinci Code relies on most the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene are from the third to fifth century
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlikerdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this All four canonical gospels exist in lists of church scripture as early as Papias (c 115 AD) and Justin Martyr (d 165) and no other gospels ever appear in any list as authoritative
Consider this Constantine did not summon the council of Nicaea until AD 325 - far too late for this claim to be taken seriously
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
ldquoThose who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first hereticsrdquo
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p234
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lost Books of the Bible
Consider this The Gnostic gospels reflect a line of thinking that didnt arise until the second century and it was criticized by the early church fathers Irenaeus Hippolytus and Tertullian
Consider this Irenaeus makes it clear that the so-called gospels of the Gnostics are heretical precisely because they were secret documents The Apostolic writings commend themselves because they are public and verifiable
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
Powerful men in the early church lsquoconnedrsquo the world by propagating lies that devalued the female and tipped the scales in favor of the masculine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The Advent of Christianity radically transformed the fate of women Even ancient Roman pagan scholars agree that it was a turning point for the freedom and dignity of women
Consider this According to sociology scholar Steven Goldberg ldquoThe findings of the past 50 years [have] failed to include a single shred of evidence that such matriarchies had ever existedhellip All the claims of societies ruled by women are nonsense We have no reason to believe they ever existedrdquo
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
Constantine and his male successors successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p124
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine Consider this
bull ldquoChristian Gnosticismrdquo emerged in the seventh century and it has gained a growing popularity over the centuries It is currently known as Sophian Gnosticism and has found followers among many of the churches of our day
bull The Gnostics held several views that were opposed to biblical Christianity They believed there was a ldquosacred relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalenerdquo
bull They also accepted the idea that Goddess worship was central to understanding manrsquos spiritual destiny and that the lsquosacred femininersquo (or the lsquodivine goddessrsquo as Brown puts it) is the foundation stone that Christianity is built on even though it has been obscured This knowledge is gained by attaining wisdom through the teachings of Sophia ndash the Goddess of Wisdom ndash and her counterparts within the church
httpwwwchristianinformationorgarticleaspartID=105
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this Christian women were powerful witnesses to Jesus message often despite the sinfulness of a male-dominated culture
Examples throughout many centuries include Perpetua Monica Clare Teresa of Avila Julian of Norwich Catherine of Sienna Katherina von Bora Susanna Wesley Catherine Booth Mother Teresa Anne Graham Lotz
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
According to these unaltered gospels it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church It was Mary Magdalene
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p248
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
Consider This The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas to which the book refers records Jesus as wanting to transform Mary Magdalene into a man to make her acceptable to enter heaven
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
The Priory [of Sions] membership has included some of historys most cultured individuals men like Botticelli Sir Isaac Newton victor Hugo and Leonardo Da Vinci The Priory has a well documented history of reverence for the sacred feminine
Robert Langdon The Da Vinci Code p113
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Sacred Feminine
Consider this The modern Priory of Sion was created in 1954 by Pierre Plantard All documents ldquoprovingrdquo a blood line and a list of historical Priory members were proven to be forged in a French court of law
Consider this Much of the supposed research done for The Da Vinci Code is embarrassingly incorrect
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Holy Grail
Mary Magdalene became secretly known by many pseudonyms - the Chalice the Holy Grail
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p254
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Holy Grail
Consider This Before the twelfth century there were no legends about the grail by the thirteenth century the tale had become intertwined with Arthurian legends The characters from Chretiens story developed into supposed historical figures from the Gospels and the grail had become the Holy Grail
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Holy Grail
The word Sangreal derives from San Greal - or Holy Grail But in the most ancient form the word Sangreal was divided in a different spot Sang Real literally mean[ing] Royal Blood
Sir Leigh Teabing The Da Vinci Code p250
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Holy Grail
Consider This There is no historical evidence to connect the ancient female symbol of the chalice to the Holy Grail since the grails concept can only be traced back as far as the twelfth century
Consider This The re-division of the word Sangreal into Sang Real or Royal Blood appears to be completely manufactured
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Find out the Truth
For more information articles and news about responding to The Da Vinci Code
log onto wwwthetruthaboutdavincicom
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Next hellip
2 Timothy 316 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work
bull That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) That is a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible
We thank God constantly for this that when you received the word of God which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of any human being but as what it really is the word of God which is at work in you believersrsquo (1 Thess ii 13)
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
I Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Scripture
Bible the sacred writings of the Christian religions he went to carry the Word to the heathen
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group wordnetprincetoneduperlwebwn
Canon This is another word for scripture The Canon consists of the 39 books of the Old
Testament and the 27 books of the New The Canon is closed which means there is no more revelation to become Scripturewwwcarmorgdictionarydic_c-dhtm
The Bible The Bible (from Greek (τα) βιβλια (ta) biblia (the) books plural of βιβλιον biblion
book originally a diminutive of βιβλος biblos which in turn is derived from βυβλοςmdashbyblos meaning papyrus from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material) is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible enwikipediaorgwikiBible
Basically ndash in context for a Christian ndash these all mean the same thing
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Bible Basics When was the Bible written
Between 1450 BC and 90 ADThere are two parts to the Bible The Old Testament (HebrewTanach) and New Testament
The Old Testament was written between 1450 BC and 425 BC The New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD
What language was the Bible written in The Bible is written in 3 languages The Old Tesament is written in two languages Hebrew and Aramaic
ndash The parts written in Aramaic are Daniel 24-728 Ezra 448-618 711-26 Jeremiah 1011 Genesis 3147 (2 words)
The New Testament is written in Koine Greek
Who wrote the Bible The Bible was written over a period of 1500 hundred years By more then 40 differnet
authors from every walk of life On three differnent continents The Old Testament was written by 29 differnet authors over a 1000 year period including
kings prime ministers priests and shepards The New Testament was written by 10 to 11 different authors over 45 year period of time
including a rabbi tax collector fisherman physician and others
httpwwwtruthnetorgChristianityApologeticsIsthebiblefromGod7
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
How did we get the Bible Inspiration ndash the means
Canonization ndash the process Homologoumenaldquo ndash virtually all early church leaders agreed canon Antilegomenaldquo ndash agree canon some dispute exists Apocryphaldquo ndash most agree not canon Pseudepigraphardquo ndash virtually all agree not canon
Criteria for Canonicity justify the books that have been included in the Old and New Testament which are judged to have satisfied the following Apostolic Origin mdash attributed to and based on the preachingteaching of the first-
generation apostles (or their close companions) Universal Acceptance mdash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the ancient
world (by the end of the fourth century) Liturgical Use mdash read publicly when early Christian communities gathered for the Lords
Supper (their ly worship services) Consistent Message mdash containing a theological outlook similar or complementary to other
accepted Christian writings
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Old Testament The Jewish use of versions In the synagogue the Hebrew scripture itself was read from a scroll
followed by a translation into Aramaic or Greek given by the Methurgeman (translator) The translation was never read from a scroll because the Jews were determined not to give any version such an illusion of authority the translation had to be memorized or done extemporaneously In the beginning the translations were not even written down When they were eventually written down they were not made widely available and were not authorized in any sense by the Rabbis
The Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint About two hundred years before the birth of Christ a Greek translation of the Pentateuch was committed to writing in Alexandria where many Jews only knew Greek This version was later called the Septuagint because legend has it that the translation was done by seventy (Latin septuaginta) men Gradually the other books of the Old Testament were also put in Greek The Septuagint gives a fairly accurate translation of the Pentateuch which was read most closely by the Jews but for the prophetical books like Isaiah and Jeremiah the translation is often quite loose and even erroneous and in need of correction
Apostolic use of the Septuagint The quotations of the Old Testament in the New show that the apostles often used the Septuagint because it was generally known to those in the Church and usually adequate for their purposes Some people in looking at these quotations have been troubled by the fact that they are sometimes not very accurate translations of the Hebrew Did the apostles not know their business Of course they did They did not concern themselves with corrections when the translation served well enough for their purpose but when it did not they quietly offered their own translation of the Hebrew Then they usually offered a better translation The apostles did not see fit to produce a complete version of the Old Testament in Greek for the use of the churches
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The New Testament Documents
Christrsquos existence is established clearly by the primary documents of the New Testament (NT) more than 5000 Greek manuscripts in whole or part establish the
body of New Testament literature (Metzger 1968 p 36) All of the New Testament had been completed within sixty years or
so of Jesusrsquo death Of those twenty-seven books no less than ten were penned by
personal companions of the Lord Paul an eyewitness of the resurrected Savior wrote thirteen or
fourteen of the remainder
The New Testament contains irrefutable evidence of the existence of Jesus
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Canon ChallengesResolution Part of the problem in confirming authorship lay in the fact that--unlike the Old
Testament books that were received by a localized community of Jewish believers--the New Testament community of believers was dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Persecutions as well as transportation and communication obstacles impeded the circulation of writings across the far-flung communities of believers Some books that were considered canonical in the eastern part of the Roman empire were not well known in the western part of the empire and vice versa
Thus it took time to sort through the evidences in favor of authenticity The process culminated in the major councils of Hippo (393 AD) Carthage (397 AD) Carthage (419 AD)
All three councils agreed to the same set of books in setting the Old and New Testament canon
httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Fact Sheet The Apocrypha Roman Catholic Church differs from the Hebrew
canon and Protestant Old Testament canon (which are the same) by including eleventwelve of the fifteen available books in the Old Testament canon
Most written in the intertestamental period from about 400 BC to the opening of the NT canon (1 AD)
None of these books were ever seriously considered by the Jewish community as inspired
Indeed it was widely held by the Jewish community that the line of prophets had come to an end after Malachis time (approximately 400 BC)
bull httpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htmhttpwwwouedufacultyorganizationsouchrfasreed11htm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Fact Sheet ldquoLost Gospelsrdquo amp Gnosticism bull Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics Gnosos means ldquoTo Knowrdquo - Gnostics
believed that salvation was attained through believed that salvation was attained through attaining knowledge attaining knowledge
bull Pagan mythology and philosophies began to Pagan mythology and philosophies began to fall with the spread of Christianityfall with the spread of Christianity
bull Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship Temple-prostitutes would facilitate worship with AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoriawith AphroditeVenus Ishtar Astoria
bull The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira were warned about proto-Gnostism and were warned about proto-Gnostism and sexual immoralitysexual immorality
httpwwwdebunkingdavincicom
bull Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Gnostic ldquoGospelsrdquo were named after known Bible characters to justify Gnostic doctrineBible characters to justify Gnostic doctrine
bull Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and Gnostic works contradicted both the Old and New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT New Testament Scriptureshellipthe God of the OT was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent was viewed as an evil demon and the serpent as goodas good
bull Gnostic works were not connected to the Gnostic works were not connected to the Apostleshellipbut battled their teachingsApostleshellipbut battled their teachings
bull Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Gnostic works quoted from the Scriptureshellipthe Scriptures do not quotes from Gnostic worksScriptures do not quotes from Gnostic works
bull The Da Vinci Code FictionThe Da Vinci Code Fictionbull Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the Constantinehellipheld a gathering known as the
council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment council of Niceahellip(325 AD)hellipUntil that moment in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as in history Jesus was viewed by his followers as a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo a mortal prophethellipnot the Son of GodhellipJesusrsquo establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa establishment as the lsquoSon of Godrsquo washellipa relatively close vote (Page 233)relatively close vote (Page 233)
bull The FactsThe Factsbull Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a Fact The Council of Nicea (325 AD) was not a
close vote 300 bishops from throughout the close vote 300 bishops from throughout the Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that Empire arrived to discuss the Arius teaching that the Son was created and therefore not God the Son was created and therefore not God incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all incarnate the vote was 300 to 2hellipnot close at all Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the Arius did not believe the Son was mortal but the first of creationfirst of creation
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Is the Bible reliable
In his book Can I Trust My Bible R Laird Harris concluded We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament even back to 225 BC indeed it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity
To be skeptical of the 27 documents in the New Testament and to say they are unreliable is to allow all of classical antiquity to slip into obscurity for no documents of the ancient period are as well attested bibliographically as these in the New Testament
bull httpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtmlhttpwwwleaderucomorgsprobedocsbib-docuhtml
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Ancient writings and the NT
If the New Testament cannot be considered reliable then neither can any of the other writings listed
bull httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtmhttpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
What the Bible Is and Is Not
Is Nothellipndash A science book ndash although it has scientific reliabilityndash A world history book ndash although it has verifiable historical datandash A philosophy book ndash although it contains ldquotimeless truthrdquondash The answer to every question
Deuteronomy 2929 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law
1 Corinthians 1312 - For now we see in a mirror dimly but
then face to face Now I know in part then I shall know fully even as I have been fully known
Ishellipndash The only sufficient certain and infallible rule of all saving
knowledge faith and obediencehellipndash THE 1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Scripture the Canon and the development of the Bible Homework
Look httpwwwbiblegatewaycom amp httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicbiblehtml
Listen The Reliability of the Bible Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (MP3s) by Grant Osborne - A philosophical defense
Learn Hebrews 412
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
II Jesus Christ ndash Historicity
The Historic Christ Several lines of evidence converge to establish
the historical reality of the founder of the Christian religion the New Testament documents (covered under the Reliability of the
Bible)
ancient Jewish sources Roman writings and early antagonists of Christianity
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
httpwwwneverthirstyorgpphistlucianhtml
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Jewish Testimony
Flavius Josephus (AD 37-100) The earliest non-Christian testimony to the Lordrsquos existence is that of the
Jewish historian
In Antiquities of the Jews the historian twice referred to Jesus In one passage he called Jesus ldquothe Christrdquo referred to His ldquomarvelous deedsrdquo and alluded to His death and resurrection (1833)
The Jewish Babylonian Talmud Collected into a final form in the fifth century AD it is derived from earlier
materials some of which originated in the first century
Its testimony to Jesusrsquo existence is all the more valuable as it is extremely hostile
bull httpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtmhttpwwwchristiancouriercomarchiveshistoricityJesushtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Antagonists of Christianity
Celsus a pagan philosopher of the second century AD produced the oldest extant literary attack against Christianity His True Discourse (c AD 178) was a bitter assault upon Christ charged that Christrsquos own people killed Him The resurrection was a deception Celsus never questioned the historicity of Jesus
Lucian of Samosata (c AD 115-200) was called ldquothe Voltaire of Grecian literaturerdquo wrote against Christianity with patronizing contempt said Christians worshipped the well-known ldquosophistrdquo who was crucified in
Palestine because He introduced new mysteries He never denied the existence of Jesus
Porphyry of Tyre was born about AD 233 wrote fifteen books against the Christian faith In Life of Pythagoras he contended that magicians of the pagan world
exhibited greater powers than Christ His argument was an inadvertent concession of Jesusrsquo existence and
power
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
Whenever a professional archaeologist turns to a careful detailed study of the gospels only one thing dominates all his thinking This is Jesus Christ himself The personality of the Christ is unique and alone in all of human history The archaeologist realizes more than anyone else the difference between BC and AD
James L Kelso ndash Late 19th century archaeologist
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Video
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1095htm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
Only Jesus came out of a culture which was already monotheistic
ldquoJudaism after the exile represents a startling new development in the history of religion and that it is the Jewish monotheistic conception of God that makes this religion stand out from all othersrdquo Peter Hayman Edinburgh 21 August 1990 published as Monotheism - A Misused Word in Jewish Studies Journal of Jewish Studies 42 (1991)
Only Jesus claimed equality with the sole supreme deity According to EO James an authority on comparative religions Nowhere else had it ever been claimed that a historical founder of any religion was the one and only supreme deity
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
Excluding later legendary and apologetic accounts we find that early accounts attribute miracles only to Jesus
Only Jesus spoke on his own unquestioned authority Zoroaster and Muhammad acted as spokesmen for God while Buddha urged every man to consult his own conscience
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
His death by crucifixion is unique bull G Bernard Shaw once remarked rather cynically These refined
people worship Jesus and take comparatively no account of Socrates and Mahomet for no discoverable reason except that Jesus was horribly tortured and Socrates humanely drugged whilst Mahomet died un -sensationally in his bedldquo
bull Jesus death on the cross is unique not only in its manner but also in its redemptive meaning Neither Zoroaster Buddha Socrates nor Muhammad claimed his death would save men from their sins
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
Zoroaster - was killed by invading Turanians
Socratesbullwas brought to trial in 399 BC on charges of atheism and corrupting Athenian youth bullAt the appointed time Socrates calmly drank the poisonous hemlock
Buddha bullIn his eightieth year as he traveled near Benares Buddha became mortally ill after a meal of pork perhaps from dysentery
bullAfter his death Buddha was cremated and his ashes distributed among eight cities
MuhammadbullIn 632 Muhammad became ill with violent headaches and a fever
bullwas buried in the house of his wife Aisha who had nursed him during his last days The prophets tomb at Medina is after Mecca the site most venerated by Muslims
Fate of other ldquoFaith Foundersrdquo
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ Only Jesus predicted he would be resurrected after
his death and only his followers rest their faith on such an event
httpwwwirrorgyamauchihtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
Video 1
Video 2
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosdavincistrobelT1141htm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
1 He is the only unique Son of God (Psalm 2711-12 John 114 Luke 135)
2 He is eternalboth past and future (John 11-314 John 858) 3 Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have
forgiveness and be saved from them (Isaiah 53 Matthew 121 John 129 1 Peter 224 1 Corinthians 151-3)
4 Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 146 Acts 412 1 Timothy
25) there is no other 5 Jesus alone had power over His own death and the ability to take back
His life again (John 219 1017-18) Note His resurrection was not a ldquospiritualrdquo one but was physical (Luke 2439) His resurrection from the dead never to die again distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 14)
httpwwwgotquestionsorgJesus-uniquehtml
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
6 Jesus alone accepted worship as an equal with the Father (John 2028-29 Philippians 26) and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to honored as He is honored (John 523) All others whether Jesusrsquo disciples or angelic beings reject that worship (Acts 1025-26 Acts 1414-15 Matthew 410 Revelation 1910 229)
7 Jesus has the power to give life to whom He will (John 521) 8 The Father has committed all judgment to Jesus (John 522) 9 Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation and it is
by His hand that all things are held together (John 11-3 Ephesians 39 Hebrews 18-10 Colossians 117)
10 It is Jesus who will rule the world at the end of this present age
(Hebrews 18 Isaiah 96-7 Daniel 23544 Revelation 1911-16)
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Uniqueness of Christ
11 Jesus alone was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit with God being His Father (Isaiah 714 Matthew 120-23 Luke 130-35)
12 It is Jesus who demonstrated that He had the attributes of God [eg to
forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 91-7) to calm the wind and waves (Mark 437-41 Psalm 898-9) to know us being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139 John 146-50 223-25) to raise the dead (John 11 Luke 712-15 841-55) etc]
13 Jesus had a great number of prophecies concerning His birth life
resurrection person and purpose that have never been made of any other (Isaiah 714 Micah 52 Psalm 22 Zechariah 1112-13 137 Isaiah 96-7 Isaiah 53 Psalm 1610 etc)
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
IV ndash Liar Lunatic or Lord
The typical responses to the life and claims of Jesus Christ sound something like this
Jesus Christ was a great man
Jesus Christ was a wonderful moral model
Jesus Christ was an enlightened religious teacher
Jesus Christ was an esteemed prophet
httpwwwallaboutgodcomJesus-christhtm
Video Clip
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
The Trilemma
There is no halfway house and there is no parallel in other religions If you had gone to Buddha and said Are you the son of Bramah he would have said My son you are still in the veil of illusion
If you had gone to Socrates and asked Are you Zeus he would have laughed at you If you had gone to Mohammed and asked Are you Allah he would first have rent his
clothes and then cut your head off If you had asked Confucius Are you heaven I think he would probably have replied
Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question In my opinion the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man If you think you are a poached egg when you are not looking for a piece of toast to suit you you may be sane but if you think you are God there is no chance for you We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him He produced mainly three effects mdash Hatred mdash Terror mdash Adoration There was no trace of people expressing mild approval
CS Lewis
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Liar If Jesus were a liar then He was also a fool because His lies only got Him killed
If Jesus deliberately lied he is a hypocrite as well because he preached about honesty and integrity Even worse he lied and convinced others to trust Him for their eternal destiny making His lies even more deceitful and evil ndash making HIM really evil
He lived a life that was exemplary He had one of the most profound impacts on the world more so than any other religious leader in history
How in the name of logic common sense and experience could an imposter--that is a deceitful selfish depraved man--have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality
It would not be humanly possible for Jesus to pull off such a deception even an evil demonic liar Using Jesusrsquo own logic how could He have been working with Satan or maybe even have been Satan Himself when all the things He did were for good and pointed toward God
If Jesus were evil where is the fruit all these years later of Satanrsquos master plan What did He hope to accomplish through such a strategy
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Someone who lived as Jesus lived taught as Jesus taught and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
LunaticIf Jesus was not a liar then maybe He was a complete madman who innocently
deceived the world because He actually believed these ridiculous claims that He was God
How could a mad man have been so convincing How could He have made such an impact on the world that we are still talking about Him today ndash 2000 years later
What is the measure of insanity It is the the gap between what you think you are and what you really are If you think yoursquore the greatest athlete to ever live yoursquore probably just very arrogantIf you think yoursquore Elvis yoursquove crossed a bigger lineIf you think you are Bigfoot or perhaps an eagle you have lost your footing in sanity If you think you are God ndash wow you have really tripped out God is an infinite being For human beings finite beings with a beginning and an end to their lives to think they are God who always was always is and always will be ndash thatrsquos messed up
Jesus said He was God so on a scale of measure of insanity if He was wrong about that then He was really crazy His level of insanity would have been very very high
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Lord If He was not a liar and He was not a lunatic then there is only one
other possibility ndash He was who He said He was ndash the Son of God the Messiah the Savior
CS Lewis I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him Irsquom ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher but I donrsquot accept His claim to be God That is one thing we must not say A Man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher He would either be a lunatic or else He would be the Devil of Hell
Either this man was and is the Son of God or else a madman or something worse You can shut Him up for a fool you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher He has not left that open to us He did not intend to
httpwwwlifeteencomdefaultaspxPageID=JCHOME
Jesus Christ is Lord amp God
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
bull Weltanschauung A world view describes a consistent (to a varying degree) and integral sense of existence and provides a framework for generating sustaining and applying knowledge
bull any ideology philosophy theology movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God the world and mans relation to God and the worldwwwsummitorgresourcedictionary
bull a set of beliefs about who we are the way things are and what we ought to do about it state of mind metaphysics moralitywebnweufledu~gulmers03zwhalen2definitionshtml
httpwwwmonergismcomthethresholdarticlestopicworldviewshtml
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about God
What do we think about truth and knowledge and how do you know what is true what is knowledge what is wisdom what is truth
How is it possible to know anything at all
httpwwwfpcjacksonorgresourcessermonsWorldviews2020041a_duncanhtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about morality and ethics How do we know what is right and what is wrong
What do we think about human beings and humanity What is a person What is a human being
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Worldviews - Elements
What do we think about the nature of the world around us What is it Is reality material Is reality impersonal Is reality personal What is it likersquo
Whatrsquos the meaning of human history
What happens after human death
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question Why is there something rather than nothing Answer There is an infinite-personal God who has created the
universe out of nothing
Question How do you explain human nature Answer Man was originally created good in Gods image but
chose to sin and thus infected all of humanity with what is called a sin nature So man has been endowed with value by his creator but his negative behavior is in league with his nature
Question What happens to a person at death Answer Death is either the gate to life with God or to eternal
separation from Him The destination is dependent upon the response we give to Gods provision for our sinfulness
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Worldviews - Christian
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
Question How do you determine what is right and wrong Answer The guidelines for conduct are revealed by God
Question How do you know that you know Answer Reason and experience can be legitimate teachers but a
transcendent source is necessary We know some things only because we are told by God through the Bible
Question What is the meaning of history Answer History is a linear and meaningful sequence of events leading to the
fulfillment of Gods purposes for man
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
httpwwwadherentscomReligions_By_Adherentshtml
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
REALITY MAN TRUTH VALUESNaturalism AtheismAgnosticismExistentialism
The material universe is all that exists Reality is one-dimensional There is no such thing as a soul or a spirit Everything can be explained on the basis of natural law
Man is the chance product of a biological process of evolution Man is entirely material The human species will one day pass out of existence
Truth is usually understood as scientific proof Only that which can be observed with the five senses is accepted as real or true
No objective values or morals exist Morals are individual preferences or socially useful behaviors Even social morals are subject to evolution and change
Pantheism Hinduism TaoismBuddhism muchNew AgeConsciousness
Only the spiritual dimension exists All else is illusion maya Spiritual reality Brahman is eternal impersonal and unknowable It is possible to say that everything is a part of God or that God is in everything and everyone
Man is one with ultimate reality Thus man is spiritual eternal and impersonal Manrsquos belief that he is an individual is illusion
Truth is an experience of unity with the oneness of the universe Truth is beyond all rational description Rational thought as it is understood in the West cannot show us reality
Because ultimate reality is impersonal many pantheistic thinkers believe that there is no real distinction between good and evil Instead unenlightened behavior is that which fails to understand essential unity
Theism ChristianityIslam Judaism
An infinite personal God exists He created a finite material world Reality is both material and spiritual The universe as we know it had a beginning and will have an end
Humankind is the unique creation of God People were created in the image of God which means that we are personal eternal spiritual and biological
Truth about God is known through revelation Truth about the material world is gained via revelation and the five senses in conjunction with rational thought
Moral values are the objective expression of an absolute moral being
Spiritism and PolytheismThousands ofReligions
The world is populated by spirit beings who govern what goes on Gods and demons are the real reason behind natural events Material things are real but they have spirits associated with them and therefore can be interpreted spiritually
Man is a creation of the gods like the rest of the creatures on earth Often tribes or races have a special relationship with some gods who protect them and can punish them
Truth about the natural world is discovered through the shaman figure who has visions telling him what the gods and demons are doing and how they feel
Moral values take the form of taboos which are things that irritate or anger various spirits These taboos are different from the idea of good and evil because it is just as important to avoid irritating evil spirits as it is good ones
Postmodernism Reality must be interpreted through our language and cultural paradigm Therefore reality is socially constructed
Humans are nodes in a cultural reality ndash they are a product of their social setting The idea that people are autonomous and free is a myth
Truths are mental constructs meaningful to individuals within a particular cultural paradigm They do not apply to other paradigms Truth is relative to onersquos culture
Values are part of our social paradigms as well Tolerance freedom of expression inclusion and refusal to claim to have the answers are the only universal values
httpwwwxenosorgCLASSESpapers5wldviewhtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Thinking Biblically About the Worldrsquos Religions
httpwwwreasonsorgresourcesfff2002issue10indexshtmlworld_religions
See notes below -
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
Christianity Jesus ChristThat Jesus saves
from sinThose who are
saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one
GodGod in flesh by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he
died inThe Bible alone
Christian ScienceMary Baker
Eddy
(1821-1910)
Islam MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works
No Quran Hadith
Charles T Russell
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Joseph SmithThe Bible Book of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
One Person
modalism
Yes The Bible
Jehovahs Witnesses
Members of their church
God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their church
Bible Studies in the Scriptures presently the Watchtower and
Awake Magazines
Members of their church
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
Yes
NoBible Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures Miscellany
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvationOne Person
Created being Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
No
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine
Consciousness not the Christ
Correct thinking
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Oneness Pentecostal
Religious beliefs of Jesus teachings
not the atonement
NAFaith in Christ and
baptism
NameArea
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
httpwwwcarmorgcultscultgridhtm
Jesus Scripture and writingsResurrection associated with group
ChristianityJesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh by GraceJesus rose in the
same body he died in
The Bible alone
John Thomas The Bible is inspired
(1805-1871) Elpis Israel Eureka written by founder
founded 1848
Christian Science
Mary Baker EddyReligious beliefs of
Jesus teachings not the atonement
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness
not the ChristCorrect thinking No
Bible Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Miscellany
(1821-1910)
Islam
MuhammadFaith in Allah and
worksna
One God Allah Non Trinitarian
Created being A prophet Not God
by Allahs grace and mans works No Quran Hadith
Jehovahs Witnesses
Charles T Russell
Jesus opened the door for us to earn
our salvation
Members of their church
One PersonCreated being Michael
the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments being in their Organization
NoBible Studies in the Scriptures
presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines
(1852-1916)
founded 1879
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith
Jesus atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the
gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 godsCreated being The
brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace saved by doing works
YesThe Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine
and Covenants
(1805-1844) Pearl of Great Price
founded 1830
Oneness PentecostalNA
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One Person God in fleshBy faith and baptism in Jesus
name in their churchYes The Bible
modalism
Theosophy
Madame Helena Blavatsky
na na God is a principleCreated being A great
teacher No
The Secret Doctrine Isis Unveiled The Key to Theosophy and The Voice
of the Silence
(1831-1891)
founded 1875
Unity Charles FillmoreThe overall principles
of UnityA collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Power
Created being A man not the Christ
Adopting the correct Unity thought principles
NoBible Unity Magazine Metaphysical
Bible Dictionary(1854-1948)
founded 1889
Way International
Victor Paul Weirwell
EarnedMembers of their
churchOne Person
Created being A man not God in flesh
By works YesBible Jesus Christ is Not God Power
for Abundant Living
(1917-1985)
Faith in Christ and baptism
Members of their church
One God as one person
Created being A man with a sin nature
Baptism is required YesChrista- delphianism
God Jesus SalvationFounder The Gospel The ChurchNameArea
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Worldviews
httpwwwcrivoiceorgworldviewhtml
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1123htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChristianitystrobelT1120htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1010htm
httpwwwreasonsorg
httpwwwcomparativereligioncom
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Defending the Faith
Practical Apologetics for our times
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything elsehellip
CS Lewis
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm
Links
httpwwwapolloswsphilosophy-of-religion-media
httpenwikipediaorgwikiApologetics
httpthetruthaboutdavincicom
httpthetruthaboutdavincicomresourcesaudiovideohtml
httpwww4truthnet
httpgofamilyorgdavinci
httpwwwbattlefortruthorgavmsasphttpwwwcbncomspecialDaVinciCodehttpwwwthebereansnet
httpwwwcarmorgevidenceJesus_mythhtm3
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1115htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomvideosChriststrobelT1016htm
httpwwwleestrobelcomindexhtml
httpwwwreligionfactscombig_religion_charthtm
httpwwwreligionfactscomjesusreligious_viewshtm