““Say What?” Series: Say What?” Series: Can We Trust the Bible?Can We Trust the Bible?

Trent GerigTrent GerigBradley University Class of 2000Bradley University Class of 2000

What is the Bible?

Written over the course of 1600 yearsWritten over the course of 1600 years Forty different authorsForty different authors Three different languagesThree different languages Three different continentsThree different continents

Literary Styles

Law Poetry History Genealogy Letters Prophesy

The Old TestamentThe Old Testament

Words were written from right to leftNo vowels were usedNo spaces or punctuationWritten in Hebrew and Aramaic

NTHBGNNNGGDCRTDTHHVNSNDTHRTH

New TestamentNew Testament

No spaces or punctuation

Written in all capital letters

Greek LanguageINTHEBEGINNINGWASTHEWORDANDTHEWORDWASWITHGODANDTHEWORDWASGOD

How can we trust the Bible?

Manuscripts

Archeology

Prophesy

Old Testament ManuscriptsOld Testament Manuscripts

Earliest complete Hebrew Bible dates at Earliest complete Hebrew Bible dates at 1000 A.D.1000 A.D.

Texts were copied by the MassoretesTexts were copied by the Massoretes Copying was very detailedCopying was very detailed The copy was considered as good as the The copy was considered as good as the

originaloriginal

Dead Sea ScrollsDead Sea Scrolls

Discovered in 1947 by a shepherd boy near Discovered in 1947 by a shepherd boy near JerichoJericho

Contain parts of every book except EsterContain parts of every book except Ester Dated to about 100 B.C.Dated to about 100 B.C. The book of Isaiah is 95% agreeable to texts The book of Isaiah is 95% agreeable to texts

1100 years older1100 years older The other 5% is spelling mistakes and The other 5% is spelling mistakes and

grammargrammar

New Testament ManuscriptsNew Testament ManuscriptsAbout 5500 Greek texts in existenceAbout 5500 Greek texts in existence

Fragments are dated to within 50 yearsFragments are dated to within 50 years

Complete books to within 100 yearsComplete books to within 100 years

Significance: Biblical passages, especially Significance: Biblical passages, especially the Gospels, were written when the Gospels, were written when eyewitnesses were available to refute themeyewitnesses were available to refute them

““We did not follow cleverly invented stories We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and when we told you about the power and coming our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were coming our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

Conservative Original Dates

Paul's letters: A.D. 50-66 Matthew: A.D. 70-80 Mark: A.D. 50-60 Luke: early 60's John: A.D. 80-100

New Testament ManuscriptsNew Testament Manuscripts

The entire NT could be reproduced by The entire NT could be reproduced by quotes of the early church fathersquotes of the early church fathers36, 289 total quotes before 325 A.D.36, 289 total quotes before 325 A.D.The church canon was well accepted far The church canon was well accepted far before the Council of Nicea.before the Council of Nicea.

Archeology

““No archaeological discovery has ever No archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference” Nelson controverted a Biblical reference” Nelson Gluek, Jewish ArcheologistGluek, Jewish Archeologist

The book of Acts has been proven to be The book of Acts has been proven to be historically accurate in regards to locations historically accurate in regards to locations and namesand names

Old Testament Archeology

Elba tablets were discovered from 1900 B.C.Elba tablets were discovered from 1900 B.C. Confirm the accuracy of kingdoms written Confirm the accuracy of kingdoms written

about by Moses in Genesis 14about by Moses in Genesis 14 The walls of Jericho were discovered to have The walls of Jericho were discovered to have

fallen outward, possibly due to an earthquakefallen outward, possibly due to an earthquake This corresponds with Joshua 6 that describes This corresponds with Joshua 6 that describes

the conquering of the citythe conquering of the city

Prophesy

There are over 300 prophesies of Jesus in There are over 300 prophesies of Jesus in the Old Testamentthe Old Testament

The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that these The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that these were written prior to Christ's birthwere written prior to Christ's birth

The book of Isaiah contains 30 specific The book of Isaiah contains 30 specific prophesies and this book is completely prophesies and this book is completely preserved prior to Christpreserved prior to Christ

Sanctify them by the truth; your Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. word is truth. John 17:17John 17:17

The words of the Lord are flawless. The words of the Lord are flawless. Psalms 12:6Psalms 12:6

All scripture is God-breathed and is All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in correcting and training in righteousness. righteousness. 2 Tim 3:162 Tim 3:16

What is so important?What is so important?

The Bible continues to be proven correct in light of recent discoveries

If Bible is correct on these small, seemingly insignificant points, what about the major points?

Shouldn’t we try to read and understand it?

If you already believeIf you already believe

READ IT!! Study it Memorize it Understand it Belong to a church that makes you open it

What does the Bible say to us?

Man was created by God

So God created man in His own image,In the image of God He created him;Male and female He created them.Genesis 1:27

What does the Bible say about sin? Sin came into this world through Adam and

Eve We all share in this sin and continue to be

sinful

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Because of sin, we will experience a physical death and a spiritual death

For the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23

How can we avoid the spiritual death?But the gift of God is eternal life.Romans 6:23He (the Philippian jailer) then brought them

out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.”Acts 16:30-31

Grow in the Grace of God

Begin to walk in God’s Word and grow deeper in knowledge and relationship with Him

Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light for my path. Psalms 119:105