TABLE
OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1.
INTERNAL AUTHENTICATION
1.1 FULFILLED BIBLICAL OT PROPHECIES
1.1.1
The Prophecies of
Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre and Edom
1.1.2
Babylon Will Rule Over
Judah for 70 Years
1.1.3
Babylon's Kingdom Will Be
Permanently Overthrown
1.1.4
Babylon Will Turn to
Swampland
1.1.5
The Jews Will Survive
Babylonian Rule and Return Home
1.1.6
Nineveh Will Be Ruined By
Fire
1.1.7
Tyre Will Be Attacked By
Many Nations
1.1.8
Tyre's Stones, Timber and
Soil Will Be Cast Into the Sea
1.1.9
The Jews Will Retaliate
the Edomites
1.1.10 Edom
Will Fall and be made Humble
1.1.11 Israel
will be disseminated and to live in fear and persecution
1.2 FULFILLED
MESSIANIC PROPHECIES CHART
1.3 TEXTUAL
CONSISTENCY AND UNITY
1.3.1
Scripture is God-breathed
1.3.2 Verbal Plenary Inspiration
1.4 TESTIMONY
OF JESUS
1.4.1
Jesus and the Old
Testament
1.4.2
Jesus and the New
Testament
1.5 TRANSFORMING
POWER
2.
EXTERNAL AUTHENTICATION
2.1 SCIENCE
AND BIBLE
2.1.1
Science and Bible Chart
2.1.2
The Second Law of
Thermodynamics Confirms Psalm 102:26
2.1.3
The Universe Must Have
Had A Beginning
2.1.4
The Finished Creation
Confirmed by the First Law of Thermodynamics
2.1.5
Psalm 8 Inspires a
Scientific Research Project of Matthew Maury
2.1.6
Statements Consistent
With Paleontology
2.1.7
Astronomy Statements
Consistent With Astronomy
2.1.8
Meteorology Statements
Consistent With Meteorology
2.1.9
Biology Statements Consistent With Biology
2.1.10 Anthropology
Statements Consistent With Anthropology
2.1.11 Hydrology
Statements Consistent With Hydrology
2.1.12 Geological
Statements Consistent With Geology
2.1.13 Physics
Statements Consistent With Physics
2.2 EXTRA-BIBLICAL
AUTHORS
2.3 TESTIMONY
OF MARTYRS
2.4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL
DISCOVERIES
2.4.1
Ebla Tablets
2.4.2 Flood Story
2.4.3 Dead Sea Scroll
2.4.4 The Existence of Hittites
2.4.5 Sodom and Gomorrah
2.4.6 The Walls of Jericho
2.4.7
King Sargon
2.4.8
King Belshazzar
2.5 PUBLICATION
AND IMPACT OF BIBLE
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
The Bible stories regarding
the relationship of God's people with Egypt have been matter to much ridicule.
Critics regard Biblical stories, such as mythology. As early as the 1700s
Benjamin Kennicott published 615 Biblical manuscripts, and a few years later
Giovani de Rossi published 731 manuscripts. Furthermore, beginning around 1890
around ten thousand manuscripts were discovered in Cairo Geniza. In addition to
these manuscripts, more were discovered in the caves by the Dead Sea at Qumran
in 1947, also known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. The largest collection of
manuscripts in the world, the Second Firkowitch Collection in Leningrad,
contains 1,582 items of Bible and Masora (manuscripts from the 6th-9th century
AD) text, plus twelve hundred Hebrew fragments.
Historians and scientists
have long since proven that the Bible is inaccurate and unreliable.
Many people are of the opinion that the teachings of the Bible are outdated,
contradictory, and full of scientific and historical errors. With few
exceptions, they have reached these conclusions through second and third hand
sources rather than their own study of the Bible.
How do we know that the
66 books in our Bibles were all inspired? What about other books? There are many
such archaeological verifications of Biblical events and places. Is the Bible
trustworthy?
Thus this study is
undertaken to put light into the historicity of the Bible and by taking an
evidential approach to apologetics, researcher will attempt to present a case
in support of the Biblical historicity and reliability.
1. INTERNAL
EVIDENCES
There is internal
evidence that specifies justification into trusting the Bible. In other words,
there are facts within the Bible that demonstrate it is a reliable and
trustworthy source of information.
1.1
FULFILLED BIBLICAL PROPHECIES
One of the most powerful
evidence is the testimony of prophecy. The biblical authors made hundreds of precise
prophecies of future happenings that have come to pass in the way they were prophesied.
-No book in history can equal the Bible when it comes to the fulfillment of
prophecy.
1.1.1
The Prophecies of
Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre and Edom
Jeremiah 51:37, 58,
Isaiah 13:19, 20, Daniel 5:25, Zephaniah 2:13, 14. Let's take a look at a few
Bible prophecies that were fulfilled about 2500 years ago when the ancient
kingdoms and cities of Babylon, Nineveh, Tyre and Edom were ruined. The Bible
makes the proclamation that these entities were destroyed because they had sought
to destroy the Holy Land of Israel and the people of Israel.[1]
1.1.2
Babylon Will Rule Over
Judah for 70 Years
Jeremiah 25:11-12. In
this passage, the prophet said God would open the gates of Babylon for Cyrus
and his violent army. In spite of Babylon's extraordinary fortifications, which
comprised moats, and walls that were more than 70-feet thick and 300-feet high
(with 250 watchtowers) Cyrus was able to enter the city and surmount it. [2] This prophecy was written
sometime from 626 to about 586 BC and was not fulfilled until about 609 BC to
539 BC that measures nearly 50 years later. Isaiah 45:1 (written possibly
between 701 and 681 BC), you will find a prophecy that was ultimately fulfilled
hundreds of years later in 539 BC. Cyrus and his troops accomplished it by
diverting the stream of the Euphrates River into a large lake basin. Cyrus then
was able to march his army across the riverbed and into the city.
1.1.3
Babylon's Kingdom Will Be
Permanently Overthrown
In Isaiah 13:19 (written
between 701 and 681 BC) there exists yet another prophecy that was not
fulfilled until 539 BC. Here, Isaiah tells us that Babylon would be dethroned for
forever. History endorses the fact that following Cyrus' annihilation of
Babylon in 539 BC, it never again rose to supremacy as a kingdom. We must
remember that before the time of Cyrus, Babylon had been conquered by the
Assyrian Empire as well, But Babylon was able to recover and later conquer the
Assyrian Empire.[3]
In light of this reality, in times many people questioned Isaiah when he stated
this prophecy. In spite of this, and just as Isaiah predicted, the Babylonian
empire was defeated, and never recovered from Cyrus' conquest.
1.1.4
Babylon Will Turn to
Swampland
In Isaiah 14:23 (written
between 701 and 681 BC), the prophet makes yet another prediction that does not
come true until 539 BC. Remarkably, when
archaeologists excavated Babylon during the 1800s, they discovered that some
parts of the city could not be dug up because they were under a water table
that had risen over the years. Here in this passage prophet makes the audacious
prerogative that Babylon, which had been a world power at two different times
in history, would be brought to a humble and final culmination. Well, after
Cyrus subjugated Babylon in 539 BC, the kingdom never again rose to power, that
is assured. And history tells us that the buildings of Babylon fell into a
gradual state of ruin during the next several centuries.
1.1.5
The Jews Will Survive
Babylonian Rule and Return Home
In Jeremiah 32:36-37,
(written from about 626 and 586 BC), yet another prophet makes a bold
prediction that was ultimately fulfilled in 536 BC. In this passage, Jeremiah
said that the Jews would survive their captivity in Babylon and return home,
and both parts of this prophecy were ultimately fulfilled. Many Jews had been
taken as captives to Babylon beginning around 605 BC. But, in 538 BC, they were
released from captivity and many eventually returned to their homeland.[4]
1.1.6 Nineveh Will Be Ruined By
Fire
In Nahum 3:15 (written
around 614 BC) the prophet makes a prediction which ultimately fulfilled. The
prophet said that Nineveh would be devastated by fire. Archaeologists excavated
the site during the 1800s and found a layer of ash covering the ruins. “Nineveh
suffered a defeat from which it never recovered. Widespread traces of ash, demonstrating
the sack of the city by Babylonians, Scythians, and Medes in 612 BC, have been
found in many parts of the Acropolis. After 612 BC the city ceased to be
important".[5]
1.1.7
Tyre Will Be Attacked By Many Nations
In Ezekiel 26:3 (written
between 587-586 BC) the prophet predicts the attacks on Tyre that occurred in
573 BC, 332 BC, and 1291 AD. Prophecy was that Tyre, the Phoenician Empire's
most dominant city, would be confronted by many nations, because of its ill-dealing
of Israel. At about the time that Ezekiel conveyed this prophecy, Babylon had
begun a thirteen years attack on Tyre's land. Around 332 BC, Alexander the
Great subjugated the island of Tyre and brought an end to the Phoenician
Empire. Then, after that, Tyre later fell again under the rule of the Romans,
the Crusaders and the Moslems, who destroyed the city yet again, in 1291.
1.1.8
Tyre's Stones, Timber and Soil Will Be Cast Into the Sea
In an extraordinary prophecy,
the prophet writes in Ezekiel 26:12 (written between 587-586 BC). This was
fulfilled in 333-332 BC. That's perhaps a suitable account of how Alexander the
Great constructed a land bridge from the outside land to the island of Tyre
when he attacked in 333-332 BC. It is held that he took the wreckage from
Tyre's mainland ruins and using them tossed it as stones, timber and soil into
the sea, to form the mainland bridge.[6]
1.1.9
The Jews Will Retaliate the Edomites
In Ezekiel 25:14 (written
between 593-571 BC), the prophet prophesies that the Jews will ultimately have retaliation
against the Edomites. When Ezekiel conveyed this prediction, he and many other
Jews were living as detainees in Babylon. They didn't have power over their own
country, let alone anyone else's. But, about 400 years later, Jews recovered freedom
for Jerusalem and the neighboring area during the Hasmonaean Period. During
this time, the Jewish priest-king John Hyrcanus (I) defeated the Edomites.
Edomite history was discerned by unceasing enmity and combat with Jews. At the
end, they were subjugated by John Hyrcanus I, a Hasmonaean priest-king in 2nd
Century B.C.[7]
1.1.10
Edom Will Fall and be made Humble
In Jeremiah 49:16
(written in 626 to 586 BC) the prophet predicts that Edom will be collapsed.
This was fulfilled in approximately 100 BC. Edom's capital city, Petra, was
carved out of a mountain side and had great natural fortifications.
Nonetheless, it was demolished. Today, Petra is part of Jordan. The city was subjugated
by the Romans in the year 106 A.D. and grew again. But a opposing city,
Palmyra, finally took most of the trade away and Petra began to get weak. Later
Muslims occupied Petra in the 7th Century and Crusaders dominated it
in the 12th Century. Petra eventually fell into wasteland.[8]
1.1.11
Israel will be disseminated and to live in fear and persecution
One prediction that take
place again and again in the Old Testament is the prediction of the people of
Israel being dispersed to all nations. Undoubtedly this has happened. The
northern ten tribes were taken into captivity by Assyrians around 712 BC. The
other two tribes were taken captive by the Babylonians around 606 BC. Only a
small portion of the Jews returned from Babylon to migrate the land of Israel
in 536 BC. But the heavy shock came in 70 AD when Titus of Rome attacked
Jerusalem, abolishing the city and the temple. The Jews that were not killed
were dispersed into all nations. Leviticus 26:33-38, Deuteronomy 28:64-67
Hitler's homicide of 6,000,000 was not an isolated event, but part of a 2000
year movement. For an instance, thousands of Jews were executed during the time
of the Crusades (1000-1300 AD). Oppression of Jews was the custom as all Jews
were considered participants in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In the 14th
century the epidemic known as the Black Death swept through Europe killing
about one fourth of the inhabitants. Jews were often executed as an outcome of
the charge that they spread the disease by poisoning water reservoirs. In 1492,
all Jews were banished from Spain, as was the case in Portugal just five years
later and so on and on.[9] One only needs to look up
"Jews" in any encyclopedia for facts the long history of persecution,
bloodbath, and expulsion from several countries.
1.2
MESSIANIC PROPHECIES’ CHART[10]
CONCERNING HIS BIRTH
|
PROPHESIED
|
FULFILLED
|
1.
Born of the seed of woman
|
Gen
3:15
|
Gal
4:4
|
2.
Born of a virgin
|
Isa
7:14
|
Mt
1:18-25
|
3.
Seed of Abraham
|
Gen
22:18
|
Mt
1:1
|
4.
Seed of Isaac
|
Gen
21:12
|
Lk
3:23+34
|
5.
Seed of Jacob
|
Num
24:17
|
Lk
3:34
|
6.
Seed of David
|
Jer
23:5
|
Lk
3:31
|
7.
Tribe of Judah
|
Gen
49:10
|
Rev
5:5
|
8.
Family line of Jesse
|
Isa
11:1
|
Lk
3:32
|
9.
Born in Bethlehem
|
Mic
5:2
|
Mt
2:1-6
|
10.
Herod kills the children
|
Jer
31:15
|
Mt
2:16-18
|
CONCERNING
HIS NATURE
|
PROPHESIED
|
FULFILLED
|
11.
He pre-existed creation
|
Mic
5:2
|
1
Pet 1:20
|
12.
He shall be called Lord
|
Ps
110:1
|
Acts
2:36
|
13.
Called Immanuel (God with us)
|
Isa
7:14
|
Mt
1:22-23
|
14.
Prophet
|
Deut
18:18-19
|
Acts
3:18-25
|
15.
Priest
|
Ps
110:4
|
Heb
5:5-6
|
16.
Judge
|
Isa
33:22
|
Jn
5:22-23
|
17.
King
|
Ps
2:6
|
Jn
18:33-37
|
18.
Anointed by the Spirit
|
Isa
11:2
|
Mt
3:16-17
|
19.
His zeal for God
|
Ps
69:9
|
Jn
2:15-17
|
CONCERNING
HIS MINISTRY
|
PROPHESIED
|
FULFILLED
|
20.
Preceded by a messenger
|
Isa
40:3
|
Mt
3:1-3
|
21.
To begin in Galilee
|
Isa
9:1-2
|
Mt
4:12-17
|
22.
Ministry of Miracles
|
Isa
35:5-6
|
Mt
9:35;11:4
|
23.
Teacher of parables
|
Ps
78:1-4
|
Mt
13:34-35
|
24.
He was to enter the temple
|
Mal
3:1
|
Mt
21:10-12
|
25.
Enter Jerusalem on donkey
|
Zech
9:9
|
Mt
21:1-7
|
26.
Stone of stumbling to Jews
|
Isa
28:16; Ps 118:22
|
1
Pet 2:6-8
|
27.
Light to Gentiles
|
Isa
49:6
|
Acts
13:46-48
|
THE
DAY JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED
|
PROPHESIED
|
FULFILLED
|
28.
Betrayed by a friend
|
Ps
41:9
|
Jn
13:18-27
|
29.
Sold for 30 pieces of silver
|
Zech
11:12
|
Mt
26:14-15
|
30.
30 pieces thrown in Temple
|
Zech
11:13
|
Mt
27:3-5
|
31.
30 pieces buys potters field
|
Zech
11:13
|
Mt
27:6-10
|
32.
Forsaken by His disciples
|
Zech
13:7
|
Mk
14:27+50
|
33.
Accused by false witnesses
|
Ps
35:11+20-21
|
Mt
26:59-61
|
34.
Silent before accusers
|
Isa
53:7
|
Mt
27:12-14
|
35.
Wounded and bruised
|
Isa
53:4-6
|
1
Pet 2:21-25
|
36.
Beaten and spit upon
|
Isa
50:6
|
Mt
26:67-68
|
37.
Mocked
|
Ps
22:6-8
|
Mt
27:27-31
|
38.
Fell under the cross
|
Ps
109:24-25
|
Jn
19:17; Lk23:26
|
39.
Hands and feet pierced
|
Ps
22:16
|
Jn
20:24-28
|
40.
Crucified with thieves
|
Isa
53:12
|
Mt
27:38
|
41.
Prayed for enemies
|
Isa
53:12
|
Lk
23:34
|
42.
Rejected by His own people
|
Isa
53:3
|
Jn
19:14-15
|
43.
Hated without cause
|
Ps
69:4
|
Jn
15:25
|
44.
Friends stood aloof
|
Ps
38:11
|
Lk22:54;23:49
|
45.
People wag their heads
|
Ps
22:7;109:25
|
Mt
27:39
|
46.
People stared at Him
|
Ps
22:17
|
Lk
23:35
|
47.
Cloths divided and gambled for
|
Ps
22:18
|
Jn
19:23-24
|
48.
Became very thirsty
|
Ps
22:15
|
Jn
19:28
|
49.
Gall and vinegar offered Him
|
Ps
69:21
|
Mt
27:34
|
50.
His forsaken cry
|
Ps
22:1
|
Mt
27:46
|
51.
Committed Himself to God
|
Ps
31:5
|
Lk
23:46
|
52.
Bones not broken
|
Ps
34:20
|
Jn
19:32-36
|
53.
Heart broken
|
Ps
69:20;22:14
|
Jn
19:34
|
54.
His side pierced
|
Zech
12:10
|
Jn
19:34+37
|
55.
Darkness over the land
|
Amos
8:9
|
Lk
23:44-45
|
56.
Buried in rich man's tomb
|
Isa
53:9
|
Mt
27:57-60
|
HIS
RESURRECTION & ASCENSION
|
PROPHESIED
|
FULFILLED
|
57.
Raised from the dead
|
Ps
16:8-11
|
Acts
2:24-31
|
58.
Begotten as Son of God
|
Ps
2:7
|
Acts
13:32-35
|
59.
Ascended to Heaven
|
Ps
68:18
|
Eph
4:8-10; John 3:13
|
60.
Seated beside God
|
Ps
110:1
|
Heb
1:3+13
|
1.3
TEXTUAL CONSISTENCY AND UNITY
Another argument for the
truthfulness of the Bible is its uniqueness and textual consistency. The Bible
is extraordinarily self-consistent, despite having been written by more than 40
different writers, it was written by more than 40 authors over about 1600
years, it is still one book, not a collection of books. The authors were kings,
peasants, philosophers, fishermen, physician, tax collector, statesmen,
scholars, poets and farmers, over a timespan of about 2,000 years. It was
written from various countries, from Italy, Greece, Babylon, Persia and Israel.
They wrote in 3 languages; Old Testament: Hebrew; Aramaic; New Testament:
Greek. The human authors lived in diverse cultures and had diverse experiences.
They were diverse in character and personality. That harmony is systematized
around one theme:
GOD'S REDEMPTION OF MAN
AND ALL OF CREATION.[11] The writers address several
controversial topics yet illogicalities never appear. The Bible is an
incredible text- God’s revelation.
1.3.1
SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED
The Bible consistently
claims to be God’s Word throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Exodus 20:1ff; Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 17; 2 Samuel 22:31; 23:2; Psalm 19:7-11;
119:9,11,18,89-91, 97-100, 104-5, 130; Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 55:10-11; 22:29;
Mark 13:31; John 2:22; 5:24; 10:35; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter
1:23-25; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:18. Scripture was breathed out by God.
Inspiration refers not so much to authors but to the Word of God. While the
authors were fallible and subject to error, God breathed out into their minds
His infallible Word, so that what they wrote was the inerrant Word of God. 2
Timothy 3:16-17.the Greek word used here is theopneustos God-breathed.
1.3.2
VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRATION[12]
Luke was a physician and
used medical terms and Paul, a scholar of Greek literature, quoted from the
Greek poets (Acts 17). God incorporated human writers and these men did not
always understand all that they were writing (Daniel 12:8-9). Nevertheless,
under the guiding hand of God they produced the 66 books, in which there is
amazing unity and constant evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in directing
what was written. The human authors were moved or borne along, carried to the
destination intended by God much as a boat will carry its passengers to its
ultimate destination. God used various ways to communicate His Word (2 Peter
1:20-21). Exodus 34:27. Write down these words. The Word of the Lord came to
the prophets: Jeremiah 1:2; Hosea 1:1; Visions and dreams, Daniel 2:1; 7:1.[13] Therefore, the Scriptures
are the very expression of God and must be as absolutely authoritative and
absolutely perfect as He is or.
1.4 TESTIMONY OF JESUS
1.4.1 Jesus and the Old Testament
Matthew 5:18; John 10:35.
The Scripture cannot be broken. He came in fulfillment of OT. Matthew. 1:22-33,
4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 15:7-8; 21:4-5. Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:43-44. Holy
Spirit and David. Luke 24:27 all Scriptures regarding Himself were accurate (John
5:39-40). Jesus quoted from OT in every significant section of NT, often from
books most disputed by liberals, for instance Deuteronomy, Jonah, Daniel.
Deuteronomy 6:16--Matthew 4:7; Jonah, Matthew 12:40; Daniel 9:27; 12:11, Matthew
24:15. It is unbearable to question inspiration of OT without questioning the
character and reliability of Jesus Christ. He said, I am the truth. He did not lodge
Himself to the fallacies of His age, as has been accused by liberal critics.
1.4.2 Jesus and the New Testament
Jesus foretold the
writing of NT. John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-13. The Holy Spirit would do for
the human writers of the NT what He did for the human writers of the OT. The
testimony of Jesus regarding the Bible is really seminal. If we believe that He
is God, and sinless; if we believe that He is the Truth; then we have to accept
His assessment of Scripture as truthful. We may not comprehend everything flawlessly.
That’s not vital.
I don’t comprehend
anything about nuclear project, but I believe in it and I’ve seen proof of its
power. I’ve also witness the power of the Scriptures even though I don’t comprehend
everything in it exhaustively.
1.5
TRANSFORMING POWER
Hebrews 4:12 says,
"The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged
sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit." Romans
12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind." We have proof concerning the transforming capacity
of the Bible. The Word of God and the Spirit of God really changes the lives of
people. The Bible has changed the lives of murderers, drug addicts, top
government officials, business people, and students, to name just a few people
from every walk of life who have been transformed by the Bible. No other book
can make such a claim. This is because the Bible is not a simple book on good
living but is literally overflowing with power. It is the Word of God with the
power to transform lives. (For instance, Voltaire). To conclude this segment of
the internal evidence for the Bible as being the very Word of God, I would
simply say that if you need evidence that the Bible is the Word of God simply take
and read it.
2. EXTERNAL
EVIDENCE
External evidences mainly
supports Bible from outside evidences, like science, extra-biblical authors,
archaeology, discoveries etc.
2.1 SCIENCE
AND THE BIBLE
2.1.1 Science in the Bible Chart[14]
The Bible
|
Science now
|
Science then
|
The Earth is a ROUND (Isaiah
40:22)
|
The Earth is a flat disk
|
|
Incalculable number of stars
(Jeremiah 33:22)
|
Only 1100 stars
|
|
Free float of Earth in space (Job
26:7)
|
Earth sat on a large animal
|
|
Creation made of invisible
elements (Hebrews 11:3)
|
Science is mostly ignorant on the
subject
|
|
Each star is different (1
Corinthians 15:41)
|
All stars were the same
|
|
Light moves (Job 38:19,20)
|
Light was fixed in place
|
|
Air has weight (Job 28:25)
|
Air was weightless
|
|
Winds blow in cyclones
(Ecclesiastes 1:6)
|
Winds blew straight
|
|
Blood is the source of life and
health (Leviticus 17:11)
|
Sick people must be bled
|
|
Ocean floor contains deep valleys
and mountains (2 Samuel 22:16; Jonah 2:6)
|
The ocean floor was flat
|
|
Ocean contains springs (Job 38:16)
|
Ocean fed only by rivers and rain
|
|
When dealing with disease, hands
should be washed under running water (Leviticus 15:13)
|
Hands washed in still water
|
The Bible is not a
science book, yet it is scientifically accurate. There are numerous other
instances in which scientific discoveries have been foreshadowed by Biblical
statements. The few cited do, however, reflect the fact that although the Bible
may not be a book of science, in all instances where scientifically testable
statements are found in the Bible, they have proven to be scientifically
accurate.[15]
We are not aware of any scientific proof that contradicts the Bible. Many of
them were listed in the Bible hundreds or even thousands of years before being
recorded elsewhere. Below are few of those;
2.1.2
The Second Law of Thermodynamics Confirms
Psalm 102:26
In Psalm 102:25, 26, we
read, "…They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax
old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be
changed." In verse 25, we find, restated, the fact that God is the Creator
of all that exists. Verse 26 then tells us something very important, not about
the early, created state of the universe, but about the present-day state of
the universe. According to this Scripture, written 3000 years before the start
of modern science, we learn that the universe is like a suit of clothes that is
wearing out. In other words, the universe is running down, deteriorating,
constantly becoming less and less orderly. The fact that the universe, in its
present state is deteriorating, has been fully confirmed by modern science.
Thus, clusters of galaxies are scattering as the galaxies move away from one
another. The rotation of the earth is slowing; the magnetic field of the earth
is decaying. Erosion constantly wears down the features of the earth. Our
bodies wear out; we die and decay to a pile of dust. Our houses, our machines
wear out and are finally abandoned and replaced. Many atoms decay to simpler
products, and it is even being postulated that sub-atomic particles, such as
the proton, decay, though ever so slowly, into energy. Each star, including our
own sun, is constantly burning up billions of tons of fuel every second.
Eventually, every star in the universe, unless God intervenes (which we are
certain He will), will exhaust its fuel and become dark and cold. The universe
would then be cold and dead, and, of course, all life would have ceased long
before the last death throes of the universe. Even now, every so often a nova
or supernova occurs, and a star very rapidly becomes less orderly, in a
gigantic explosion. This natural tendency towards disorder is so all-pervasive
and unfailing that it has been formalized as a natural law the Second Law of
Thermodynamics. Isaac Asimov has stated it this way (Smithsonian Institute
Journal, June 1970, p.6): "Another way of stating the second law then is:
'The universe is constantly getting more disorderly' viewed that way, we can
see the Second Law all about us.[16]
2.1.3
The Universe Must Have
Had A Beginning
Genesis 1:1 "In the
beginning God created" This verse of Scripture states that the universe
has not been here forever; that it had a beginning sometime in the past. Again,
let us remember that this is not what most people believed when the Bible was
written. They believed that the universe had been here forever, and would
continue to be here forever. The universe had a beginning when God created it
and it is now running down. Thus, modern science has established the fact that
what most people believed about the universe being eternal was wrong, and that
the Biblical statements on the subject were precisely correct.[17]
2.1.4
The Finished Creation
Confirmed by the First Law of Thermodynamics
The First Law of
Thermodynamics states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the
universe is a constant. One form of energy may be converted into another,
energy may be converted into matter, and matter may be converted into energy,
but the total quantity always remains the same. You can't get something from
nothing, and you can't take something and make nothing out of it. If it could
be shown that somewhere in this universe matter or energy was coming into being
from nothing, then this Biblical statement of a finished creation would be
falsified. This most firmly establishes Biblical statement concerning a
finished creation, as found in Genesis 2:1, 2: "Thus the heavens and the
earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended
His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work
which He had made."[18]
2.1.5
Psalm 8 Inspires a
Scientific Research Project of Matthew Maury
Matthew Maury undertook a
research project because he was in charge of the Depot of Charts and
Instruments in the Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy from
1841-1861. He was a Christian who loved and valued the Word of God. One day in
the Psalm 8, he read the following words (vv. 3-8), "The Bible says there
are paths in the sea," Maury thought, "and if the Bible says it, I
believe it." He was also aware of Ecclesiastes 1:6, which states:
"The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it
whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his
circuits."
Maury, on the basis of
the Bible, concluded that there are well-established wind circuits, and that
there are literally "paths in the sea" - that is, definite currents
in the ocean. Maury found and plotted the wind circuits and the ocean currents.
The ocean currents include, for example, the great Gulf Current - a "path
in the sea" forty miles wide and 2000 feet deep flowing from the Gulf of
Mexico up through the Atlantic. This current has a tremendous influence on the
climate of England, Ireland, Europe, and the Scandinavian countries. The
average winter temperature on the west coast of Norway, for example, is about
two degrees centigrade, or two degrees above freezing. Ordinarily, of course,
we would expect far lower temperatures for a country that far north. Maury's
native state, the State of Virginia, has acknowledged the great debt navigation
owes him, having erected monuments to his memory. On these monuments may be
found a plaque that reads as follows: "Matthew Fontaine Maury, Pathfinder
of the Seas, the Genius Who First Snatched from the Ocean and Atmosphere the
Secret of Their Laws. His Inspiration, Holy Writ, Psalm 8:8, Psalm 107:23,24,
and Ecclesiastes 1:6."
Was Matthew Maury really
a genius, or was he simply one who trusted the Bible as the inerrant Word of
God? Whether he was a genius or not, it was not his genius, but his faith in
the Bible that directed his efforts into a scientific research project, the
results of which fully vindicated that faith.
2.1.6
Statements Consistent
With Paleontology
Most of us adored reading
about dinosaurs at some time in our lives. In 1993, the movie “Jurassic Park”
inspired the public curiosity in dinosaurs far beyond its prior level. As a
consequence, growing numbers of people have thought that since we have found
all these fossils and dinosaur bones, we know dinosaurs existed. How come they
are not mentioned in the Bible? The book of Job describes two dinosaurs;
Behemoth and Leviathan. One is described in chapter 40:15>, and the other in
chapter 41:1>.
2.1.7
Astronomy Statements
Consistent With Astronomy
Genesis 22:17, Jeremiah
33:22 even today, scientists acknowledge that they do not know how many stars
there are. Only about 3,000-5,000 can be seen with the bare eye. Today science
accepts that there are innumerous stars. The Bible also says that each star is
unique. 1 Corinthians 15:41. All stars look alike to the naked eye. Even when
seen through a telescope, they seem to be just points of light. However,
analysis of their light spectra reveals that each is unique and different from
all others. The Bible defines the precision of movement in the universe in Jeremiah
31:35, 36.
2.1.8
Meteorology Statements
Consistent With Meteorology
The Bible refer to the
circulation of the atmosphere in Ecclesiastes 1:6. The Bible comprises some
principles of fluid dynamics. Job 28:25 the fact that air has weight was confirmed
scientifically only about 300 years ago. The relative weights of air and water
are needed for the proficient working of the world’s hydrologic cycle, which in
turn sustains life on the earth.
2.1.9
Biology Statements
Consistent With Biology
The book of Leviticus
(written prior to 1400 BC) refer to the value of blood. The blood carries water
and nourishment to every cell, maintains the body’s temperature, and removes
the waste material of the body’s cells. The blood also carries oxygen from the
lungs throughout the body. In 1616, William Harvey discovered that blood
circulation is the key factor in physical life, confirming what the Bible revealed
3,000 years earlier in Leviticus 17:11. The Bible describes biogenesis (the
development of living organisms from other living organisms) and the stability
of each kind of living organism. In Genesis 1:11, 12, 21, 25, the phrase “according
to its kind” occurs frequently, stressing the reproductive integrity of each
kind of animal and plant. Today we know this occurs because all of these
reproductive systems are programmed by their genetic codes. Genesis 2:7, 3:19
here Bible describes the chemical nature of flesh, in the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread. It is a proven fact that a person’s mental and spiritual
health is strongly linked with physical health. The Bible shown this to us with
these statements (and others) written by King Solomon about 950 BC in Proverbs
12:4, 14:30, 15:30, 16:24, 17:22.
2.1.10 Anthropology
Statements Consistent With Anthropology
We have cave paintings
and other proof that people colonized caves. The Bible also refer to cave men. Job
30:5, 6 Note that these were not ape-men, but descendants of those who
scattered from Babel. They were driven from the community by those tribes who
competed successfully for the more desirable regions of the earth.
2.1.11 Hydrology
Statements Consistent With Hydrology
The bible contains sensibly
whole accounts of the hydrologic cycle in Psalm 135:7, Jeremiah 10:13. In these
verses you can see several phases of the hydrologic cycle the worldwide
processes of evaporation, translation aloft by atmospheric circulation, condensation
with electrical discharges, and precipitation. Job 36:27-29 this simple verse
has noteworthy scientific understanding. The drops of water which eventually
pour down as rain first become vapor and then condense to tiny liquid water
droplets in the clouds. These finally coalesce into drops large enough to
overcome the updrafts that suspend them in the air. The Bible describes the
recirculation of water. Ecclesiastes 1:7, Isaiah 55:10 The Bible refers to the astonishing
amount of water that can be held as condensation in clouds. In Job 26:8, Job
37:11 Hydrothermal vents are described in two books of the Bible written before
1400BC more than 3,000 years before their discovery by science. Genesis 7:11, Job
38:16.
2.1.12 Geological
Statements Consistent With Geology
Jeremiah 31:37 although
some scientists claim that they have now measured the size of the universe, it
is interesting to note that every human attempt to drill through the earth’s
crust to the plastic mantle beneath has, thus far, ended in failure. Many
people are mindful of the struggle between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Pope,
Paul V. After publishing A Dialogue on the Two Principal Systems of the World,
Galileo was summoned to Rome, where he was required to renounce his findings
under Inquisition[19], because for them earth was
in the center of the solar system. The Bible described the shape of the earth
centuries before people thought that the earth was spherical. Isaiah 40:22 The
word translated “circle” here is the Hebrew word chuwg which is also
translated “circuit,” or “compass” (depending on the context). That is, it
indicates something spherical, rounded, or arched not something that is flat or
square.
2.1.13 Physics
Statements Consistent With Physics
The Bible proposes the existence
of nuclear processes like those we associate with nuclear arsenal. This is definitely
not something that could have been clarified in 67 AD using known scientific ideologies
but here 2 Peter 3:10 “…elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth
and the works that are in it will be burned up.” The Bible contains passages
that describe something like television, something that allows everyone on
earth see a single event. Matthew 24:30 “… and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Revelation 11:9-11).
Hebrews 11:3 “…what was visible.” Individual atoms are indeed too small to be
seen with light that is visible to the human eye (they're much smaller than the
wavelength of visible light), but their detection with spectroscopic methods
demonstrates their presence and structure just fine. Brownian motion can only
be explained though the description of matter in discrete molecular or atom
forms. This effect the apparent random motion of dust in the air or colored dye
that is dropped into clear water was used as one of the first pieces of
evidence to indicate the existence of such "invisible" atoms and
molecules.[20]
2.2
EXTRA-BIBLICAL AUTHORS
Two friends of the
apostle John confirm the internal evidence from John’s accounts. The historian
Eusebius preserves writings of Papias, bishop of Hierapolis (AD 130). The Elder
(Apostle John) used to say this also: “Mark, having been the interpreter of Peter,
wrote down accurately all that he (Peter) mentioned, whether sayings or doings
of Christ, not however, in order. For he was neither a hearer nor a companion
of the Lord; but afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter… so then Mark made
no mistake … for he paid attention to this one thing, not to omit anything that
he had heard, nor to include any false statements among them. Iraneus, Bishop
of Lyons in AD 180, who was a student of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (who had
been a Christian for eighty-six years and was a disciple of John the Apostle). [21]
2.3
TESTIMONY OF MARTYRS
There are numerous
examples of people who were prepared to die because of their faith - a faith
based on the reliability and trustworthiness of the New Testament accounts.
Here are two examples:
Ignatius (AD 70-110). He
was Bishop of Antioch and was martyred for his faith in Christ. He knew all the
apostles and was a disciple of Polycarp. Ignatius is said to have been thrown
to the lions in the colosseum at Rome. He had sufficient material and witnesses
to learn scriptural trustworthiness, and the fact that he was willing to die
for his faith, supports the trustworthiness of the Scripture (the New Testament
documents) on which his faith rested. Polycarp (AD 70-156) was a disciple of
John and was martyred at 86 years of age because of his persistent devoutness
to Jesus Christ and the Scriptures. He was charred at the stake. His death confirmed
his trust in the accuracy of the Scripture as he definitely had ample contacts
to know the truth.[22]
2.4
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES
Two of the greatest
20th-century archaeologists, William F. Albright and Nelson Glueck, both lauded
the Bible (even though they were non-Christian and secular in their training
and personal beliefs) as being the single most accurate source document from
history. Over and over again, the Bible has been found to be accurate in its
places, dates, and records of events. No other “religious” document comes even
close. Biblical archaeology has silenced many critics as new discoveries
supported the facts of the Bible. Here are few of those findings;
2.4.1 Ebla Tablets: discovered
in 1970s in Northern Syria. Documents written on clay tablets from around 2300
B.C. validate that personal and place names in the Patriarchal accounts are
genuine. The tablets refer to all five "cities of the plain"
mentioned in Genesis 14, previously assumed to have been mere legends. In use
in Ebla was the name "Canaan," a name criticizers once said was not
used at that time and was used wrongly in the early chapters of the Bible.[23]
2.4.2 Flood Story: Beside
Bible, Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Greeks all report a flood in primordial
times. A Sumerian king list from c. 2100 BC divides itself into two categories:
those kings who ruled before a great flood and those who ruled after it. One of
the earliest examples of Sumero-Akkadian-Babylonian literature, the Gilgamesh
Epic, describes a great flood sent as penalty by the gods, with humanity saved
only when the pious Utnapishtim “the Mesopotamian Noah”, builds a ship
and saves the animal world thereon. A later Greek counterpart, the story of
Deucalion and Phyrra, tells of a couple who survived a great flood sent by an
angry Zeus. Taking refuge atop Mount Parnassus, “the Greek Ararat”, they
supposedly repopulated the earth by heaving stones behind them that sprang into
human beings.[24]
There are many extra-biblical evidences that point to a worldwide catastrophe
such as a global flood. There are vast fossil graveyards found on every
continent and large amounts of coal deposits that would require the rapid
covering of vast quantities of vegetation. Oceanic fossils are found upon
mountain tops around the world. Cultures in all parts of the world have some
form of flood legend. All of these facts and many others are evidence of a
global flood.[25]
2.4.3 Dead Sea Scroll: The
first of the Dead Sea Scroll findings happened in 1947 in Qumran, a village
situated about twenty miles east of Jerusalem on the northwest shore of the
Dead Sea. A young Bedouin shepherd, following a goat that had gone astray found
pot containing leather and papyrus scrolls that were later determined to be
nearly twenty centuries old. Ten years and many searches later, eleven caves
around the Dead Sea were found to contain tens of thousands of scroll fragments
dating from the third century B.C. to A.D. 68 and representing an estimated 800
separate works. They comprise manuscripts of every book in the Hebrew Bible
except the Book of Esther.[26] The Dead Sea Scrolls can
also give us confidence in the trustworthiness of the Biblical manuscripts
since there were minimal dissimilarities between the manuscripts that had
formerly been discovered and those that were found in Qumran. Clearly this is a
testament to the way God has well-preserved His Word down through the
centuries, guarding it from extinction and shielding it against major
inaccuracy.
2.4.4 The Existence of Hittites: Genesis
23 reports that Abraham buried Sarah in the Cave of Machpelah, which he bought
from Ephron the Hittite. II Samuel 11 tells of David’s adultery with Bathsheba,
the wife of Uriah the Hittite. A century ago the Hittites were unidentified
outside of the Old Testament, and criticizers stated that they were a figment
of biblical imagination. In 1876 a dramatic finding transformed this opinion. A
British scholar named A. H. Sayce found inscriptions carved on rocks in Turkey.[27] He suspected that they might
be evidence of the Hittite nation. Ten years later, more clay tablets were
found in Turkey at a place called Boghaz-koy. German cuneiform expert Hugo
Winckler investigated the tablets and began his own expedition at the site in
1906. The Hittite nation had been discovered. [28]
2.4.5 Sodom and Gomorrah: The
story of Sodom and Gomorrah has long been viewed as a legend. Critics assume
that it was created to communicate moral principles. However, throughout the
Bible this story is treated as a historical event. The Old Testament prophets
refer to the destruction of Sodom on several occasions (Deut. 29:23, Isa. 13:19,
Jer. 49:18), and these cities play a key role in the teachings of Jesus and the
Apostles (Matt. 10:15, 2 Pet. 2:6 and Jude 1:7). Archaeologists have searched
the Dead Sea region for many years in search of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis
14:3 gives their location as the Valley of Siddim known as the Salt Sea,
another name for the Dead Sea. On the east side six wadies, or river valleys,
flow into the Dead Sea. Along five of these wadies, ancient cities were
discovered. The northern most is named Bab edh-Drha. In 1924, renowned
archaeologist Dr. William Albright excavated at this site, searching for Sodom
and Gomorrah. He discovered it to be a heavily fortified city. Although he
connected this city with one of the biblical "Cities of the Plains," he
could not find conclusive evidence to justify this assumption.[29]
Dr. Bryant Wood, in
describing these charnel houses, stated that a fire began on the roofs of these
buildings. A graveyard one kilometer outside the city contained charred remains
of roofs, posts, and bricks turned red from heat. Ultimately the burning roof shrunken
into the interior and spread inside the building. This was the instance in
every house they dug. Such a huge fiery annihilation would match the biblical
account that the city was demolished by fire that poured down from heaven. Wood
states, "The evidence would suggest that this site of Bab edh-Drha is the
biblical city of Sodom."[30] Five cities of the plain are
mentioned in Genesis 14: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zoar, and Zeboiim. Leftovers
of these other four cities are also found along the Dead Sea. Following a
southward path from Bab edh-Drha there is the city called Numeria.[31] Many archaeologists believe
if Bab ed-Drha is Sodom, Numeria is Gomorrah, and es-Safi is Zoar. What captivated
the archaeologists is that these cities were shielded in the same ash as Bab
ed-Drha. Numeria, believed to be Gomorrah, had seven feet of ash in some
places. In every one of the devastated cities ash deposits made the soil a
spongy charcoal, making it unmanageable to reconstruct.
2.4.6 The Walls of Jericho: The
astounding nature of the conquest has caused some scholars to dismiss the story
as folklore, which is 1440 BC. Over the past century four noticeable
archaeologists have excavated the site: Carl Watzinger from 1907-1909, John
Garstang in the 1930's, Kathleen Kenyon from 1952-1958, and presently Bryant
Wood. The outcome of their effort has been outstanding. First, they discovered
that Jericho had an extraordinary system of fortifications. Surrounding the
city was a retaining wall fifteen feet high. At its top was an eight-foot brick
wall supported from behind by an earthen rampart. Domestic constructions were
found behind this first wall. Another brick wall enclosed the rest of the city.[32] The domestic structures
found between the two walls is steady with Joshua's account of Rahab's housings
(Josh. 2:15). Archeologists also found that in one part of the city, large
piles of bricks were found at the base of both the inner and outer walls, signifying
an abrupt downfall of the fortifications. Scholars feel that an earthquake,
which may also clarify the damming of the Jordan in the biblical description,
caused this breakdown. The collapsed bricks formed a ramp by which an invader
might easily enter the city (Josh. 6:20).[33] Of this amazing discovery
Garstang states, "As to the main fact, then, there remains no doubt: the
walls fell outwards so completely, the attackers would be able to clamber up
and over the ruins of the city." This is remarkable because when attacked
city walls fall inward, not outward. A thick layer of soot indicates that the
city was destroyed by fire as described in Joshua 6:24.[34] Archaeologists also revealed
large amounts of grain at the location. This is again reliable with the
biblical description that the city was seized swiftly. If it had fallen as a
result of a siege, the grain would have been used up. According to Joshua 6:17,
the Israelites were prohibited to plunder the city, but had to abolish it
totally. Although the archaeologists established Jericho was viciously ruined.
2.4.7 King Sargon: It
was once claimed there was no Assyrian king named Sargon as recorded in Isaiah
20:1, because this name was not known in any other record. Then, Sargon's
palace was discovered in Iraq, Khorsabad. The very event mentioned in Isaiah
20, his capture of Ashdod, was recorded on the palace walls! Even more,
fragments of a stela (a poetic eulogy) memorializing the victory were found at
Ashdod itself.[35]
2.4.8 King Belshazzar:
Another king who was in doubt was Belshazzar, king of Babylon, named in Daniel
5. The last king of Babylon was Nabonidus according to recorded history. The
tablet was found showing that Belshazzar was Nabonidus' son.[36]
2.4.9
Other Miscellaneous Discoveries
A census, and Quirinius
governor at the time of Jesus' birth? - Luke 2:1-3 an inscription found in
Antioch tells of Quirinius being governor of Syria around 7 B.C. (evidently he
was governor twice). A papyrus found in Egypt says concerning the conducting of
a census. Who is this Lysanias? - Luke 3:1 However, an inscription was found
near Damascus. It speaks of "Freedman of Lysanias the tetrarch" and
is dated between 14 and 29 AD. Whoever heard of "The Pavement" Gabbatha?
John 19:13. For centuries there was no record of the court called "The
Pavement" or Gabbatha. This caused many to say "It's a
myth" and, "See, Bible is not historical". Iconium a city of Phyrigia? Acts 14:6 Archaeologists
at first believed Luke's implication to be wrong. But in 1910, Sir William
Ramsay found a monument, which showed that Iconium was indeed a Phrygian city.
Later discoveries continued to confirm this. Whoever heard of Politarchs?
Acts 17:6 since the term, "Rulers of the City" (Greek Politarchs),
is not found in the classical literature of the Greeks, it was assumed that
Luke was wrong to refer to such an office. However, some 19 inscriptions have
now been found that make use of this title. Five of these are in reference to
Thessalonica.[37]
Sir William Ramsay was qualified in the German historical school of the mid-
nineteenth century. He was taught that the book of Acts was a product of the
mid-second century AD. He was decisively convinced of this and started out his
career in archaeology to demonstrate it. However, he was compelled to a
complete opposite of his beliefs due to the irresistible proofs discovered in his
investigation. [38]
His conclusion: "Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his
statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense, in
short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of
historians."[39]
2.3 PUBLICATION AND IMPACT OF THE BIBLE
You cannot study Western civilization
without understanding the impact of the Bible. And
then you see how the Western civilization impacted the rest of the world.
Civilization has
been influenced more by the Judeo-Christian Scriptures than by any other book
or series of
books in the world. The Bible has been translated into many languages from the
biblical languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. As of November 2014 the full
Bible has been translated into 531 languages, and 2,883 languages have at least
some portion of the Bible. There are about 7000 languages in active use and at
least one book of Scripture exists in over 2,900 of these languages. No other
book has been published in as many languages. It still is a best-seller. [40]
The French atheist
Voltaire said that it would be obsolete within a hundred years from his time
and Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But
Voltaire has passed into history and the Bible continues to be circulated
increasingly throughout the world. In fact, ironically, only 50 years after
Voltaire's death, the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce
stacks of Bibles.
CONCLUSION
After this small probe it
could be said that the Bible is a historical document. The Bible describes
places, people, and events in various degrees of detail. It is fundamentally a
historical description of the people of God throughout thousands of years. If
you open to almost any page in the Bible, you will find a name of a place and/or
a person. Much of this can be confirmed from archaeology.
Though archaeology cannot
prove that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it has the capacity to prove
whether or not some events and locations described therein are factual or
false. So far, however, there isn't a single archaeological discovery that
disproves the Bible in any way.
You can trust the Bible
because it’s doctrinally, theologically, scientifically and historically accurate.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 6:18, “It is impossible for God to lie” (NIV).
The only reason the universe works is because God is true all the time. If the
Bible has one lie in it, it’s not a godly book. It’s not from God, because God
can’t lie. Psalm 33:4 says, “The Word of the Lord is right and true” (NLT).That
means the Bible is right and true about salvation and history.
This study has been very
inspiring to me personally. While I personally believed in the
inerrancy of scripture and the biblical explanations, this study has put teeth
to my beliefs.
The proof is irresistible and convincing, any refusal of the evidence is simply
the
result of a hardened heart that is evidently sightless to the light that God
has so cordially
provided.
[1] Layman, Views
of prophecy concerning the Jews, the Second Advent, and the Millennium
(Philadelphia: Smith Company, 1866), 41-42.
[2] Steve
Wohlberg, End Time Delusions: The Rapture, the Antichrist, Israel, and the
End of the World (Shippensburg: Destin Image Publisher, 2004), 184.
[3] Paul P
Enns, The Moody Handbook of Theology (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1989),
74.
[4]Bryant
Wright, Seeds of Turmoil: The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the
Middle East (Nashville: Library Congress, 2010), 106.
[5]John A.
Brinkman and R. A. Guisepi “History Of The Babylonians And Assyrians” http://history-world.org/nineveh.htm
(accessed on 09/01/2016)
[6]Mark
Hitchcock, The Amazing Claims of Bible Prophecy: What You Need to Know in
These Uncertain Time (Eugene: Harvest Publishers, 2012), 20.
[7] William
Fleming, A Gazetteer of the Old and New Testaments: to which is Added the
Natural History of the Bible (London: Edinburgh Publishers,),
433-34.
[8] Michael
Vincent, Walking in Humility (USA: Xulon Press, 2003), 79-78.
[9]Meir
Litvak and Esther Webman, From Empathy to Denial: Arab Responses to the
Holocaust (London: Hurts Publishers, 2009), 78.
[10] [n.a.]
“Genuine divine Bible prophecy” http://www.bible.ca/b-prophecy-60.htm
(accessed on 10/01/2016)
[11]James W.
Scott, “The Inspiration of Scripture” http://www.opc.org/new_horizons/Inspiration.html
(accessed on 11/01/2016)
[12] Definition: The
supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in which He superintended the human
authors of canonical Scripture, so that their individual personalities composed
and recorded without error God's revelation to humanity in the words of the
original autographs. The Spirit of God guided in the choice of the words used
by the human authors in the original writings. Various books reflect the
writers' personal characteristics in style and vocabulary, and their
personalities are often expressed in their thoughts, opinions, confusion,
prayers, or fears.
[13] [n.a.]
“Luke the Historian: The Gospel of Luke” https://bible.org/book/export/html/21296
(accessed on 12/01/2016)
[14] [n.a.]
“Science Confirms the Bible” https://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/scienceconfirmsthebible.shtml
(accessed on 12/01/2016)
[15] Duane
Gish, “Modern Scientific Discoveries Verify the Scriptures” http://www.icr.org/article/modern-scientific-discoveries-verify-scriptures/
(accessed on 12/01/2016)
[16] [n.a.]
“Science Proves the Accuracy of the Bible” http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/word/word_proves.html
(accessed on 13/01/2016)
[17] Duane
Gish, “Modern Scientific Discoveries Verify the Scriptures” http://www.icr.org/article/modern-scientific-discoveries-verify-scriptures/
(accessed on 12/01/2016)
[18]Jeff
Miller, “Evolution and the Laws of Science: The Laws of Thermodynamics” http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2786
(accessed on 12/01/2016)
[19] The
Inquisition is a group of institutions within the judicial system of the Roman
Catholic Church whose aim was to combat heresy. It started in 12th-century
France to combat religious sectarianism, in particular the Cathars and the
Waldensians.
[20] Holton
Hotema, The Facts of Nutrition (Pomeroy: Health Research Publication,
1947), 14.
[21] Josh
McDowell and Bill Wilson, The Best of Josh McDowell: A Ready Defense (Nashville:
Here's Life Publishers, 1993), 54.
[22]Jonathan
Kuntaraf and Kathleen H. Liwijaya-Kuntaraf, God's Book of Wisdom (Hagerstown:
Review and Herald Publication, 2007), 39.
[23]Mark
Water, The Bible and Science Made Easy (USA: Hendrickson Publishers,
2004), 64.
[24]Alan P.
Dickin, Pagan Trinity - Holy Trinity: The Legacy of the Sumerians in Western
Civilization (UK: Hamilton Books, 2007), 70-71.
[25](n.a.)
“Was Noah's flood global or local?” http://www.gotquestions.org/global-flood.html
(accessed on 16/01/16)
[26] Weston
Fields, The Dead Sea Scrolls, A Full History (USA: Fields Publishers,
2009), 29-30.
[27]Michael
Dedivonai, The Quest for Truth: Come Now and Let Us Reason Together (Bloomington:
Author House, 2012), 151.
[28]Randall
Price, The Stones Cry Out (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1977),
82-83.
[29]Rob van
de Weghe, Prepared to Answer: A Step-by-step Guide to Bring the Power of
Christian Evidence to Your Life (England: Sheffield Press, 1996), 145.
[30]Norman
Geisler and Joseph M. Holden, The Popular Handbook of Archaeology and the
Bible (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2013), 2014-15.
[31]Henry
Morris, Science and the Bible (USA: Congress Library Publishing, 1951),
Ch. 4.
[32] Weghe, Prepared
to Answer: A Step-by-step Guide to Bring the Power of Christian, 149.
[33] Sean
McDowell (ed.), Apologetics Study Bible for Students (South Korea:
Holman Bible Publishers, 2010), 225.
[34] Patrick
Zukeran, Unless I See: Is There Enough Evidence to Believe? (USA: Cross
Books, 2011), 134.
[35] Bill Bright,
How Can I Understand the Bible?: God's Word Can Change Your Life
(Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2004), 41.
[36] Bill
Bright, How Can I Understand the Bible?: God's Word Can Change Your Life,
42.
[37] (n.a.)
"Christian Apologetics;
Archaeological Support For The New Testament” http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/ca/ca_05.htm
(accessed on 20/01/16)
[38]Tim
LaHaye, Why Believe in Jesus? (Eugene: Harvest House Publication, 2004),
49.
[39] William
Mitchell Ramsay, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of
the New Testament
Hodder and Stoughton, 1915 cited in Jeremy Seely, Who's
Got God? (Irvin: Jerom Publications, 2011), 38.
[40] http://www.wycliffe.net/statistics
(accessed on 12/02/16)
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