New Testament ReliabilityNew Testament Reliability

Metaphor, Legend, or Reality? Metaphor, Legend, or Reality? What does the evidence say?What does the evidence say?

Christ’s Claims Were Extraordinary

Jesus claimed to have authority over heaven and earth (Matt 28:18).

He claimed to be one with God (John 10:30).

He claimed to be God (John 9:58)

Jesus claimed to be the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

Jesus’ claims were extraordinary and exclusive.

His resurrection would assert their truth.

Was Christ’s resurrection a metaphor, a legend

or a concrete reality?

Questions to be Answered

Was Christ a real historical person who was crucified?

Was Jesus resurrected?

Were the resurrection accounts written in the first century?

Have the accounts been unaltered?

Did the authors get historical and geographical facts right?

Were the accounts internally consistent?

Were the authors of the accounts telling the truth?

If the accounts are reliable and Christ was resurrected, his claims must be taken seriously.

Was Christ a Real Historical Person Was Christ a Real Historical Person Who Was Crucified?Who Was Crucified?

New Testament--a first century document

Early Christian writers Clement of Rome--AD 95, Bishop of Rome (appointed by Peter?), Epistle

to the Corinthians Ignatius--AD 70-110, Bishop of Antioch, 7 letters Polycarp--AD 70-156, Bishop of Smyrna, disciple of John, letters Clement of Alexandria--AD 150-212, scholar, teacher, Exhortation to the

Pagans Justin Martyr--AD 133, Scholar, apologist, founded school in Rome,

Dialogue with Trypho. Tertullian--AD 160-220, Lawyer, apologist, many writings, coined term

“Trinity” Origen--AD 185-253, Head of School in Alexandria at 17, 6000 works,

apologist, disciple of Clement

Gnostic Writers (gnostic--special knowledge, 2nd century mysticism, Gospel of Thomas, etc)

Evidence that Christ Lived and Died:Christian Sources

Tacitus--Roman historian AD 115--Christus executed by order of Pontius Pilatus when Tiberias was emperor, deadly cult was breaking out again.

Seutonius--Roman historian AD 120--Christians expelled from Rome under Claudius--see Acts 18:2.

Lucian--2nd century Roman writer--Christ crucified in Palestine.

Thallus--1st century Roman historian--unreasonably tried to explain darkness at noon (Matt 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44) as an eclipse according to Julius Africanus a 3rd century historian.

Pliny--Governor or Bythynia AD 110--Christians executed and tortured.

Tragan--Emperor AD 110--Affirmed Pliny’s action.

Bar Serapion--Syrian AD 73+--Jews executed Jesus.

Josephus--Jewish historian and general born AD 37--reference to Jesus as Messiah, miracles, crucifixion under Pilate, followers claimed resurrection.

Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin and other rabbinic writings--3rd century--Christ crucified for magic and leading Israel astray on Passover Eve.

Evidence that Christ Lived and Died: Non-Christian Historians

Was Christ Resurrected?Was Christ Resurrected?

Eyewitness Accounts of Christ’s ResurrectionMatthew 28:16-17 The disciples saw him on a mountain in the Galilee Matthew, a disciple, was confirmed as the author by early Christian writers. Mathew, a tax collector, shows familiarity with money (Matt 17:24,27; 18:24).

John 20:19-21 The disciples saw him in a room in Jerusalem John 21:24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 1 John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands,

1 Peter 1:3 Confirms Christ’s resurrection, was a disciple eyewitness

Peter identifies himself as the author in 1 Peter 1:1 and 2 Peter 1:1 2 Peter 1:16-18 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty….

1 Cor 15:3-8 Paul saw Christ on the road to Damascus

Paul identifies himself as the author in 1 Corr 1:1.

Second-Hand Accounts of Christ’s Resurrection

Mark 16:1-14 Christ appeared to Mary M, two on the road, the disciples

John Mark was a follower, not one of the 12 apostles. He gave Peter's account according to some early church fathers.

Luke 24:1-49 Christ appeared to two on the road, the disciples and others

Physician and historian, not a follower at the time Luke 1:1-4 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, … it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

1 Cor 15:3-8 According to Paul, Christ Appeared to Peter, the 12, 500, James, all the apostles, and then to Paul

To be Credible, the Resurrection Accounts To be Credible, the Resurrection Accounts Must Have Been Written in the First Century.Must Have Been Written in the First Century.

Were They?Were They?

New Testament Manuscripts Date to 1st Century

Technical dating methods (paper, ink, style, embellishment)

No originals, papyrus lasts ~100 years

Hundreds of fragments from second century

Oldest fragment is John Rylands Papyrus verses from John 18, AD 94-125

Broadmer Papyrus II--most of John, AD 150-200

Chester Beatty Collection-- 4 Gospels, Acts, 10 Pauline letters, Hebrews, Revelation, AD 200

Extensive citations by Christian writers late 1st and early 2nd century.

Failure to mention destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 implies pre AD 70 writing.

Codices Vaticanus & Sinaiticus ~ AD 350

To Be Credible, the Accounts Must Be To Be Credible, the Accounts Must Be Unaltered. Were They?Unaltered. Were They?

Accurate NT Manuscript Transmission

Today: 5800 Greek; 10,000 Latin; 9300 other manuscripts

Can trace manuscript families based on origin and copy errors.

Textual criticism uses most common wording, comparison with older texts.

Original text determined very precisely (exceptions: Mark 16:9-20, John 8:1-11).

Transmission accuracy is excellent and all variants agree on main points.

Very difficult to alter original text because of wide distribution.

Originals27 Separate Books

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Copies made and distributed to the churches

To Be Credible, the Accounts Must Get To Be Credible, the Accounts Must Get Historical and Geographical Facts Right.Historical and Geographical Facts Right.

Did They?Did They?

Sea ofGalilee

Dead Sea

Judean Hills

Negev

Galilee

Samaria

The New Testament is Set in Real Geography

Israel

Capernaum BethsaidaKorazin

Nazareth

Jerusalem

Bethlehem

Jordan River

Jericho

Jerusalem, Temple Mount, and Surroundings Temple Mount

Hinnom Valley

Tyropoeon ValleyKidron Valley

Mount of OlivesOld City City of David

Luke 2:1-3 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. A census (in 3/2 BC), once doubted, has been confirmed by inscriptions .

JerusalemBethlehem

Bethlehem From the Herodium

Sea of Galilee from the Mount of BeatitudesMatt 5-7 Sermon on the mount

Matt 8:26 Jesus calmed the stormMatt 14:25 Jesus walked on the lake

Synagogue at CapernaumMark 1:21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

Synagogue Seat at Korazin

The Temple Mount Today, from the Mount of OlivesDome of the Rock Shrine (gold dome), Leen Ritmeyer in the foreground

The Temple Mount in Christ’s TimeMatt 24:2 Jesus said “… not one stone here will be left upon another..."

Romans destroyed the temple mount is AD 70.

Leen Ritmeyer’s Temple Mount Model

Baths at Bethesda Destroyed AD 70 Excavated 1938

John 5:2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in

Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. (Jesus healed an invalid.)

Critics doubted the existence of the baths at Bethesda until it was

excavated in 1938, with five porticoes

Garden of Gethsemane?Mark 14:32-33 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." (Gethsemane means olive press)

Pilate Inscription (found in 1966 At Caesarea Maritima) “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea”

Critics doubted the existence of Pilate until extensive archaeological evidence confirmed him

Events on the Day Christ Died

There was darkness from 12:00 to 3:00 (Matt 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44).

Tertullian, in Apologeticus said that the darkness was seen in Rome & Athens1. Phlegon reported an “eclipse” in 33 AD1. Africanus argued that Thallus’ report of an eclipse was wrong because the crucifixion was during a full moon2.

An earthquake tore the temple curtain and opened tombs (Matthew 27:50-54, 28:2).

Phlegon reported a strong earthquake in 33 AD1.Dead Sea sediments show a strong quake between 26 & 38 AD3.

The moon turned red (Acts 2:20).Calculations show a blood red lunar eclipse on April 3, 33 AD3.

1. Paul Maier, Pontius Pilate.2. Steve Collins, Championing the Faith.3. Rodger Young, Bible & Spade, Spring 2013.

Selected Historical Details

Luke 2:2 refers to Quirinius as the governor of Syria at the census. Critics said that Quirinius was not governor until 6 AD. An inscription found in Antioch implies that he had two terms, one in 3-2 BC.

Luke 3:1 mentions Lysanias as the Tetrarch of Abilene. Inscription found in Abila, dated to 14-29 AD, refers to Lysanias the Tetrarch.

Romans 16:23 Erastus director of public works in Corinth. An inscription refers to Erastus who laid the pavement.

Acts 14:6 implies that Iconium was not in Lycaonia with Lystra and Derbe. Critics said that this was wrong until a monument found in 1910 confirmed that Iconium was in Phrygia, not Lycaonia.

Ritmeyer’s Temple Mount Model

To Be Credible, the Accounts Must Be To Be Credible, the Accounts Must Be Internally Consistent.Internally Consistent.

Were They?Were They?

Internal Consistency

Accounts in the four Gospels are not carbon copies.

The accounts show differences in perspective and individual emphasis.

The accounts strongly agree on the main issues.

If they were carbon copies, that would be evidence of collusion and unreliability.

Diversity of perspective with agreement on the main issues is the best possible witness.

Were the Authors of the Accounts Telling the Were the Authors of the Accounts Telling the Truth?Truth?

The tone of writings is factual, not sensational or surrealistic.

The authors were self critical, which suggests they were truthful.Mark 14:72 Peter denied ChristMatt 16:8-10 Disciples had little faithJohn 12:15-16 Disciples were slow to understand

Manuscripts were written and widely distributed when eyewitnesses were still alive; yet, there have been no refuting manuscripts found.

There was no apparent motive of personal gain since they gave their lives defending what they believed to be true. A person is unlikely to give his life for something he knows to be false.

Reliability of the Authors

James brother of John: beheaded in JerusalemThomas: killed with a dart in IndiaSimon brother of Jude and James: crucified in EgyptSimon the zealot: crucifiedMark: burned in EgyptBartholomew: crucified and beheaded in ArmeniaAndrew: crucified in AchaiaMatthew: killed with a spear in EgyptPhilip: crucified and stoned in PhrygiaJames brother of Jesus: thrown from the top of the temple, stoned, beat to death in JerusalemPeter: crucified in RomePaul: beheaded in RomeJohn: exiled to Patmos

The Authors and Disciples Gave their Lives Defending what They Believed to be True

The Case Has Been Examined:

Christian and Non-Christian sources confirm that Christ was a real, historical person and was crucified under Pilate.

Multiple eyewitness and good second accounts testify that Christ was resurrected.

There is solid evidence that the New Testament was written in the first century, and has not been altered.

Writers give intimate details of people, places, events, word usage, and customs that agree with historical and archaeological findings.No inconsistencies have been confirmed.

Their accounts agree on the main points but show differences in perspective—the best possible witness.

The writers were not sensational, were self critical, and died for what they believed to be true.

Evidence supports the concrete reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Matt 26:27-29 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Conclusion: If Christ’s Resurrection Was a Conclusion: If Christ’s Resurrection Was a Reality, He Must be Taken SeriouslyReality, He Must be Taken Seriously

New Testament DocumentsNew Testament Documents

More Copies, Closer in TimeThan Other Ancient Writings

From Steven Collins; Championing the Faith; Hensley, 1991

The Books of the New Testament Were Recognized as Authoritative by the Early Church

The authority of manuscripts was a very important issue in the early church.

The Books were accepted by the church over time, and all 27 books were listed as authoritative by Athanasius in 367 and at the Council of Hippo in 393.

F.F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents--Are They Reliable?: “The New Testament Books did not become authoritative for the Church because they were formally included in a canonical list; on the contrary, the Church included them in her canon because she already regarded them as divinely inspired, recognizing their innate worth and general apostolic authority, direct or indirect.”

All authors of the NT books were connected to the Apostles.

Can Scientific Evidence Prove Christianity?

Verification of people, places, and events is necessary to demonstrate an historical account is real, but not sufficient to prove that all aspects of the account are true. (Example: Evidence shows that Sodom was destroyed in the right place, at the right time, in the right way, but we can’t prove that God caused the destruction.)

If evidence contradicts the people, places, and events in an account, then the account is not credible.

Evidence from science, history, and geography confirm many things in the Bible (creation, some prophecy, people, places, events, & dates) but not everything (most miracles, unfulfilled prophecy, some of God’s interactions, & some details). There are no confirmed contradictions.

Verification of verifiable aspects builds confidence in, but does not absolutely prove, all aspects of the Bible’s accounts.

So, If No Absolute Proof, Why Should We Believe that Christianity is True?

Scientific, historical, and geographical evidence builds confidence in the Bible’s credibility.

Multiple eye-witness and good second-hand accounts in the Bible give strong evidence for those things that scientific, historical, and geographical evidence cannot prove. (Example: Christ’s resurrection)

Science (documentary analysis) verifies that the New Testament accounts come from the first century and have not been altered.

The account writers gave their lives spreading the news about Jesus, testifying that they believed it to be true. People will not give their lives for something they know is false.

The evidence adds up to valid confidence in Christian belief.

Is Christianity Simply Believing that Christ is Real Because of the Evidence?

You can believe that Christ is real for many reasons: Scientific and historical evidence, reason, miracles, intuition, the love shown by Christians, or personal revelation.

But, Christianity is not just believing that Christ is real. It is making Christ the sovereign focus of your life.

References

The Bible; any version

Bruce, F.F; The new Testament Documents; Inter Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois; 1981.

Collins, Steven; Championing the Faith; Virgil W. Hensley, Inc, Tulsa, OK; 1991.

Foxe, John; Foxe's Book of the Martyrs; Whitaker House, Springdale, PA; 1981.

Gonzalez, Justo; The History of Christianity; Prince Press, Peabody Mass; Dec 1999.

Holden & Geisler; The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the Bible; Harvest House, 2013.

House, H. Wayne; Chronological and Background Charts of the New Testament; Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan; 1981.

Maier, Paul; Josephus: The Essential Writings; Kregel, 1988.

McDowell, Josh; Evidence that Demands a Verdict; Vols I & II; Here's Life Publishers, Inc., San Bernardino, CA; June 1986.

Tesh, S. Edward; How We Got Our Bible; The Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH; 1961.