0:00 – INTRO
1:05 – WHY DO PEOPLE THINK THE BIBLE IS MYTH? 1. THE PROBLEM OF MIRACLES, 2. THE PROBLEM OF RECORDING HISTORY
3:12 – 1. THE PROBLEM OF MIRACLES: 2 SCIENTIFIC METHODS: 1. EMPIRICAL (examines natural laws; repeatable, observable events in the present), 2. FORENSIC (like crime scene investigation; singular, non-repeatable, historical events; also used in archeology, origin of universe, and miracles; also called “Origin Science”)
6:59 – 2. THE PROBLEM OF RECORDING HISTORY: Overwhelming evidence that the NT is historically accurate.
Were written 20-40 years after Jesus’ resurrection
Gospels proven through archeology and writings
Nelson Glueck once wrote: “No archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference.”
10:44 – NEW TESTAMENT LEGENDS ARE IMPOSSIBLE: 2 things needed for myths/legends to develop: 1. TIME (need 2 generations after event; but written 20-40 years after events), 2. SECLUSION (not having enough witnesses; but 1 Cor 15:6 – 500+ witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection).
12:21 – AUTHORS DID NOT BORROW MYTHS FROM OTHER CULTURES. GOSPELS SHOW NO SIGNS OF MYTHS OR LEGENDS. C.S. Lewis – “All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian; that’s my job. And I’m prepared to say on that basis, if anyone thinks the Gospels are either legends or novels, then that person is simply showing his incompetence as a literary critic. I’ve read a great many novels, and I know a fair amount about the legends that grew up among early people, and I know perfectly well the Gospels are not that kind of stuff” (Christian Reflections, 209).
14:34 – SO WHAT? The NT, especially the Gospels, shows no signs of myths or legends. References in the Gospels and Acts are historically confirmed. Manuscripts are too early, numerous & accurate to be myths.
15:40 – WHAT’S YOUR NEXT STEP? TRUST THE NEW TESTAMENT.
16:49 – THANK YOU & WRAP UP