APOLOGETICS. Fourth Edition

Transcription

1 APOLOGETICS Fourth Edition

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3 APOLOGETICS A Study Guide by William Menzies Fourth Edition Based on the Textbooks KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVE by Paul E. Little and A CHRISTIAN APPEAL TO REASON by Bernard L. Ramm Developed in Cooperation With the Global University Staff Instructional Development Specialists: First Edition: Norman D. Anderson Second Edition: Juanita Cunningham Blackburn Illustrator: John E. Bocchieri, Jr South Glenstone Avenue Springfield, Missouri USA

4 Global University Springfield, Missouri, USA 1976, 1995, 1999, 2004 Global University All rights reserved. First edition 1976 Fourth edition 2004 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. TO BE USED WITH: Student Packet Fourth Edition Grading Packet Fourth Edition (For Grader s Use Only) PN ISBN Previously published as TH2223 Apologetics 1976 by ICI University, USA Printed in the United States of America

5 Table of Contents Page Course Introduction... 7 UNIT ONE: God And Faith: Knowing That God Lives 1 What Is Apologetics? Where Is the Starting Point? Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Is There a God? UNIT TWO: The Word And Faith: Knowing That God Communicates 5 Is Jesus Christ Divine? Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Is the Bible God s Word? Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Can Scriptures Be Verified? UNIT THREE: Experience And Faith: Knowing That God Acts 10 Are Miracles Possible? Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Why Does God Permit Suffering? Is Christian Experience Valid? Glossary Bibliography

6 6 Apologetics The Degree Program This Independent-Study Textbook is one of the courses that comprise the Degree Program. Majors are offered in Bible and Theology, Christian Education, and Intercultural Studies. For additional information regarding the various programs available for study, write to your enrollment office. Study materials in the Degree Program are designed in a self-teaching format for ministers and Christian workers who want to engage in systematic Bible study at the post-secondary level. These courses will provide many of the necessary tools for practical ministry and Christian witness. Students may enroll in either individual courses or in a program of study leading to academic certification. However, you should be aware of the possibility that some courses may not fit into a specific study program. When satisfactorily completed courses are applied toward a study program, only those that meet the requirements of the selected program will receive credit toward certification. Therefore, it is important for you to select courses that contribute to your program requirements. The Degree Program curriculum is under constant evaluation. Revisions and additions will be made in keeping with the goal of providing students with the best possible independent-study learning experiences. Attention We have prepared this Independent-Study Textbook or Study Guide to help you successfully complete the course. Please read the course introduction very carefully. By following the instructions, you should be able to achieve your goals for the course, and you should not have difficulty preparing for your final examination. Address all your correspondence concerning the course to your local enrollment office at the address stamped below. If no address is stamped there, and you do not have the address of the office in your area, then please write to the following address: Global University 1211 South Glenstone Avenue Springfield, Missouri USA The address of your local office is:

7 7 Course Introduction Course Introduction Apologetics From the beginning of the Church Age, Christians have been called upon to give an account for their belief in what the Bible says about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. In our present generation, we find scoffers, cynics, and doubters everywhere who ridicule Christian faith and try to dissuade believers from the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every Christian should be able to give a reasoned and compelling answer for the hope that is within him. A study of Christian apologetics will help you to understand the importance of knowing how to explain what you believe about Jesus Christ and why you believe it. The relationship of faith and reason is a dominant theme of this study. You will learn that subjective faith your personal relationship with Jesus Christ is made possible and must be supported by objective truth the gospel message recorded in the Bible. The apostle Paul speaks of this in Colossians 1:3 6. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. Christian apologetics makes no excuses for the teachings or practices of biblical faith. The purpose of this course is to convince you and help you to persuade others that man s only hope is faith in and obedience to the God of the Christian Scriptures. We live in an age of doubt in which relativism rules. For many people there is no longer an absolute truth. They ask, How can I be sure of anything? As a result, the meaning and purpose of their lives are seriously affected. But we can be sure. We can know the truth about God, and this knowledge will give direction to our lives. Why? Because God broke into human history through the life, death, and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we have the answers to life s most perplexing questions and hope for the future. Your prayerful and diligent study of Apologetics will guide and direct your thoughts toward the One who can fulfill all of your needs and the needs of everyone who will come to Him seeking truth.

8 8 Apologetics Course Description Apologetics (THE3013 Credit: 3 hours) Having faith and knowing are two consistent themes of this course, which examines and explains the relationship between them for the Christian life. Each unit of study progressively develops this theme: God and Faith: Knowing That God Lives; The Word and Faith: Knowing That God Communicates; Experience and Faith: Knowing That God Acts. The student is presented with various views of each of the subjects addressed along with a biblical response. Ample opportunities are given for applying the eternal truths of God s Word to meet the challenges and demands of life in a complex and changing world. Course Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to: 1. Explain the proper relationship between faith and reason in a Christian context. 2. Distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable kinds of doubt in a Christian context. 3. Trace and explain a logical line of reasoning for the existence of God. 4. State significant arguments for belief in the deity of Christ and His bodily resurrection from the dead. 5. Give reasons why one may trust the Bible as God s authoritative revelation to all people. 6. Compare the demands of science and Scripture to demonstrate their essential harmony, and defend the creationist viewpoint of humankind s origin as opposed to various evolutionary alternatives. 7. Describe various viewpoints concerning the presence of suffering and evil in the world, and explain how a Christian is enabled to understand and accept this reality. 8. State reasons for the validity of Christian experience. 9. Recognize the importance of apologetics as a tool of evangelism, and apply what you learn in this course by having useful answers to important questions that are asked by both Christians and unbelievers. 10. Complete a course project in which you apply principles taught in this course to address objections to Christianity prevalent in your culture. 11. Express your appreciation of the loving care of our Heavenly Father who communicates with us by His Word and by His Spirit. Resources You will use Apologetics, a Study Guide by William Menzies with the textbooks it was written to accompany: Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little (Revised Edition) and A Christian Appeal to Reason by Bernard L. Ramm. The Holy Bible is also required. Bible quotations in this Study Guide are from the New International Version (NIV), 1978 edition, unless otherwise noted. Some assignments require you to access the Global University Library Web

9 9 Course Introduction site. Instructions for accessing the Internet are provided in the Undergraduate Writing Assignment Guidelines (UWAG) in the Student Packet. Content Specialist for the Course William Menzies broad experience as a pastor, professor, and author contributed to his preparation as the content specialist for this course. He began his ministry as an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God and pastored churches from 1954 to 1958 in Big Rapids and Sturgis, Michigan. Since 1989, Dr. Menzies served as president of Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Republic of the Philippines until his retirement, when that institution recognized him with an annual lectureship named in his honor. Prior to that he was a professor at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary ( ), Evangel College ( ), and Central Bible College ( ), all in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Menzies traveled extensively and taught an international student body in schools and seminars around the world. He authored several books and publications, and was the first president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, an international organization of Pentecostal theologians. Dr. Menzies earned two B.A. degrees in Bible one from Central Bible College and the other from Wheaton College. He also received the M.A. degree in theology from Wheaton College and a Ph.D. in religion from the University of Iowa. Dr. Menzies went to be with the Lord in Study Time We recommend that you have a regular time for study. Of course, you may take advantage of spare moments to study when you have them, but there is no substitute for a regular study time. Try to complete at least one lesson each week. In a classroom, two or three class sessions would ordinarily be given to each lesson. Studying independently, you may expect to spend from three to six hours on a lesson. How much time you actually need to study each lesson depends in part on your knowledge of the subject and the strength of your study skills before you begin the course. It also depends on the extent to which you follow directions and develop skills necessary for independent study. Plan your study schedule so that you spend enough time to attain the objectives stated by the author of the course as well as your personal objectives. Study Methods The Student Packet includes two helpful tools. The Checklist of Study Methods and the Student s Planner and Record will help you know how to study a lesson, review for a unit progress evaluation on a group of lessons, and prepare for the final examination that covers all of the lessons. If you do not

10 10 Apologetics usually study as recommended, you will need to adapt your study methods to achieve the highest success in the course. Ways to Study This Course (1) All of your course work except your final examination should be submitted by . If is not available, submit by mail or fax. (2) Although this course has been designed for individual study, there are limited opportunities to join in a study group or class. In that case, the adviser may give you additional instructions. If so, be sure to follow the adviser s directions. Lesson Organization, Learning Tools, and Study Strategy A recommended step-by-step numbered procedure for approaching each lesson is presented as part of the introduction to each unit of this course. The procedure is a formula for getting the most out of the lesson. Each lesson includes specific components to help you learn the material: (1) the introduction, (2) the highlights or learning activities, (3) the objectives, (4) the outline, (5) the content, (6) the defined words, (7) the guiding questions or study questions, (8) the learn-by-doing activities, (9) the self-test, and (10) the appraisal. Introduction Each lesson includes an introduction which serves as a bridge between the previous lesson and new material about to be presented. Read each introduction to review what you have learned thus far in preparation for being introduced to new concepts which build on that foundation. Highlights or Learning Activities Global University undergraduate courses have one of two instructional design patterns. These may be identified by the elements listed on the first page of the lessons. One instructional design pattern lists highlights before the objectives and includes learning-by-doing activities at the end of the content. The second lists learning activities before the objectives and includes study questions in the lesson content. Highlights The highlights are a brief summary of the lesson. They give you the key points or specific views or perspectives related to the key concepts and let you know what to expect in the lesson. Think about the key points as you study the lesson. Lessons that list highlights include learn-by-doing activities in the lesson content.

11 11 Course Introduction Learning Activities The learning activities are a brief summary of steps to successful study of the lesson. They let you know what to expect in the lesson and guide you in such a way as to help you achieve the objectives of the lesson. Lessons that list learning activities include study questions in the lesson content. Objectives The key (important) concepts presented in the lesson are derived from the objectives. Study each objective carefully as you begin each lesson. First, identify the key concepts presented in the objective and second, identify what each objective is asking you to do with the key concepts. For example, in the objective, assess the positive and negative ways that colonialism affected the spread of Christianity, the key concept is colonialism affected Christianity. In this objective you are asked to assess positive and negative ways or show the good and bad effects colonialism had on the spread of Christianity. Outline The outline gives a succinct picture of the lesson in a few words. It shows each main topic in relation to the content in subtopics. These offer helpful memory cues for acquiring and retaining the lesson content. Content The content presents the subject matter. To ensure that the subject matter is learned effectively, the content incorporates several learning tools: objectives, headings, subheads, and guiding questions. As you study the content, (a) refer to the objective that relates to the section, (b) identify the key concepts presented in the objective, (c) identify what each objective is asking you to do with those key concepts, and (d) use the objective and guiding questions to direct your learning of the important concepts and perspectives. Use headings and subheads to give you an idea of what will be discussed in each section. Having an idea of what to expect will improve your learning process. The content is the substance of the lesson. It should be underlined, highlighted, or otherwise marked to help you remember the key points and significant statements of the author. Guiding questions (a) directly relate to the key concepts and their relevant perspectives, (b) provide direction for learning in question form, and (c) help you identify the important (key) concepts and their relevant perspectives in each section. The key concepts and relevant perspectives are what the unit progress evaluations (UPEs) and final exam are based on. As you study, try to answer the guiding questions and see their relevance to each section. Study Questions Some courses include study questions in the lesson content. Most can be answered in the space provided in this book, while others require a notebook in

12 12 Apologetics which responses may be written. As you write the answers in your notebook, be sure to record the number and title of the lesson and to write them in correct numerical order. This will help in your review for the unit progress evaluations. You are not required to turn in your answers to the questions. Do not look ahead at the answers to study questions until you have written your response. If you give your own answers first, you will retain what you study much better. After you complete each study question, check your answer with the one given at the end of the lesson. Then correct any mistakes you made. These questions are very important. They will help you develop and improve your knowledge and Christian service. The suggested activities, too, will help you use your knowledge in practical ways. Defined Words The defined words help you understand unfamiliar and unique words used in the lessons. These words are identified in the text with an asterisk (*) superscript. You will find a definition in the left margin and again in the alphabetized glossary at the back of this book. If you are in doubt about the meaning of any other word, you may look it up immediately or when you come across it again in your reading. Learn-by-Doing Some courses include learn-by-doing applications at the end of the content to suggest ways you can do something practical with the information you have just studied. Some things will be useful to you during the study and others later in your ministry. Explore the possibilities before you move on to another lesson because they will expand your knowledge base and give you more ways to remember the content. Self-Test The self-test is comprised of an essay related to the lesson and approximately ten multiple-choice questions. Always do these before checking the answers located in the Student Packet. The self-test will reinforce your recall of key points. Appraisal Some lessons include appraisals. The appraisal is your opportunity to analyze the lesson content related to each objective. This is not a test: however, you will elaborate on each objective in essay form. Synthesize the lesson text in your essay. This is an exercise to help you summarize the main points of the lesson. Compare your responses with the key concepts of each objective presented as part of the answers in the Student Packet.

13 13 Course Introduction Student Packet The Student Packet you received with this course contains instructions for taking the unit progress evaluations and the final examination. It also contains the unit progress evaluations and answer keys, project instructions, service learning requirement, CRA instructions and other important forms. Use the checklist on the packet cover to determine which materials you should submit to your enrollment office and when to submit them. Form and Style Guide Global University s Undergraduate Form and Style Guide defines the form, style, and documentation system for completing undergraduate writing assignments. The guide can be downloaded free from globaluniversity.edu/citation.cfm. The guide is also available as a standalone document. Project The required project asks you to demonstrate an ability to apply the principles taught in the course. This work will give you valuable practical experience in using the knowledge you have gained. The project is in your Student Packet. It is worth 25 percent of your final grade and must be submitted to your enrollment office before you take the final examination. Submit the project by attachment. If is not available, submit by mail or fax. Service Learning Requirement The service learning requirement (SLR) instructs you to apply principles from the course content to ministry in the church and the community. This practical experience allows you to develop ministry skills while meeting realworld needs. You can find the SLR in your Student Packet. The SLR Report must be submitted to your enrollment office along with your project and CRA (if required) before you take the final examination. Course credit will be granted only after the SLR report is submitted and assessed as satisfactorily completed. Unit Progress Evaluations and Final Examination Unit progress evaluation (UPE) scores are not counted as part of your final course grade. However, UPE scores indicate how well you learned the material and how well you may do on the final examination. After completing each UPE, check your answers with the answers provided in the Student Packet. You can then review the information in your course materials and Bible concerning points that were difficult for you. Reviewing the lesson objective appraisals, self-tests, and UPEs will help you to prepare for the final examination. Instructions for taking the final examination are in the Student Packet.

14 14 Apologetics Collateral Reading or Collateral Writing Assignment If you are enrolled in this course for three credits, you may be required to complete a collateral reading assignment (CRA) or a collateral writing assignment (CWA). Check your Student Packet to see if a CRA or CWA assignment is included with your course. The CRA or CWA is worth 35 percent of your course grade for the three-credit course and must be completed within the time limit for the course. Read the instructions carefully before you begin. Submit the assignment by attachment. If is not available, submit by mail or fax. Credit for This Course To obtain credit for this course, you must complete the assigned project and the service learning requirement (SLR). You must also pass the final examination. The examination must be written in the presence of an approved examining supervisor. Since we have examining supervisors in many countries, it probably will not be difficult for you to meet with the one in your area. Your enrollment office will work out the details with you. Also, this course may be taken for its practical value only, and not for credit. In this case, you will not need to send in any assignments or take the final examination. The study of this course will enrich your life whether or not you take it for credit. Course Grade Your grade for a two-credit course is based on the final examination (75 percent) and the course project (25 percent). If a course is being upgraded to three credits by a collateral reading assignment (CRA), the final examination will be 40 percent of your grade, the CRA will be 35 percent, and the course project will be 25 percent. Although the service learning requirement (SLR) is not graded, you will not receive credit for this course until the SLR assignment is completed and the SLR report is submitted and evaluated as satisfactory. Your course grade will be listed as percent, exceptional; percent, above average; percent, average; percent, below average; or 0 59 percent, fail. Your Enrollment Office Your enrollment office will be happy to help you in any way possible. Ask your adviser any questions you may have about arrangements for your final examination. Be sure to allow sufficient time so plans can be made accordingly. If several people want to study the course together, ask your adviser about special arrangements for a group study. May God bless you as you begin your study.

15 1 GOD AND FAITH: KNOWING THAT GOD LIVES Lessons Procedures What Is Apologetics? Where Is the Starting Point? Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Is There a God? Study the Learning Activities to know what to expect, then complete the exercises. Reflect on the Objectives for key concepts and action needed. Study the content, identifying key points by underlining or highlighting, and answer the Study Questions. Answer the Self-Test questions to help you synthesize the lesson. Review the lessons in this unit in preparation for the Unit Progress Evaluation.

16 1What Is Apologetics? the activities... Read the introduction to this Independent-Study Textbook (hereafter referred to as the IST). Give particular attention to the sections that explain the lesson organization and study methods. This section contains instructions that are important to your success in this course. Notice the course learning outcomes for your study of the course. They all are important, but some may stand out to you. Underline those you feel would be particularly helpful to you. You may also want to list learning outcomes of your own. Study the lesson outline and lesson objectives. These will help you to identify the things you should try to learn as you study this lesson. Then work through the lesson development. Be sure to read all Scripture references given, do the required exercises, and check your answers. Your reading assignments in this lesson are based on chapter 1 of A Christian Appeal to Reason by Bernard Ramm, which we will refer to as Ramm. Each reading assignment is numbered, and you will find the readings indicated by the symbol beneath various section headings throughout the lesson. In other lessons, reading assignments may be based on Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little, which we will refer to as Little. This will be your practice throughout the course. The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Ramm, pages Reading 2: Ramm, pages Reading 3: Ramm, pages Reading 4: Ramm, pages Reading 5: Ramm, pages 23 27

17 17 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? Take the self-test at the end of the lesson, and check your answers carefully with those given in your Student Packet. Review any items you do not answer correctly. the objectives... the outline Identify definitions or examples of given terms that are related to the subject of apologetics. 1.2 Explain the purposes for the use of apologetics in the Old and New Testaments, and defend its use in Christian ministry today. 1.3 State three functions of the apologetic task, and identify examples of each one. 1.4 Explain and evaluate general values of apologetics. 1.5 Summarize main ideas of Christian apologists regarding philosophy, and evaluate their validity. 1 Preliminary Definitions a Apologetics b Polemics c Philosophy d Faith and Doubt 2 Biblical Basis of Apologetics 3 Functions of Apologetics 4 Values of Apologetics 5 Philosophy and Christian Faith If you have ever been challenged to explain the basis for your faith in Jesus Christ, you will understand the importance of the study you are about to begin. From the earliest days of the Church Age, the followers of Christ have faced accusers who questioned their beliefs and tried to put doubts in their hearts. The apostle Peter addressed this problem and exhorted believers in the early church with these words: In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander (1 Peter 3:15 16). One dictionary defines apologetics as a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity. In this sense, much of what the apostle Paul wrote in his Epistles can be described as apologetics. Simply stated, apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith. We will begin this first lesson with a definition of some terms, which are important to the study of apologetics. Then we will look at the biblical basis for the defense of the Christian faith and consider the principal functions and values of apologetics. To conclude the lesson, we will focus on the relationship of

18 18 Apologetics Objective 1.1 philosophy to Christian faith. As you study this introductory lesson, you will find that it is possible to give a reasoned explanation of the hope that you have. Identify definitions or examples of given terms that are related to the subject of apologetics. Preliminary Definitions Reading 1 apologetics systematic argumentative discourse in defense of a doctrine; a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity; defense of the Christian faith from attacks by those outside the Christian community rational having reason or understanding vindication the act or state of setting free, avenging, justifying, or defending theistic related to belief in the existence of a god or gods; related to belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of man and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world innate belonging to the essential nature of something archaeology the scientific study of material remains such as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments of past human life and activities; remains of the culture of a people Apologetics In general, the word apologetics* is defined as a branch of theology that deals with the rational* defense of a religious faith. More specifically, Christian apologetics is the defense and vindication* of the Christian faith. It is a deliberate, conscious, and rational defense of what Christians claim to be the truth about God. Various opponents from outside the church have attacked Christianity, and their assaults have attempted to replace faith with doubt. When a Christian knows what he believes and why he believes it, this knowledge not only strengthens his own faith, but also enables him to convince his critics of the truth of Christianity. The field of apologetics is often divided into two classifications: 1. Philosophical apologetics. This field of study attempts to validate Christianity through appeals to the reasonableness of the Christian viewpoint. It addresses such issues as the theistic* proofs for the existence of God. For example, while the truth of God s existence cannot be proven by the scientific method, man s innate* idea of God points to His existence. The Psalmist expressed this innate idea of God when he wrote, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1). In a later lesson we shall explore this subject more fully. 2. Factual apologetics. This field of study is sometimes called Christian evidences. It attempts to vindicate or confirm Christianity through appeals to arguments for the trustworthiness of the Bible. Two examples are the study of archaeology* and of historical data that support the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. These two methods are used to make a strong argument for the believability of Christianity. The evidence they provide helps to validate the biblical record.

19 19 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? apologia (Greek text) apo = from logia = reason 1 Peter 3:15 in five English translations give an answer... give the reason (NIV) give an answer... a reason (KJV) make a defense... to account for (RSV) [make] a defense when called to account (NEB) give a logical reply (Berkeley) Figure Which of these examples points to God s existence through an appeal to the reasonableness of the Christian viewpoint? (Circle the letter preceding your choice.) a) Secular historical data that agree with biblical information b) The orderly arrangement and function of the universe c) The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah d) The miracles of the Bible e) My personal experience of salvation through Christ polemics a defense of the Christian faith from those who have distorted the truth of Christianity from within the church Polemics We have seen that apologetics is a defense of the Christian faith from attacks by those outside the Christian community. Polemics*, on the other hand, is a defense of the Christian faith from those who have distorted the truth of Christianity from within the church. Local churches must be on guard against teachers of false doctrine who try to infiltrate their ranks. There are also groups who are called cults because they claim to be Christian but do not bear adequate marks of Christian faith. To preserve the purity of biblical truth, the church must make a polemical defense that refutes the false teachings of the cults. Interestingly, all of the New Testament Epistles written after AD 60 have polemical appeals in them. This demonstrates the concern of the apostles for this type of defense. While it is not our purpose to deal with polemics in this course, it is important for you to understand that the New Testament writers needed to address this matter as well as threats from outside the church. 2 Paul s letter to the Galatian church is an example of a defense of the Christian faith. Read Galatians 1:1 10. Is this an example of apologetics or of polemics? Explain. philosophy a world and life view; the most general beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group; an overall vision of or attitude toward life and the purpose and meaning of life Philosophy Quite literally, the word philosophy* means the love of wisdom. The study of philosophy involves the search for general principles that govern life or give meaning to life. In other words it is a concern for truth. The word philosophy is actually used only once in the Bible, in Colossians 2:8, where

20 20 Apologetics revelation something that is revealed by God to humans, which could not otherwise be known logic a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration; the science of the formal principles of reasoning; interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable Paul seems to ridicule it: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. The reason Paul condemns philosophy in this instance is that humankind s speculation about the nature of the universe, when undertaken apart from God s revelation*, is bound to be in error! But there are tools of philosophy, such as logic*, which are useful for Christians, and these are to be joyfully and eagerly pressed into service for the Lord! In a real sense, then, everyone whether Christian or unbeliever has a way of making sense out of the world in which he or she lives. This may be called one s philosophy or world-and-life view. The important thing is to see the world as it really is, that is, to have a Christian philosophy. This is what the Bible furnishes to inquiring hearts. So you see that the term philosophy in a proper perspective is not wrong at all. What is wrong is the attempt to look out on the universe without the lenses God has provided. That is what Paul meant by hollow and deceptive philosophy. philosophy the love of wisdom from the Greek: phile = love sophia and sophos = wisdom and wise Figure (Choose the correct completion.) Philosophy is useful for the Christian apologist because it provides a) the opportunity to subject the divine origin of Christianity to human judgment. b) a test of Christianity s truthfulness by the objective scientific methods of unbelievers. c) an approach and methodology by which the apologist can face the question of truth with integrity. d) different worldviews of great philosophers which confirm or refute the teachings of Christianity. Faith and Doubt Two key words in this course are faith and doubt. Faith is a relationship. It is a strong confidence in a God upon whom you can depend! It is the kind of faith expressed by the Psalmist in Psalm 89 and declared by Paul in his letter to the Roman church (Romans 8:31 39). Sometimes it is called subjective or personal faith, meaning a quality of relationship between the believer and his or her Lord. Objective faith, on the other hand, refers to that body of truth revealed by God in the Scriptures that is to be believed. Doubt is the opposite of faith. The word doubt describes the weakening or absence of that strong bond of confidence that ties the Christian believer to the Lord. There are various kinds of reasons for doubt that we shall explore in a later lesson.

21 21 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? 4 Read Hebrews 11:1 2. This passage describes which of these? a) The body of truth revealed in Scripture b) Subjective faith based on a personal relationship with Christ c) Uncertain faith which hopes for the best but lacks confidence in God 5 Match each definition (left) to the term it describes (right).... a The absence or weakening of faith... b Defense of the Christian faith against attacks from within the church... c A trustful relationship with God 1) Polemics 2) Factual apologetics 3) Subjective faith 4) Objective faith 5) Doubt... d Another term for Christian evidences... e Belief in the collective body of revealed truth in Scripture Objective 1.2 Explain the purposes for the use of apologetics in the Old and New Testaments, and defend its use in Christian ministry today. Biblical Basis Of Apologetics Reading 2 You might ask: Did the people of Bible days engage in apologetic activity? Did the prophets and apostles attempt to defend the faith? In other words, is there biblical precedent for apologetics? Let us take a very brief journey through Scripture with this question before us. First, look at the book of Job. We might say that this entire book is an attempt to justify God s dealings with humankind. It is a vindication of Job s steadfast confidence in the Lord even when his friends and family advised him to curse God. God did not fail him. The writer of this book certainly tried to portray to the pagan nations of his day that the God of Israel was not like their gods: the God of Israel is faithful! Consider also many of the great psalms. In the longest, Psalm 119, the writer expresses in nearly every verse his strong confidence and appreciation for the Word of God. It is a powerful apologetic, a vindication of the value of God s revelation in the Holy Scriptures. Now read Psalm 19. This is one of the greatest apologetic passages in the entire Bible. Picture David sitting on an ancient Palestinian hillside tending his sheep. His eyes turn skyward. He sees not just stars and clouds, but much more; he sees the handiwork of his Creator! The heavens declare the glory of God is a truth that reaches from the nineteenth Psalm into Paul s Epistle to the Romans. Romans 1:20 says much the same thing: that man, when he gazes on the marvels of nature, is impressed that some great intelligence and power God surely must be responsible for what is seen. In Romans 2, Paul goes a step further in his argument. In verse 15, he refers to the conscience that inborn faculty given to every person by which he or

22 22 Apologetics she judges the rightness or wrongness of his or her actions. Just as the vast world of creation mentioned in Romans 1 is external information pointing to God s existence, conscience in Romans 2 is internal information pointing to a Lawgiver. Surely Paul was very much concerned to present his message clearly. Let us travel with Paul through the pages of Acts. The apostle repeatedly defends his gospel before the rulers of his day: Felix, Festus, and Herod Agrippa (Acts 22 25). He reasons with inquirers, disputing with them daily at Ephesus (19:8). Perhaps the most dramatic moment of Paul s apologetic activity is described in Acts 17: In the marketplace of Athens, Paul employs all of the anointed skill with which God had equipped him to persuade unbelievers to consider the claims of Christ. You will notice that as Paul and the other apostles proclaimed their message, they tried to anticipate the arguments that were common among their hearers so that the people would have to consider Christ as a reasonable choice. The very word apologetics is derived from a New Testament term. For example, Paul used the word apologia in Philippians 1:7:... for whether I am in chains or defending [apologia] and confirming the gospel... In this passage he creates the scene of a courtroom in which an attorney speaks up in defense of his client. The mood pictured is rational argumentation or persuasion. The strong implication is that the battleground is the mind. Paul was determined to make an impact on the minds of people with the ultimate objective of changing their wills. He wanted them to use their God-given power to reason. He declared: The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. (2 Corinthians 10:4 5) Peter also employs a form of the word apologia in 1 Peter 3:15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. The word apologia is formed from two Greek words: apo meaning from and logia meaning reason. For Peter an important step in the evangelistic responsibility of the believer was to persuade the unbeliever by means of reasonable argumentation. 6 The examples we have seen of apologetics in the Old Testament focus on a) declarations about the nature of the Creator and the power of His Word. b) reasonable choices made by godly people which promoted good over evil. c) arguments which compared Jehovah, the God of Israel, with other gods. d) rational argumentation to prove without question the existence of God. 7 What was the main purpose of the use of apologetics by Peter and Paul in the New Testament examples we considered? 8 Suppose another Christian made this statement to you: The Bible needs no defense today. There is no evidence in it of apologetic activity by prophets or apostles. Would you support this statement or refute it? Explain why.

23 23 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? Objective 1.3 State three functions of the apologetic task, and identify examples of each one. Apostolic Age period of the early church in which the New Testament apostles ministered and wrote with spiritual authority Functions Of Apologetics Reading 3 We have looked at some basic definitions and have seen evidence that the apologetic task is woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments. Now we need to consider some of the specific functions of apologetics. In the early centuries after the Apostolic Age*, many philosophers and intellectuals made the accusation that Christianity was absurd (meaningless or ridiculous). Therefore, the primary task of the second-century apologists was to defend Christianity from these accusations. However, in the years that followed, a transition gradually took place in the task of apologetics. Instead of focusing on critical replies in defense of Christianity, apologists began to recognize that their primary need was to present the positive grounds for Christian faith. The most prominent apologist in this transition period was probably Augustine (AD ), who wrote extensively and emphasized positive reasons for the belief that Christianity is true. His Confessions (AD 400) is considered a classic of world literature. It is a work of philosophy as well as a spiritual autobiography. Another classic work by Augustine is City of God (AD ), which comprises twenty-two books. It presents human history in terms of the conflict between the spiritual and the temporal. This conflict, said Augustine, will end in the triumph of the City of God, which is manifested on earth by the church. This is indeed a positive declaration of Christian truth. 9 Read each Scripture passage indicated and in the blank space write the letter D if it emphasizes a defense against accusations of opponents to Christianity. P if it emphasizes the use of positive grounds for Christian faith to convince someone of the truth.... a Acts 2: b Acts 6:8 7:53... c Acts 10: d Acts 17: e Acts 24: If Christian apologists of our time choose to be guided by the example of Augustine and apologists who followed him, they will see their apologetic task primarily as that of a) criticizing those who attack Christianity or its followers. b) rebuking those who question the truth claims of Christianity. c) considering the validity of objections to Christianity made by recognized philosophers. d) presenting the truth claims of Christianity in a positive manner.

24 24 Apologetics spurious of a deceitful nature or quality; of falsified origin; outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities Ramm discusses three functions of Christian apologetics: 1. Show how the Christian faith is related to truth claims. 2. Show Christianity s power of interpretation, that is, its power to interpret given topics or areas of subject matter. This involves a verification of truth claims by daily experience. 3. Refute or defend Christianity against false or spurious* (deceitful) attacks. First Function: Interact With Truth Claims. This means that at some point a religion must rise above liturgy (religious ceremonies) and even above the personal feelings one may have. At some point, if a religion is to endure, it must stand the test of truth. This test must go beyond reasonable opinion or belief that is based on the probability or presumption of truth. Likewise, long-standing tradition is inadequate to prove the truth of a religion. Since an important function of apologetics is the deliberate defense and vindication of Christian theology as truth (16), there is a relationship between philosophy and apologetics. Philosophers discuss, investigate, analyze, and evaluate truth claims; a Christian apologist must interact with truth claims or test the truthfulness of the claims of Christianity. In Lesson 2 we will look at a number of criteria for testing truth. Here we will briefly describe five theories of truth mentioned by Ramm that have been employed historically by philosophers: 1. Logic (from logos reason ): The main task of logic is to investigate the nature of correct thinking and valid reasoning. It is the science of reasoning or the science of proof that involves using reason in an orderly, convincing fashion. Logic applies certain tests of truth such as reasonableness, correspondence, and consistency to distinguish truth from error. 2. Correspondence (agreement with facts): A proposition is accepted as true if it agrees with facts that cannot be disputed. For example, the proposition that butter softens at room temperature can be readily verified simply by observing what happens to butter at room temperature. Another proposition might be that butter, which is soft at room temperature, will harden when placed in a cold refrigerator. This too can be easily verified. 3. Meaningfulness: This is the pragmatic or practical criterion of truth that says that if an idea works, it must be accepted as true. It holds that the full meaning of an idea or proposition can be found in the results that follow its application. A proposition is meaningless if we cannot do something about it. 4. Consistency: This refers to connections between propositions so that one proposition follows necessarily from another. In other words, a proposition is believed to be true because it agrees with other propositions that have been accepted as true. Examples of this criterion are mathematical and formal logical reasoning (Sahakian, 1966, 10 11). 5. Subjectivity: This criterion involves one s personal experience. It suggests that truth can be tested on the basis of one s feelings, intuition, instincts, or revelation. Revelation is defined as truth whose source is God and is relied upon heavily by many religions as a criterion of truth. Clearly, Christian apologists must commit themselves to some theory of proof. For example, Christians can make a strong case for the worth of human reason as a proper judge of truth because of their belief in what is called the imago dei or image of God in man. When God made man in His likeness,

25 25 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? that likeness was not necessarily physical; rather, it was spiritual and moral. It included rationality (reason), which means that God put into humankind s mind the ability to understand things in a genuine way. The human mind, although limited, is nonetheless capable of separating truth from falsehood. Millard J. Erickson (1985), an evangelical theologian, helps us to understand the relationship between biblical authority and reason. He compares biblical authority to the legislative authority of federal governments which produces legislation; reason is likened to judicial authority which decides what the legislation means. Erickson states: Scripture is our supreme legislative authority. It gives us the content of our belief and of our code of behavior and practice. Reason does not tell us the content of our belief. It does not discover truth.... When we come to determine what the message means, however, and, at a later stage, assess whether it is true, we must utilize the power of reasoning. We must employ the best methods of interpretation or hermeneutics. And then we must decide whether the Christian belief system is true by rationally examining and evaluating the evidences. This we term apologetics. (257) 11 Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement concerning the apologist s interaction with truth claims. a In order for a religion to endure, it must stand the test of truth. b The test of truth does not need to be applied to Christianity because Christians know from personal experience that it is true. c The apologist relies as much on long-standing tradition and personal feelings to defend Christianity against its critics as he does the process of investigation, analysis, and evaluation of truth claims. d Human reason can be defended as a proper judge of truth. e While Scripture is the authoritative body of faith which Christians hold to be true, they must interpret and defend it by the use of human rationality. f When apologists examine and evaluate Christian evidences, their faith is weakened and they tend to doubt many of the claims of Christianity. 12 Match each explanation (left) with the test for truth that it describes (right).... a The use of reason in an orderly, convincing fashion... b The involvement of personal experience as a test for truth... c What a proposition lacks if it does not work... d The criterion of truth involved when a proposition agrees with facts that cannot be disputed... e When one proposition follows necessarily from another 1) Consistency 2) Correspondence 3) Logic 4) Meaningfulness 5) Subjectivity Second Function: Verify Truth Claims by Daily Experience. If Christianity is true, it ought to work out in daily experiences! Every time Christians tell what God has done for them and how God has changed their lives, they are verifying the truth of Christianity.

26 26 Apologetics incarnation the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ theoretical relating to or having the character of theory; confined to speculation often in contrast to practical applications; hypothetical The interpretative power of the Christian faith is a confirmation of the truth claims of Christianity. The biblical doctrines of man, of sin, and of the Incarnation* are understood as truth because the believer has experienced deliverance from sin and enjoys a personal relationship with his or her Savior. What the Bible teaches about the living God who is our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord answers life s greatest questions and meets the deepest needs of the soul. Those who enjoy a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are enabled to reject non-christian ideas and philosophies because they have experienced Truth. An illustration of the interpretative power of Christianity is found in John s account of the healing of a man who was born blind (John 9:1 41). When the Pharisees investigated the healing, they called Jesus a sinner because He had healed on the Sabbath. The healed man replied, Whether he is a sinner or not, I don t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (v. 25). Later the man had a second encounter with Jesus, and this time his spiritual eyes were opened. When Jesus asked him, Do you believe in the Son of Man? (v. 35) the man responded: Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him (v. 38). His personal experience was a confirmation for him of the truth about Jesus. Theories are only as good as they prove to be in actual life experiences. Christianity s power of interpretation is seen in its application of truth claims to the Christian experience. Thus, the verification of truth claims by experience is an important task of apologetics. Third Function: Defend the Claims of Christianity Against Spurious (False) Attacks. Many accusations have been made against the Christian faith. The Jewish leaders in the early Church Age viewed Christianity as apostasy or abandonment of the law of Moses. Philosophers of the Graeco-Roman world declared that Christianity was foolish or unreasonable. The Muslims of the Middle Ages believed that the Christian doctrines of the Incarnation and the Trinity were irrational and polytheistic. Analytic or linguistic philosophers regard the claims of Christianity as senseless and meaningless. Philosophers such as David Hume ( ) and Immanuel Kant ( ) attempted to show that the theoretical* or philosophical foundations of Christian theology could not withstand the test of modern analysis. While Christian apologists cannot spend all of their time answering all of the attacks made by enemies of Christ, they do need to be alert and listen for questions that are most common in their own situation. 13 One question that Christian apologists are often called upon to answer is: Why does God allow people to suffer? Can you think of two or three other questions that people often ask which appear to be threats to solid biblical faith? Write them here.

27 27 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? Objective Review the objections of Jewish leaders, Graeco-Roman philosophers, and Muslims to Christianity. Which of the following statements best reflects why they probably made these objections? a) If Christianity were true, it would conflict with what they held to be true and bring their own beliefs under question. b) Since Christianity was a matter of faith, not reason, there was no way to prove its reliability. c) Christians of their day did not have a lifestyle that was consistent with what they claimed to believe. Explain and evaluate general values of apologetics. Values Of Apologetics Reading 4 It is always encouraging to know that what you are engaged in has value. Not many of us enjoy wasting time! There are several practical values of apologetics in addition to the more obvious intellectual or theoretical value of defending truth against falsehood. We will discuss briefly three general values. 1. Wholeness. A study of apologetics helps a Christian to become a more complete person. By complete we are referring to the wholeness or integrity that comes to a person who has submitted his or her faith to the tests of truth. Let us consider two levels of faith: naive or childlike faith and mature faith. A child trusts such authority figures as parents quite easily and naturally. He or she simply accepts and does not bother to ask detailed questions. However, children grow up and begin to ask questions. They must sort out a bewildering array of questions and answers, including those that affect faith. The person who has wrestled with problems and questions and has in this way tested his or her faith arrives at a new level of faith. It is no longer naive faith, but it is mature faith. It is that faith which has been submitted to the tests of truth or reason. FAITH + REASON = WHOLENESS 2. Recognition of valid truth claims. Another practical value of apologetics is that it helps the apologist to know what truth claims for Christianity are valid or suitable for public presentation. Apologists will recognize that if they defend Christianity on the basis of the good it has done in the world, someone may question them concerning evils that have been done in the name of Christianity, such as the Inquisition, the Crusades, and various religious wars. They will also learn that their argument cannot be based on experience alone. It must be ethically sound, logical, and interpreted from Scripture correctly.

28 28 Apologetics 15 A likely outcome of an argument for Christianity that is based on experience alone or unsound defenses is that apologists themselves may a) have their faith questioned by those who doubt them. b) strengthen their faith by wrestling with these problems. c) be criticized, develop doubts, or become skeptical. d) attack those who question what they are saying. 3. Strength when under assault. A thorough understanding of the issues provides the apologist with a more assured defense against future assaults of the enemy. If we have submitted our faith to examination on previous occasions and have thereby had our convictions confirmed, we are better prepared to face new and untried issues. Can you imagine the supreme confidence of Paul on the eve of his Roman execution? He had withstood all the arguments and attacks of Judaizers, Gnostics, and pagans of all kinds throughout his Christian life. Now, at the end of the long journey, having proven again and again the faithfulness of the Lord, he announces with triumph, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Each battle fought and won strengthens the Christian warrior for future combat. 16 Suppose another Christian says to you: Any Christian who asks questions about his or her faith is in danger of backsliding. How would you answer that person? There are some differing views among Christians concerning the value of apologetics. For example, some people believe that only the born-again believer can benefit from the use of apologetics, while others believe it is most useful as an evangelistic or missionary tool. Some other earnest believers feel that their own personal experience in Jesus Christ cannot be argued for or against. However, those who separate faith and reason, and trust in faith alone to validate Christian truth are in a weak position. 17 Explain each of these briefly: a The concept of wholeness as a value of Christian apologetics b The value of apologetics in providing strength when under assault

29 29 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? 18 Evaluate each of these statements by writing in the blank space the letter V if it is a valid truth claim and useful in the apologetic task. N if it is not a valid truth claim or is not useful as an apologetic.... a Christianity improves one s quality of life.... b The Bible gives us guidelines for morality and ethics.... c Archaeological discoveries have supported many biblical accounts of historical events.... d I am happier since I became a Christian because I know my sins have been forgiven.... e The God of the Bible has made Himself known to man. Objective 1.5 Summarize main ideas of Christian apologists regarding philosophy, and evaluate their validity. Philosophy And Christian Faith Reading 5 Earlier in this lesson we looked at Colossians 2:8, which identifies Paul s apparent attitude toward philosophy. In this passage Paul seems to veto philosophy as man s wisdom and not of God. However, Paul s use of the word here implies any system that competes with divine revelation. We have seen that one s philosophy is his world-and-life view. In this respect one can develop a Christian philosophy. We recognize that much of Scripture follows the same kinds of logical formulation, as one would expect in the realm of philosophy. Just as philosophy attempts to search for answers to great questions, Christian revelation deals with many of the same issues. We may view the value of philosophy in this way: It helps us to know what questions trouble people. An acquaintance with philosophy helps us to understand the kinds of questions that need to be answered from the Scriptures. Too often our teaching answers questions that are not being asked, and we fail to hear the questions that are begging for answers. Another value of familiarity with the field of philosophy is that it may enable the Christian apologist to discover weaknesses in the various human philosophical systems, which compete with Christianity. We may be at a disadvantage in attempting to refute the claims of a competitive system, such as naturalism or humanism, unless we are acquainted with the ideas of that system. In summary we note that Christian apologists have revealed several attitudes concerning philosophy: 1. Some apologists view philosophy as the work of unregenerate people or the product of demons or Satan himself. Thus, they say, avoid it! 2. Other apologists believe that philosophy anticipates or parallels Christian theology and therefore validates or confirms it.

30 30 Apologetics 3. Others look at philosophy as a tool or instrument for the writing of Christian theology and apologetics. 19 Evaluate each of the above views and explain why you agree or disagree. a View 1:... b View 2:... c View 3: Answer these questions briefly: a What kind of philosophy or worldview should a Christian endeavor to develop? b c How does a study of philosophy help Christians to answer questions? How can the apologist best refute the claims of humanists or naturalists whose philosophies do not agree with Christianity? Our purpose in this course is to assist you, the Christian worker, to face some of the most common questions asked by inquiring minds. Please be aware that we are not alone in this battle for the minds and hearts of people. God the Holy Spirit has come to anoint and assist us in the task of reaching people. Surely He will bless the worker who gives time to prayer and study. The effective worker will be the one who neglects neither.

31 31 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? Self-Test After you have reviewed this lesson, take the self-test. Check your answers with those given in your Student Packet, and review any questions you answered incorrectly. Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 The argument that human s conscience points to the truth of God s existence would be classified in the category of a) subjective faith. b) Christian evidences. c) polemics. d) philosophical apologetics. 2 Factual apologetics is that area of apologetics that bases its arguments on a) the reasonableness of the Christian viewpoint. b) what secular philosophers say about the nature of God. c) Christian evidences, which validate the biblical record. d) humankind s interpretation of what the Bible means. 3 Paul s argument against philosophy should be understood as indicating that a) the believer s search for general principles governing life should be undertaken within the framework of God s revelation. b) all philosophical ideas are hollow and deceptive and therefore must be rejected by Christians. c) philosophy is useful when it depends on human tradition and the basic principles of life. d) Christians do not need to have a philosophy of life or a world-and-lifeview because their subjective faith will guide them. 4 Peter exhorted believers to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. This passage shows the importance in the apologetic task of both a) faith and reason. b) faith and doubt. c) weakness and strength. d) refutation and defense. 5 The theory of correspondence says that a proposition is accepted as true if it a) involves subjective personal experience. b) works, that is, has practical consequences. c) agrees with facts that cannot be disputed. d) uses reason in an orderly, convincing fashion.

32 32 Apologetics True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE Apologetics is a defense of the Christian faith from distortions of truth by those within the church The term objective faith describes what Christians believe: the collective body of truth revealed by God in the Scriptures In the early centuries of Christianity, apologists began to focus on emphasizing the positive grounds for Christian faith Jesus Christ is the Son of God and can forgive your sins. This statement is meaningless because it cannot be proved One way to verify that Christianity is true is to show that it works out in the daily experiences of believers. Matching. Read the instructions carefully and write your answer in the space preceding each question Match each statement (left) to the theory of truth that would be applied by an apologist to develop his or her argument (right) The fulfillment of biblical prophecy supports the Bible s truthfulness People s lives are changed by their faith in Christ The truth claims of Christianity are reasonable A person can sense the presence of God in his or her life. a) Logic b) Meaningfulness c) Correspondence d) Subjectivity Match each definition or example related to a study of apologetics (left) to the term it describes (right) A believer attempts to convince an agnostic (doubter) that the Bible is a true record. He or she explains that studies of ancient manuscripts do confirm the accuracy of Bible translations we now use A cultist comes to your church and publicly denies the doctrines of the Incarnation and the Trinity. Your task is to refute these claims and convince people that he or she is wrong Christians need to be acquainted with world-andlife views that compete with Christianity in order to know what questions need to be answered and how best to answer them A religion cannot rely on personal feelings, liturgy, or tradition alone. If Christianity is to endure, it must stand the test of truth by the deliberate defense and vindication of Christian theology. a) Factual apologetics b) Philosophical apologetics c) Polemics d) Philosophy

33 33 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions. 19 Discuss the relationship between faith and reason in the apologetics task. 20 Cite a biblical example we have studied which would refute the idea that only born-again believers can benefit from apologetics.

34 34 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 11 Statements a, d, and e are true. 1 b) The orderly arrangement and function of the universe 12 a 3) Logic b 5) Subjectivity c 4) Meaningfulness d 2) Correspondence e 1) Consistency 2 This is an example of polemics. False teachers within the church were trying to pervert or corrupt the gospel that Paul preached. 13 Your answer. Questions often asked are these: Why is there evil in the world? When the heathen who have never heard the gospel die, do they go to heaven? How can I understand the concept of eternity? of the Trinity? How do you explain inconsistencies in the Bible? 3 c) an approach and methodology by which the apologist can face the question of truth with integrity. 14 a) If Christianity were true, it would conflict with what they held to be true and bring their own beliefs under question. 4 b) Subjective faith based on a personal relationship with Christ 15 c) be criticized, develop doubts, or become skeptical. 5 a 5) Doubt b 1) Polemics c 3) Subjective faith d 2) Factual apologetics e 4) Objective faith 16 This is not true. One who asks honest questions is searching for truth and is strengthened by the search. 6 a) declarations about the nature of the Creator and the power of His Word. 17 Your answer may be similar to this: a A study of apologetics helps the Christian to be more complete because it subjects his or her faith to the test of truth. b Having a thorough understanding of Christian truth claims enables one to give a strong defense against the attacks of the enemy. 7 The main purpose was to defend the gospel of Jesus Christ against the accusations of its enemies. 18 a N b V c V d N e V

35 35 Lesson 1: What Is Apologetics? 8 I hope you said you would refute it. Peter and Paul are biblical examples of those who defended the faith. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter exhorts believers to be ready to do so. 19 a While there may be some validity to this view of human-made philosophy, it is difficult to argue convincingly against it unless one is familiar with what it teaches as truth. b Secular philosophies do relate to Christianity in that they have a concern for truth and seek to know the truth about such things as the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the origin of the universe. Christians believe these questions are answered in the Bible. c The philosopher s methodology of investigating, analyzing, and evaluating truth claims is a valuable tool in the apologetic task. 9 Perhaps you gave the passages this designation: a D b D c P d P e P 20 a A Christian philosophy b It helps them to know what questions people are asking. c He or she can best refute their claims by understanding them and then showing that they fall short of biblical truth. 10 d) presenting the truth claims of Christianity in a positive manner.

36 2Where Is the Starting Point? the activities... the objectives... the outline... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Ramm, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Review learning activities 2 through 5 in Lesson 1. These describe the general study plan for each lesson. Follow it carefully to gain the maximum benefit from your study. Study the definitions of key words in the glossary at the end of this Study Guide so that you will remember what these words mean, as they are important to your continuing study. 2.1 Identify definitions of given philosophical terms that are the basis for a comprehensive world-and-life view. 2.2 Identify and evaluate the merits of various positions regarding the roles of faith and reason in verifying truth. 2.3 Identify given criteria for testing truth, and evaluate their worth as tests of truth. 2.4 Recognize what is entailed in a Christian postulate and what this implies with respect to faith and reason. 2.5 Describe the role of the Holy Spirit in revelation, conviction, and illumination, and apply this to the task of apologetics. 1 Epistemology: How to Know Truth 2 Faith and Reason: Four Views 3 Truth: How It Is Tested 4 A Positive Solution: A Christian Postulate 5 A Witness: The Holy Spirit

37 37 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? Perhaps it was in mockery, or maybe in intense sincerity, that Pilate at the trial of Jesus inquired, What is truth? (John 18:38). What more penetrating and meaningful a question can any person ask? Pilate s question was prompted by Jesus statement, For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me (18:37). Earlier, in a conversation with Jews who had believed in Him, Jesus told them, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (8:31 32). He followed this profound statement with the awesome proclamation to His disciples, I am the way and the truth and the life (14:6). Consider the implications of that brief statement! To be related to Jesus Christ is to be related to Truth itself! That indeed is wonderful news. But how do we know it is a true statement? How can we be sure? That is the burning question. Everything hangs on the truth or falsehood of this assertion of Jesus of Nazareth. Wishful thinking will not make a statement true, just as unbelief will not change the truth. That startling assertion of Jesus about himself demands a response. It asserts that Jesus Christ alone is Truth. Otherwise, He was not what He claimed to be and is not worthy of honor because He was either being deceitful or He was deluded. The stakes are immense; so it is desperately important to know for sure. How we can arrive at a sure response is the subject of this lesson.

38 38 Apologetics epistemology the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity; the study of how one can know truth and distinguish truth from error axiology the study of the nature, types, and criteria of values and of value judgments, especially in ethics attempt to understand the nature of reality itself. It tries to uncover, if possible, the principle that furnishes some kind of unity and purpose to explain the universe. In other words, it deals with such topics as the existence of God, the nature of being, and causation (the cause of all things). It goes beyond physical or phenomenal experience (which can be observed through the senses) and considers ultimate reality. 2. Epistemology*. This is the study of how one can know truth and distinguish truth from error. It is that branch of study that treats the scope and limits of knowledge and seeks to resolve such basic questions as these: What is the nature of knowledge? What can we know? Is knowledge possible? What are its practical and theoretical limitations? Logic, which we discussed briefly in Lesson 1, may be classified as a subdivision of epistemology. It involves the nature of correct thinking and valid reasoning. 3. Axiology*. This branch of philosophy involves the examination of values, whether they are in the realm of behavior (ethics) or art (aesthetics, beauty). Ethics involves the study of right conduct based on moral choice and the study of the good life or life s greatest good. Our emphasis in this lesson is related to epistemology. We have seen that one of the legitimate roles of philosophy is to ask important questions of life. Philosophers throughout the centuries have been concerned with such great issues as What is real? What is good? What is most important? What is truth? (John 18:38). The question we are asking in this lesson relates to Jesus claim in Scripture, I am the way and the truth and the life. It answers Pilate s question, What is truth? First we want to look at the roles of faith and reason in verifying truth. 1 To answer the question What is truth? an apologist might respond, To accept Christ is to know the truth. Explain this statement by what Jesus says about himself in John 8:31 32 and 14:6. 2 To review the three divisions of philosophy, match each explanation (left) to the branch of philosophy it describes (right).... a A study of the meaning of the universe or what is reality... b Love of wisdom; a world-and-life view... c An examination of ethical and aesthetic values... d A study of how to know truth and how to distinguish between truth and error 1) Axiology 2) Epistemology 3) Metaphysics 4) Philosophy

39 39 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? Objective 2.2 Identify and evaluate the merits of various positions regarding the roles of faith and reason in verifying truth. Faith And Reason: Four Views In Problems in Christian Apologetics, Ramm (1949) cites four positions that have been taken by Christian apologists in attempting to demonstrate the truth of the Christian faith. They differ mainly in the place each accords to faith and reason. They are summarized in Figure 2.2: SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Reason alone: Faith alone: Reason, then faith: Faith, then reason: Christian Rationalism Christian Agnosticism Logical Christianity Autonomous Christianity rationalism reliance on reason as the basis for establishment of religious truth; a theory that reason is in itself a source of knowledge superior to and independent of sense perceptions agnosticism a view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; lack of commitment to believe in either the existence or nonexistence of God Figure 2.2 View 1. Christian rationalism*. This is the view that reason alone can demonstrate the validity of the Christian position. One of the best-known proponents of this view is Raymond Lully, also known as Ramón Lull (circa ). He was a missionary who worked in the Muslim world and who died after being stoned. There are two chief problems with this view: (1) With its exaggerated emphasis on the role of the human intellect, it implies that one would have to be a philosopher to become a Christian. (2) Such a view takes inadequate account of the role of faith and the conviction of the Holy Spirit that are taught in the New Testament. View 2. Christian agnosticism*. This view is altogether distrustful of reason in the spiritual realm. Faith and reason are in separate compartments: Reason is for the natural world; faith is for the spiritual world. A famous French philosopher, Blaise Pascal ( ), represents this opinion. Also, many modern existentialist thinkers such as Karl Barth ( ) and Rudolf Bultmann ( ) fall into a similar pattern. The serious problem with this view is that faith without rational content leads to uncertainty and doubt. View 3. Logical Christianity. This view holds that while reason is the starting point and may go a long way toward truth, the last steps are made by faith. The outstanding example of this perspective is the great medieval Roman Catholic philosopher-theologian Thomas Aquinas ( ). The view is somewhere between views 1 and 2. Reason is not seen as deceptive, but it is limited. Inherent in this view is the belief that the unregenerate human mind is able to reason its way toward God. There are some strong points in favor of logical Christianity. These include confidence in the rationality of the Christian system and awareness that there are some mysteries in Christianity that are not subject to natural understanding. However, there are also some weaknesses in this view. It exalts reason at the

40 40 Apologetics autonomous undertaken or carried on without outside control; existing or capable of existing independently expense of revelation. Some who have held this view have seen no need for a Bible at all, since God can be perceived through natural revelation alone. Like rationalism, this view fails to give faith a proper place. View 4. Autonomous* Christianity. This view holds that faith is selfestablishing and, once established, may be shown to be consistent with reason. This appears to be the most acceptable evangelical position. Historically, Augustine proposed such a view in the fourth century. He believed, as did Pascal, that the truth of Christianity is established in the heart of faith alone. But the view of Augustine does not agree with the later view of Pascal, which said that after the faith experience, the truth of Christianity could be verified. Augustine believed that both reason and faith have genuine roles after one has come to Christ. He agreed with the idea of Lully and Aquinas that there is a rational content in Christianity, but he reversed the order of faith and reason. Instead of seeing reason leading to faith, Augustine saw faith as the starting point with reason coming next. This is also the position taken by A. W. Tozer (1961), who states: What God declares the believing heart confesses without the need of further proof. Indeed, to seek proof is to admit doubt, and to obtain proof is to render faith superfluous.... That was the attitude of Abraham, who against all evidence waxed strong in faith, giving glory to God. It was the attitude of Anselm, the second Augustine, one of the greatest thinkers of the Christian era, who held that faith must precede all effort to understand. Reflection upon revealed truth naturally follows the advent of faith, but faith comes first to the hearing ear, not to the [thinking] mind. The believing man does not ponder the Word and arrive at faith by a process of reasoning, nor does he seek confirmation of faith from philosophy or science.... Is this to dismiss scholarship as valueless in the sphere of revealed religion? By no means. The scholar has a vitally important task to perform within a carefully prescribed precinct. His task is to guarantee the purity of the text, to get as close as possible to the Word as originally given. He may compare Scripture with Scripture until he has discovered the true meaning of the text. But right there his authority ends. He must never sit in judgment upon what is written. He dare not bring the meaning of the Word before the bar of his reason. He dare not commend or condemn the Word as reasonable or unreasonable, scientific or unscientific. After the meaning is discovered, that meaning judges him; never does he judge it. (19 20) 3 Match each position (left) to the view it describes (right).... a Faith alone... b Reason, then faith... c Reason alone 1) Autonomous Christianity 2) Christian agnosticism 3) Christian rationalism 4) Logical Christianity... d Faith, then reason

41 41 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? Objective Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement concerning the four views on faith and reason. a All four views indicate that truth can be verified by reason. b All four views indicate that truth can be verified by faith. c According to Augustine, faith is the starting point, and reason follows. d Reason, then faith, is the viewpoint of most evangelicals because one must understand intellectually what the Bible says before one can exercise faith to believe it. e The conviction of the Holy Spirit is a factor in the view that faith comes first, then reason. 5 Existential theology takes the view that a) faith and reason are equally important in verifying truth. b) reason comes first in the quest for truth, then faith follows. c) faith alone will reveal truth in the spiritual world. d) truth can only be known through observable facts. 6 Consider these four views carefully. a Which one, in your opinion, gives the best explanation of how truth is verified? b Explain why you chose this one. Go back to Lesson 1 and reread the quote by Erickson (it appears just before Study Question 11). Then consider the quote by Tozer earlier in this section. What is the place of rational scholarship in each view? Identify given criteria for testing truth, and evaluate their worth as tests of truth. Truth: How It Is Tested We have attempted to illustrate that although Christianity is not opposed to rationality, the unregenerate human mind alone is likely to miss the way because reason without faith lacks certitude. Now we need to investigate the nature of truth and determine if we can establish some tests for truth. We will expand on the tests for truth that were discussed briefly in Lesson 1. Concerning the nature of truth, E. J. Carnell (1950) states in his book, An Introduction to Christian Apologetics: Since the mind of God perfectly knows reality, truth is a property of that judgment which coincides with the mind of God. If man fails to say about reality what God says about it, he has made an error: for God, the source and power of all proper meaning and fact, cannot err in His judgment. Truth for the Christian, then, is defined as correspondence with the mind of God. On any level of

42 42 Apologetics consensus gentium consent of the nations or universal agreement about something pragmatism a practical approach to problems and affairs; the position that truth is to be tested by the practical consequences of belief judgment, therefore, man has truth only as long as he says about facts what God says about these facts. If man says that his chief end is to eat, drink, and be merry, he tells the truth only if that is what God says is man s chief end, too. (47) For Carnell, then, as with Erickson and Tozer, truth is that which corresponds with the mind of God. Now the question remains: How do you know when your judgment does correspond with the mind of God? Carnell (1950) lists several criteria that are commonly available by which one may judge the truthfulness of a statement: 1. Instinct. Instinct is a person s natural reaction or response that does not involve reason. Judging by instinct is the lowest level of judgment. People have an instinctive belief in the supernatural and in life after death. They have an impulse to worship and an awareness of guilt. These instincts are common to all people. While instinct may be a pointer toward truth, it is not adequate as a test for truth because it is not possible to determine clearly what is purely instinctive and what is the product of one s environment. 2. Custom. Custom is any habit or practice that has become traditional in a group of people. It is useful in influencing people to believe because commonly accepted beliefs and practices carry a special kind of authority in most human communities, especially for the very young. However, as a test for truth, custom is not helpful, since customs may be good or bad, true to the mind of God or out of harmony with the mind of God. 3. Consensus gentium*. This term means consent of the nations. One might gather that a universally-held belief must be a guarantee that it is actually true. However, as we can see from the field of scientific discovery, some commonly held notions have been shattered. For example, not many centuries ago people generally believed that the sun rose. Although we still speak of the sun as rising and setting, we now know that it is the earth s rotation on its axis and revolution around the sun that furnish this illusion. Thus, people can be wrong. Therefore, consensus gentium or universal agreement about something is not an adequate test for truth. 4. Feeling. By feeling we mean an inward impression or intuition one may have which amounts at times to a genuine conviction: an awareness based on nothing more than a hunch or a subjective mood. To be sure, personal religious experience will be a part of genuine Christianity. Without such inwardness, religion is sterile and empty. However, as a test for truth, intuition and subjective feeling may mislead a person. Feelings and intuitions themselves must be subjected to some other standard of truth. 5. Sense perception (also called empiricism). You become aware of your surroundings through your senses: seeing, tasting, feeling, smelling, and hearing. These sensory capacities help you to relate to your environment; indeed, these indicators are a valid source of truth. However, our sense perception may on occasion deceive us and is therefore inadequate in itself, finally, to test truth. Useful as it may be, sense perception is a limited kind of knowledge. 6. Pragmatism*. As we saw in Lesson 1, this test for truth is based on the meaningfulness of an idea. The theory of pragmatism holds that the test of

43 43 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? truth is to be found in its practical consequences. If the practical consequences are satisfactory (meaningful), the idea is said to be true. This test has some merit because one would hardly expect that which is ultimately true to have poor consequences. However, in our everyday experience we do not have the insight and understanding to know if the ultimate consequences of a given course of action will prove to be good or bad. Our limited vision of consequences diminishes the worth of pragmatism as a test for truth. 7. Consistency. Every true idea must be self-consistent. Truth cannot be selfcontradictory. Consistency means that propositions have connections so that one proposition follows necessarily from another. It is a systematic explanation of all the facts of experience. However, there is a limitation to consistency as a test for truth. Some untrue notions may not be self-contradictory. So consistency is only a pointer limited though it may be in the direction of truth. 8. Coherence. Coherence goes beyond consistency. It combines selfconsistency with a broad view of all experience. Carnell calls this systematic consistency, meaning that which is self-consistent (noncontradictory) and which fits the facts of experience. Important to the view of coherence is correspondence with the law of noncontradiction. Francis Schaeffer, in his books The God Who Is There and Escape From Reason, makes a powerful case for the nature of truth as noncontradictory. I recommend that you read these books. Schaeffer (1968) states: Christianity is a system which is composed of a set of ideas which can be discussed.... The Bible does not set out unrelated thoughts. The system it sets forth has a beginning and moves from that beginning in a non-contradictory way. The beginning is the existence of the infinite-personal God as Creator of all else. Christianity is not just a vague set of incommunicable experiences, based on a totally unverifiable leap in the dark. Neither conversion (the beginning of the Christian life) nor spirituality (the growth) should be such a leap. Both are firmly related to the God who is there and the knowledge He has given us and both involve the whole man. (91, italics mine) In summary, Carnell sees varying degrees of usefulness in testing truth in the variety of approaches to truth. The best approach is coherence, in which logical self-consistency is combined with agreement with the world of fact and experience. Together, these correspond with truth as it is in the mind of God, since God by nature is self-consistent and is the author of all facts. 7 Consensus gentium is described as being a) something that is self-contradictory or inconsistent. b) any traditional habit or practice among a group of people. c) a natural reaction, response, impulse, or awareness. d) something that is universally believed to be true.

44 44 Apologetics 8 Match each limitation (left) to the criterion for testing truth to which it relates (right).... a This is affected by our limited vision of consequences.... b This is subjective and may be misleading.... c People can be wrong.... d This is sometimes difficult to distinguish from the effects of one s environment. 1) Coherence 2) Instinct 3) Consensus gentium 4) Pragmatism 5) Feeling 9 In the following chart define each term; then evaluate the worth of each criterion in testing truth (mark an X under the value you choose). Criterion Definition Good Limited Poor a Instinct b Sense perception c Pragmatism d Coherence Objective 2.4 Recognize what is entailed in a Christian postulate and what this implies with respect to faith and reason. hypothesis a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences postulate a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition, condition, or premise of a train of reasoning; something assumed as an axiom; something assumed or claimed to be true, existent, or necessary presupposition that which is supposed beforehand or which is required as an antecedent in logic or fact A Positive Solution: A Christian Postulate Reading 1 We have been wrestling with the problem of truth. It is a tough problem, but one that is too important to ignore. As we have seen, Jesus Christ has claimed to be truth. As we have examined a variety of tests for truth, we have come to the conclusion that coherence, as we have defined it, is vital to judge the truth claims of any assertion. Now we are ready to consider the formulation of a Christian postulate*. A postulate is a hypothesis* proposed as an essential presupposition* or condition of a train of reasoning. What kind of proof must we have to prove that Christianity is true? Are the same kinds of proof tests valid for religion as are valid for other disciplines? In mathematics, for example, it can be demonstrated that = 4. There is no alternative to consider. The answer is non-negotiable; it is of unchanging value. In the physical sciences, many theorems of physics and chemistry have been demonstrated to be consistent in every circumstance. Other scientific hypotheses are still uncertain and subject to various interpretations. The same is true of the disciplines of history and sociology, where the element of personal interpretation is a factor in determining what is true. The proof tests for philosophy and religion are even more complex. As Ramm indicates, such

45 45 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? proof tests require a choice, which is made after logical analysis. Therefore, Christianity involves responsible choices. According to Ramm, there are two criteria for making a responsible choice (31): 1. The choice must be made on the basis of a survey of the major options. In other words, the Christian apologist must be familiar with the history of philosophy and with the beliefs of other religions in order to make a responsible choice concerning the truth of Christianity. 2. The choice involves entailment. (Entailment means that which is imposed or implied as a necessary accompaniment or result. ) In other words, the apologist must know what he is committing himself to in accepting Christianity as truth. For example, he is committing himself to the understanding that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God, and he accepts the doctrines of the Incarnation, the Trinity, the fall of man (original sin), and salvation even though these are difficult to explain. One must also ask oneself: What does the choice entail on a day-to-day basis? What does it commit me to? What are the implications of the choice? 10 Once you commit yourself, after considering all the choices, to the truth of Christianity, what are some possible entailments of this choice? 11 Based on our earlier definitions of Christian rationalism and logical Christianity, which of these statements are TRUE? a Faith is not a factor in making a responsible choice for Christianity. b Rationalism or reason alone is not adequate to determine truth. c Philosophy and religion cannot be measured sufficiently to be verified by reason alone. d There is an absolute quality to an informed choice for Christianity because it leaves no room for doubt. THE CHRISTIAN POSTULATE (General Definition) The Christian religion is the redemptive and revelatory work of the Holy Trinity which reaches its highest expression in revelation and redemption in the Incarnation of God in Christ; and this religion is preserved for all ages and is witnessed for all ages in the inspired Holy Scriptures. (p. 33) Figure 2.3 So far we have sought to emphasize that one must be very careful about the relationship of faith and reason. Now you will see why this is important. As Figure 2.3 indicates, Christianity is a religion of revelation. Unaided natural reason is not sufficient to bring humankind to God, because man is a sinner. He needs a revelation to dispel the darkness of sin.

46 46 Apologetics Implications Of The Christian Postulate 1. The basis of Christian apologetics is divine revelation, particularly soteric (saving) revelation. a. Man (all humankind) is a sinner. b. He needs to be saved from sin. 2. The redemption of humankind is the work of the Triune God. a. God the Father speaks, plans, and decrees salvation. b. God the Son dies in time and space on this earth as the divine sacrifice for the sins of all people. c. God the Holy Spirit applies this salvation in the heart of the believer. 3. Divine revelation is revealed in the Holy Scriptures (the Bible, the inspired Word of God). Based on pp Figure Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement. a Divine revelation has priority over human philosophy. b Christian apologetics is of necessity Trinitarian apologetics. c People must fully understand the divine nature of revelation before they can be saved from their sin. d Because humans are by nature sinners, they are inclined to sin when they are tempted. e The Bible is the authoritative and divine revelation of God. f Human reason has escaped the damaging effects of sin. Because man is a sinner, he needs to have his mind purified in order to see the truth. Augustine spoke of this. He declared that there is no learning without love; therefore, the basis of any theory of learning is love. The student cannot learn if he hates his teacher. Likewise, a man must love God to know God. Man comes to love God only through his redemption from sin. Therefore, faith brings redemption and love, and with love there is understanding. In other words, Faith leads; the intellect follows. 13 According to Augustine s reasoning we must love God in order to a) have rational thoughts. b) receive truth from Him. c) avoid sin. d) have our minds purified. 14 Based on our study of the relationship between faith and reason, write a statement to defend this view: Faith leads; the intellect follows.

47 47 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? Objective 2.5 Describe the role of the Holy Spirit in revelation, conviction, and illumination, and apply this to the task of apologetics. A Witness: The Holy Spirit Reading 2 The Holy Spirit is a witness that the truth about Jesus Christ is genuine. The revelation of God in the Scriptures (the written Word) and in Jesus Christ (the living Word) are disclosed to the believer as true. The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever of sin and persuades the believer of truth (John 16:8 13). The product of this witnessing ministry of conviction and persuasion is certainty or assurance. Figure 2.5 illustrates this process. Notice in Figure 2.5 that the Holy Spirit ministers to the individual at every step in his or her journey from darkness to light. It is a way of saying that the compassionate God has not left humankind alone in the struggle and search. That is why the apostle James wrote, Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8). God s Role Christian Apologist s Role ACTION OF THE SPIRIT (John 16:7 15) Conviction Assurance UNBELIEVER Persuasion Facts about Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:15) MINISTRY OF THE WORD Figure 2.5 The witness of the Spirit to the reality of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ can be described as a fullness of conviction: having the sense of being persuaded of the truth. In addition to this subjective experience, the Holy Spirit at the same time verifies to the believer the written record about Jesus Christ (objective revelation). Another way to express this is that the Holy Spirit supplies conviction about the truth of the Bible and ministers assurance to the heart of the believing person that indeed he or she is in a vital relationship to Christ (John 17:17; Romans 8:16). The next step in the process is the illumination of the Spirit. The doctrine of illumination is especially meaningful in regard to the task of apologetics. The Christian worker can rest assured that as he or she ministers to the person of the world, the Holy Spirit is present in that witnessing situation! As the worker is persuading the unbeliever on the basis of logic and Scripture, he or she can know that God the Holy Spirit is at work at the same time persuading the hearer in a spiritual dimension.

48 48 Apologetics 15 Explain briefly the work of the Holy Spirit with respect to a conviction:... b persuasion:... c assurance:... Figure 2.6 illustrates the fact that God the Holy Spirit, active in the giving of Scripture to prophets and apostles many years ago, is still concerned about making Christ known. His present ministry in revelation is the illumination of the human mind. The word illumination means the clarifying of something, the shining of a light upon something. Illumination occurs when the Holy Spirit enlightens the believer or enables him or her to understand scriptural truth. The individual who opens his or her heart to God, who chooses the Christian option, can in that moment enjoy the assurance of salvation and the illumination of the mind. PROCESS OF DIVINE REVELATION INSPIRATION: The in-breathing of the Holy Spirit by the prophets and apostles SCRIPTURE ILLUMINATION: the Holy Spirit counseling hearers of the Word Figure Do you see a relationship between the task of Christian apologetics and the illumination of the mind by the Holy Spirit? Describe two aspects of this relationship. Little discusses two viewpoints concerning whether Christianity is rational the anti-intellectual approach and the exclusively rational approach and points out the weaknesses of both approaches. He wants it clearly understood at the starting point that The Bible itself stresses the importance of revealed rational processes. Jesus stressed this to His disciples, Love the Lord your God with all your heart...and all your mind Matthew 22:37 (2000, 20). Two of the reasons Little gives as to why many non-christians fail to consider the gospel seriously are: 1. No one has ever presented the facts in a rational manner. Little notes, an unenlightened mind is one never exposed to the truth of God, but enlightenment brings satisfying comprehension when based on a rational body of truth (2000, 21).

49 49 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? 2. Moral smoke screens can unknowingly hinder or overshadow the intellectual revelation of God. Little observes, in some cases, the true issue is not that people cannot believe it is that they will not believe (24). Little s position is that doubt and questioning are normal to any thinking person (26) and that Christianity is based on reasonable faith (27). A Christian should not respond with terror or panic when there are questions either in their own minds or from unbelievers. Still an argument is not the end of a matter, only the beginning. Do you know anyone who is convinced logically of the truth of the gospel and yet will not respond to the claims of Christ? For such a person it is important to pray that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit will move him to accept in his heart what his mind accepts as true. 17 Consider the John Stott statement Paul Little quotes: We cannot pander to [gratify or favor] a man s intellectual arrogance, but we must cater to his intellectual integrity (2000, 25). Applied to the presentation of biblical truth, which of these conclusions are implied? a Anyone who does not immediately accept the truth of the gospel is intellectually arrogant. b One who is convinced logically of the truth of the gospel but rejects it because he or she does not want to change his or her lifestyle is intellectually arrogant. c The apologist should be patient with the one who has sincere questions about the truthfulness of the gospel message. d A commitment to the truth of the gospel does not imply a commitment to the moral values inherent in that truth. 18 The factor of argumentation has a role in what is called pre-evangelism. It is a method by which the Christian worker may assist the unbeliever to come to the point where he considers Christianity as at least an option for belief. Will argumentation alone bring a person to salvation? Explain your answer. In this lesson we have considered how people come to know truth, and we have looked at the roles of faith and reason in verifying truth. Coherence, we have seen, is the best criteria for testing truth because it combines consistency with a comprehensive view of all experience. We have stated a Christian postulate that includes the belief that Christianity is a religion of revelation and that the Holy Spirit witnesses to the truthfulness of its claims. In Lesson 3 we will explore the problem of doubt as it relates to the claims of Christianity. This too is an important topic in the study of Christian apologetics.

50 50 Apologetics Self-Test True-False. Write the letter T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if the statement is FALSE Christian rationalism indicates that reason alone can prove the truth of Christianity Epistemology means the study of ethics If we know Christ, we know the truth because He is truth Autonomous Christianity starts with reason and ends with faith Consensus gentium is the most reliable criteria for testing truth Another term for empiricism is sense perception, what we can know by our five senses A complete view of all experience is included in the idea of coherence Truth is that which is in agreement with the mind of God One of the important purposes of philosophy is to ask the necessary questions of life Christian agnosticism is a term which describes the belief that both faith and reason are necessary to know spiritual truth The Christian postulate stated in this lesson emphasizes the Trinity s work of revealing God to man through the Scriptures According to the logical Christianity view, an unbeliever cannot reason his or her way to God. Matching. Read the instructions carefully and write your answer in the space preceding each question Match each definition (left) to the field of knowledge it describes (right) Attempting to formulate a world-and-life view Studying how to understand or know truth and error Trying to understand reality and principles that explain the universe in terms of purpose and unity Examining values, criteria of value, and what is right a) Metaphysics b) Epistemology c) Axiology d) Philosophy

51 51 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? Match each question (left) to the appropriate criterion for truth (right) Does it work? What kind of life does belief in Christ produce? Do the various teachings of the Bible agree with one another or do some contradict others? Is there a deep inner conviction or assurance that this is true? Is this the doctrine that is held by my church? a) Custom b) Feeling c) Pragmatism d) Consensus gentium e) Consistency Match each explanation (left) to the position related to faith and reason that it describes (right) It places all of the emphasis on faith and none on reason. It does not attempt to verify the truth of Christianity It emphasizes the necessity of reason to know the truth about Christianity and excludes faith It starts with reason but says that some things must be taken by faith It starts with faith but says that Christianity is reasonable and gives reasons for faith. Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions. a) Christian rationalism b) Logical Christianity c) Christian agnosticism d) Autonomous Christianity 25 John 3:19 states, This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. a In apologetics, does this quotation relate to a moral issue or to an intellectual issue? b Explain your answer to a...

52 52 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 10 Your answer. The main entailment is obedience to God s will. Other entailments follow from this. 1 If we know Him, we know the truth, because He is truth. When we know Him, we are set free from error. 11 Statements b and c are true. 2 a 3) Metaphysics b 4) Philosophy c 1) Axiology d 2) Epistemology 12 Statements a, b, d, and e are true. 3 a 2) Christian agnosticism b 4) Logical Christianity c 3) Christian rationalism d 1) Autonomous Christianity 13 d) have our minds purified. 4 Statements a, c, and e are true. 14 When we have faith to believe, the Spirit illuminates our understanding. Without faith, our reasoning is depraved. We need the revelation of God to exercise faith and accept redemption. 5 c) faith alone will reveal truth in the spiritual world. 15 a The Holy Spirit convicts the unbeliever of sin and the need to be saved from sin. b The Spirit persuades the unbeliever to accept by faith the provision of God to redeem him or her from sin. c The Spirit gives assurance by revealing the truth about Jesus Christ through the illumination of the Scriptures. 6 a Your answer. Evangelicals generally accept the autonomous Christianity view because it recognizes the work of the Holy Spirit in a person that convinces him of the truth of the gospel message. This view indicates that faith is self-establishing and that reason, which is consistent with faith, follows. b Both Erickson and Tozer stress that the place of reason is not to discover truth but to find the meaning of the truth revealed. The apologist seeks through rational scholarship to guarantee the purity of the biblical text and interpret its meaning. 16 Your answer. The Holy Spirit illumines the mind of the apologist to enable him or her to understand the truth of Scripture and explain it. The Spirit is at work in this witnessing situation, convicting the sinner and convincing him or her of the truth of the Word of God. 7 d) something that is universally believed to be true.

53 53 Lesson 2: Where Is the Starting Point? 17 Statements b and c are implied. 8 a 4) Pragmatism b 5) Feeling c 3) Consensus gentium d 2) Instinct 18 No. Faith, which involves commitment to the truth revealed, is also necessary for a person to be saved. Definition Good Limited Poor 9 a A natural reaction: an awareness or response we are born with X b What our five X senses reveal to us c An idea is true if the practical consequences are satisfactory, that is, if it works X d Logical selfconsistency which agrees with comprehensive facts and experiences X

54 Is There a Procedure for Dealing 3with Doubt? the activities... the objectives... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Ramm, pages Reading 2: Ramm, pages Reading 3: Ramm, pages Reading 4: Ramm, pages Reading 5: Ramm, pages Reading 6: Little, pages Study this lesson in the usual manner as described in Lesson 1. Read all Scripture passages cited in the lesson development, and answer each study question as you come to it. Take the self-test, and check your answers. 3.1 Describe ways in which God acts in the world and in history, and relate this to the importance of the supernatural in the apologetic task. 3.2 Identify given views concerning the function of Christian evidences, and state objections to each view. 3.3 Define the term synoptic vision, and identify examples of this concept. 3.4 Explain why there are limitations to the test of coherence in theology and what this implies. 3.5 State the difference between certitude and certainty with respect to what we know about God. 3.6 Identify positions taken by various kinds of doubters of Christianity and, given possible responses, suggest the response that would be most suitable for each of them. 3.7 Given specific reasons for doubt, explain what a Christian worker can do to dispel that doubt in an unbeliever.

55 55 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? 3.8 Evaluate given Scripture passages to determine what they teach about honest doubt. the outline... 1 The Importance of the Supernatural 2 Views of the Function of Christian Evidences a View of Evidentialists b View of Probabilists c View of Negativists d View of John Calvin 3 The Need for Synoptic Vision a Wholeness b Coherence 4 Living Without All the Proof 5 The Diagnosis and Treatment of Doubt a Kinds of Doubters b Causes of Doubt c Hopeful Doubt In Lesson 2 we gave considerable space to the very important issue of the starting point, or how individuals come to know Jesus Christ as Savior. We have seen that reason alone is inadequate to lead the unbeliever to accept Christ. While reason may be employed to show the unbeliever that Christianity is a genuine option, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary to generate faith in the human heart and convince the unbeliever that he or she should choose Jesus Christ as Lord. For some people, the message of Jesus Christ comes as a flood of light, producing peace of soul and tranquillity of mind. The transformation is so dramatic that no substantial doubts ever seem to cloud the horizon of the soul. Simple, childlike faith persists. Such delightful simplicity requires little support for faith, once Christ has come into the life. Objective 3.1 Describe ways in which God acts in the world and in history, and relate this to the importance of the supernatural in the apologetic task. The Importance Of The Supernatural Reading 1 As we saw in Lesson 2, unregenerate man is depraved and needs to have his mind purified in order to see the truth. Reason alone is inadequate to convince him of the truth of the gospel. Reason may be employed in preevangelism to show the unbeliever that Christianity is a genuine option which he or she ought to consider; but the supernatural witness of the Holy Spirit is needed to convince the person (1) that he or she is a sinner, (2) that he or she needs to be

56 56 Apologetics saved, and (3) that God has provided a divine sacrifice which is his or her only hope of salvation. 1 As a Christian worker, are you encouraged by the knowledge that the task of leading a soul to Christ is a joint effort of the worker who witnesses and the Holy Spirit who convinces? Read 1 Corinthians 3:9 and 2 Corinthians 6:1 and consider the meaning of the term fellow workers in these two passages. How does it fit the picture of soul-winning that we have discussed? 2 (Choose the best completion.) Ramm states, Christianity is more than gospel, it is more than faith as subjectivity, and it is more than the witness of the Spirit (45). By this he means that a) Christianity does have intellectual content in support of faith. b) Christianity must be believed even though there is no rational support for faith. c) the gospel message itself is not sufficient to save sinners. d) none of these elements has value by itself. Ramm emphasizes that Christian apologetics must advance beyond the witness of the Spirit and consider objective elements in Holy Scripture and other criteria of truth if it seeks to be a comprehensive Christian apologetics (45). He discusses three criteria in the Bible that witness to its divine origin and therefore to its truthfulness: 1. The living God acts in our world and in our history. 2. The divine action of God as the living God is based on Scripture. 3. The revelations and actions of the living God are the foundations of Christian experience. Now let us look at the implications of these three statements: 1. The living God acts in our world and in our history. The Old Testament presents God as the living God who is active in humankind s history. Therefore, He is the true God who makes a difference as He acts in time, in events, and in the lives of people. He is the God of Creation; there is something and not nothing because He created all things, and what He created was very good (Genesis 1:31). 3 Albert Camus ( ) was a French existentialist philosopher who believed that life was meaningless. One of his famous questions was, Why should I not commit suicide? Considering that God is active in humankind s history, suggest a Christian answer to this question. The Bible tells us that God called a man named Abraham and developed from his family the nation of Israel. It is important to know that the Bible reveals God as acting in history to bring about His divine purposes. God s actions in history help us to know that He cares about us. However, Ramm believes that for apologetic purposes God s act of creation of the universe

57 57 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? and His providential guidance throughout history are too general. He says concerning these actions: There is not enough bite in them to show that these are truly God s actions. The Christian in his theology and reading of Scripture sees these matters as realities and this is not to be contested. However, in apologetics the strongest kind of divine action must be appealed to. There must be some outcropping of the supernatural. This is the real bite in God s actions. (47) According to Ramm, those who spoke for God during the period covered by the Old Testament and the New Testament did not have time to advance an articulate apologetic of faith. Something else was needed to verify that the prophet or the apostle was speaking God s Word. That something else was the supernatural, the action of God that breaks into the cosmos in the form of a miracle. The supreme supernatural act, Ramm says, is the resurrection of Christ. The supernatural action of God in the realm of history is His fulfilled promise. Ramm adds, Because God does break into his cosmos and into his history, the sinner knows that the promises made to him are not empty promises, spiritual and unverifiable, but real promises (49). MIRACLES IN THE BIBLE Supernatural events beyond the natural order Rare or unusual events; wonders or signs The great deeds of God Miracles involving prayer, worship, ethics, values Supernatural coincidences or timing Natural events with supernatural consequences (for example, the Crucifixion) Supernatural acts of God such as healings, raising the dead, walking on water, feeding the five thousand Figure Considering what we have learned regarding humankind s sinful nature, we can say that it is important for God to break into humankind s situation in powerful, supernatural ways because a) anyone who sees a miracle will surely believe. b) the supernatural validates less remarkable actions of God. c) theological statements are meaningless unless they are accompanied by the supernatural. d) ordinary ways of knowledge are unclear to humans because of their sin. 2. The divine action of God as the living God is based on Scripture. That is, God s action in creation and history is expressly taught in Scripture. The very message of the Bible is the message that God has wanted to make Himself known to man. It is the nature of God to disclose himself. It is the nature of Scripture to disclose this kind of God. The truthfulness of the Word of God is confirmed by prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:15 22; Isaiah 41:21 24; 42:8 9; 44:6 7; 48:12 16). It is confirmed by miracles (Hebrews 2:1 4). It is confirmed by the resurrection of Christ, which Ramm describes as the supreme supernatural act (Acts 17:24 31).

58 58 Apologetics Because the Bible discloses to humankind what God wanted to make known about himself, the Christian apologist who appeals to Christian evidences is perfectly in harmony with the central theme of Scripture. Therefore, Ramm says, the idea of Christian evidences is not a strategy invented by Christian apologists but it is part of the scriptural witness to itself. That is not to say that everything which is presented today as Christian evidences is true or can really be considered evidences. But the foundation of Christian evidences is what Scripture teaches about the divine action of God as the living God. 3. The revelations and actions of the living God are the foundations of Christian experience. God s dealings with people, as revealed in Scripture, are intended to get their attention. It is God s nature to break into our experience. That is why Ramm says about miracles: Psychologically they grab us; they call attention to themselves in a magnetic way; we realize something unusual is at work (54). Theologians sometimes use two German words in this connection. The first, Heilsgeschichte, means salvation history (heil: salvation ; geschichte: history ). It is a way of saying that the Bible is not a disconnected series of stories; rather, it is the single story of God and His plan for redeeming humankind. The other word is Offenbarungsgeschichte, which means revelation history. It is a way of saying that God not only has acted, but He has also revealed himself. Or, as Ramm says, He not only does something, he says something. VanGemeren (1988) speaks of this relationship between salvation history and revelation history : The history of redemption is the story of God s involvement with man s redemption and of man s response to the promises of the Lord. God promises, performs mighty acts, and works out his purpose in salvation and in vindication. The history of redemption displays the interaction between God s revelation and his acts. The two aspects complement each other and reveal God s purpose in creation and redemption. He faithfully executes his purpose for the good of his people (Romans 8:28). The nature of that good becomes increasingly clear in the progress of redemptive history.... Though the Bible is one book, it is composed of many books [that] reflect on and witness to an unfolding of the plan of God in the history of redemption. With the changes in the story of salvation from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, the Lord reveals a grand design. ( ) Can you see how very important the Bible is? Since actions may be misinterpreted, it is vital that God s actions in history be explained so that there is no misunderstanding. This is exactly what the Bible does. It records what God has done and explains the meaning of His actions. The Bible, as God s Word, is an articulate expression of the very nature of God, who desires to break into people s experience in a decisive way. We can say, therefore, that the Christian apologist is working in harmony with a God whose nature is self-disclosing.

59 59 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Objective Circle the letter preceding each correct explanation of a miracle. a An event that runs a different course from the usual, routine, or customary way in which the world runs its course b Any event that cannot be logically explained c Natural events with supernatural consequences d Supernatural acts of God e The gradual healing of a person after a long illness f Anything that can be described as a coincidence 6 With respect to the apologetic task, Ramm says the supreme miracle is a) prayer. b) the resurrection of Christ. c) the Crucifixion. d) creation. 7 Briefly define these terms used by theologians. a Heilsgeschichte:... b Offenbarungsgeschichte:... 8 Considering the views of Ramm and VanGemeren with respect to salvation history and revelation history, why is the biblical record so important to the apologetic task? Identify given views concerning the function of Christian evidences, and state objections to each view. Views Of The Function Of Christian Evidences Reading 2 We learned in Lesson 1 that Christian evidences is another term for factual apologetics, which is an attempt to vindicate or substantiate Christianity through appeals to arguments for the trustworthiness of the Bible. Therefore, the biblical record itself can be described as Christian evidences. Other Christian evidences include such things as archaeology and historical data that support the biblical record. The focus is on the biblical record or, as Ramm describes it, the action[s] of the living God in creation, revelation, and redemption... [that] come to their most unequivocal expression in the supernatural (54 55). Ramm discusses four views concerning the function of Christian evidences and objections to each view, which we will summarize in this section. He describes the four views as those of (1) the Evidentialists, (2) the Probabilists, (3) the Negativists, and (4) John Calvin.

60 60 Apologetics View of Evidentialists Evidentialists believe that stacking up item after item of scientific, archaeological, and historical data is in itself sufficient to convince skeptics of the divine origin of Christianity. However, there are limitations to this view. First, human sin may prevent a person s reason from seeing the supernatural for what it is. Second, sin may cause a person to rebel against this evidence. Third, this view oversimplifies the complexity of verifying theological beliefs or divine revelation. 9 This view of evidentialists would be consistent with which of these? a) Autonomous Christianity b) Logical Christianity c) Christian agnosticism d) Christian rationalism View of Probabilists Probabilists hold that Christian evidences can create a favorable climate for faith. This is sometimes called historical faith. Ramm, although not very positive about this viewpoint, does admit that for some the presentation of argumentation on behalf of Christianity does dislodge intellectual roadblocks that hinder belief. In other words hearing the evidences sets the mind of the unbeliever in motion by establishing historical faith that may lead to saving faith. Ramm s objection is that it requires a two-step motion: first, historical faith; then, saving faith, the latter of which may or may not occur. 10 Suppose you are confronted by an unbeliever who has been taught to distrust the Bible but who sees you as a person of integrity. What value do you think there would be in showing him or her why you believe the Bible is trustworthy? Explain briefly. View of Negativists Negativists deal only in speculative* philosophy. Their hope is to convince people of the truth of Christianity on purely theoretical grounds. Much of modern theology of the neoorthodox* style, particularly that of followers of Barth and Bultmann, falls into this category. Appeal to evidences is considered

61 61 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? 11 According to our definition of philosophical apologetics in Lesson 1, the negativist would attempt to prove the existence of God by an appeal to a) the biblical assumption of His existence. b) carefully collected facts that confirm His existence. c) humankind s innate idea of God. d) archaeological evidence which agrees with biblical data. depravity the state or condition of being corrupt and evil View of John Calvin John Calvin ( ) was an important French theologian and reformer. Ramm is impressed with Calvin s teaching that natural man is so depraved that his reasoning ability is unable by itself to sort out truth from untruth. According to Calvin: 1. Only the Holy Spirit can break through man s sinfulness with the gospel and assurance of its truth. 2. Christian evidences will not impress man in his sin because he cannot reason correctly in his depravity*. 3. Once the Holy Spirit has broken through man s sinfulness, he can see that the Holy Scripture in which the gospel is imbedded is true, that is, that the Bible itself is evidential material of the truth of the gospel message. On this ground Ramm is not sure that it is helpful to attempt to argue with unbelievers or even to show them that Christianity should be viewed as an option. I agree with Ramm that the effects of sin in humankind are indeed serious. But I question whether his position taken from Calvin is really much different from that of the probabilist view, provided that one recognizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit even in the process of preevangelism. 12 Consider Calvin s view, Ramm s evaluation of it, and my comments. Which of the following best explains your evaluation of this problem? a) It is meaningless to present Christian evidences to an unbeliever unless there are signs that the Holy Spirit is convicting him or her of sin. b) The work of the Holy Spirit in a person s heart must be completed in order to make him or her capable of understanding the Christian evidences. c) The Holy Spirit can do His work in the heart of an unregenerate person as we present to him or her the Christian evidences. d) Philosophical arguments are much more effective than Christian evidences in leading a sinner to Christ.

62 62 Apologetics Objective 3.3 Define the term synoptic vision, and identify examples of this concept. The Need For Synoptic Vision Reading 3 synoptic affording a general view of a whole; presenting or taking the same or common view Wholeness We now come to the completion of the basic apologetic system provided by Ramm. The third phase, which he calls Circle Three, is synoptic* vision. By this he means that total pattern or philosophy which makes the most sense out of man, man s world, and man s relationship to God. It is the unified whole that makes life meaningful and thereby furnishes purpose and direction in this world. In summary the three circles are as follows: Circle One: The Christian is convinced of the truth of his or her faith by the witness of the Spirit. Circle Two: The Christian is convinced of the truth of his or her faith by the actions of the living God who makes a difference in the cosmos. Circle Three: The person is a Christian because he or she believes that the Christian faith gives him or her the most adequate synoptic vision there is with reference to humankind, the world, and God. We might illustrate these concepts as shown in Figure 3.2: THE CHRISTIAN WORLD-AND-LIFE VIEW Circle 1 The SPIRIT witnesses to the TRUTH Circle 2 The ACTS OF GOD in the cosmos testify to the TRUTH Circle 3 SYNOPTIC VISION The believer s FAITH based on revealed TRUTH forms his or her understanding about MAN, the WORLD, and GOD. Figure 3.2 In recent years the concept of the scientific method has brought about a faith akin to worship among the members of the scientific community. The university student learns how to investigate his or her world with a commendable kind of passion. One learns to deal carefully with all kinds of data. As the student separates fact from guesswork, he or she learns to verify hypotheses. All of this is good and helpful, and one must be careful not to scorn the legitimate values of the scientific method. But there are limits! Some of these we will discuss in a later lesson. Important for our immediate consideration is the narrowness of horizons with which even the scientist may labor. That is why Ramm recognizes the fact that in a given scientific field, a number of competent and dedicated people who are equally skilled and serious about their discipline may arrive at different conclusions. (He cites one study that yielded thirty-six different theories!) Yet, these different conclusions are formed despite agreement on the bits and pieces. How can this be? Each scientist operates on the basis of a frame

63 63 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? of reference or a world-and-life view, which for him or her gives a sense of wholeness to all the bits and pieces. This overall view of things, which varies from person to person, Ramm describes as synoptic vision. He states: In order to acquire a synoptic vision, the scholar looks over the whole field of his specialty. He tries to see it as a totality, a system, an organism, and not just a heap of facts. The term vision indicates that the scholar has left the criteria of sheer factual verification and is looking for a pattern, a configuration, a model, a picture, a complex diagrammatic chart by which he can synthesize his discipline into one unified theory or interpretation. That pattern or that picture which has the most appeal to him, that puts things together for him in the most meaningful way even with the lack of a great number of important data, is the one he chooses. That is his synoptic vision. (60) By this we see that while the outcome may be quite different in each of the various philosophical schools of thought whether it be linguistic analysis, existentialist philosophy, or the thinking of Christian philosophers the common ingredient is a unified outlook that makes the system hang together. Figure 3.3 identifies four kinds of elements discussed by Ramm that comprise the Christian s synoptic vision (62): FACTUAL ELEMENTS Biblical history and geography Ancient history Comparative linguistics of ancient languages Critical study of documents INTERPRETATIVE ELEMENTS History and philosophy of history Study of the history of philosophy Psychological understanding of man PERSONAL ELEMENTS Conversion experience Prayer life Spiritual decisions Corporate worship Fellowship with believers Scripture reading Study of theological literature SYNOPTIC VISION A systematic, unified whole grounded in faith ELEMENT OF FEELINGS A range between Joy and depression Freedom and guilt Victory and defeat Inspiration and temptation Coldness of heart and spiritual renewal Figure 3.3 You can see from Figure 3.3 that synoptic vision can differ from one Christian to another because of all the possible elements involved. Our experiences are not all the same. The teaching we receive, the worship we experience, and the trials we face vary greatly from one person to another. How each of us reacts to life s experiences is also a factor. But the one thing Christians have in common is that their faith gives them the most satisfactory understanding of themselves, of God, of their relationship to God, of human history, and of the place of the whole cosmos in their human experience.

64 64 Apologetics 13 Ramm believes Christian churches experience a great loss of young people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two because they have only received bits and pieces of Christianity. They have never made a synoptic vision out of all of these bits and pieces. What implications do you see in this for the ministry of the local church to its young people? 14 While a proper synoptic vision must have factual content (that is, it must be consistent with the evidences), does this mean a Christian must have complete factual verification of every aspect of Christian understanding? Circle the letter preceding your choice of the best response to this question. a Yes, because a person cannot be certain of what he or she believes unless he or she knows all of the facts involved. b No, a person does not need any factual verification because his or her faith is based on personal experience and not on Christian evidences. c No, but he or she needs enough verification to fit all the bits and pieces together. d No, one does not, because he or she knows that there is enough factual evidence to affirm that the Christian synoptic vision is a responsible one. 15 Match each example (left) to the kind of element in the synoptic vision that it best describes (right).... a Experiencing depression for no recognizable reason... b Making an important spiritual decision... c Relating the history of philosophy to Christian topics... d Understanding people s psychological problems... e Comparing archaeological documents with biblical records... f Studying how the books of the Bible were collected... g Getting involved in a local church 16 Explain these three stages in a Christian s synoptic vision: 1) Factual elements 2) Interpretative elements 3) Personal elements 4) Element of feelings a Circle 1:... b Circle 2:... c Circle 3:...

65 65 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Objective 3.4 Explain why there are limitations to the test of coherence in theology and what this implies. transcendental rising above or going beyond the limits of experience but not human knowledge; of or relating to experience as determined by the mind s makeup incomprehensible impossible to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of paradoxical of the nature of a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true dialectical related to any systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that places contradictory ideas side by side and usually seeks to resolve their conflict; an intellectual exchange of ideas Coherence We have seen that a responsible synoptic vision must have a measure of factual support. Now we are going to explore the idea that a responsible synoptic vision must have a measure of internal coherence. We have already learned that if two or more propositions contradict each other, they do not have coherence. But in Christian theology there are limitations of coherence because we are dealing with human expressions of divine revelation. It is for this reason that all theology books are not exactly alike in every detail. Perhaps if there were a perfectly coherent and obvious theological system, people would worship it rather than the God it would speak about. Yet, as Ramm indicates, a Christian s way of putting his or her world-and-life view together needs a measure of internal consistency or coherence. However, this viewpoint need not be perfect to be useful. Ramm gives several reasons to explain why complete control of theology by the test of coherence has limitations. We will summarize them here: 1. Because revelation comes from God, we cannot grasp it all by ordinary logic or determine how God s various revelations cohere. 2. Because there is so much divergence between God s thoughts and ways and our thoughts and ways, it is foolish to apply the human test of coherence to divine revelation and action. 3. Because God is the mysterious God, He is beyond our logic. Mysteries are to be received, believed, and adored, but they cannot be explained. By mysteries we mean any religious truth known to humankind only through divine revelation and accepted by faith. 4. Because the language of revelation is different from ordinary language, the usual tests of rational discourse cannot be applied. 5. Because God is transcendental*, incomprehensible*, and infinite, literal statements about Him are not possible. The test of coherence cannot be applied to paradoxical* or dialectical* statements (statements accepted as true that appear to be contradictory or opposed to common sense), which are our only way of speaking about God. Ramm explains that Scripture itself points to the impossibility of an absolute test of coherence. Examples are 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 11:33; and Isaiah 55:8 9. Then he states: Such verses do not eliminate the test of coherence, but they set a limit to it. If all Scriptures contained material that was so completely different from man s thoughts, then the divine revelation would be incomprehensible; or it would take an unusual divine revelation for each person so that he might understand the mysteries. The large element in Scripture that is within man s grasp can be tested by coherence. (68 69)

66 66 Apologetics 17 Why are there limitations to the test of coherence in theological systems? 18 The fact that there are limitations to the test of coherence in theological systems implies which of these? a) There can be no coherence in a Christian synoptic vision because there is not enough meaningful factual content in it. b) Some theological concepts cannot be explained logically, but much of the biblical content is logical and can pass the test of coherence. c) Theologians are likely to form the same conclusions regarding those aspects of God s revelation for which the test of coherence does not apply. d) We should not attempt to formulate a theological position regarding biblical mysteries because this will only confuse us. 19 Read each example and write in the blank space the letter M if it illustrates a mystery of God that is beyond the test of coherence. L if it illustrates a biblical concept with a logical explanation.... a Jesus as fully God and fully man... b Jesus teaching that we should love and serve one another... c The Trinity (one God, three Persons)... d God s eternal existence... e The impact of the gospel in the early church... f God s judgments, thoughts, and ways We can see that the theologian s synoptic vision affects his or her interpretation of the mysterious revelations in Scripture. Ramm illustrates this in his reference to the Roman Catholic theologians, who wrote their theology as if they were already in their glorified state and could see all things clearly and systematically. Martin Luther refers to this type of interpretation as the theology of glory. In contrast, Luther points to the cross, which is so mysterious an event that we cannot describe it exhaustively. The cross speaks of the brokenness of all our knowledge of God. When theology reflects this brokenness, Luther describes it as the theology of the cross (70). Are you encouraged to realize that in spite of our limited knowledge (even of God and His ways), our trust in Christ will sustain us? It is important for pastors and Christian workers to reassure young converts that God begins with us where we are. He does not require full understanding of everything for us to begin to grow in our Christian faith. What an encouragement it is to know that we need not know everything to be useful for God! This thought leads us to our next section.

67 67 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Objective 3.5 State the difference between certitude and certainty with respect to what we know about God. Living Without All The Proof Reading 4 Closely related to the matter of living without all the facts is the matter of living without perfect certainty. The Holy Spirit supplies to the believer an assurance of truth. However, the Christian may find it quite difficult to translate his or her confidence into terms through which the unbeliever will be totally convinced. We are dealing here with verification, the matter of proof. Even in the world of science, theories believed to be true are never completely verifiable. One might say that there is certainty in such fields as mathematics but not in the sciences. Yet, we live with scientific theory. For example, can you prove with absolute certainty that a glass pitcher you hold in your hand will break if it falls to the ground when you let go of it? There is a high degree of probability that the pitcher will break, but it is still a probability and not a certainty. The question is, can one live in a world where much of the activity is in the realm of probability? Certainly you are not gravely concerned that the chair you are sitting on will collapse at any instant. Yet how can you be certain that your chair will not collapse? You cannot, but you live with a high degree of probability that it will not. This brings us to the distinction between certitude and certainty. A Christian may have full spiritual certitude about the Christian faith because of (1) the divine revelation in Scripture and (2) the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. But the Christian cannot know all the historical facts related to the divine record with full certainty; he or she can only know the probability of these facts. 20 In summary, with respect to what we can know about God, a what is certainty based on?... b what is certitude based on? Spiritual certitude about the Christian faith comes from The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Doubt Reading 5 Let us grant that God the Holy Spirit can give personal certitude about the Christian faith even if absolute scientific verification for all details of Bible history and doctrine are not available. The point is, we can live in faith without full vision. Would we need to exercise faith if we saw with absolute clarity? The apostle Paul spoke of this: For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. Now we see but

68 68 Apologetics a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:9 10, 12) That brings us to this question: If Christianity gives certitude to the believer and the confidence that, someday, God s revelation will be made known to him or her fully, why do people doubt? We will see that there are several answers to this question. As you study these, think of friends of yours who may be doubters. It might be helpful for you to diagnose their doubt as to its kind so that you can learn how to apply the proper remedy. Objective 3.6 Identify positions taken by various kinds of doubters of Christianity and, given possible responses, suggest the response that would be most suitable for each of them. Kinds of Doubters 1. The Atheist. The atheist is a believer that is, he or she believes there is no God. He or she may be sincere in this belief and, in fact, kind and polite in stating it. The atheist can also be described as an infidel or one who does not believe that Christianity is true. That person may even become militant in his or her opposition to Christianity. This spirit of arrogant antagonism toward Christianity is sometimes called infidelity. 2. The Agnostic or Skeptic. The agnostic or skeptic is one who believes that nothing can be known for sure. He or she is a professional doubter. This view is often identified with scientism, the belief that all of reality can be subjected to the scientific method. It holds that nothing exists apart from scientific investigation. You will recall that in the previous section we discussed the matter of probability. Science lives with probability. The danger lies in subjecting everything to a synoptic vision that rules out even certitude. This attitude of living with doubt as a way of life prevails in most secular universities. It can easily lead to an attitude that scorns the very notion of certitude, so that the believer who announces, I know that there is a living God may be ridiculed for asserting that he knows anything for sure. Although people may live with systematic doubt as a way of life in some aspects of their lives, the questions pertaining to life itself, to destiny, and to faith are too desperately important to leave to uncertainty. 3. The Cynic. The cynic believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest. The word implies one who has a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity. The story is told that in the fourth century BC a Greek philosopher, Diogenes, went about with a lantern during the daylight hours, symbolizing his search for an honest man. He despaired not only of the possibility of discovering truth but even of finding pure motives in humankind. He conceived of life as it was lived in ancient Greece as largely an expression of self-interest. The word cynic literally means like a dog. Some ancient cynics withdrew in various ways from conventional society. Choosing to wear rags, or as

69 69 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? natural law the regular order or pattern by which the universe operates continuity uninterrupted connection, succession, or union; uninterrupted duration without essential change Diogenes living for a time in a barrel, this was a protest against the hypocrisy of their times. 4. The Humanist. This term is used in various ways. Sometimes it simply refers to a person who is humanitarian, that is, interested in helping people. From a philosophical viewpoint, however, the term has a different meaning. The philosophical humanist believes that the highest authority is the human intelligence. The humanist is extremely optimistic about man s ability to solve his problems if he is given enough time. He or she is virtually in agreement with the rationalist, for his or her real god is the human mind. Furthermore, most humanists are extremely optimistic about human nature. Plato, for example, felt that if man knew to do good, he would do good. He failed to take into account the facts of sin and human perversity. The solution to man s ills, for the humanist, is education. He believes people behave badly simply because they know no better. What do you think? 5. The Naturalist. Many of today s agnostics are also naturalists. The naturalist conceives the sum total of reality to be material and therefore subject to the scientific method. This person is totally preoccupied with this world in a most literal sense. Is this not the very spirit of worldliness? Such a person believes that the natural law* is inflexible. The miracle cannot exist. Man is caught as a piece of grain between the grinding wheels of the impersonal laws of the universe. Therefore, man is a tiny speck of insignificance in the vastness of the universe. While the humanist has such a lofty view of man that he or she feels man does not need God, the naturalist has such a low view of man that he or she sees human beings as not really important in the overall picture of the universe. Therefore, the naturalist tends to be quite pessimistic about man. 6. The Existentialist. Existentialism is derived largely from the teachings of the Danish philosopher of the nineteenth century, Sören Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard took very seriously the views of an earlier philosopher, Immanuel Kant, who had separated the worlds of fact and faith completely. Kierkegaard felt that it was impossible to support faith with fact. He emphasized that faith was a blind leap in the dark. With this view there is a strong suspicion about the rational content of Christianity that really borders on mysticism. Such views have had both Christian and atheistic followers. Some Christian existentialists such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer have done a service for the Christian church by emphasizing the need for a vital, present, personal experience with God. His best-known book on this subject is The Cost of Discipleship. The emphasis on experience is also a point of contact with Pentecostal Christian believers, who likewise have emphasized the necessity of vital experience. However, the important difference between Pentecostal believers and existentialists is the unwillingness of existentialist Christians to see continuity* between the realities of fact (Christian evidences) and faith. On the other hand, atheistic existentialists feel that the only solid ground an individual has is his or her own immediate experience. As a result, they lose all sense of history, all sense of direction for the future, and all rational reasons for belief in God. The logical result of atheistic existentialism is despair. Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre were famous atheistic existentialists of the twentieth century who conceived that the only truly worthwhile thing a

70 70 Apologetics irrationality state of not being governed by or according to reason mystic one who claims to have direct subjective communion with God or ultimate reality and who senses a feeling of awe and wonder person could do was to act with courage. (The purpose of his or her action may be meaningless, but that is not important.) His or her leap in the dark leads to suicide, since life is absurd anyway. The Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer has in his writings painstakingly focused on the irrationality* of atheistic existentialism and the profound influence such ideas have had in the twentieth century. As he illustrates, the existentialist, whether labeled Christian or atheist, doubts that faith can be supported by fact. 7. The Mystic*. Our age has witnessed a dramatic increase of interest in the occult, the mysterious, and even the demonic. For our limited purpose here, we are defining mysticism as the belief that people have direct access to truth by immediate experience with the supernatural. On the surface this sounds like Christianity. The problem, however, is that it amounts to the rejection of revelation (that is, the rejection of the Bible and, in some cases, of Christ Himself). If a person believes that he or she can have immediate contact with truth, then the concept of an intermediary (Christ) becomes quite unnecessary. Much of Oriental religion, which has become quite popular in the Western world, appeals to the person who wants to bypass Christian revelation. The doubt element lies in the rejection of the idea that God has chosen to disclose himself by the Word, whether written (the Bible) or living (Christ). One might call mysticism a form of instant religion. It relies on a subjective mystical experience to the exclusion of all else. The drug culture that permeates all of society today may be accounted for in part because drugs give one the illusion of experience with the supernatural.

71 71 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? 22 Match each statement (left) to the kind of doubter who would be most likely to make that statement (right).... a Since my present experience is all that counts and life has no meaning for me, why should I not be courageous and commit suicide?... b If there were a good God or Supreme Being, as the Christians say, He would not allow bad things to happen to people. There is no such thing as God.... c Education is the only god people need. If people know what is right behavior, they will do what is right.... d We cannot know anything for sure unless we can prove it by the scientific method. It is ridiculous to claim with certainty that God exists.... e The miraculous does not exist, and man is insignificant and subject to the natural laws of the universe.... f It is by my personal experience with the supernatural that I discover truth, and I need no other source for truth.... g The pretense of belief in God is hypocritical, and Christians are all hypocrites who do not practice what they preach. 1) Atheist 2) Agnostic or skeptic 3) Cynic 4) Existentialist (non-christian) 5) Humanist 6) Mystic 7) Naturalist 23 Read each of these statements and determine which kind of doubter it would best answer. a b c d e f This answers the... John 3:16 shows that God cares about man. God broke into man s existence through Christ. This answers the... Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned; man by inclination is evil. How can he really perfect himself? History bears out man s incapacity to use knowledge consistently for good. Many problems, in fact, are compounded by education. This answers the... Genesis 1:1 declares that God is the Creator of the universe; He is the designer and first cause. This answers the... Not all reality can be subjected to verification by the so-called scientific method. John 1:14 17 confirms that Christ did live and breathe. He gave us reason to believe Him and the gospel. This answers the... Romans 3:4 says, Let God be true, and every man a liar. We need to believe God in spite of man s inconsistencies. This answers the... Matthew 2:1 speaks of Jesus birth. Much that He said and did is recorded in the Gospels. The fact of His existence and the truth of God come to us forcibly in the Bible and are relevant for us today. Therefore, life has meaning beyond our present experience.

72 72 Apologetics Objective Why is it important when talking to doubters to consider the autonomous Christian view? Given specific reasons for doubt, explain what a Christian worker can do to dispel that doubt in an unbeliever. Causes of Doubt We have looked at some of the major kinds of doubters. But regardless of the position one may hold, a more basic question is, What causes people to doubt? We may offer several reasons. 1. Spiritual blindness. The basic cause of doubt is explained by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14: The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. It is here that we are reminded of the limitations of Christian apologetics. We can at best only present alternatives to doubt; we can never fully prove Christianity to the unbelieving skeptic. It takes a work of grace, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, to convince the unbeliever. The Christian worker is a fellowlaborer with God, but ultimately it is the work of God to give spiritual sight to the unbeliever. 2. Moral rebellion. Some people are unbelievers because their lives are evil. Romans 1 is a grim reminder that persistent resistance to the conviction of the Holy Spirit is a major cause of spiritual blindness. Darkness follows willful rebellion. In contrast, the one who wills to be obedient is on the road to light and faith. Jesus, speaking to the Jews in the temple courts, said, If any one chooses to do God s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17). 3. Lack of information. A legitimate task of the Christian apologist is to furnish information to the unbeliever. Romans 10:14 reminds us that belief is founded on information, that is, fact and faith are linked together. Fact And Faith: Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? It may be that some people who are in the bondage of intellectual doubt need more information to help them find answers to their questions. Usually a skeptic is operating out of fragmentary information. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit can assist the Christian worker to minister to the doubts of the unbeliever? Even if you do not possess all of the facts you need to answer a doubter, your suggestion of a piece of literature

73 73 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Objective 3.8 which deals with the problem that is bothering him or her may be part of God s means for releasing him or her from the chains of doubt. 4. Inconsistency among Christians. Inconsistency among Christians may not seem like an adequate excuse, but it is a common complaint of unbelievers. How tragic that those whose only Bible is the believer s life frequently see a disappointing picture of the Christian life. Luther expressed years ago that, in a carefully limited sense, all believers should be little Christs, since their lives would be the only testimony most of the world would ever have. Francis Schaeffer (1970) describes Christlikeness or unity among Christians as the final apologetic. Quoting John 17:21 (KJV), he writes: What is the final apologetic? That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou has sent me. This is the final apologetic. In John 13 the point was that, if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. Here [in John 17:21] Jesus is stating something else which is much more cutting, much more profound: We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians. (15) 25 Do these explanations of the causes of doubt help you to see how important your task is in communicating the gospel message to others? Review each of these causes of doubt and suggest the best way you, as a Christian worker, can help the person who doubts the truth of Christianity for one of these reasons. a Spiritual blindness:... b Moral rebellion:... c Lack of information:... d Inconsistency among Christians:... Evaluate given Scripture passages to determine what they teach about honest doubt. Hopeful Doubt Reading 6 It is important to understand that there is an honest kind of doubt among unbelievers. Not all unbelievers are honest doubters, to be sure, but the Holy Spirit can help the Christian witness to identify those who are genuine

74 74 Apologetics candidates for the kingdom of God. The Christian apologist is called to minister to honest doubt; but he or she is not to waste time with those who quarrel over unimportant issues in an effort to sidetrack him or her from the really important questions. Neither does one need to concern oneself with those who resort to ridicule rather than serious inquiry. After one has come to know the Lord, is the problem of doubt permanently resolved? Ramm indicates that doubt, temptation, and assailment are signs of faith. He quotes Martin Luther as saying that there is a special importance to the concept of Anfechtung, to assail, to attack : According to Luther whenever a person puts faith in Christ he arouses the devil. The devil is losing part of his kingdom. He therefore assails or attacks the Christian to bring him into doubt, unbelief, and sin. Luther took the biblical statements about the devil both literally and seriously. The devil attacks believers, and therefore Anfechtung [assailment] was part of genuine Christian experience. (74) Paul Little (2000) emphasizes in chapter 1 of his book that honest doubts are healthy and necessary to make our faith virile and genuine (25), and that doubt and questioning are normal for any thinking person. He emphasizes the importance of every church providing an atmosphere in which the honest questions of young people can be discussed and answered by qualified Christian workers. In his book he addresses the most commonly asked questions of unbelievers and helps Christians to equip themselves with the answers. We will be addressing these questions in the remaining lessons of this Study Guide. 26 Read Psalm 73; Habakkuk 1:1 2:4; Mark 9:17 24; and John 20: Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement based on these passages. a Each one shows that it is possible for believers to have doubts concerning God or His actions. b The doubters in these passages lose all of their faith in God. c God is compassionate and wants to dispel our doubts about Him. d Our doubts turn to greater faith as we see God intervene in our times of need. e It is wrong to doubt God or question His actions. f If someone expresses doubts about God s Word, the Christian worker should not waste his or her time trying to convince that person of its truth. g If someone merely wants to ridicule God s Word or argue over unimportant issues, the Christian worker is probably wasting his or her time trying to convince that person of the truth.

75 75 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Self-Test Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 The foundations of Christian experience are the a) mystical aspects of knowledge of God. b) feelings one has about his or her relationship with God. c) things one can know with certainty. d) revelations and actions of the living God. 2 When Ramm speaks about the real bite in God s actions his reference is to a) supernatural events which dramatically reveal God and His plan. b) actions in history which help us to know that God cares for us. c) God s act of creation of the universe. d) prophets and apostles who spoke the very words of God to His people. 3 The concept of heilsgeschichte indicates that the Bible is a a) disconnected series of stories which focus on God s revelation of himself. b) book of promises that are fulfilled through God s actions in the cosmos. c) single story of God and His plan of salvation for humankind. d) collection of God s miraculous acts, which cannot be explained logically. 4 Which of these, according to Ramm, requires a two-step motion that begins with historical faith and is concluded, hopefully, by saving faith? The view of a) Probabilists b) Negativists c) Evidentialists d) John Calvin 5 John Calvin s position was that the Bible is not seen as evidential material of the truth until the a) unbeliever has studied it carefully. b) Christian worker has convinced the unbeliever of its historical accuracy. c) unbeliever accepts on philosophical grounds that Christianity is true. d) Holy Spirit has broken through the unbeliever s sinfulness with assurance of its truth. 6 The first step or Circle 1 in the Christian world-and-life view focuses on the a) synoptic vision of the Christian. b) witness of the Spirit to the truth. c) acts of God in the cosmos. d) believer s understanding about humankind, the world, and God. 7 A Christian s synoptic vision can best be described as a) the bits and pieces of his life s experience. b) a systematic, unified whole grounded in faith. c) a blending of factual and experiential elements. d) complete factual verification of his or her Christian understanding.

76 76 Apologetics 8 One reason why complete control of theology by the test of coherence has limitations is that a) the divine revelation is too complex to be understood by finite humans. b) the language of revelation is very similar to ordinary language. c) God is mysterious and beyond our logic. d) this test works best with paradoxical or dialectical statements. 9 The word that best describes Christian faith based on the divine revelation in Scripture and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit is a) certitude. b) probability. c) certainty. d) proof. 10 A person who is an unbeliever because his or her life is evil is called a doubter because of his or her a) spiritual blindness. b) lack of information. c) inconsistent lifestyle. d) moral rebellion. Short Answer. Briefly define each of these terms that represent kinds of doubters. 11 Cynic: Humanist: Existentialist: Agnostic: Mystic:...

77 77 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt? Answers To Study Questions 14 Your answer. I would choose d No, one does not, because he or she knows that there is enough factual evidence to affirm that the Christian synoptic vision is a responsible one. 1 Your answer may have noted that the Holy Spirit uses us to witness about Christ, and He persuades the unbeliever to accept the truth of the gospel that we declare. 15 a 4) Element of feelings b 3) Personal elements c 2) Interpretative elements d 2) Interpretative elements e 1) Factual elements f 1) Factual elements g 3) Personal elements 2 a) Christianity does have intellectual content in support of faith. 16 Your explanations should agree with Figure Your answer may include the argument that life does have meaning because we are God s creation. All that He has created is good and worth living for rather than dying to escape. 17 There are limitations because God s revelations are sometimes mysterious and outside the realm of human logic and can only be accepted by faith. 4 d) ordinary ways of knowledge are unclear to humans because of their sin. 18 b) Some theological concepts cannot be explained logically, but much of the biblical content is logical and can pass the test of coherence. 5 Statements a, c, and d describe miracles. 19 a M b L c M d M e L f M 6 b) the resurrection of Christ. 20 a Facts b Faith 7 a This refers to the Bible as a unified record of salvation history or God s plan of redemption. b This refers to revelation history, that is, God has revealed himself through His written Word. 21 the biblical revelation and the witness of the Spirit in one s heart.

78 78 Apologetics 8 Your answer. It is important because it is a record of God s revelation of himself to man and His actions in the world, which have the purpose of carrying out His grand design to redeem sinful humans. Thus, it is the most vital tool in the apologetic task. 22 a 4) Existentialist (non-christian) b 1) Atheist c 5) Humanist d 2) Agnostic or skeptic e 7) Naturalist f 6) Mystic g 3) Cynic 9 d) Christian rationalism 23 Your answer. Suggested answers: a naturalist. b humanist. c atheist. d agnostic or skeptic. e cynic. f existentialist. 10 There would be value in this if he or she could see by your life and testimony that the gospel message has the power to change lives for the good. 24 The Christian worker with this view would deal with the various types of doubt with the thought in mind that faith is the starting point and reason follows. This also means that he or she would rely on the Holy Spirit to convince the doubter that Jesus is Christ and Christianity is true. 11 c) humankind s innate idea of God. 25 Your answers may include these ideas: a Pray for the Holy Spirit to open this person s eyes as you witness to him or her. b Show the person by your own life that true joy and peace come from obeying God s will. c Be prepared to give answers to honest questions about God. d Show by your life that Christianity is true and it works! 12 Your answer. I would choose c) The Holy Spirit can do His work in the heart of an unregenerate person as we present to him or her the Christian evidences. 26 Statements a, c, d, and g are true. 13 Your answer. Clearly the church needs to give more systematic instruction concerning God s Word and His plan of redemption.

79 79 Lesson 3: Is There a Procedure for Dealing with Doubt?

80 4Is There a God? the activities... the objectives... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Ramm, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Reading 3: Ramm, pages Reading 4: Little, pages Reading 5: Ramm, pages Reading 6: Little, pages Reading 7: Ramm, pages Reading 8: Little, pages Study the lesson in the usual manner. Read carefully all Scripture passages mentioned in the lesson content. Take the self-test, and check your answers. Review the lessons in this unit in preparation for your unit progress evaluation (UPE). Read the instruction page in your Student Packet, then turn to Unit Progress Evaluation 1. When you have completed the UPE, check your answers with the answer key provided in your Student Packet. Review any items you may have answered incorrectly. (Although UPE scores do not count as part of your final course grade, they indicate how well you learned the material and how well you may perform on the final examination.) 4.1 Identify and give the significance of both a posteriori and a priori arguments for the existence of God, and evaluate their strength as tools for witnessing. 4.2 Identify and summarize the five arguments for the existence of God developed by Thomas Aquinas, and evaluate criticisms of these arguments.

81 81 Lesson 4: Is There a God? 4.3 State the basic arguments of a priori pointers to the existence of God. 4.4 Identify implications of the axiological arguments for the existence of God. 4.5 Contrast the non-biblical evidences of the existence of God with the Christian revelation, and evaluate the differences. the outline... 1 Indicators of God s Existence a A Posteriori Pointers b A Priori Pointers 2 Importance of Christian Revelation a In the Word of God b In Changed Lives In addressing the question, Is there a God? we need to consider two very important issues: (1) the degree of certainty which is possible in attempting to prove His existence, and (2) the demand for a decision which is inevitable if one has a true awareness of God. We have already looked carefully at the concepts of Christian certitude and faith. We have seen that a person can have assurance about spiritual truth, confirmed by the witness of the Holy Spirit, despite the absence of comprehensive and absolute knowledge of all the facts. In other words, one can be a genuine believer filled with certitude even if one is not a university professor. This is a real encouragement to the average believer. Faith is built on fact but it does not require that all the facts be known. There is no greater question than that of whether or not God exists. Yet, by the nature of things, it is not the kind of fact that limits itself to examination on the level which produces mathematical certainty. Still, there are many powerful, compelling pointers that make the Christian synoptic vision, which is based on belief in God, a reasonable one. We do not need laboratory proof of every biblical detail to realize that the Christian can have a strong degree of certainty concerning God s existence. Once a person has assembled enough pointers to be compelled to take seriously the idea of God s existence, he or she must then reckon with God in more than academic fashion. Knowing that God exists demands a decision. What are the pointers to the existence of God and how do we respond to them? That is the subject we will address in this lesson.

82 82 Apologetics

83 83 Lesson 4: Is There a God? Objective 4.2 Identify and summarize the five arguments for the existence of God developed by Thomas Aquinas, and evaluate criticisms of these arguments. A Posteriori Pointers Readings 3 and 4 An a posteriori argument is a line of reasoning from effect to cause. As a pointer to the existence of God, it is a way of looking out on the world and going beyond what is observed in the world to an explanation that lies outside the universe. Thomas Aquinas ( ) was an Italian scholastic philosopher and theologian whose famous five ways or proofs of the existence of God are the classic expression of the a posteriori arguments. One argument of his five ways is presented at the beginning of each of the five topics in this section (translation from Titus, Smith, and Nolan 1986, ). Let us look at the five arguments now to make sure you understand their meaning. The Argument From Motion I answer that, The existence of God can be proved in five ways. The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion;... Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another.... But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover;... Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God. Thomas Aquinas A characteristic of the universe is change. If we conceive of every change in the universe or any of its parts as due to some adequate cause, then we can logically work backward to the point where in the succession of cause-andeffect relationships there is a Prime Mover: that which initiates all other changes but is itself not subject to change or motion. Change or motion describes both change of place and a process of development, such as the growth of a plant. As Ramm indicates, There must be a Being who while not moved himself gives the original push and also continues in time as the ultimate source of all motion (81). You can quickly see how this indeed may be a pointer for the existence of God. Ramm refers to this Being as the Unmoved Mover or God. It is only proper at this point to show why such an argument cannot be a proof for the existence of the God of the Bible but at best only a pointer. During the Middle Ages, William of Occam (circa ) also spelled Ockham challenged the proofs of Thomas Aquinas. He raised this issue: Does pushing back the cause-effect sequence to a Prime Mover really prove the existence of an Ultimate Being, namely the

84 84 Apologetics cosmological relating to a branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of the universe; relating to a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe God of the Bible, or merely an adequate cause which might be a limited power or being but less than God Himself? Occam s challenge, now known as Occam s razor, has been adapted today to mean, entities are not to be multiplied beyond necessity (Magnusson 1990, 1096). Robert Gange (1986), a Christian scientist, supplies a more current understanding of Occam s razor: In science we use a principle called Occam s razor. It can be explained as a rule that cuts away complicated explanations when a less complicated one will do. Succinctly put, the principle states that the simplest theory that fits the facts corresponds most closely to reality.... It means that the simplest explanation is the best explanation. (40, 77) Despite Occam s challenge that a Prime Mover does not prove the existence of the God of the Bible (and other arguments of Thomas Aquinas), the classical arguments, including the argument from motion, have pointer value. When we add them to other arguments, the cumulative evidence is impressive. The Nature of the Efficient Cause The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause.... There is no case known in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient cause it is not possible to go on to infinity.... Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God. Thomas Aquinas This is sometimes called the argument from causation or the cosmological* argument. Rather than using the concept of motion and arguing backward to a Prime Mover, the causation argument is stated in terms of cause-and-effect. In this view the original cause is called the First Cause, or the Uncaused Cause, or God. The cosmological argument also includes the idea that there is order in the universe and this order requires a First Cause. Can you see why Occam s razor would apply to this argument as well? Yet the argument from causation is one of many similar pointers that focus on the probability of God s existence. 1 The arguments of motion and causation are pointers that indicate a) the God of the Bible is the one true God who created all things. b) all things owe their existence to one self-existent, infinite, uncaused Being. c) nothing exists except that which can be proved back to its first cause. d) proof of God s existence is possible because nature repeats itself. Possibility and Necessity The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently they are possible to be and not to be.... Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence.... If at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence which is absurd. Therefore we cannot but postulate

85 85 Lesson 4: Is There a God? contingency the quality or state of being likely but not certain to happen; possibility without logical necessity gradation a step or place in an ordered scale; an advance by regular degrees; a series forming successive stages teleological exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature; relating to the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing others their necessity. This all men speak of as God. Thomas Aquinas The possibility and necessity argument is sometimes called the argument of contingency*, where contingency means that something is liable to happen as a result of something else. This implies a dependence on something else. As expressed by Aquinas, the idea is that the interrelationship of all events, circumstances, and things in the universe speaks of dependency. Logically, one might push this back to the concept of that which is not contingent on anything else. Such a non-contingent Being standing outside the universe, Thomas indicated, was the God of the Bible. 2 According to the possibility and necessity argument, God is a noncontingent Being because a) all other beings recognize Him as the ultimate Being. b) it was necessary for Him to create other beings to worship Him. c) His existence does not require the existence of a higher being. d) in relation to all other things His existence is unnecessary. Gradation of Being The fourth way is taken from the gradation* to be found in things.... Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God. Thomas Aquinas Ramm explains the concept of gradation of being in this way: The universe is a pyramid of beings at different levels of perfection. There is, for example, a continuum of creatures from worms or insects to man in an ever-increasing degree of perfection. Above man are the angels. But there must be the final Being, the Supreme Being, the Fullness of Perfection. And that Being is God. (81) Aristotle was greatly impressed by the complex forms of life. He sought to arrange a kind of order out of the amazing variety he observed. In a sense, his attempt to develop a pattern by which to classify things was a forerunner of modern sciences. Thomas seized on this idea and developed from it an argument for the existence of God. The argument is based on the idea that there must be a chain of beings from the lowest level ascending in a continuous line to the Being that is absolutely perfect. However, this is a particularly weak argument, for it carries within it the assumption that there must be a continuum (unbroken continuity) of being. Governance of the World The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world.... Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God. Thomas Aquinas The governance of the world argument is more commonly known as the teleological* argument. This word is derived from the Greek word telos

86 86 Apologetics meaning end. It speaks of those elements that are so arranged and ordered as to have purpose or destiny. In other words, it conceives of the various components in this complex universe that seem to be aimed at purposeful ends or goals. Can you see why this is also sometimes called the argument from design? God is pictured as the Great Designer or Architect of the universe. Paul Little gives several examples of order and design in the physical systems of the universe. He mentions William Paley ( ), a strong proponent of the teleological argument who supported his position by the analogy of the watch. Paley s argument for the existence of God was based on the complex, orderly functioning of the world. Just as there must be a watchmaker, Paley said there must be a Creator: I may explain the existence of a rock lying on the ground by references to natural forces such as volcanic action, wind, and rain. However, if I see a watch lying on the ground, I cannot explain its existence in the same way; the complex arrangements of the watch s wheels, springs, and other parts, all operating together accurately, requires the postulate of an intelligent mind responsible for its being. (Titus, Smith, and Nolan 1995, 389) In his book Origins and Destinies, Robert Gange (1986) cites numerous amazing scientific discoveries in the past thirty years which, to him, demonstrate such order and design that they point conclusively to the existence of God. Speaking of these discoveries, he says: Consider this. You and I are both aware that we exist. Yet we re told that all of life, including you and me, bounced itself into existence eons ago by a fortunate accident involving cosmic dust. But if we honestly face what we ve uncovered in the past thirty years or so, we find ourselves up against the following question: When we believe, in the light of modern knowledge, that lifeless particles eventually endowed themselves with a living awareness of their own existence, do we not engage in the secret and irrational worship of interstellar dust under the guise of atheism? In short, do not the scientific calculations... point to God rather than to sod as the source of our life? (75) Despite the fact that the evidence for order in the universe is subject to the same sad limitation of Occam s challenge to the five ways of Aquinas, this is still one of the most compelling pointers to the existence of God.

87 87 Lesson 4: Is There a God? 3 Match each explanation (left) to the a posteriori argument for God s existence that it describes (right).... a The various components of the universe are so arranged and ordered as to have purpose or destiny; therefore, there must be a Great Designer, which we call God.... b Because everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing; therefore, there must exist a Being which has its own necessity and causes others their necessity, and this we call God.... c It is necessary to admit a first efficient cause which is the cause of all other things, and this we give the name of God.... d There is a continuum of levels of perfection rising to the fullness of perfection, which is God. 1) Causation (cosmological argument) 2) Governance of the world (teleological argument) 3) Gradation of being 4) Motion 5) Possibility and necessity (contingency argument)... e Whatever is in motion is put in motion by a first mover, which we understand to be God. 4 Read these Scripture passages and explain how they support the teleological argument: a Psalm 19:... b Romans 1:19 20:... As both Ramm and Gange emphasize, modern science provides new kinds of defense for the teleological argument. For example: 1. Biologists have shown that the process of evolution could not have taken place by pure natural chance within the two billion years life is said to have existed on earth. 2. Supporters of organic teleology claim that God s creative activity is the only way of explaining, for example, the perfect design of a hand, the spinal cord, the brain, or the human eye. It alone can explain the mystery of hemoglobin, a protein in the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. Protein is made up of amino acids. In a graphic illustration, Gange (1986) pictures the twenty kinds of useful amino acids in the body as cars on a train. He states: Iron is located within hemoglobin in a special way that allows the molecule to carry oxygen more efficiently than anything else known. Were it not for hemoglobin, our heart would need to pump fifty thousand gallons a day just to keep us alive. As for your blood pressure... it would be almost seventy pounds per square inch, or about five times the pressure of the atmosphere.... Hemoglobin contains two trains totaling 574 cars each selected from among twenty kinds of amino acids. The number of ways we can assemble these hemoglobin trains is so vast that it is a trillion, trillion, trillion (repeat twenty times more) times the entire number of stars in the universe. Yet despite this, only one combination known to man carries oxygen most

88 88 Apologetics efficiently in your blood. Moreover, if just one railroad car is changed in the sixth position of one of the trains, the result is sickle-cell anemia. Consider this: 270 million of these hemoglobin protein molecules of just the right combination reside in each of the 30 trillion red blood cells in your body. Did this just happen by chance?... Where is the evidence that this system came into being by chance? There is none! (73) 3. Cosmic teleology describes various nonorganic factors necessary for life to exist on earth. These include such things as the earth s distance from the sun, the depths of the oceans, the earth s tilt angle, and its spin rate. If any of these differed from what they are known to be, life could not exist as we know it. No other planet has an adequate water supply for people s use or all ninety-two useful elements (hydrogen, oxygen, iron, and so on). The obvious reason, according to cosmic teleology, is that God created the universe this way. It is His purposeful design. Despite such overwhelming evidence, some scientists will not believe that a supreme Creator planned it all. As Paul Little notes, such scientists must exhibit another kind of faith: faith that there is no God and that life arose from inorganic matter in some way not yet understood. 5 Paul Little makes the point that in order for something to be proved by the scientific method it must be repeatable or measurable. Following this reasoning, read each example and write in the blank space the letter S if it can be proved by the scientific method. N if it is not something that can be proved by the scientific method.... a If a ball is dropped from a tree, it will fall to the ground.... b Love causes people to do courageous things.... c People in every time and place believe in some kind of god.... d Napoleon was a real person who lived in history.... e A characteristic of the earth is change.... f God is the Uncaused Cause.... g Jesus is a real person who lived in history.... h The complex, orderly functioning of the universe happened by chance.... i There are 30 trillion red blood cells in the human body. 6 We discovered in Study Question 5 that many things that are accepted as true cannot be subjected to the scientific method. Based on what we have learned in this section, which of the items a through i seems to require the most faith to believe? Explain your answer.

89 89 Lesson 4: Is There a God? 7 Evaluate the following a posteriori arguments according to their strength as a tool in witnessing to unbelievers. Choose from these options: Strong, Moderate, Weak. a Argument of causation:... b Argument of gradation of being:... c Teleological argument:... Figure 4.2 illustrates the value of discussing the a posteriori arguments of Thomas Aquinas. Although they do not have equal merit as arguments for the existence of God and no one of them of itself provides conclusive evidence, can you see that together there is a kind of cumulative effect? motion contingency teleology GOD gradation causation Objective 4.3 Figure 4.2 State the basic arguments of a priori pointers to the existence of God. A Priori Pointers Readings 5 and 6 We have seen that a posteriori pointers to the existence of God go beyond what is observed to an explanation outside the universe. This is an example of inductive reasoning. In contrast, a priori pointers are deductive or presupposed by experience. They are based on man s inside information. Paul expresses this vividly in Romans 2:14 15: (Indeed, when Gentiles... do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences now accusing, now even defending them.) In other words, Paul is saying that there is something deep inside every person that acknowledges responsibility to Someone Out There. Let us look at several ways that our profound awareness of God is expressed. As you study this material, consider how you might use it in witness to an unbeliever. We will consider nine a priori pointers Ramm discusses in chapter 5 of his book:

90 90 Apologetics ontological relating to or based upon being or existence finitude quality or state of having definite limits, as a limited nature or existence attributes inherent characteristics or qualities of a person or thing 1. Man s innate idea of God 2. The existence of truth which implies the Truth (God) 3. The ontological* argument (the very idea of God requires that He exist) 4. Man s finitude* (limitations) 5. The idea of blessedness (longing for fulfillment or joy) 6. Man s ability to perceive 7. Mysticism (a mystical experience of union with God) 8. The existential argument (God confronts man through the kerygma) 9. The axiological arguments (moral and aesthetic) Innate Idea of God The word innate refers to a person s inborn qualities or characteristics or those that are part of his or her essential nature. It does not describe something that must be learned; rather, it is something one is born with. The argument of the innate idea of God says that every person is born with the idea of God implanted in his or her mind. According to Ramm both Augustine and Calvin described man s innate sense of God as God continuously putting pressure on man. God does this through such things as our sense of finitude, sinfulness, and guilt or through our positive gifts or attributes*. 8 Which of these is not innate? a) Ability to think b) Conscience c) Ability to bounce a ball d) Awareness of personal limitations 9 Does humankind s ability to create beautiful music and art relate to an innate awareness of God s existence? Explain. Existence of Truth The argument based on truth is that truth is possible only as it is supported by Truth. The context of every single truth is Truth or God. So, Ramm states, The existence of truth implies the existence of Truth which in turn implies the existence of God and thereby is proof of the existence of God. Following this line of reasoning, Ramm concludes that one must presuppose the existence of God as the ground of truth in order to prove that God exists (p. 89). 10 Would you say that even the skeptic and agnostic believe some things to be true? Explain your answer. 11 Read John 14:6 7. Could you use this passage to support your argument that God exists? Explain. In his Systematic Theology, Augustus H. Strong uses the term First Principle for the theory of truth as proof of God s existence. What this means is that one cannot really attempt to prove the existence of God without admitting

91 91 Lesson 4: Is There a God? that He is already there. God himself is the ground of all truth, including the idea of proving anything! A simple way of asserting this is to say that built into all people is the conviction that some things are true and other things are false. This conviction is a pointer to a Being who is Truth, and it furnishes the basis for distinguishing between truth and untruth. 12 Following Strong s idea of truth as the First Principle, how does this a priori argument relate to the innate idea argument? The Ontological Argument This argument is named after the Greek word ontos, which means being. It is the line of reasoning which states that the very idea of God requires that such a God truly exists. Let us follow along this path of thinking, which was formulated by Anselm ( ), a famous churchman and philosopher of the twelfth century. Anselm began with human thought and asked, Can we know? If your answer to that question is no, then nothing really matters anyway. However, if the response is yes, important implications follow. By saying yes, you are stating that you are a knowing center and that you indeed exist. Further, you are also indicating that you believe in the knowability of truth. From this point, Anselm s conclusion was that man could reason to the existence of the Absolute Truth, a Being none greater than which could be imagined. Anselm conceived of two ways in which something might be known: (1) knowing something as it is in thought, and (2) knowing an object as it is in reality. An object that exists in thought only has an inferior existence to an object that really exists. Therefore, Anselm argued, the most perfect being that could be thought of by man that is, God must of necessity truly exist. If such a being were merely a thought, it would be less than a truly perfect being, since one could think of something still greater: namely, a perfect being that truly exists. This argument has been the center of stormy controversy chiefly because there appears to be a gap in Anselm s logic. Ramm explains the problem: There is no connection between a perfect idea in a man s mind and the existence of that idea in the world (p. 89). Nevertheless, this argument, while limited, still must be registered by Christians as another pointer in the direction of God s existence. For indeed, is not the God of the Bible pictured as the God of perfection, none greater than which can be imagined? Although we may not be able to reason along with Anselm to that conclusion, once we believe in the God of the Bible we can look back and say, Yes, the God to which Anselm has pointed is that kind of God. He is the fullness of perfection! 13 Complete this statement to explain Anselm s argument: The concept of the highest and most perfect Being possible by necessity includes Man s Finitude Finitude or finiteness refers to the quality or state of having a limited nature or existence or definable limits. We are continually reminded of our own limitations. In the middle of the twentieth century, there came a greater awareness of the frailty of humankind than there was in at least the preceding

92 92 Apologetics two centuries. Ours has been an age of pessimism. The horrors of great wars, the threat of nuclear annihilation, and the more recent surge of ethnic cleansing have caused many to question the wisdom of humankind despite the enormous technical achievements of the twentieth century. A pervasive theme in modern theology and literature is that of the finiteness of man. When one feels small and alone, is there not a longing for strength and support that come from beyond oneself? Can you see why, in an age of intense awareness of the smallness and forlornness of humankind, this might be a rather useful argument for the existence of One who is infinite? 14 Considering modern human s sense of their limitations, under what circumstances might one agree with Camus that life is absurd? One famous theologian of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, Friedrich Schleiermacher ( ), built a whole system of theology on the idea of humankind s finitude. He recognized in every person a sense of dependence. While I do not endorse Schleiermacher s system, I find it fascinating to see how widespread the awareness of humankind s finitude is. Modern philosophers do not see this as pointing to God s existence, however, because they believe we can realize our finitude by scientific knowledge. The Idea of Blessedness Another a priori argument for the existence of God is that people have a hunger for blessedness or for something that satisfies their longings. Augustine declared that man is restless until he finds rest in God. In order for his innate hunger for blessedness to be satisfied, there must be a God. The apostle Paul pictures the man who is dead in transgressions and sins but is made alive when God invades his life (Ephesians 2:1 10). Ruth Paxson (1984), in her delightful book Life on the Highest Plane, pictures man as unfulfilled without God. She illustrates this concept as shown in Figure 4.3: BODY SOUL World-conscious capability MAN SPIRIT Self-conscious capability God-conscious capability The spirit of man, according to Paxson, is inert or inoperative until God regenerates him. In a sense, for the first time, man becomes a whole being, Figure 4.3

93 93 Lesson 4: Is There a God? recovering his full identity through the redemption of Christ. His God-conscious capability has been dead until that moment. There is a sense of not being fulfilled or of lacking something. As another theologian has expressed it, There is in every man a God-shaped vacuum. C. S. (1940) Lewis describes it similarly: There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven [God]; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else.... All your life an unattainable ecstasy has hovered just beyond the grasp of your consciousness. The day is coming when you will wake to find, beyond all hope, that you have attained it, or else, that it was within your reach and you have lost it forever.... The thing I am speaking of is not an experience. You have experienced only the want of it.... But we have reminders of it. To change our metaphor, the black-out is not quite complete. There are chinks. At times the daily scene looks big with its secret. (133, 136) Could it be that all people have a vague, inarticulate awareness that fullness and joy are not to be had in this world alone but instead rest in relationship with Someone Out There? Some apologists believe this is a pointer to God, while others do not think the argument based on hunger for blessedness is a very good one. cognition the act or process of knowing including both awareness and judgment 15 The best reason why an inner longing for blessedness is not a good argument for the existence of God is that a) not everyone has this inner longing or sense of emptiness. b) all people are able to find some sense of fulfillment or satisfaction in life. c) the unregenerate person does not know what he or she is seeking or longing for. d) when people find God, they still have this sense of longing for something more. Humankind s Ability to Perceive The perception argument has to do with what philosophers call cognition*, that is, knowing or mental experience. Perception refers to awareness or cognition of stimuli that are external to the mind. Since people appear to perceive phenomena in a fairly regular fashion, is this not a pointer to One who has arranged not only an orderly universe but the very mental processes by which humankind can recognize order in the universe? Mysticism Mysticism as a pointer to the existence of God refers to a mystical, subjective experience of union with God. Scattered through a variety of world religions there is an overwhelming notion that humans, somehow, can enter into a union with God. This notion validates the idea of God even if it cannot be clearly articulated. Sometimes this subjective experience is described as ecstasy. While one must exercise some caution with respect to mysticism, the Bible does give evidence of a valid Christian mysticism. For example, Paul testified to a genuine encounter with God that could be described as mystical (2 Corinthians 12:1 4). Likewise, believers who are baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues, according to the pattern of Acts 2:4, enjoy a genuine mystical experience.

94 94 Apologetics 16 Reflect on our example at the beginning of this lesson of one who responded to the question, Why do you believe God exists? by saying, I talked to Him this morning. According to our definition of mysticism, would prayer and worship fall in this category? Explain. Christian mysticism operates within the boundaries of God s special revelation. This revelation strongly emphasizes the centrality of Christ; that is, Christ is always central to Christian mystical experience. People who claim to have ineffable experiences (those which cannot be expressed in language) apart from Christian revelation have no proper measuring instrument to judge the worth and meaning of the experience. So we must carefully distinguish Christian mysticism from all other forms of mysticism. 17 Christian leaders have the responsibility to teach people about the proper limits of mystical experience, which is that such experience must be a) inexpressible in human language. b) validated by Scripture. c) based on one s concept of God. d) limited to rare occasions. Let us come back to the central issue now. The fact that people in different religious groups yearn for immediate communion with the divine is the reason why mysticism can be classed as one argument for the existence of God. What is it that produces this aspiration in human beings if it is not an inner consciousness that God does indeed exist? The Existential Argument This has been called the Existential Age. A feature of existentialist thinking, as we have discussed earlier, is that the worlds of fact and faith are quite separate. For this reason most existentialists heartily disapprove of the attempt to prove God s existence by appeal to rational supports. How, then, does the Christian existentialist know that God exists? He or she appeals to the proclamation of the good news alone. This proclamation, commonly called kerygma, refers to what the apostles in the early church preached about Jesus. According to the existential position of Kierkegaard, our knowledge of Jesus deity is not grounded in any historically provable facts about His earthly life. Rather, it is a faith based upon the faith of the apostles as expressed in the kerygma (Erickson 1985, 673). As Erickson (1985) explains, existential theology relates to the subjective involvement or inward passion of the knower (the apostle): how he feels about the topic of discussion or object of knowledge. Therefore, the importance of the kerygma had to do with the preacher s feelings toward the object (Jesus) and not objective knowledge about Him. In other words, according to existential theology, the biblical account is not in essence an objective account of factual occurrences. Instead, it conveys to us the impact which various occurrences had upon the disciples. Its aim is not to inform us, but to

95 95 Lesson 4: Is There a God? transform us; not to add to our store of information, but to affect our existence. (896) According to the existential argument, then, the kerygma is that instrument by which the living God confronts humankind. In that moment God reveals himself to humans. In terms of this view, Ramm says, When a man decides for God... he knows God is (p.92). We might picture this concept as shown in Figure 4.4: KerygmaÑthe only point of contact GOD MAN Figure 4.4 You can see in the diagram that the only point at which God and man come together is in the kerygma. Although there is a certain element of truth in this for surely God does come powerfully to people when His Word is proclaimed evangelical Christians generally feel that this places too great a limitation on the divine-human encounter. It rules out completely all rational support for belief; it is by nature irrational. Not many people can live in an irrational world. But even if one is disappointed by existentialist theology for these reasons, it is significant that existentialists also recognize that there is a way, limited as it is, by which people come to know that God is. 18 The weakness of the existentialist argument for belief in God is that it rules out a) personal experience as evidence of God s existence. b) the effects of the kerygma. c) the proclamation of the good news about Jesus. d) rational support for belief in God. 19 Match each a priori argument for the existence of God (left) to the category it describes (right).... a One s subjective experience of ecstatic union with God validates His existence.... b God s existence is confirmed through the kerygma, which has a transforming effect upon the hearer as an expression of the faith of the preacher.... c A person s cognitive processes point to One who has given him or her this ability to be aware of stimuli external to his or her mind.... d One has an inner awareness that there is a God.... e The very thought or idea of God proves that He exists. 1) Existentialism 2) Innate idea 3) Mysticism 4) Ontological argument 5) Perception

96 96 Apologetics Objective Complete each of these sentences. a The argument that God exists, which is based on the idea of blessedness refers to b The argument of finitude is that God s existence is indicated because c The argument of truth says that... Identify implications of the axiological arguments for the existence of God. The Axiological Arguments You may recall that axiology is the study of values. Christian apologists commonly employ two arguments related to man s awareness of values. One has to do with moral values; the other involves aesthetic values. 1. The moral argument. This argument begins with the assumption that all people have an innate sense of right and wrong. What one feels morally compelled to do often disagrees with what promises to be successful or pleasurable. Why, then, do people do what appears to them to be their duty, rather than what will bring them pleasure? The idea of duty implies that there is a real distinction in the universe between right and wrong. Since there appear to be moral distinctions in every culture of the world, and since people seem to be capable of discerning such distinctions, does this not point to Someone Out There who is the great moral Lawgiver? In Romans 2:12 16, which we looked at earlier in this lesson, the apostle Paul really employs the moral argument or at least assumes it. He sees in man a conscience, a function that evaluates behavior and either approves or rejects it. We should observe that one s conscience is plastic, that is, it can be molded by experience and environment. The conscience can be warped, distorted, or otherwise damaged; it can also be impressed to follow what is right rather than what is wrong. Therefore, the content of one person s conscience may be quite different from that of another person, and the content may vary considerably from culture to culture. Much of biblical teaching is done to inform the conscience so that the Christian will have a clear picture of what it means to be a Christlike person. 21 What implication do you see in the preceding paragraph for the importance of studying and teaching the Bible? Unlike other great world religions, Christianity offers not only a pattern for good living (sometimes called ethics), but also the dynamic of the Holy Spirit by which one may be energized and motivated to live according to this pattern. We have seen that our conscience may be easily shaped and molded by our cultural environment. Nevertheless, according to social psychologists and cultural anthropologists, among all groups of people there is a sense of

97 97 Lesson 4: Is There a God? Objective 4.5 appropriate behavior or conscience. Universal in human experience is this builtin mechanism, which is a powerful pointer to the great Lawgiver. 22 Paul Little (2000) indicates in his discussion of the moral argument that while there is a surprising consensus from civilization to civilization about what is moral decency... we all do agree that some moralities are better than others (42 43). What does he mean by this statement? 2. The aesthetic argument. This argument in some ways parallels the moral argument. It begins by assuming that among people universally there is a sense of beauty. This assumption that all people can appreciate and judge what is beautiful is a pointer to the One who is altogether lovely, the Giver of beauty himself. Again, the content of that judgment may differ somewhat from culture to culture. What is beautiful in one culture may not appear to be so in another. However, that is not the point. The point is that in every normal person there is a sense of beauty and the ability to render judgment on what is beautiful. 23 Read Matthew 6: Circle the letter preceding each assumption we can make based on this passage. a Jesus reference to the appearance of the flowers implies that people have a sense of beauty and ability to judge what is beautiful. b Most people do not recognize beauty when they see it. c The idea of beauty fits the teleological argument of design in the universe which implies a Designer. d It is reasonable to think that a caring, loving heavenly Father would have beauty in His creation. e The existence of flowers proves without question that God exists. Contrast the non-biblical evidences of the existence of God with the Christian revelation, and evaluate the differences. Importance Of Christian Revelation Readings 7 and 8 Before we conclude this lesson, we need to consider the importance of the Christian revelation as an argument for the existence of God. As we have already stated, the Bible does not offer formal proof of God s existence; it assumes His existence. It is not enough to show that God exists; it is very important to know what He is like. While Romans 1:19 20 reminds us that man, through a variety of pointers, may be aware of God s existence, you will notice that very little of what God is like is available through natural revelation. Yet consider that it is the very nature of God to make himself known. Christians believe that He has done this in the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God. For example, Hebrews 1:1 2 packs into a short statement the grand truth that God has been breaking into the human situation throughout history, speaking first

98 98 Apologetics through prophets and, finally, in the fullest possible way, through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. 24 Read Romans 1: According to this passage, what can be known about God through natural revelation? We want to look briefly at two ways God s existence is confirmed through Christian revelation: (1) in the Word of God and (2) in the changed lives of those who believe His Word. In the Word of God Ramm emphasizes that the whole weight of the biblical view of God is not in formal, logically organized proofs but in the fact that it is God who breaks into man and lets himself be known. Hence, the key expression in Holy Scripture would not be proof of the existence of God but the true knowledge of God or the reality of God (pp ). He further states: God coming to man, God breaking into man s cosmos, God breaking into man s horizon, God coming to man and making his reality and his knowledge known, is an act of grace. The traditional theistic proofs are strangers to the concept of grace as being the heart of the verification of the reality of God.... Therefore the philosophical approach to the existence of God and the biblical approach to the reality of the living God are fundamentally and radically different. (102, 104) 25 Based on Ramm s explanation, we can say that the biblical confirmation of God s existence, unlike the a priori and a posteriori evidences, focuses on a) proofs that are both subjectively and objectively stated. b) the reality of God as seen in the natural environment of man. c) the acts and words of a living God who graciously comes to man. d) a philosophical approach which focuses on truth and morality. We have seen that in the Old Testament God is most often recognized as the living God. Ramm cites three biblical criteria for discerning the living God: 1. The living God is the Creator; the false gods are not. (Psalm 96:5; Isaiah 40:18 26; Jeremiah 10:9 16) 2. The living God is self-existent; the idols must be sustained. (Jeremiah 7:18; Isaiah 65:11) 3. The living God acts sovereignly in nature and yet is not a nature god. (Exodus 19:9 12; 1 Kings 18:16 46) Because the God of Israel meets these criteria while the foreign gods and idols do not, Ramm says, The God of Israel is the living and true and, therefore, existing God (pp. 112). Ramm concludes his consideration of the biblical revelation by a discussion of three special emphases in the New Testament that describe the nature of God and further establish the reality of God: 1. In the New Testament God is known as the Father.

99 99 Lesson 4: Is There a God? 2. In the New Testament God is known incarnationally or Christologically, that is, through the Son, Jesus Christ. 3. In the New Testament the knowledge of God is Trinitarian, that is, God is known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As we proceed in our study of apologetics, we will come to a better understanding of the importance of the biblical record in revealing what God is like. In Changed Lives Those who come to know God through His Son as revealed in Scripture provide further evidence that God exists. When people hear the message and accept the salvation that is made possible by Christ s substitutionary death on the cross, their lives are changed. Describing this change, the apostle Paul declared, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). In another passage Paul wrote this to the Corinthian believers: You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:2 3) We began this lesson with this principle: If one is truly to know God, one must submit to His Lordship. One cannot be indifferent to the living God! Knowing that God exists, one s life can never be the same. A personal encounter with Jesus Christ results in a personal relationship with Him, and this relationship changes one s life! This changed life is a witness to all who observe it that there is a God and that He has made himself known to humankind. 26 Consider the type of evidence about God that is revealed in the Bible and through lives that are changed by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. a Compare this evidence with that of the non-biblical evidences and state which type of evidence you consider to be most convincing. Explain your answer. b Suppose you are trying to convince an atheist or agnostic that God exists. Which of the many pointers we have studied do you believe you could use to present the most convincing argument? Explain why. NOTE: This is a good time for you to begin to think about the project you will write as part of your final grade for this course. Read the project instructions in your Student Packet, and reflect on how you can apply what you have learned in this unit of study to the issues you will address in your project. You may want to make some notes to refresh your memory when you begin the project. The subject of our next unit of study is The Word and Faith. Lesson 5 will examine the question, Is Jesus Christ Divine? As we now focus on what the

100 100 Apologetics Bible tells us about Jesus, you will gain a better understanding of the basis for your faith in Him and be able to communicate that faith to others.

101 101 Lesson 4: Is There a God? Self-Test True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE The argument from motion is called an a posteriori argument because it reasons from effect to cause The cosmological argument includes the idea that, in seeking a first cause, one must go backwards in time and on to infinity The argument of contingency indicates that the universe is a necessary extension of a Supreme Being Thomas Aquinas argued that God is at the highest level of a chain of beings, which goes from the lowest level to that which is absolutely perfect The teleological argument is based on the idea of order, design, and meaningful purpose in the universe Scientists can prove by the scientific method that life arose from inorganic matter None of the a posteriori arguments provides conclusive evidence of God s existence Two examples of a priori pointers to the existence of God are conscience and longing for fulfillment One weakness of the ontological argument is that an idea in one s mind does not make that idea a reality We should be skeptical when people claim to have a mystical experience of union with God because this is the weakest a priori pointer The existential argument puts great emphasis on the importance of rational support for belief in God According to existential theology, the purpose of the kerygma is not to inform but to transform The Bible focuses on the nature of God and does not present formal arguments to prove His existence The Old Testament presents Jehovah as a sovereign, self-existent, living God The Christian apologist is most effective when he limits himself to the a posteriori arguments to prove that there is a God.

102 102 Apologetics Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions Briefly explain the two aspects of the axiological argument for the existence of God Explain how a changed life can be an indicator that there is a God. Unit Progress Evaluation 1 Now that you have finished Unit 1, review the lessons in preparation for Unit Progress Evaluation 1. You will find it in your Student Packet. Answer all of the questions without referring to your course materials, Bible, or notes. When you have completed the UPE, check your answers with the answer key provided in your Student Packet, and review any items you may have answered incorrectly. Then you may proceed with your study of Unit 2. (Although UPE scores do not count as part of your final course grade, they indicate how well you learned the material and how well you may perform on the final examination.)

103 103 Lesson 4: Is There a God? Answers To Study Questions 14 This would be the logical conclusion if there were no God! 1 b) all things owe their existence to one self-existent, infinite, uncaused Being. 15 c) the unregenerate person does not know what he or she is seeking or longing for. 2 c) His existence does not require the existence of a higher being. 16 Yes, it would, because it involves a subjective, mystical union with God. 3 a 2) Governance of the world (teleological argument) b 5) Possibility and necessity (contingency argument) c 1) Causation (cosmological argument) d 3) Gradation of being e 4) Motion 17 b) validated by Scripture. 4 Your answer may be similar to this: a This passage emphasizes the perfection and order of the universe and glorifies God, the Designer. b This passage indicates that God reveals Himself in the things He has made, His creation. 18 d) rational support for belief in God. 5 Answers a, e, and i: S. Answers b, c, d, f, g, and h: N. 19 a 3) Mysticism b 1) Existentialism c 5) Perception d 2) Innate idea e 4) Ontological argument 6 Your answer. It seems that h would require the most faith. It is just as easy to believe that all the components of a watch came together by chance as a functioning unit as it is to believe everything in our complex, orderly universe is the result of chance. 20 a humankind s unfulfilled hunger for something that will satisfy deepest longings. b humankind has limitations and a dependence upon something that is unlimited. c God must exist because there can be no truth unless there is Truth, which is God. 7 a Moderate b Weak c Strong 21 Bible teaching can mold our conscience to have a content that motivates us to Christlike behavior.

104 104 Apologetics 8 c) Ability to bounce a ball 22 Your answer. He means that we see evidence of extremes of behavior from what we would call highly immoral or indecent (such as the Holocaust and ethnic cleansing) to highly moral or right (such as great acts of kindness or selfless humanitarian service to others). 9 Your answer. I would say yes. The fact that we are capable of creativity suggests that we were made by a creative Being. 23 Statements a, c, and d can be assumed. 10 Yes, they must have enough truth in one area to believe that truth claims in another area are false. 24 His invisible qualities, even His eternal power and divine nature. 11 I believe so. Jesus claimed to be the way and the truth and the life. He identified with God the Father, indicating that God is Truth. All truth has its source in God. 25 c) the acts and words of a living God who graciously comes to humankind. 12 The conviction that some things are true is an innate quality, which points to God because its source is God. 26 a Your answer. Christians believe the Bible is God s fullest revelation of himself and that people s lives can be changed by the truths it proclaims. b Your answer. Of the non-biblical pointers, perhaps you find the teleological argument or the axiological arguments the most convincing pointers. We have seen that there is a cumulative effect in using several or all of these arguments for God s existence. 13 the existence of such a Being.

105 2 THE WORD AND FAITH: KNOWING THAT GOD COMMUNICATES Lessons Procedures Is Jesus Christ Divine? Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Is the Bible God s Word? Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Can Scriptures Be Verified? Study the Learning Activities to know what to expect, then complete the exercises. Reflect on the Objectives for key concepts and action needed. Study the content, identifying key points by underlining or highlighting, and answer the Study Questions. Answer the Self-Test questions to help you synthesize the lesson. Review the lessons in this unit in preparation for the Unit Progress Evaluation.

106 5Is Jesus Christ Divine? The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Reading 3: Little, pages Study this lesson in the usual manner as described in the introduction to Lesson 1. Also, read all Scripture passages mentioned in this lesson, and take time to reflect on them. Take the self-test, and check your answers. From time to time as you work through this lesson, pause to pray. Invite the Lord of Glory to make himself known to you in a more vital way than ever before. Remember that

107 107 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? the outline... 1 The Purpose of the Incarnation 2 The Humanity of Jesus a His Human Birth b His Human Development c His Human Nature 3 The Claims of Jesus a His Claim to Be the Son of God b His Claim of Divine Attributes 4 The Credentials of Jesus a His Character b His Influence Objective 5.1 The foundation of Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, the Messiah, Redeemer, Savior of the world. But is that belief based on reliable evidence which the apologist can use to present a strong defense for Christianity? Many of the arguments for the existence of God, as we have seen, are extrabiblical, that is, they are based on evidence other than the biblical record. While there are also extrabiblical evidences that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person in history, most of what we know about Him is what the Bible reveals. In this lesson we will focus on biblical evidence concerning the incarnation of Christ, the humanity of Jesus, what He claimed about himself, and what His credentials were which gave evidence of His divinity. It is clear that there has never been another human being like Jesus. As an unknown poet so eloquently wrote: He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness. He had no credentials but himself.... [Yet] Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind s progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that ONE SOLITARY LIFE. Use five given steps to explain why the incarnation of Christ was necessary. incarnate invested with bodily and especially human nature and form The Purpose Of The Incarnation No more important question can be asked than the question, Who is Jesus Christ? The Bible pictures Him as God incarnate*. The word incarnate comes from the past participle of the Latin incarnare meaning to be made flesh. Incarnation as we speak of it here is the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ. Two Scripture passages speak of this paradox of God made flesh : In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have

108 108 Apologetics seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1 2, 14) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5 11) Why did God visit earth in human form? Before we explore the claims and credentials of Jesus, perhaps we should establish the reason why Jesus, being in very nature God, took the very nature of a servant and was made in human likeness. What was the purpose of His being made flesh? We must go back to the book of Genesis to find the answer. The biblical record of human history and God s relationship to humans supplies us with the necessity of the Incarnation. In the book of Genesis we discover that man, as God created him, existed in a state of innocence. He was in daily fellowship with God (Genesis 3:8). However, the tragedy of sin entered human history. The result of Adam s rebellion and disobedience is that man s fellowship with God was broken. God, the Holy One, cannot have fellowship with unholy man, for holiness is God s central attribute. The tragedy in the human race is that sin created a breach between humanity and God. For this reason, people are alienated from God and from each other; that is, there is an estrangement or separation between them. In addition, sin caused internal discord within humankind. As a consequence, people suffer not only brokenness of fellowship, but also they are helpless in their sin. Theologians describe this condition as humankind s depravity. Because of this depraved condition, people can never reach across the deep chasm of alienation to find God. This is the strong message of the first three chapters of Romans. 1 Read Romans 1:28, which speaks of godless and wicked men. Why does God give them over to a depraved mind? Now we can move to the next step. It was through the incarnation of Jesus Christ that God reached across the chasm separating Him from humankind. Philippians 2:1 11 describes how God came to man. The Incarnation is the means by which God made possible this renewal of fellowship with man. Little (2000) speaks of this: God has taken the initiative, throughout history, to communicate to man. His fullest revelation has been his invasion into human history in the person of Jesus Christ. Here, in terms of human personality that we can understand, he has lived among us. (45)

109 109 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? 2 Little (2000) poses this question for reflection: If you wanted to communicate your love to a colony of ants, how could you most effectively do it? Clearly, it would be best to become an ant. Only in this way could your existence and what you were like be communicated fully and effectively (45 46). Relate this example to God s invasion into human history in the Incarnation. The final episode in the chain of circumstances involves the response of man. Christ is the communication of God s love to humankind. But God has carefully chosen (for reasons best known to Him) not to override the human will. Even though God has bridged the chasm created by sin, humans must still respond; they must receive the fruits provided by the Incarnation. Romans 3:21 31 tells us clearly that we are saved by grace (the ministry of God coming to earth and making payment at the cross for our sins) through faith (the human response to the work of Christ). Figure 5.1 illustrates this sequence of events: STEP 1: INNOCENCE STEP 2: DISOBEDIENCE STEP 3: DEPRAVITY STEP 4: GRACE STEP 5: FAITH GOD MAN GOD MAN GOD MAN GOD MAN GOD MAN FELLOWSHIP REBELLION ALIENATION REDEMPTION RECONCILIATION (INCARNATION) Figure Explain the concepts of grace and faith as revealed through the Incarnation. 4 Explain why Step 4, the Incarnation, was necessary in order for humans to be reconciled to God. C. S. Lewis (1960) gives us an interesting and thought-provoking picture of what was accomplished through the Incarnation: In the Christian story God descends to re-ascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity.... But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him. One has the picture of a strong man stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath some great complicated burden. He must stoop in order to lift, he must almost disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders. (111) The Incarnation was indeed necessary in order for humans to be restored to fellowship with God. So it is that John tells us that the Word became flesh (John 1:14), and consequently, those who believe receive life in his name (1:12; 20:31).

110 110 Apologetics Objective 5.2 Use the given Scripture passages to defend the claim that Jesus had a human birth and development and a human nature. The Humanity Of Jesus Reading 1 His Human Birth Now that we have established why Jesus came, we need to investigate how or in what form He came. The two Scripture passages we quoted earlier give us some indication. John 1:14 tells us that He became flesh. Philippians 2:7 indicates that He was made in human likeness. Let us begin with the assertion that Jesus was fully man. He was wrapped or clothed in flesh. Erickson (1985) explains: In thinking about the incarnation, we must begin not with the traditional conceptions of humanity and deity, but with the recognition that the two are most fully known in Jesus Christ.... For the humanity of Jesus was not the humanity of sinful human beings, but the humanity possessed by Adam and Eve from their creation and before their fall. There is no doubt, then, as to Jesus humanity. The question is not whether Jesus was fully human, but whether we are. He was not merely as human as we are; he was more human than we are. (736) For the past two hundred years or so, the humanity of Jesus has not been as crucial an issue as the other side of the issue: Was Jesus Christ divine? However, the humanity of Jesus was disputed even in the first century, and occasionally you may encounter some skeptics who raise similar questions today. In the first century there was a more crucial need to understand the humanity of Jesus. An unbelieving group called the Gnostics created serious problems for the apostles Paul and John. The Gnostics derived some of their ideas from ancient Zoroastrianism, which was a philosophy based on the idea that the powers of good and evil are in eternal conflict. Good was identified with spirit or the spiritual, while evil was identified with matter or the material world. On the surface this may not seem to be serious, but the implications are enormous. For one thing, the Gnostics cast a dark cloud on the whole idea of creation. The Creator-God of the Old Testament, according to the Gnostics, was a lesser being than the real God, simply because He was involved with matter. Therefore, the concept of God (Spirit) becoming incarnate (wrapped in flesh or matter) was beyond imagination. The Gnostics devised various schemes to bypass the idea of the God-man who died at Calvary. One such notion called Docetism (meaning to seem or appear ) denied that Jesus Christ was a real human being and asserted that He was more like a ghost or an apparition. As a contrast to the teaching of the Gnostics, the apostle John gave special emphasis to the reality of Jesus humanity: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched this we proclaim concerning the Word of

111 111 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? life [Jesus]. This life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1 3) 5 Read 1 John 1:1 3 again and answer these questions: a What words emphasize Jesus humanity?... b What words emphasize His deity?... extrabiblical outside of the Bible; not referred to in the Bible Galatians 4:4 reminds us that Jesus was born of a woman. The Gospels describe the circumstances of His miraculous birth (Matthew 1:18 2:12; Luke 1:26 38). The very first verse of the New Testament, Matthew 1:1, identifies Jesus as the son of David and the son of Abraham. Romans 1:3 makes the bold assertion that Jesus as to his human nature was a descendant of David. It is important to emphasize that the Gospels carefully note that Jesus was Mary s child, but by supernatural means. His was a real, human birth, but He was born of a virgin. The marvelous and mysterious union of the human with the divine is evident at the birth of this remarkable person. The angel Gabriel announced to Mary: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). We must recognize that Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, was as real a figure of history as any other that can be documented by the historian. That He lived is virtually impossible to dispute. While the most complete authentic source of information we have about the birth and life of Jesus is the four Gospels in the New Testament, there are also references to Jesus Christ in extrabiblical* literature of ancient times. 6 The records of Matthew, Luke, and John that describe Jesus Christ as fully human or as being born of a woman (a virgin) are believable accounts because a) they emphasize His humanity more than His divinity. b) they depict Him as an ordinary human being with no claim to greatness. c) all of these men actually saw, touched, and heard the man Jesus. d) these accounts are confirmed by literature outside the Bible. His Human Development The Gospel of Luke indicates that Jesus had a normal childhood and normal adolescent development (Luke 2:40 42). He developed physically, mentally, socially, and in some sense spiritually. He acquired knowledge according to ordinary laws of human growth and learning. Yet He did not have a carnal human propensity toward sin; therefore, He serves as the perfect model for humankind. The Epistle to the Hebrews reminds us that although Jesus did not sin, He was tempted in every way just as we are (4:15). Jesus great sacrifice at Calvary was fully effective as a once-for-all sacrifice because Jesus was fully representative of man:

112 112 Apologetics For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17 18) 7 Suggest a reason why you might refer to Jesus normal human development, including His ability to be tempted, in your witness to another person. His Human Nature Scripture reveals that Jesus possessed all the attributes of human nature. 1. He had a human body and a normal human appearance. Even after His resurrection, He offered proof to His disciples that His body was genuine: Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have (Luke 24:39). 2. He also had a soul or a seat of consciousness and self-identity. On one occasion He told His disciples, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Matthew 26:38). Another Scripture passage says, Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts (Mark 2:8). In the New Testament, the terms soul and spirit are not always clearly distinguished. Both of these terms describe the immaterial part of human identity and are used of Jesus. 3. He had human personality. Many Scripture passages could be cited to show that Jesus possessed the properties of human personality: emotions, intellect, and will. 4. Jesus had human limitations. He participated in human activities and was subject to the limitations of humanity apart from sin. 8 Read each Scripture passage and indicate what it reveals about Jesus human characteristics. a Matthew 13:55 56:... b Matthew 14:14:... c Luke 2:40:... d Luke 4:15 16:... e Matthew 8:24; Mark 11:12; John 4:6; 19:28; 1 Peter 4:1:...

113 113 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? Objective 5.3 Identify in the given Scripture passages specific and implied claims of Jesus related to His deity. The Claims Of Jesus Reading 2 Jesus lived in relative obscurity in the town of Nazareth until He was about thirty years old. Then one day He went down to the Jordan River Valley where John the Baptist was ministering. Seeing Him, John thundered out, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). This inaugurated the public ministry of Jesus, which lasted for three years, a very short time. During the period of His ministry, Jesus did several notable things. First, He gathered about Him a number of followers called disciples (literally, learners or students ) to whom He patiently taught many things. As His public ministry progressed, great crowds gathered around Him. His methods were to preach, teach, and heal (Matthew 9:35). Then, after a year of popularity, Jesus began to show quite explicitly who He was and why He had come. He began to disclose that He had come to do more than proclaim truth and deliver persons from afflictions. As He explained to the people that His central mission among them was to die in atonement for their sins, the puzzled crowds began to diminish in number. Toward the end of His ministry, Jesus spent more time working with fewer people. He was preparing a core of committed followers to establish the church. These followers would become an extension of the hands and feet of Jesus. Finally, having gone to Calvary and risen from the dead, Jesus mission on earth was achieved. It remained for His followers to be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and then invade the world with the good news that Jesus indeed was all He claimed to be. He was the Savior of men and women. He was God wrapped in flesh! What were the specific claims that Jesus made about himself? These can be divided into two general categories: 1. He claimed to be the Son of God. 2. He claimed to possess divine attributes. His Claim to Be the Son of God It was on the occasion when Jesus fed a great crowd of people (numbering five thousand men) that He began to teach openly not only that He was the Son of God but, incredible as it appeared to the average onlooker, that He had come to die. 9 Read John 6:1 66. What happened to the crowds who were following Jesus after He revealed that He had come to die?

114 114 Apologetics THE I AM CLAIMS OF JESUS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: I AM the bread of life (6:35). I AM the light of the world (8:12). I AM the gate for the sheep (10:7). I AM the good shepherd (10:11). I AM the resurrection and the life (11:25). I AM the way, the truth, and the life (14:6). I AM the true vine (15:1). Figure 5.2 It was either on that same occasion or a short time later that Jesus confronted His twelve disciples directly, asking, You do not want to leave too, do you? (John 6:67). Peter s response was a great affirmation of faith in Jesus as not just a good man from Nazareth but as Jesus, the Son of God: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God (6:69). 10 It was likely on another occasion near the end of Jesus public ministry that a similar encounter took place. Read Matthew 16: a What did Jesus ask His disciples? b How did Peter respond? The attitude of Jesus to Peter s confession of faith is tremendously significant. He told Peter, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven (Matthew 16:17). 11 From Jesus response, would you say that He accepted Peter s declaration of His deity or rejected it? 12 The Gospel of John features a study in the conflict between faith and unbelief. John indicates that unbelieving Jews were especially upset over the firm assertions of Jesus that He was the Son of God. For what reason did the Jews finally seek to kill Jesus? (John 5:18) 13 A similar conflict occurred between Jesus and the Jews in the episode described in John 10: What did Jesus say that made the Jews so very angry? His Claim of Divine Attributes Jesus not only claimed to be the Son of God, but also claimed to have attributes that only God had. For example: 1. He claimed to have power to forgive sin (Mark 2:1 12).

115 115 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? 2. He claimed that salvation was available only through Him (John 10:9). 3. He claimed to be man s only access to God the Father (John 14:6). His disciples were to pray in His name (16:23). 4. He claimed preexistence (John 8:58; 17:5). 5. He claimed that His disciples could do nothing without His enablement (John 15:5). When He sent them out to minister, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1). 6. He claimed equality with God (John 10:30). Jesus not only claimed to have divine attributes, but He demonstrated His divine nature through many miraculous acts. An example is His healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1 12). 14 Read Mark 2:1 12 and answer these questions: a What did Jesus do that shocked the scribes? b c Of what did the scribes accuse Jesus? What reason did Jesus give for healing the man? Even the term Son of Man that Jesus used of himself is an expression of His own belief in His deity. This term has been better understood in more recent times with the finding of ancient manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. This term was not at all a reference to the humanity of Jesus, as many scholars previously understood. Instead, it is a powerful assertion of His deity and messiah-ship. The term Son of Man was another way of referring to the triumph of the Messiah! Jesus not only claimed to forgive sins, but by describing himself as the Son of Man He also claimed to be the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. He claimed to be the Anointed of God for whom Israel had longed and yearned. Is it not striking that almost without exception this is the designation He used of himself? It is important also to note that Jesus received worship. When the Magi saw Him, they bowed down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:11). When the blind man whom Jesus had healed expressed his belief in the Son of Man, he worshiped Jesus (John 9:38). After Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed the disciple His wounded hands and side, Thomas worshiped Him saying, My Lord and my God (John 20:27 28).

116 116 Apologetics 15 Read each biblical example and write in the blank space the letter S if it confirms Jesus claim to be the Son of God. A if it describes an attribute appropriate to deity.... a Twice Peter acknowledged who Jesus was.... b Jesus healed the paralytic and forgave his sins.... c Jesus gave His disciples power to perform miracles.... d Thomas recognized the risen Christ and worshiped Him.... e Jesus told His disciples to pray to God in His name.... f Jesus called himself the Son of Man.... g Jesus claimed preexistence. One cannot read the Gospel accounts seriously without being overwhelmed with the supreme confidence Jesus manifested in His own deity. But what evidence is there that His claims were justified? What credentials did Jesus possess to substantiate such staggering claims? Objective 5.4 Evaluate possible responses to the claims of Jesus in the light of what the Bible teaches about His character and influence, and defend the response you consider most valid. The Credentials Of Jesus Reading 3 Paul Little (2000) discusses four possible responses to the amazing claims of Jesus: 1. One response is that Jesus was a liar and deliberately deceived the people. This explanation is not satisfactory, however, because most people, even those who do not acknowledge His deity, believe that Jesus was a good man and a great moral teacher (52). Was Jesus a LIAR? Was Jesus a LUNATIC? 16 What problem is posed in denying that Jesus was who He claimed to be but accepting the idea that He was a good man and a great moral teacher? Our only conclusion is that either Jesus was not a good man and was a liar, or He was a good man but something other than a liar! 2. Another response is that Jesus was self-deceived. Paul Little describes this as implying that Jesus was a lunatic or insane. Perhaps this is going a little too far and it would be better interpreted as saying that He was naively misguided or was simpleminded. But even this poses staggering problems. Is it possible for the greatest man who ever lived to be mentally deficient? This may seem even more difficult to accept than the idea of derangement or lunacy. If Jesus were self-deceived, it could mean that either He was mentally weak or mentally ill. In either case there is no real support for such a view of Jesus (2000, 52 53). Few responsible people would accept this

117 117 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? Was Jesus deity a LEGEND? Was Jesus LORD? as an adequate view of one who shaped history as Jesus did. C. S. Lewis (1960) concurs with this conclusion: The historical difficulty of giving for the life, sayings and influence of Jesus any explanation that is not harder than the Christian explanation, is very great. The discrepancy between the depth and sanity and (let me add) shrewdness of His moral teaching and the rampant megalomania [delusions of grandeur] which must lie behind His theological teaching unless He is indeed God, has never been satisfactorily gotten over. (109) 3. Some people respond that Jesus claim of deity is legend. This alternative is more serious. The notion that the story about Jesus claiming to be deity is legend has several groups of followers. Some rationalists of earlier years simply determined that the original story of Jesus became embellished by subsequent generations of overly eager followers. As a result, they attempted to argue away the supernatural elements of the Bible (Little 2000, 53 54). Some modern theologians have in more recent years given the legend idea fresh encouragement. Some kerygmatic theologians have attempted to argue that what the church came to believe about Jesus (the kerygma) is what saves people or gives to them a new self-understanding. Whether or not there was ever a real Jesus behind the belief of the church does not, in their opinion, really matter at all. This kind of thinking grows out of the idea that one cannot prove the data supplied by the Gospels prior to the Resurrection. There is a kind of built-in suspicion on the part of such theologians that the enthusiastic disciples in the early church came to believe certain things about Jesus and then read back into their memories of Jesus the results of their newfound faith in Him. The effect of such thinking is to discredit the reliability of the Gospels and destroy any substantial knowledge of what the real Jesus was like. But how does this kind of view stand up under scrutiny? Little (2000) indicates that modern archaeology gives evidence that the four Gospels were written within close proximity to the time of Christ. He cites one well-known archaeologist, Dr. William F. Albright, who gave a possible final date of AD 70 for the writing of the Gospels. This would have been less than forty years after Christ s ministry ended. This is too brief a time for a legend to develop, because there would be too many eyewitnesses around to permit the circulation of untrue stories about Jesus (53). 4. A fourth response is that Jesus spoke the truth. This alternative is what Christians base their faith upon. Not only did Jesus claim to be the Son of God, He was God s Son. Not only did He claim to have attributes appropriate to deity, but He manifested those attributes in His life and ministry. The Christian apologetic is centered around the evidence that God sent His Son into the world to show fallen humanity what He was like. Only by sending His Son could He bridge the chasm between himself and humankind and provide a way for them to be reconciled to Him (54 59).

118 118 Apologetics 17 In the following chart explain briefly why you agree or disagree with each response to the claims of Jesus. Response Agree Disagree Reason a Jesus was a liar. b Jesus was a lunatic. c Jesus deity was legend. d Jesus is LORD. Let us look now at some credentials of Jesus, which support the claims that He made.

119 119 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? (John 14:31). He also loved the Scriptures; see how He used the Old Testament in His hour of temptation (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Jesus loved people. Although we have no evidence that the rich young ruler ever responded to Christ, we are told that Jesus loved him (Mark 10:21). He loved all sinners so much that He died for them (John 10:11; Romans 5:8). He also loved His own (John 13:1). He told His disciples: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father s commands and remain in his love. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:9 10, 12 13) 20 Read each of these Scripture passages, and explain what each one reveals concerning Jesus love or concern for others: a Matthew 11:19:... b Romans 8:37 39:... c Luke 23:34: Jesus was genuinely humble. Philippians 2:5 8 gives us a beautiful picture of Christ emptying himself. He did not have to strive for equality with the Father, for it was rightfully His. Yet He willingly chose to divest himself of His exalted place of glory and took the form of man. Jesus did not live as a king, but as a poor person in very ordinary circumstances. He was born in the most modest of places, among the animals in a stable (Luke 2:7). He owned almost nothing and did not even have a place He could call His own home (Luke 9:58). He was not above menial labor (Mark 6:3). He accepted suffering and indignity without an outcry and eventually followed the path that led to the cross. He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). Finally, He was buried in a tomb provided by a friend (Matthew 27:57 60). 21 Mark 10:45 tells us what great truth about Jesus?... Objective 5.6 Use examples from Scripture and experience to defend the statement that Jesus had a remarkable influence on people. His Influence Jesus moved through life in complete control of himself. He exhibited such perfect harmony of personality traits and demonstrated such control of His emotions and energies that His life drew people to Him. He influenced people in many ways: through His personality, His power, and His triumph over death. His impact on history is immeasurable, and His living presence in the lives of Christians today continues to influence the world and transform lives. His personality. Wherever Jesus went, people were drawn to Him. Such tenderness and love were manifested through Him that one might say His personality was a transparent lens through which God radiated. Little says, In

120 120 Apologetics Jesus we find the perfect personality (55). He cites personality traits of Jesus described by Bernard Ramm (1953, 177). We have summarized them here: 1. Complete God-consciousness 2. Complete dedication and consecration to God 3. Intelligence 4. Piety with zeal 5. Unworldliness without indifference 6. Constancy without obstinacy 7. Benevolence without weakness 8. Tenderness without sentimentality 9. Self-denial without complaint 10. Temperance without austerity 11. Childlike innocence combined with manly strength 12. Devotion to God 13. Untiring concern for people 14. Dignity combined with humility 15. Courage combined with caution 16. Love for the sinner, hatred for sin 17. Unyielding firmness combined with sweet gentleness 22 Suppose you wanted to tell someone what Jesus personality was like. Look through the Gospel of Mark. Do you see examples there of some of the characteristics in the preceding list? If so, write the Scripture passage next to the description it illustrates in the list. His power. Jesus displayed authority over a variety of forces and opposition. No other man ever wielded such command of situations as He did. Significantly, the Gospel of John is structured to emphasize some of Jesus colossal triumphs in which He demonstrated power over an amazing variety of forces. John refers to miracles in his Gospel as signs. Figure 5.3 describes seven signs in John s Gospel, which demonstrate Jesus power over various elements (Tenney 1948, 311): John: The Sign: Demonstrates Jesus Power Over: 2:1 11 Changing water to wine Quality 4:46 54 Healing of nobleman s son Space 5:1 18 Healing of man at pool Time 6:1 14 Feeding of five thousand Quantity 6:16 21 Walking on water Nature 9:1 41 Healing of blind man Misfortune 11:1 44 Raising of Lazarus Death Figure 5.3

121 121 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? 23 John 20:30 31 tells us why these signs were selected for presentation. Can you see the connection between the signs and Christian apologetics? Explain. To these signs we might add additional emphases found in other accounts. For example, Mark emphasizes Jesus power over unclean spirits or demons (Mark 1:23 28). As a result of this exorcism (act of expelling or casting out demons), the crowd was amazed. When the disciples cast out demons, they did so in the name of Jesus, which is a way of saying they did it by His authority and power (Mark 3:14 15). Putting many of these examples of Jesus supreme authority together, the evidence seems overwhelming that He was not merely a man. Rather, He was in complete control over all powers and authorities throughout the universe. That is what Paul emphasizes in Colossians 1:16. His resurrection. The supreme proof of Jesus supernatural character is His triumph over death. Jesus predicted His death five times. In addition He predicted that He would rise again and appear to His disciples. Look through the Gospel accounts and find these predictions. Write where they are found in the margin of this page. Jesus resurrection is such a crucial subject in a study of Apologetics that we will devote our next lesson entirely to it. We mention it here as the outstanding credential that validates the deity of Jesus Christ. His impact on history. In a later chapter we shall be dealing more specifically with history. However, you should pause here to contemplate the difference Jesus has made in the course of the world s history. In the entire Western world, every time a calendar is viewed, every time a date is announced, every time a coin is struck, there is a testimony to the One who is pivotal to all of history. We count the years as before Christ (BC) or as in the year of our Lord (Latin, anno domini, AD). His birth is heralded by atheists and agnostics, believers and unbelievers, in just this manner alone. Little includes the following quotation by John Schaff which sums up well the impact of Jesus Christ on history: This Jesus of Nazareth without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Muhammad and Napoleon; without science and learning, he shed more light on matters human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of schools, he spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, he set more pens in motion and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times. (58) His living presence. The Christian enjoys inside information about the supernatural Christ. Jesus talked to Nicodemus, urging upon him the transforming power of the new birth (John 3). To be born again is to enter into a new dimension of life, energized by the living, resurrected Christ. Paul prayed

122 122 Apologetics for the Christians of his day, yearning that the fullness of life which had begun in them might grow (Ephesians 3:14 19). 24 Read Acts 9:1 22 and choose the best response. This passage indicates that when Saul encountered the living Christ on the Damascus road, he a) began to consider whether this was indeed the Son of God. b) decided that his own religion no longer mattered to him. c) was immediately transformed and acknowledged Jesus as Lord. d) struggled against this ghostly experience and denied it. 25 Circle the letter preceding each statement that would make a valid (TRUE) argument to convince an agnostic that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. a He is God s communication of love to man. b Because He was sinless, He did not have temptation as we know it. c He willingly left His exalted position with the Father to enter the world as a man among men. d Once He became a man, He gave up His divinity. e Jesus is the only example we have of perfect humanity. f As the Docetists claim, Jesus merely appeared to have a material body. g There is a great deal of evidence that Jesus was a real person in history. h Jesus was everything He claimed to be. i The life and supernatural ministry of Jesus confirm His divinity. j In His human body, Jesus refused to be worshiped. k No one else has had the transforming impact on the world that Jesus has had. In Lesson 6 we will consider a very important topic for Christian apologists: Did Jesus Christ rise from the dead? You will discover that there is overwhelming historical data and sound logic for the claim that He did, indeed!

123 123 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? Self-Test Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 The necessity of the Incarnation was that a) Jesus needed a human form. b) people were looking for a Messiah. c) prophecy had to be fulfilled. d) sin entered human history. 2 According to the first three chapters of Romans, the Incarnation was necessary because a) a holy God cannot reach out to unholy people. b) man s depraved condition alienated him from God. c) man could only come to God through a holy man. d) otherwise Jesus could not have been exalted. 3 The ministry of God coming to earth and paying for our sins at the cross is described in this lesson by the word a) faith. b) grace. c) reconciliation. d) fellowship. 4 Erickson explains the biblical expression of Jesus as being fully man by declaring that a) Jesus lost His divine attributes when He became a man. b) Jesus was born in the same innocent state as Adam. c) humanity is most fully known in Jesus Christ. d) people are fully human, and Jesus was a normal person. 5 John s declaration that he had seen Jesus with his eyes and touched Him with his hands (1 John 1:1 3) refutes the teaching of the Gnostics that Jesus was more a) like a ghost than a real human being. b) divine than He was human. c) human than He was divine. d) material by nature than spiritual. 6 The best way to describe Jesus childhood and adolescent development is with the word a) supernatural. b) miraculous. c) unusual. d) normal. 7 It is NOT correct to say that Jesus had a) a normal human appearance. b) an awareness of His own identity. c) no human limitations. d) human personality.

124 124 Apologetics 8 Jesus claimed and demonstrated that He a) was merely a godly man. b) possessed divine attributes. c) had no supernatural power. d) needed to be worshiped. 9 Jesus claimed to be God. The belief of most people that He was a good man and a great moral teacher is given as a reason to a) consider this claim a self-deception. b) see this claim as merely a legend. c) refute this claim as untrue. d) believe He was who He claimed to be. 10 According to Tenney s description of Jesus power (based on the Gospel of John), when Jesus healed the nobleman s son, He demonstrated His power over a) space. b) nature. c) time. d) death. True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE Jesus had a real human birth, but His conception was by supernatural means Because Jesus was sinless, He was never tempted by the things that tempt normal human beings Jesus human nature was like ours; that is, He possessed a physical body, an immortal soul, and a human personality Peter was the only disciple to recognize the deity of Christ Jesus not only healed people, but He also forgave sins Jesus claimed both His preexistence and His equality with God The outstanding credential that validates the deity of Jesus Christ is His death on the cross The believer s new life confirms the claims of Christ. Short Answer. Explain the meaning of these five steps with respect to the necessity of the Incarnation. 19 Step 1: Innocence: Step 2: Disobedience: Step 3: Depravity:...

125 125 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? 22 Step 4: Grace: Step 5: Faith:...

126 126 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 13 He said, I and my Father are one. The Jews considered this to be blasphemous. 1 Because those who were wicked and godless did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God. In other words, they chose to break their fellowship with Him. 14 a He forgave the man of his sins. b They accused Him of blasphemy. c He did this to show the people that He had authority to forgive sin. 2 Jesus, who was fully God, became like man (fully human) in order to communicate God s love for all people. 15 Your answer may be similar to this: a S b A c A d S e S f S g A 3 Grace is God coming to earth and becoming a human being to show us His love and give His life on the cross to pay for our sins. Faith describes our response to God s grace. 16 If He was a great moral teacher, He could not have been a liar. 4 Humankind s sin and depravity separated humanity from God, who is holy. Through the incarnation of Christ, God provided a means for the reconciliation of humankind with God. 17 a This response suggests that Jesus was a liar when He claimed to be God. Disagree. He was a good, wise, moral leader. Such a person would not lie. b This response suggests that Jesus was self-deceived or mentally deficient in thinking He was God. Disagree. His life, sayings, and influence do not justify this conclusion. c This response suggests that Jesus claim of deity was merely a legend. Disagree. The historical record, which was made within forty years of His death, clearly accepts His claim that He was the Son of God. d Jesus was telling the truth. Agree. The entire biblical account of His life and ministry supports His claim of divinity. His impact on the world in the last two thousand years confirms the truth of His claim. 5 a We have heard, we have seen, our hands have touched [Christ]. b... the eternal life, which was with the Father 18 a He was always obedient to His Father s will. b He never struck back at His accusers but trusted His Father. c He was tempted in every way that we are, yet He did not sin.

127 127 Lesson 5: Is Jesus Christ Divine? 6 c) all of these men actually saw, touched, and heard the man Jesus. 19 a The prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray b He recognized the need of forgiveness for His disciples but had no such need himself because He did not sin. 7 You might use this with someone who is struggling to overcome obstacles in life to give assurance that the man Jesus also experienced difficulties and temptations. As a result, He fully understands and sympathizes with human struggles and is able to help those involved in difficulties. 20 a He was a friend of tax collectors and sinners. b Nothing can separate us from the love of God which was manifested in Jesus. c Jesus even prayed for His enemies. 8 Your answer may be similar to this: a Jesus had a human appearance. b Jesus displayed human emotions. c Jesus had a human body, intellect, and self-identity. d Jesus had human intellect. e Jesus was subject to human limitations (such as fatigue, hunger, thirst, pain, need for sleep). 21 He did not come to be served, but to give His life for many. 9 Many of Jesus disciples left and did not follow Him anymore. 22 Your answer. This exercise reveals that all of these characteristics are true of Jesus. 10 a Who do you say I am? b You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 23 John chose these signs so that people who read of them might believe. This is also the goal of Christian apologetics. 11 He accepted it as fact. 24 c) was immediately transformed and acknowledged Jesus as Lord. 12 He called God His own Father, and thus claimed equality with God. 25 Statements a, c, e, g, h, i, and k are valid or true.

128 Did Jesus Christ Rise from the 6Dead? the activities... the objectives... the outline... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Reading 3: Little, pages Reading 4: Little, pages Reading 5: Little, pages Read the following Scripture passages: Matthew 27 28; Mark 15 16; Luke 23 24; and John Work through the lesson development in the usual manner. Then take the self-test and check your answers. 6.1 Explain why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is vital to Christian faith. 6.2 Analyze evidence in the Gospels concerning Jesus death, and draw a conclusion. 6.3 Identify biblical evidence for the empty tomb, and respond to arguments against the empty tomb. 6.4 Refute given arguments of non-believers against the resurrection of Christ. 6.5 Explain the significance of Jesus post-resurrection appearances as confirmation of His resurrection. 6.6 Defend the reality of the resurrection of Christ on the basis of its historical results. 1 The Significance of the Issue 2 The Reality of Jesus Death 3 The Empty Tomb 4 The Typical Arguments Against the Resurrection

129 129 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Objective The Appearances of the Resurrected Lord 6 The Historical Results You need only survey in superficial fashion the first four books of the New Testament to discover a remarkable fact. The space given to the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is out of all proportion to the space given to the rest of His life, particularly His youth. Evidently the Gospel writers saw a special importance in these crucial events related to Christ s death. The apostle Paul also emphasized the vital importance of the resurrection of Christ. He wrote: But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.... And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:12 20) Just as the New Testament writers placed great emphasis on the resurrection of Christ, so the Christian apologist must today focus on the events surrounding this supernatural act of God. In this lesson we will endeavor to answer the question, Why is an understanding of the reality of Christ s death and resurrection so critical in our Christian witness? We will look at the significance of this issue and the historical results, which include the development of the church, the New Testament writings, and the transformation of lives to the present day. Explain why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is vital to Christian faith. The Significance Of The Issue Reading 1 With the possible exception of the Incarnation, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is seen as the most crucial miracle of the Bible. Many miracles are recorded in the Bible, and we shall discuss those in a later lesson. Here, however, we want to focus on the great miracle of the Resurrection. Significance of the Resurrection of Christ The crucial miracle of the Bible. The central historical event of the gospel. The guarantee of the believer s resurrection.

130 130 Apologetics Figure 6.1 In his book Protestant Christian Evidences, Bernard Ramm (1953) emphasizes that the resurrection of Christ is the great confirmation of the new covenant, just as the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt was the great confirmation of the old covenant. Another author, Floyd Hamilton (1946), also speaks of the importance of the Resurrection in his book The Basis of the Christian Faith: Nothing but a supernatural Savior is possible after He has risen from the dead. His resurrection establishes beyond a doubt the truth of Christianity. But not only does it prove that Christianity is the one true religion, it also proves that all that Christ said and did was true, and this in turn proves that the Bible is the Word of God written. (304) 1 Read 1 Corinthians 15:1 23. What does the apostle Paul indicate would be the result if Jesus had not risen? The gospel begins with the resurrection of Christ. Christianity is not merely an ethical system or a speculative philosophy. Neither is it based on a cunning and artful arrangement of logical arguments. Rather, it is rooted in historical events. And the central historical event is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 2 Look at the preaching in the earliest days of the church. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached a powerful sermon (Acts 2:14 36) in which he declared, We are all witnesses of the fact (v. 32). Of what fact was he speaking? The outpouring of the Spirit on the occasion of Peter s sermon caused a great tumult in Jerusalem. Peter pointed to this manifestation of power as verification of the source of the power, which was a living Christ (Acts 2:32). Notice again and again through the book of Acts the references to the resurrection of Christ in the preaching of the apostles. Let us look at just one instance of gospel preaching in Acts. Read Acts 3:1 4:12. The setting for this episode was the uproar Peter and John caused when

131 131 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? immortality the quality or state of having unending existence they ministered healing to the man at the temple (Acts 3) and proclaimed that it was the power of the resurrected Christ that made this possible. 3 Answer these questions based on Acts 3:1 4:12. a What happened to the two apostles while they were explaining how the healing had taken place? b c d Why were the Jewish rulers disturbed by the apostles words? What question did these men ask Peter and John? To whom did Peter attribute the manifestation of power? 4 In Acts 4:10 12 Peter connects the evangelistic appeal to the resurrection of Christ. The implication of Peter s message is that a) those who witnessed the Resurrection had the power to heal the sick. b) one could receive assurance of eternal life without believing in the resurrection of Christ. c) the Resurrection was not as important to the gospel message as the death of Christ. d) the resurrection of Christ vindicates His message that He is the Messiah or Savior. Another great significance of the resurrection of Christ is its guarantee of the believer s resurrection. Romans 8:11 is a forthright assertion that, because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, those who believe in Him shall someday be resurrected also. Belief in immortality* is the belief that death does not end human existence. The resurrection of Jesus is a dramatic guarantee that death has been conquered. C. S. Lewis (1960), in reference to 1 Corinthians 15:20 23, makes this statement: The New Testament writers speak as if Christ s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He is the first fruits, the pioneer of life. He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because He has done so. This is the beginning of the New Creation: a new chapter in cosmic history has opened. (145) 5 Compare 1 Corinthians 15:12 19 and 15: What is the emphasis in these two passages?

132 132 Apologetics Objective 6.2 Analyze evidence in the Gospels concerning Jesus death, and draw a conclusion. The Reality Of Jesus Death Reading 2 We have seen that the Christian faith is grounded in historical data. Faith transcends scientific verification, to be sure, but it is not devoid of factual content. We are not asked to believe something with no evidence to support that belief. As we proceed in this lesson, we will look at the evidence that supports the most urgent issue in the case for Christianity: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Basic to the issue of His resurrection is the reality of His death. What evidence is there that Jesus actually died? First, the Gospel writers uniformly assert Jesus death. They all employ clear language stating that Jesus experienced a physical death. Matthew 27:50 reports that Jesus gave up his spirit, a kind of terminology common among the Jews to describe death. John says the same thing: With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (19:30). Mark says Jesus breathed his last (15:37), as does Luke 23:46. To these we might add the frequent statements by the writers of the Epistles to the effect that Christ died. 6 Read Romans 5:6 8, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 4:10, Galatians 2:19 21, Ephesians 5:1 2, Philippians 2:6 8, Colossians 1:21 22, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 2 Timothy 2:8 11, Hebrews 2:9, 1 Peter 1:18 21, and 1 John 3:16. What fact is made clear in each of these passages? Second, there is not the slightest hint in the entire body of New Testament literature that any witnesses were uncertain about His death. The first witness was the centurion who commanded the execution squad. He would not have been in charge of that task had he not witnessed numerous similar executions in the past. He could hardly be called an incompetent witness. Yet his testimony, Surely this man was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39) bears in it the assertion of death, for he spoke of Jesus in the past tense. In John s account there is another eyewitness report that confirmed Jesus death (19:32 35). It involves the vivid detail of the piercing of Jesus side to hasten His death. Out of his side came blood and water. The separation of the blood from the water was a clear indication of death. It was not necessary for the soldiers to break Jesus legs to induce death because He was already dead. Joseph of Arimathea was also certain of Jesus death: he requested the body of Jesus so that he could bury it. Pilate, the military governor, demanded of the centurion a statement confirming the death of Jesus, since victims of crucifixion sometimes languished for as many as three days before dying. Mark 15:43 45 is explicit: the centurion reported with convincing authority that, indeed, the crucifixion was over; Jesus had already died.

133 133 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Objective The centurion s testimony is important as confirmation of Jesus death because he was a) a strong supporter of Jesus and His disciples. b) one who was determined that Jesus should be crucified. c) the one who had pierced Jesus side to hasten his death. d) a military leader with prior knowledge about crucifixions. Certain women were also important witnesses of Jesus death. Apparently Mary, the mother of Jesus, her sister Salome, Mary Magdalene, and perhaps another woman named Mary were present at the Crucifixion. They witnessed Jesus agony and death. They were present when His body was lowered from the cross and taken to the tomb (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55; John 19:25). Is it not striking that these same women appeared on the morning of the first day of the week and brought with them the spices necessary to embalm the body of Jesus? 8 In what condition did these women expect to find the body of Jesus upon their arrival at the tomb? 9 Read Matthew 27:57, John 3:1 10, 7:50, and 19: Then answer these questions briefly. a Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus arranged for the disposition of the body of Jesus. Who was Nicodemus? b c Who was Joseph of Arimathea? If there had been the slightest hint of life remaining in Jesus, what would these men have done? d What did they actually do? If you take the Gospel accounts seriously, what evidence is there for believing that Jesus was not actually dead when He was placed in the tomb? Identify biblical evidence for the empty tomb, and respond to arguments against the empty tomb. The Empty Tomb An important element of the Resurrection account is the news that the sealed tomb had been opened; somebody had moved the stone. Early on the first day of the week, various witnesses reported that the tomb was no longer sealed and that the tomb was indeed empty. Who moved the stone? The tombs of that day in ancient Palestine were carved out of limestone. Across the opening, which was no more than a low doorway, a heavy disc of stone weighing no less than a ton was set in a channel so

134 134 Apologetics that it could be rolled across the opening and wedged into place. To move a stone of this weight required the efforts of a number of men working together. Once set in place, such a stone was quite effective as a deterrent to grave robbery. 11 Read Matthew 28:1 15 and Mark 16:1 3 and circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement. a The moving of the stone was done in secrecy. b The chief priests knew that the stone was moved and how it happened. c The chief priests gave money to the guards of the tomb because they prevented the stone from being moved. d The disciples had agreed among themselves to steal the body of Jesus. e The disciples were not surprised to find the stone already rolled away. f The women debated among themselves who should roll the stone away so that they could complete the burial rites. g There is clear evidence in Scripture that neither the guards nor the followers of Christ had rolled the stone away. Not only is there uniform agreement among the Gospel writers that the stone had been rolled away, but there is also agreement that, upon investigation, the women and the disciples discovered the tomb to be empty. Compare the following accounts: Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2 8, 12; John 20: Consider the mental state of the disciples during this period. a What was their mental state at the time of the Crucifixion (Matthew 26:56)? b What was their reaction when they found the tomb empty? Do you think that such a disordered and bewildered group of people would be capable of executing a grave robbery, which involved the removal of a heavy stone under the watchful eyes of the guards? Doubtless, the disciples were motivated more by fear than by courage at this time. Evidence For The Empty Tomb All four Gospel accounts report that it was empty. The chief priest s guards reported that it was empty. Several women discovered that it was empty. Some of Jesus disciples saw that it was empty. Figure 6.2 In book Risen Indeed, Stephen T. Davis (1993) discusses five main arguments that have been made against the idea that Jesus tomb was found to be empty. Figure 6.3 summarizes these arguments:

135 135 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Arguments Against The Empty Tomb (Taken from Risen Indeed by Stephen T. Davis, 1993, 64 68) The four Gospels give contradictory reports about it. They do not agree concerning the people who visited the tomb, the time and purpose of the visits, the location of the stone when the women arrived, or who the women talked to and what they said. The story of the empty tomb is unreliable because it developed late in the pre-gospel period. The story of the empty tomb is a legend invented to support the proclamation of the Resurrection. If the empty-tomb story were reliable, the apostle Paul would have mentioned it. The empty tomb played no significant role in the faith of the earliest believers and should play no significant role in ours either. Figure 6.3 While Davis (1993) does recognize some differences in the four accounts of the empty tomb, he believes most of these can be easily explained. He emphasizes that despite differences in details, the four evangelists agree to an amazing degree on what we might call the basic facts (69). He finds the argument that it is a late tradition unreliable because if the tradition developed late, I would think it likely that critics of the resurrection would have disputed the claim (71). Likewise, the idea that the empty-tomb story was a legend created for apologetic purposes can be discounted because the account is made to hang so crucially on the testimony of women, whose evidence was not legally admissible in Jewish proceedings (73). Also, the empty-tomb story does not play an apologetic role in the New Testament (72). Davis (1993) further suggests that while the apostle Paul makes no explicit reference to the empty tomb, his view of the nature of the resurrection required that the tomb be empty. Because of this logical implication, it was not necessary for him to speak of it (76 77). In response to the fifth argument, he states: Surely the first question we want to ask is not whether the empty tomb should be emphasized as part of Christian faith today but rather whether there is good reason to believe that Jesus tomb was empty.... I would think it curious indeed if someone who believes that the tomb was empty should try to belittle it or suggest that it has no place in contemporary Christian teaching. (77) Part of the account of the empty tomb involves the information specifying what happened to the grave clothes. The data provided is so explicit that it adds further weight to the evidences for an empty tomb. Bear in mind that the custom of the day for preparing a body for burial was to wind it in many meters of cloth in strips about thirty centimeters wide. Apparently spices were used not only to aid in preserving the body, but also to glue the wrapping in place. The head was wrapped separately from the wrapping of the body. The episode of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:44) reinforces this pattern of burial, for Lazarus was bound up in linen grave clothes with his face wrapped in a separate cloth. The same kind of language is employed to describe the burial of Jesus. It is highly significant that Lazarus was so encased in wrappings that he was unable to free himself

136 136 Apologetics swoon a partial or total loss of consciousness; a state of bewilderment or ecstasy; daze, rapture; a state of suspended animation without help. This reinforces the belief that Jesus could not have escaped by Himself even if, as some critics have suggested, He had been in a swoon* and then recovered. 13 The Gospel record indicates that on the morning of the Resurrection, Jesus was gone but the grave clothes were still visible. The account in the Gospel of John is quite explicit about the grave clothes. Read John 20:1 10 and answer these questions: a Who ran to the tomb?... b Who arrived first, and what did he see?... c What did Peter see?... Do you see the significance in the careful attention given to detail in the matter of the linen wrappings? If grave robbers had come, do you think they would have taken time to unwrap the body and then neatly rewrap the many meters of linen? Or, if they did unwrap the body, would they not more likely have left the wrappings in wild disarray? 14 What facts in the Resurrection story can be used as evidence that, following Jesus death and burial, His tomb was found to be empty? 15 Match to each argument against the biblical account of the empty tomb (left) the explanation given by Davis to refute that argument (right).... a This story was invented to support the declaration that Christ rose from the dead.... b Belief in an empty tomb is unimportant for Christian faith.... c The Gospel accounts do not agree about all of the facts related to the empty tomb.... d The empty-tomb story developed late in the pre- Gospel period and is therefore not reliable.... e The apostle Paul never mentioned the empty tomb. 1) This would have been refuted by those who rejected the Christian claim of the resurrection of Christ. 2) The logical implications of the nature of the Resurrection made it unnecessary to emphasize the empty tomb. 3) The basic facts concerning the empty tomb are reported by all four evangelists. 4) This would have been bad apologetics because it relied so heavily on the women s testimony. 5) Anyone who accepted the emptytomb story would find it relevant to their faith.

137 137 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Objective 6.4 Refute given arguments of non-believers against the resurrection of Christ. The Typical Arguments Against The Resurrection Reading 3 Paul Little discusses four major arguments critics have used to discredit the disciples claim that Christ was resurrected. Let us consider each of these arguments. Figure 6.4 summarizes them: Arguments Against The Resurrection The disciples stole the body. Either the Jewish or Roman authorities moved the body. The women went to the wrong tomb. Christ did not actually die but had just swooned. Figure 6.4 Argument 1: The disciples stole the body. According to Matthew 28:11 15, the chief priests devised this argument, telling the soldiers, You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep (v. 13). Little makes two observations concerning this argument. First, it is ridiculous to suggest that one knows what is happening while he is sleeping. Second, the disciples were willing to die for their belief that Jesus rose from the dead; they would not be willing to die for something they knew was a lie. Argument 2: Either the Jewish or Roman authorities moved the body. Would these authorities have placed guards at the tomb if they were going to move the body? This argument is easily refuted, Little (2000) says, because if the authorities had taken the body of Jesus they would have paraded it through the streets to prove that he was not resurrected. This would have smothered Christianity in its cradle (65). Argument 3: The women went to the wrong tomb. Some people believe the women were so unnerved by the shattering events of the death of Jesus that they mistook the location of the tomb. Several points need to be made concerning this. First, notice that the Gospel accounts uniformly report that the women witnessed the burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). Second, the tomb was not one of many in a public burial ground; rather, the Gospel accounts specifically mention that it was a private tomb in a private plot which belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. Third, although it was early morning of the first day of the week, is it conceivable that several women traveling together would have all mistaken the true location of the tomb? Would the disciples also have made this mistake? If they had gone to the wrong tomb, would it not have been easy for the authorities to direct them to the place where Jesus was buried? Argument 4: Christ did not actually die but had just swooned. The word swoon means a partial or total lapse into unconsciousness. This is a recent theory that did not emerge until the eighteenth century. Paul Little explains how ridiculous it is: If Jesus were merely unconscious when He was buried, He could hardly have survived three days in the tomb, weakened as He was.

138 138 Apologetics Objective 6.5 He could not have gotten out of the grave clothes or rolled the stone away by Himself. Neither could He have overcome the Roman guards nor walked miles on feet so wounded by spikes. David Strauss (1879), a nineteenth-century German critic, reinforced this view: It is impossible that One who had just come forth from the grave half dead, who crept about weak and ill, who stood in the need of medical treatment, of bandaging, strengthening, and tender care, and who at last succumbed to suffering, could ever have given the disciples the impression that he was a conqueror over death and the grave; that he was the Prince of Life. This lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which he had made upon them in life and in death... but could by no possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm or elevated their reverence into worship. (1879, 1:412) Little (2000) asserts therefore, The only theory that adequately explains the empty tomb is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (67). 16 Explain in one sentence why the swoon theory can be discounted as ridiculous. 17 Which of these theories can be refuted by saying that people cannot report what is happening around them when they are asleep? a) The women made a mistake and went to the wrong tomb. b) The authorities stole Jesus body from the tomb. c) Jesus was unconscious but still alive when He was buried. d) The disciples came to the tomb and stole the body of Jesus. Explain the significance of Jesus post-resurrection appearances as confirmation of His resurrection. The Appearances Of The Resurrected Lord Reading 4 We have seen that the various arguments against the empty tomb and the resurrection of Christ are weak and illogical. In contrast, the post-resurrection appearances of the Lord give strong, historical support to the account of the Resurrection. As many as twelve appearances are recorded in Scripture, if we include Jesus encounter with Saul (Paul) and if we separate the witness of Mary from that of the other women Jesus met on their way from the tomb. Figure 6.5 lists this group of witnesses which is of strategic importance in Christian apologetics:

139 139 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Sequence of Jesus Post-Resurrection Appearances 1. To Mary, who arrived at the tomb after Peter and John had left (Mark 16:9; John 20:10 18) 2. To the other women whom Jesus met on the way (Matthew 28:8 9) 3. To the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12 13; Luke 24:13 35) 4. To Simon Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5) 5. To the ten apostles (John 20:19, 24) 6. To the eleven apostles (John 20:26) 7. To the apostles at the sea of Tiberias (John 21:1 24) 8. To the apostles on the Mount in Galilee (Matthew 28:16 17) 9. To about five hundred brethren at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6) 10. To James (1 Corinthians 15:7) 11. To the apostles on the Mount of Ascension (Luke 24:50 51; Mark 16:14 19; Acts 1:6 9) 12. To Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8) Figure 6.5 You would probably agree that in a court the prosecution and defense are heavily dependent upon the argument from testimony. In a real sense the resurrection of Jesus is on trial. This unique event is subject to verification or rejection, largely on the basis of the witnesses listed above. As in a courtroom of today, the worth of the testimony is dependent upon the trustworthiness of the witness. Henry C. Thiessen (1979) writes about this: Three things are necessary to make a testimony trustworthy: the witnesses must be competent first-hand witnesses, they must be sufficient in number, and they [each] must have a good reputation. (246) Do the witnesses listed in Figure 6.5 qualify? Let us examine the record. They were competent eyewitnesses. These witnesses carefully reported that they were present and saw the evidence with their own eyes. They asserted repeatedly that their information was not through secondhand reports. Read, for example, Luke 24:33 36; John 20:19, 26; Acts 1:3, They were sufficient in number. There were a dozen different episodes (Figure 6.5). Further, one of these episodes was an appearance of the resurrected Lord to more than five hundred people! In addition, the appearances involved various times, places, and persons. They were of a good reputation. The witnesses of Scripture agree about the good character of the apostles, who were so thoroughly convinced of the truth of the Resurrection that they were willing to suffer persecution or death for their belief. No serious opponent of Christianity argues on the basis of defective character with respect to the disciples, and no evidence supports such a contention. All of the evidence leans in favor of the honesty of these witnesses. Notice too that some of the apparent discrepancies in the accounts of the Resurrection are really an argument in favor of the integrity of the witnesses. These are not contradictions but simply legitimate, different points of view of the same scene. These different points of view only heighten the credibility of

140 140 Apologetics the witnesses. The Resurrection account was not something that was put into their mouths by later editors, because such persons would have screened out the slight differences in the eyewitness reports. According to Paul Little (2000, 68 70) the single most important objection to the reality of the physical appearances of the risen Christ is the claim that those who reported seeing Jesus were subject to hallucinations. These are imagined visible or audible manifestations in which the phenomena reported by the individual have no basis in fact; they exist only in the mind. They generally occur in people with vivid imaginations and nervous temperaments and over a long period of time. But the biblical record indicates that Jesus appeared to all sorts of people at different times and in different places, but only for a period of forty days. In a hallucination a person sees what he or she wants to see and projects a wish into an imaginary reality. But Scripture indicates that the disciples did not expect to see Jesus alive. They were taken by surprise when He rose from the dead. The hallucination theory simply is not supported by the evidence in Scripture. 18 Why are Jesus post-resurrection appearances considered to be important evidence that He actually rose from the dead? 19 In order for the resurrection of Christ to be believed, there must be trustworthy testimony concerning it. What are the three characteristics of trustworthy testimony? 20 Circle the letter preceding TRUE statements concerning the post- Resurrection appearances of Christ. a Based on the number of eyewitness accounts and the reputations of the witnesses, the reports of the resurrection of Christ would be considered trustworthy in a court of law. b Some of the people who testified that Christ rose again were probably hallucinating. c Many of the five hundred witnesses reported by Paul were still alive when he wrote his report and could have been interviewed by doubters of the Resurrection. d Most of the New Testament authors who wrote about the Resurrection were not eyewitnesses. e Jesus appeared to His disciples several times following His Resurrection. f In some of His post-resurrection appearances, Jesus gave directions to His disciples for their future ministries. g Jesus appearance to Paul was more like a hallucination than an actual appearance.

141 141 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Objective 6.6 Defend the reality of the resurrection of Christ on the basis of its historical results. descent a step downward in a scale of gradation ascension the act or process of rising upward, as in Christ s ascension to heaven The Historical Results Reading 5 An argument that must be considered by critics of Christianity is the evidence of history itself. Several explicit historical results have issued from the resurrection of Jesus Christ that defy explanation on any other grounds. They include the following: 1. The disciples were transformed. 2. The Holy Spirit descended upon believers. 3. The church was established. 4. The first day of the week became the Lord s Day. 5. The New Testament was written. 6. Believers today are convinced of the reality of the Resurrection. The Transformation of the Disciples. Between the time of the crucifixion of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost, a phenomenal transformation occurred in the entire outlook of the disciples. Following the Crucifixion, ten men cowered in an upper room for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). Among them was Simon Peter. 21 Read John 18:15 27 and Acts 2 3 and answer these questions. a How did Simon Peter behave on the night Jesus was arrested? b Describe Peter s transformation in the book of Acts. What made the difference? Notice in John 15:26 27 what Jesus said would happen when the Holy Spirit would be outpoured. The Holy Spirit would testify about Jesus, and He would anoint the disciples to testify also. Is this not what happened to Peter? Did not the Spirit confirm the reality of the resurrection of Jesus to Peter? Did not the Spirit endue Peter with power to announce that message? The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost changed Peter and the other disciples and made them fervent witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Descent* of the Spirit. Jesus taught that the descent of the Spirit was contingent upon His ascension* to the Father (John 7:37 39). The Day of Pentecost itself was proof that Jesus had risen. The descent of the Spirit in spectacular fashion (Acts 2) was a remarkable demonstration that what Jesus had prophesied had indeed come to pass. This could not have occurred without the resurrection of Christ. This connection is specifically cited in Acts 2: What made it possible for the Holy Spirit to be outpoured on the Day of Pentecost?

142 142 Apologetics The Church. The message of Jesus by itself is insufficient to account for the development of the church. The disciples believed deeply in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not just in His teaching. The Resurrection validated the person and work of Christ. As one theologian has explained, the message of Christ and His resurrection are mutually interdependent. Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 15:14: And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. There would have been no church without the profound conviction among the disciples that Jesus had been raised from the dead. canon a criterion or standard of judgment; an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture 23 The message of Christ and the fact of His resurrection are mutually interdependent because the a) message has no power without the confirmation of the Resurrection. b) ministry of the disciples did not begin until after the Resurrection. c) disciples were transformed as a result of the power of the message. d) message makes no mention of Christ s death on the cross or His resurrection. The Lord s Day. It is remarkable that the apostles, who were all Jews, established the practice of meeting together in worship on the first day of the week as a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus. The seventh-day Sabbath had been the sign of the old covenant given to the Israelites at Sinai (Exodus 31:12 13; Ezekiel 20:12, 20). The apostles instituted gatherings on the first day of the week to honor the truth that Jesus was alive. They had entered into a new covenant. Without the reality of the Resurrection, it is difficult to imagine this rough band of fishermen and commoners effecting such a dramatic change in the worship pattern of the people and particularly among Jewish people. Historical evidence indicates that Christian worship on the Lord s Day (that is, the first day of the week) was instituted almost immediately in the Apostolic Age. It was in later centuries, after the Roman Empire became nominally Christian, that Sunday was made the official day of worship in the Western world. The New Testament Record. It was in the fourth century that the canon* of New Testament Scripture was finally settled. The long process of choosing writings that measured up to the canon or standard for judging became a vital issue during the era of persecution in the Roman state. Believers needed to know which books were worth dying for, since there were occasions when mere possession of Christian documents was grounds for condemnation. Is it conceivable that believers would have given their lives for something they did not believe? In fact, is it conceivable that the apostles would have taken the pains to record the facts at all if Jesus had not risen from the dead? Present Experience. We have seen that the lives of the disciples were transformed as a result of the resurrection of Christ. Based on this fact, we may conclude that, if Jesus Christ rose from the dead, then He may be expected to change lives today. 24 Reread the preceding paragraph. What conclusion can we make with regard to this statement?

143 143 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Just as the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost testified vividly and powerfully to the resurrection of Christ, so, today, believers all over the world confirm His resurrection as they are being baptized in the Holy Spirit just as on that first Pentecost. It is remarkable that these Spirit-baptized believers are as powerfully convinced of the reality of the living Christ as were the believers in the early church. Our present-day charismatic renewal is a powerful testimony to the Resurrection in two ways: 1. Just as Jesus had prophesied, it was necessary for Him to ascend to His Father in order for the Holy Spirit to be outpoured. The original Day of Pentecost was part of that fulfillment. Likewise, today s great effusion of the Spirit is as much a testimony to the reality of the Resurrection as was that first Pentecost. 2. The effect on the lives of Spirit-anointed believers is that there is sweeping conviction of the reality of the risen Lord. Just as the Holy Spirit in the early days of the church was convincing people of the truth and pointing them to Jesus, so, today, the Holy Spirit continues to endue believers with power for the task of witnessing with conviction to the resurrection of Jesus. 25 According to Acts 1:8 what can we expect when the Holy Spirit invades our life? Do you understand, now, why we began this lesson with the question, Why is an understanding of the reality of Christ s death and resurrection so critical in our Christian witness? As Paul declared, without the Resurrection our faith is futile and we have nothing to hope for. But we can rejoice that the evidence for the Resurrection is so overwhelming and gives us a sure hope of eternal life with Christ, the firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:23). 26 Explain the relationship between the resurrection of Christ and each of these: a The establishment of the church:... b The compilation of the New Testament:... c The transformation of the disciples:... d The establishment of the Lord s Day:... e The descent of the Spirit:... f The present experience of the believer:...

144 144 Apologetics In this lesson we have relied heavily on what God s Word tells us about the resurrection of Christ. In fact, Christian apologetics is centered on God s Word. That is why the subject of our next lesson is so important: Is the Bible God s Word? I believe you will find this to be a very interesting and inspiring topic.

145 145 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Self-Test Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 Which of these statements best explains the apologetic value of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? a) The Christian faith is not just speculative philosophy, a series of logical arguments, or an ethical system, but it is rooted in historical facts, of which the resurrection of Jesus is seen as the main event. b) Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of all believers is assured. Therefore, the immortality of the human soul depends on the fact of the resurrection of Christ. c) The resurrection of Jesus raised a great stir in Jerusalem and became the main theme of the apostles preaching, beginning with Peter s sermon recorded in Acts 2. d) The accounts of the resurrection of Christ demonstrate that in order for history to be trustworthy, there must be reliable witnesses to events and their witness must relate to a variety of times and places. 2 All of these statements are vital to establish the physical resurrection of Jesus EXCEPT the statement that a) the stone was rolled away from the tomb. b) the tomb was a borrowed one located in a garden. c) the grave clothes were neatly folded. d) guards were on duty to watch over the tomb. 3 Regarding the fact that there are some discrepancies in the four Gospel accounts of the Resurrection, the apologist should note that a) none of the Gospel writers was actually an eyewitness but merely reported what he heard from others. b) these can be attributed wholly to errors in the transmission of the text over the centuries. c) there is a remarkable amount of agreement among the authors, each of whom recorded what he remembered. d) it is impossible to explain any of these, and they do weaken the argument for the Resurrection. 4 Paul declared that our faith would be in vain were it not for the fact that a) the message of Jesus has been proclaimed to the whole world. b) Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. c) the Holy Spirit gives believers power to witness about Christ. d) Jesus was resurrected from the dead and is alive today. 5 The swoon theory is a later argument which claims that Jesus a) was not dead but was unconscious when He was laid in the tomb. b) did not die until the moment the soldiers pierced His side. c) revived after His disciples rescued Him from the tomb. d) had a hallucination in which He claimed that He rose from the dead.

146 146 Apologetics True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE Christ s resurrection proves the truthfulness of all that He said and did The disciples became transformed witnesses as a result of the death of Christ Our assurance of immortality is based on Christ s resurrection Christ s resurrection was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe If the Jewish authorities had stolen the body of Jesus, they would have kept it hidden to make people think He had been resurrected. Alternate Choice. Read each set of questions carefully, and write your answer in the space preceding each numbered item Read each example and write in the blank space the letter A if it refers to an eyewitness to the death of Christ. B if it refers to an eyewitness to the resurrection of Christ The centurion Nicodemus The apostle Paul Peter Joseph of Arimathea Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions Briefly refute each of these arguments: If the empty-tomb story were reliable, the apostle Paul would have mentioned it The disciples stole the body of Christ while the guards were asleep.

147 147 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead? Answers To Study Questions 14 Any of these: All four Gospel accounts report that the tomb was empty. The chief priest s guards also reported that it was empty. When the women went to the tomb, they discovered that it was empty. Peter and John also saw that it was empty. 1 Our preaching would be useless, and our faith would have no basis. 15 a 4) This would have been bad apologetics because it relied so heavily on the women s testimony. b 5) Anyone who accepted the empty-tomb story would find it relevant to their faith. c 3) The basic facts concerning the empty tomb are reported by all four evangelists. d 1) This would have been refuted by those who rejected the Christian claim of the resurrection of Christ. e 2) The logical implications of the nature of the Resurrection made it unnecessary to emphasize the empty tomb. 2 They were witnesses of the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. 16 This theory is ridiculous because Jesus could not have survived three days in the tomb in such a weakened condition, and He could not, in such a case, have presented himself as a victorious conqueror over death who was worthy of worship. 3 a They were arrested. b They were proclaiming the resurrection of the dead on the basis of Christ s resurrection. c By what power or what name did you do this? d He attributed the manifestation of power to the crucified and resurrected Christ. 17 This can be refuted: d) The disciples came to the tomb and stole the body of Jesus. 4 d) the resurrection of Christ vindicates His message that He is the Messiah or Savior. 18 Because there were numerous reliable eyewitnesses who confirmed that He had risen from the dead 5 These two passages emphasize the resurrection of Christ, which is the ground of our hope for our own resurrection. 19 The witnesses must be competent firsthand witnesses; they must be of sufficient number; and they must be persons with a good reputation. 6 All of these passages emphasize that Christ died. 20 Answers a, c, e, and f are true. 7 d) a military leader with prior knowledge about crucifixions.

148 148 Apologetics 21 a He denied Jesus three times because of cowardly fear. b He was bold and fearless. 8 They expected to find Him dead and lying in the tomb wrapped in grave clothes. 22 The resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Jesus had prophesied that He must return to the Father before the Spirit could be outpoured. 9 a Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel and a member of the Sanhedrin or Jewish high court. b Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin who had become a follower of Jesus. c They would have sought to revive Him, not to embalm Him. d They asked Pilate for His body, prepared it for burial, and laid it in a tomb. 23 a) message has no power without the confirmation of the Resurrection. 10 There is no evidence at all. 24 We can have the assurance that Christ rose from the dead, because multitudes of people have been and are being transformed by the power of the resurrected Christ. 11 Statements b, f, and g are true. 25 We can expect to be witnesses for Christ throughout the world. 12 a They all forsook Jesus and fled, indicating that they were completely distressed and without hope. b They were very surprised. 26 a The church grew because the resurrection of Christ validated His message and His work and gave believers hope for their own resurrection. b If Christ had not risen from the dead, the apostles would never have written the New Testament record. c The disciples were transformed following the resurrection of Christ because they received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. d As a result of the Resurrection, the first day of the week became the Lord s Day to commemorate the risen Christ. e The descent of the Spirit could not happen until Christ had ascended to His Father following His Resurrection. f As the lives of the disciples were transformed following the Resurrection, so lives today are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit as believers witness about Christ. 13 a Peter and John b John arrived first; he looked inside the tomb and saw the strips of linen (the grave clothes) but did not go in. c Peter went in and saw the carefully folded strips of linen and the burial cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus head.

149 149 Lesson 6: Did Jesus Christ Rise from the Dead?

150 7Is the Bible God s Word? the activities... Before you begin this lesson, read chapter 5 in Little: Is the Bible God s Word? No other reading assignments from the textbook are required for this lesson. As you work through the lesson development, read all Scripture passages cited. You may wish to highlight or underline those that would help you to answer questions of unbelievers. Study this lesson in the usual manner as described in the learning activities for Lesson 1. Then take the self-test, and check your answers. the objectives... the outline Give reasons why we should believe the Bible s own claims that it is the inspired Word of God. 7.2 Explain the meaning and the extent of the terms revelation and inspiration with respect to the contents of the Bible. 7.3 Identify and evaluate given viewpoints concerning biblical inspiration. 7.4 Explain what the Bible teaches about its inspiration, and define terms used to express this. 7.5 Explain qualifications with regard to the meaning of biblical inerrancy. 7.6 Select statements that support the supernatural character of the Bible and its unity. 1 The Testimony of Scripture to Itself 2 The Meaning of Biblical Inspiration a Alternative Viewpoints b What the Bible Teaches c Extent of Inerrancy

151 151 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? Objective The Evidence of the Bible s Unity a Relationship of Old and New Testaments b Unfolding of God s Redemptive Plan We began this unit of study with two lessons devoted to a discussion of the person and work of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. First we looked at evidence that reveals Him as the divine Son of God with all of the attributes of both divinity and humanity. Then we saw Him as our resurrected Savior, Lord, and Baptizer. Our line of reasoning on this subject is based on the character of God that reveals Him to be a loving, self-disclosing Being. Job 11:7 8 asks an important question: Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave what can you know? Humankind, who is limited by human finitude and weakened by sin, is unable to reach across the chasm caused by sin to find God. Hebrews 1:1 2 reminds us that the fullest, final speaking of God was in the person of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate God. However, the crucial question still remains: How do people get to know the living Word of God today? As we have already seen, our knowledge of Jesus Christ is based on the inspired record God provided which points clearly to the Son. The Bible is God s self-disclosure in written form. It is our access to the living Word. It reveals not only what God is like, but also His plan of redemption for all people through Jesus Christ. With these thoughts in mind, it should be apparent why, in our study of apologetics, we are now moving into a series of three lessons directly concerned with the Bible as God s Word. We will begin with a study of biblical inspiration. Give reasons why we should believe the Bible s own claims that it is the inspired Word of God. The Testimony Of Scripture To Itself We have seen in earlier lessons that nature discloses the existence of God. This is a fact that Scripture confirms (Romans 1:19 20). However, while nature supplies the fact of God s existence, it does not furnish us much information about what God is like. There is also the necessity of further revelation, as Scripture likewise confirms (Romans 1:19 25). The one thing that nature does not do, Scripture does: It points to itself as the fulfillment of revelation. Therefore, the first reason we want to emphasize for accepting the Bible as the revelation of God is that the Bible claims to be inspired. It repeatedly asserts that it is precisely what God has spoken to man. In fact, in the Old Testament, language is used 3808 times to express the idea that it is the Word of God! The critic might argue that to employ what the Bible says about itself is to be guilty of a fallacy in logic known as circular reasoning: to claim the inspiration of the Bible because it makes this claim, and then to believe the claim because it is inspired. On the basis of this criticism, then, it may seem that the Bible s claim to inspiration is a weak argument. This may cause you to ask, Then why use

152 152 Apologetics it? To answer the question let us look at some examples of the biblical claim to inspiration a little more carefully. Figure 7.1 identifies several examples: What The Bible Claims For Itself Is An Essential Part Of The Argument The Old Testament 1. The writings of Moses (the Pentateuch) 2. The confirmations by Ezra and Nehemiah 3. The statements in the book of Psalms The New Testament 4. The expressions in the New Testament 5. The attitude of Jesus concerning Scripture 6. The preaching of the apostles Figure 7.1 The believer is entirely within proper boundaries of logic when he or she begins with the assertion that the Bible claims for itself divine inspiration. Deductive reasoning insists that the truth of the conclusion is dependent on the truth of the premise. In other words, unless the Bible did make such claims for itself, it would be very difficult to support the idea that it is the inspired Word of God. If it were indeed inspired, would you not expect that it would freely assert this truth? With this in mind, let us look at some key passages that speak pointedly to the issue. 1. The writings of Moses. More than four hundred times in the first five books of the Bible the Pentateuch there are assertions that the writing of the material through the agency of Moses is equivalent to the voice of God speaking. The following are some examples: Exodus 17:14 Then the Lord said to Moses, Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered. Exodus 19:6 7 [The Lord said:] These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. Exodus 20:1 And God spoke all these words. Exodus 24:4, 7 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey. Exodus 34:27 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel. Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant the Ten Commandments. 1 What do all of these Scripture passages confirm about the writings of Moses? 2. The confirmations by Ezra and Nehemiah. In the middle of the fifth century before Christ, a Jewish scribe named Ezra led the people of God in a revival

153 153 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? of true worship of God. Such worship had come to be neglected through the years. The revival came after the books of Moses were recovered and Ezra read them to all the people at a public gathering (Nehemiah 8 9). At the time of Ezra s revival, the governor in Israel was Nehemiah. He confirmed that the writings of Moses were indeed the voice of God (Nehemiah 8:1 8; 9:13 14). 2 Read Ezra 9:4; 10:3; Nehemiah 8:1 8; 9:3, and answer these questions: a How did Ezra describe the words that he read to the people? b What words of Nehemiah confirmed that the writings of Moses were indeed the voice of God? 3. The statements in the book of Psalms. A particularly rich example of statements that express with confidence that Scripture is the same as the voice of God speaking is found in the book of Psalms. In Psalm 119 alone, the Scriptures are referred to as the word of the Lord or the law of the Lord numerous times. There are at least 179 allusions to the Scripture as the word of the Lord in this one chapter of the Bible. Consider these examples: Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them (v. 140); Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true (v. 142); May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous (v. 172). 4. The expressions in the New Testament. The New Testament is replete with statements that identify the words of Scripture with the spoken word of God. Expressions such as it is written, the Scriptures say, and God says are so interchanged that it is abundantly clear that the New Testament writers considered them to be synonymous. Notice, for example, Paul s quotation from Genesis 12:3 in Galatians 3:8: The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. When God spoke to Abraham, the Scriptures were not yet in existence. Unless, for Paul, God s spoken word and the inspired text of Scripture were one and the same, could he have said this? The early disciples in the Jerusalem church had this same confidence in the Bible of their day (the Old Testament). Note how the believers prayed following the release of Peter and John, who had been detained by the authorities: Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. (Acts 4:24 26; Psalm 2:1 2) 5. The attitude of Jesus. Most important was the attitude of Jesus toward the Old Testament Scriptures (the Bible of His day). For example, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in this fashion: For God said, Honor your father and mother and Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. But you say that

154 154 Apologetics if a man says to his father or mother, Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God, he is not to honor his father with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. (Matthew 15:4 6; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9) 3 What statement of Jesus in each of these passages indicates that He accepted the Old Testament as the Word of God? a Matthew 4: b Matthew 5: c Matthew 26: d John 10: We need to emphasize that Jesus did not merely accommodate the prevailing views of His contemporaries in His recognition of the authority of Scripture. His endorsement is essential to the Christian faith. Erickson (1985) explains why this is so: From the name itself it should be apparent that Christianity is a movement which follows Jesus Christ. We would then logically look to him to state what is to be believed and what is to be done, in short, what constitutes being a Christian. Yet we have very little information outside of the Bible regarding what Jesus taught and did. On the assumption that the Gospels are reliable sources of historical information,... we must turn to them for reports of Jesus life and teaching. Those books that Jesus endorsed (i.e., the books that we now refer to as the Old Testament) must be regarded as further sources for our Christianity. If Jesus taught that additional truth was to be revealed, that also is to be examined. If Jesus claimed to be God himself, and if his claim is true, then of course no human has the authority either to abrogate or to modify what he has taught. It is the position which Jesus himself proposed in the founding of the movement that is determinative, not what may be said and taught by others who at some later point may call themselves Christians. (36 37) Jesus not only endorsed the authority of Old Testament Scripture, but His own preaching was also identified as the Word of God by those who heard Him speak. For example, Luke 5:1 describes an occasion when people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. The words He spoke had the same authority as the Old Testament Scriptures.

155 155 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? 4 Based on Erickson s comments, circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement. a If Jesus endorsed the Old Testament Scriptures, we know that they are to be believed. b Jesus merely made references to Old Testament Scriptures to win the support of Jewish religious leaders. c The words of Jesus had more authority than the words of Old Testament Scripture. d Jesus endorsement of Old Testament Scripture has more validity than the opinions of later biblical scholars concerning its authority. e If we hold the same view as Jesus concerning Scripture, we will accept it as the authoritative Word of God. f The New Testament Scriptures can be identified as the additional truth which Jesus said would be revealed. 6. The preaching of the apostles. Just as Jesus preaching is described as the Word of God, a similar kind of expression is associated with the preaching of the apostles. Paul s conception of his own ministry is given in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 5 Read Acts 8:14, 11:1, and 13:44. In these passages how does Luke make reference to the preaching of the apostles? In his book, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, René Pache (1959) makes this observation: If, then, the preaching of the apostles was called the word of God, in spite of all that it contained which belonged merely to the current times and circumstances, how much more are their writings worthy of such a name! Drawn up with the greatest care, inspired even down to the very choice of words (1 Corinthians 2:13), they are the exact embodiment of the highest revelations of the new covenant, the grounds for faith and for the message of the church of all the ages. (84) Most of the examples we have given in this section have supported the claim that the Old Testament is the Word of God. We will consider the development of the New Testament canon in our next lesson; however, you should bear in mind that already in the Apostolic Age a process had begun, which placed the writings of the apostles on the same level of authority as the Old Testament Scriptures themselves. Notice in particular this statement made by Peter: Bear in mind that our Lord s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15 16)

156 156 Apologetics Objective Let us assume that the expression the other Scriptures in 2 Peter 3:16 is a reference to the Old Testament Scriptures: a Assuming this, what is the implication concerning the writings of the apostle Paul? b What does this indicate about the worth of Paul s writings? Peter s Epistle was written about AD 66, indicating conclusively that the process of collecting the writings of the apostles and recognizing them to have equal worth with the Old Testament was well under way. It should be abundantly clear to you by now that the Bible is, throughout, self-consciously the speaking of God and His authoritative revelation of himself. Now we want to look at the term used in the Bible to claim that it is God s Word: inspiration. Explain the meaning and the extent of the terms revelation and inspiration with respect to the contents of the Bible. The Meaning Of Biblical Inspiration As we begin this section of study, keep in mind the difference between revelation and inspiration. Figure 7.2 explains this: Revelation: Inspiration: The communication of truth which could not otherwise be discovered. In relation to God: God revealed or disclosed to people what they could not otherwise have known about Him and His purposes. An operation of the Holy Spirit by which He guided the authors of the Scriptures in the selection of materials to be included and the words they wrote. Figure 7.2 Inspiration in this context refers to the recording of truth. The Bible may be spoken of as the revelation of God, and the special method by which it was recorded supports its authority as God s revelation. In other words, God inspired the writing of His revelation. There are differences of opinion concerning the extent of biblical inspiration. Let us look now at some of the alternative viewpoints and then seek to examine the evidence concerning biblical inspiration.

157 157 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? Objective 7.3 Identify and evaluate given viewpoints concerning biblical inspiration. Alternative Viewpoints Three of the most commonly held viewpoints concerning biblical inspiration that we consider to be erroneous are (1) dynamic inspiration, (2) existential inspiration, and (3) mechanical dictation. 1. Dynamic inspiration. The first erroneous view is that God conveyed ideas about faith and morals through the Bible, but beyond these spiritual ideas one should not take the Bible too seriously. It is a human record of divine truth; therefore, one should not expect it to be accurate on matters of history and science. Those who hold the dynamic inspiration view sometimes express it in this fashion: The Bible contains the Word of God. This is a clear refusal to declare that the Bible is the Word of God. Proponents of this theory of inspiration are reluctant to identify the Bible as the Word of God, and they are also careful to assert that the only Word of God is Jesus Christ. This sounds impressive, but it raises some serious problems. For example, without an authoritative written Word from God, how can we come to know the living Word, Jesus Christ? 2. Existential inspiration. We introduced this theory in Lesson 4 in the section A Priori Pointers. It is the notion that while the Bible is but a human record of divine events, when it is proclaimed, those who hear it miraculously encounter God. Man does not come to God, for He is Totally Other; but God can come to man, and this He chooses to do when the Bible is preached. The Bible is but an echo of revelation, since the prophets and apostles were mere men who had insight but were limited and sometimes even defective. The Bible, then, as an echo of revelation cannot be revelation itself. Revelation happens when the Bible, through a human witness, is proclaimed. In a real sense existentialist theologians say that the Bible becomes the Word of God when it produces a personal encounter between the individual and God. This is a subjective view of revelation and is a virtual denial that the Bible is an objective revelation inspired by God when it was written. 3. Mechanical dictation. Some well-intentioned theologians have asserted that the term inspiration indicates that God put the writers of the various books of the Bible into a trance-like state and suppressed their personalities completely. This view gives the impression that God safeguarded the trustworthiness of the biblical message by bypassing the human element altogether. This prompts us to question whether this view accounts adequately for all the facts concerning the human authors. For example, as Paul Little (2000) indicates, the personalities of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, and John are distinguishable in their writings. His conclusion is this: God worked through the instrumentality of human personality, but so guided and controlled people that what they wrote is what he wanted written (77).

158 158 Apologetics 7 Match each viewpoint (right) to the statement that explains or refutes it (left).... a It relies on subjective experience and not objective authority as a basis for faith.... b God dictated the Bible to human authors who recorded the revelation without engaging their mind or personality.... c The Bible contains the Word of God that is, certain ideas of God about faith and morals but it also contains many human errors. 1) Dynamic inspiration viewpoint 2) Existential inspiration viewpoint 3) Mechanical dictation viewpoint... d The personalities of some of the Bible s human authors are very evident in the books they wrote.... e Passages in the Bible become the Word of God to us individually when God speaks to us through them; therefore, God speaks to people through a fallible book.... f The Bible gives us no authority to know which parts of it we can trust as being the Word of God. Objective 7.4 Explain what the Bible teaches about its inspiration, and define terms used to express this. What the Bible Teaches In contrast to the three views of biblical inspiration that we have just considered, let us now look at what evangelicals believe is the correct, or biblical, view regarding the extent of inspiration. Two concepts are required to express adequately what the Bible claims about itself: the terms plenary and verbal (Figure 7.3). Biblical Inspiration Defined (From Thiessen 1979, 65 66) Plenary inspiration: The inspiration is entire and without restriction; that is, it includes all and every Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). Verbal inspiration: The inspiration includes every word (1 Corinthians 2:13). plenary inspiration completely inspired by God in every respect; entire and without restriction; includes all and every Scripture Figure 7.3 Plenary inspiration*. The classic passage in the Bible concerning inspiration is 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. The Greek word translated God-breathed is theopneustos, which means, literally, Godbreathed. Thus, God breathed out the Scriptures. The Scriptures are God s breath; they are God-inspired. This is a powerful assertion. 8 According to 2 Timothy 3:16, to what extent is the Bible God-breathed?

159 159 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? The word plenary means full or complete. Can you see how this verse supports the choice of that word to describe a biblical concept of inspiration? Another important passage of Scripture with respect to biblical inspiration is 2 Peter 1:20 21: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 9 What does the statement no prophecy in 2 Peter 1:20 indicate about the extent of divine inspiration? verbal inspiration inspiration of the Scriptures that includes every word autograph an original manuscript or work of art inerrant free from error infallible incapable of error 10 Read Luke 24:25 27; John 10:34 35; Acts 3:21 22; and Romans 3:1 2. Considering 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20 21, these Scriptures support the concept that biblical inspiration includes a) all the thoughts of God but not the actual words written. b) only those Scriptures which contain the Word of God. c) words without human character dictated by the Holy Spirit. d) every word of every passage of Scripture without exception. Verbal inspiration*. This term expresses the concept that divine guidance not only covers all Scripture but that God so guided the writers of Scripture that the original manuscripts (called autographs*) carried the exact message God intended without error. Verbal inspiration includes the idea that the words themselves in the original autographs are inerrant*, infallible*, and authoritative (Figure 7.4). inerrant: infallible: authoritative: The Autographs of Scripture Are: free from error incapable of error; certain proceeding from authority; word used to declare that the Bible is binding upon man because it bears the authority of God Figure 7.4 As we have already indicated, the Old Testament claims more than 3800 times to be transmitting God s very words. Consider what Moses said after he gave the Law to the people: Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. (Deuteronomy 4:1 2)

160 160 Apologetics Objective Read Psalm 119:1 24, then choose the best response. It is obvious that the Psalmist who wrote this passage considered God s written Word to a) be infallible. b) include wise sayings. c) contain some error. d) have limited authority. 12 Read Matthew 5:17 19 and John 10: Based on these passages what was Jesus viewpoint on the writings of the Old Testament? 13 Now read Romans 7:12, in which Paul speaks of God s law and commandment. Based on this passage what was Paul s perspective on the verbal inspiration of Scripture? 14 Read James 1: When James refers here to the perfect law, what does he imply? The book of Revelation was probably written at the end of the first century and was most likely the last book written that was included in the entire canon of Scripture. The apostle John closes this final book of the New Testament with these words: I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18 19) Explain qualifications with regard to the meaning of biblical inerrancy. inerrancy condition of being without error Extent of Inerrancy We need to make several qualifications in regard to the meaning of biblical inerrancy*. What do the obvious facts of Scripture disclose? 1. Inerrancy does not rule out the personalities of the human authors. We have already defined mechanical dictation. Paul Little points out that the personalities of the various authors of the books of the Bible are revealed in their writings. There is, in some fashion, a divine-human relationship that must be acknowledged even though the product may be said to be preserved from error. 2. Inerrancy does not require uniformity of details in accounts of similar events by different authors. For example, in attempting to produce a harmony of the Gospels (one account that includes all recorded events in the life of Christ) one finds that there are some variations in descriptions of similar events by the Gospel writers. This can be accounted for on the basis of different points of view. Each saw the same event from a different angle. This is particularly true

161 161 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? of the accounts of the resurrection of Christ. Yet there is an authenticity in each account. Absolute uniformity is obviously not required; if it were, there would be little need for four Gospels. 3. Inerrancy does not exclude the use of word pictures and symbols. Paul Little states: A literal view of the Bible does not mean we can t recognize that figures of speech are used in the Scripture. When Isaiah said the trees of the field will clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12), and the psalmist said mountains skipped like rams (Psalms 114:4, 6), no rational reading of these figures would view these in literal terms. There is poetry as well as prose and other literary forms used. A literal view interprets any passage in the sense the authors intended it to be received by readers. (2000, 82 84) 15 How would you respond to someone who insists that figures of speech in Scripture must be taken literally if the Bible as a whole is taken literally? version a translation from another language; a translation of the Bible or a part of it 4. Inerrancy does not imply the need to impose modern scientific precision on Scripture. The biblical writers employed language that was meaningful to their times. The people of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean would not have understood modern technical language. What is amazing is that, in terms fitting a prescientific culture, statements were made by the biblical authors that are in agreement with modern science. For example, the book of Genesis pictures various forms of life being reproduced, each one according to its kind (Genesis 1:21). There is no intention of defining with precision the limits of kind such as one might expect in a modern biology textbook. As Paul Little indicates, even in our modern-day culture, popular speech employs loose terminology. For example, we speak of sunrise and sunset although, as Little says, we know that the sun does not actually rise and set but that the earth rotates.... This is a convenient way of describing what appears to be happening (2000, 84). 5. Inerrancy does not extend to the transmission of the text. The only thing the Bible seems to claim is that the autograph or original document is without error. We shall discuss the subject of the canon and the transmission of the text in Lesson 8. As you will see, when we consider the abundance of manuscripts from the ancient world we find that even the subsequent copies of the original manuscripts have been preserved to an amazing degree, although no claim is made for inerrancy in copied texts. Many of the apparent conflicts in Scripture are, no doubt, due to editorial errors which have crept into the text as it has been copied through the centuries. With respect to this, Thiessen (1979) explains: Inspiration is affirmed only of the autographs of the Scriptures, not of any of the versions*, whether ancient or modern, nor of any Hebrew or Greek manuscripts in existence, nor of any critical texts known. All these are either known to be faulty in some particulars, or are not certainly known to be free from all error. While there are no original autographs available, the

162 162 Apologetics number of words which are still in doubt is very small, and no doctrine is affected by this situation. (65 66) Therefore, on the basis of overwhelming evidence for consistency in Scripture, we should give the doctrine of inerrancy the benefit of the doubt when faced with unresolved problems in Scriptures, and we should assume that the Bible is indeed inerrant. Some problems have already been resolved as more data have become available. We should have patience and expect that they will all be cleared up eventually as new data emerge. 16 Suppose you are talking with someone who does not believe the Bible is inerrant. How would you respond to each of these criticisms? a The writing style is not the same throughout the Bible. b c d e Many errors have been made in the transmission of the original biblical text. Symbolic language in the Bible makes a literal interpretation impossible. The Gospel writers do not agree on some of the accounts of Jesus ministry. Statements of a scientific nature in Scripture are not precise. 17 Match to each definition (left) the word it defines (right).... a The communication of truth, which could not otherwise be discovered... b God s guidance of a person s mind in recording truth... c The belief that the words themselves in the original texts are infallible, authoritative, and carry the exact message God intended... d The original writing or document of the Scriptures... e Complete freedom from error... f The belief that all of the Bible is God s Word, divinely inspired 1) Autograph 2) Inerrancy 3) Inspiration 4) Plenary inspiration 5) Revelation 6) Verbal inspiration

163 163 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? Objective 7.6 Select statements that support the supernatural character of the Bible and its unity. The Evidence Of The Bible s Unity We began this lesson by noting the claims of Scripture about itself. As we have seen, throughout the Bible there is abundant testimony that equates Scripture with the very words of God. Jesus viewed the Old Testament as absolutely trustworthy. Peter recognized that Paul s writings were of the same worth as the writings in the Old Testament. All of this points to the plenary, verbal inspiration of Scripture. This is all internal evidence, but it is a starting point in developing an apologetic for the divine inspiration of Scripture. To the witness of Scripture itself we could add two additional elements: (1) the unity of Scripture and (2) fulfilled prophecy. We will reserve for a later lesson the matter of biblical prophecy. To conclude this lesson we want to consider the remarkable unity of the Bible. Relationship of Old and New Testaments Imagine the Bible to be a library composed of sixty-six different books written by approximately forty men over a span of sixteen centuries, from about 1500 BC to about AD 100. Remember, also, that these forty authors represent a wide range of backgrounds such as those of shepherds, kings, statesmen, scholars, priests, poets, historians, fishermen, and lawyers. In view of this sweeping range of time involved and the bewildering variety of writers, the unity of the Bible is astonishing indeed. From Genesis to Revelation, there is a consistent view of God and His redemptive purpose. René Pache (1969) explains the relationship of the Old and New Testaments in this way: The New Is In The Old Concealed. The Old Is In The New Revealed. Unfolding of God s Redemptive Plan In his book The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, Pache (1969) lists several ways in which the plan of salvation is demonstrated consistently throughout Scripture ( ): 1. The Old Testament points toward the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The New Testament explains how Jesus Christ fulfills the expectancy set forth in the Old Testament. Notable in this connection are the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Matthew. 2. Despite a gap of four hundred years between the writing of the last Old Testament book and the writing of the New Testament books, there is a strong connection between them. For example, Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, concludes with a prediction about the forerunner, John the Baptist, and about the coming Messiah (3:1; 4:5 6). Also, both Matthew and Luke present a genealogy of Jesus that links Him to the old covenant.

164 164 Apologetics 3. God s redemptive plan is unfolded consistently all through the Scriptures. Notice the first announcement of a coming Redeemer in Genesis 3: Read Genesis 3:15. Who fits the picture of One who shall bruise the serpent s head? Throughout the history of Israel, one is conscious that God is calling His people to purity of worship and to avoidance of pagan idolatry. The prophetic writings repeatedly state that God is holy and that faith and repentance are more important than ritual and sacrifice. Yet, with all of the lofty idealism, the inability of the people to please God is pictured in all of its anguish. There is a stark realism in the Scriptures. Men s sins, including those of David, are identified clearly. God is pictured as holy. All of this calls for a Messiah who will come to make a new covenant with man, a covenant of a different order: an abiding covenant (Jeremiah 31:31 33). The New Testament pictures Jesus as the One who fulfills the prophecies and yearnings of the Old Testament. It is as if there is a solid core, a central message that mantles the entire Bible, and it is the redemptive theme. God s holiness and love converge in the cross of Calvary. Prophesied in the Old Testament, described in the narratives of the Gospels, it is explained and unfolded in the Epistles. To what can this marvelous unity of truth in the Bible be attributed? Only one answer is possible: there is but one author, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we can say with assurance that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Word of God to man and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16 17). We conclude this lesson with a final observation by René Pache (1959): The inexperienced reader of the Bible may perhaps be struck at first by its diversity and multiplicity. But as soon as he has laid hold on some of the connecting elements and has become aware of the sturdy structure of the revelation, he will marvel at its profound unity. He then will worship the sovereign Master of creation, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Moses and the prophets; the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ dwelling at the heart of both Testaments which He fuses together and authenticates the God of the incarnation as preached by the apostles: King of kings and Lord of lords, who is, who was, and who is to come. (119)

165 165 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? 19 Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement concerning the unity of the Bible as evidence of its divine inspiration. a The internal evidence we have studied points to the plenary, verbal inspiration of Scripture. b The Old Testament makes no reference to God s plan of redemption for those who put their trust in Him. c The Bible is remarkable more for its diversity than for its unity. d During the sixteen centuries in which it was written, the Bible s basic message changed according to the current needs of the people. e Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent view of God and His redemptive purpose. f The Old Testament points to the Messiah and the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of messianic prophecy in Jesus Christ. g The unity of the Bible is an argument in favor of its supernatural character. 20 In view of the fact that the writing of the Bible involved so many men of different backgrounds, interests, and periods of time, how can one explain its unity and lack of contradiction? In Lesson 8 we will look at evidence for the reliability of the Old and New Testament texts and discover how the sixty-six books of the Bible were gathered. As you study, you will find that there is a great deal of evidence to support the evangelical position that the Bible is the infallible and inerrant Word of God.

166 166 Apologetics Self-Test Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 It would be difficult to support the idea that the Bible is the inspired Word of God if it a) had made this claim about itself. b) did not meet scientific criteria for this claim. c) did not make this claim about itself. d) had not been written by so many spiritual men. 2 The evangelical view of biblical inspiration is best described in the statement that the Bible a) is the Word of God. b) contains the Word of God. c) becomes the Word of God. d) was dictated word for word by God. 3 The biblical explanation of the supernatural character of Scripture uses the Greek word theopneustos, which means a) written by God. b) God-breathed. c) existential inspiration. d) revelation. 4 According to our study the Old Testament affirms that it is the Word of God approximately a) 50 times. b) 300 times. c) 1600 times. d) 3800 times. 5 Jesus use of Old Testament Scripture when He was tempted by Satan confirms its a) supernatural power. b) widespread use during His day. c) authoritative value. d) superiority to His own words. 6 Erickson s statement concerning what Christians are to believe does NOT include the idea that they are to accept as the Word of God a) everything that Jesus endorsed. b) additional truth that Jesus said would be revealed. c) all that is written in the Old Testament books. d) whatever is said and taught by Christian theologians.

167 167 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? 7 God s disclosure of that which could not otherwise be known about Him is known as a) revelation. b) inspiration. c) inerrancy. d) enlightenment. 8 The best explanation of how the Bible was written is that a) God dictated the words and had spiritual men write them down as He spoke. b) prophets and apostles preached the Word of God and scribes recorded what they preached. c) the Holy Spirit guided human authors in the selection of materials and the words they wrote. d) the oral traditions of the Jewish people were compiled by Moses and the prophets. 9 The view that the Bible is a human record of divine truth which contains God s ideas about faith and morals but may not be accurate beyond its spiritual ideas is called a) plenary inspiration. b) dynamic inspiration. c) existential inspiration. d) mechanical inspiration. 10 The existential inspiration viewpoint is problematic because it a) suggests that the Bible is not trustworthy or authoritative. b) ignores the personalities of the Bible s human authors. c) makes no allowance for human error in the writing of the Bible. d) relies solely on subjective experience as a basis for faith. Short Answer. Briefly answer the following question In the space provided, define the terms plenary inspiration and verbal inspiration, and relate them to the evangelical position concerning the extent of biblical inspiration.

168 168 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 11 a) be infallible. 1 These Scriptures confirm that Moses wrote what God told him to write. In other words, what he wrote was the words of God. 12 He believed it was inerrant; He believed every word was true. 2 a Ezra called them the words of the God of Israel (Ezra 9:4) and the commands of our God (10:3). b Nehemiah called them the Law of the Lord their God. He made it clear that God gave the Law and had Moses write it down. 13 He believed the entire Old Testament revelation was good and righteous. 3 a He said, It is written.... He quoted Scripture as the final authority. b He declared that all Old Testament Scripture must be fulfilled. c He saw himself and events involving Him as fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture. d He said the Scripture cannot be broken. 14 He implies that God s revelation in the Old Testament is without error. 4 Statements a, d, e, and f are true. 15 Your answer. Figures of speech are a legitimate form of communication. Taken too literally, the obvious meaning or intent of the writer is lost. 5 He refers to their preaching as the word of God. 16 a God spoke through the personality and style of the human authors. b Surprisingly few errors have been made in the transmission of the original text, and none of these affects biblical doctrines. c The Bible s poetic imagery and symbolic language should be taken in the sense intended by the human authors. d Each Gospel writer wrote from his own viewpoint and thus brings his own perspective to the events he describes. This authenticates the individual accounts of the same events. e The Bible does not focus on scientific data but it also does not disagree with what modern science has discovered. It uses language which was understood by the people at the time of its writing. 6 a It implies that they are also the word of God. b It indicates that they are equal in value to the Old Testament Scriptures. 17 a 5) Revelation b 3) Inspiration c 6) Verbal inspiration d 1) Autograph e 2) Inerrancy f 4) Plenary inspiration

169 169 Lesson 7: Is the Bible God s Word? 7 a 2) Existential inspiration viewpoint b 3) Mechanical dictation viewpoint c 1) Dynamic inspiration viewpoint d 3) Mechanical dictation viewpoint e 2) Existential inspiration viewpoint f 1) Dynamic inspiration viewpoint 18 Jesus Christ 8 All Scripture is God-breathed. 19 Statements a, e, f, and g are true. 9 All Scripture can be considered prophecy in the widest sense of the word; therefore, all Scripture is inspired. 20 The only explanation for the Bible s unity and lack of contradiction is that it has one author: God. 10 d) every word of every passage of Scripture without exception.

170 Are the Bible Documents 8Reliable? the activities... the objectives... the outline... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Work through the lesson development in the usual manner. Be sure to read all Scripture references mentioned in the text. Take the self-test, and check your answers. 8.1 Distinguish between the processes of higher and lower or textual criticism. 8.2 Explain how the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts have helped to establish the accuracy of the present biblical text. 8.3 Defend the argument that the New Testament text we have today is trustworthy. 8.4 Recognize and appreciate God s providence in providing for us a dependable written revelation of himself and His works. 8.5 Identify the various categories of Old Testament books and facts about how they were gathered, and explain why the apocryphal books were excluded from the Protestant Bible. 8.6 Explain the process by which the New Testament books were selected. 1 Is the Biblical Text Trustworthy? a Reliability of Old Testament Manuscripts b Reliability of New Testament Manuscripts 2 Which Books Belong in the Bible? a How the Old Testament Books Were Gathered b How the New Testament Books Were Gathered

171 171 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Objective 8.1 In Lesson 7 we studied the meaning of the word inspiration as it relates to biblical inspiration. We found that when we say the Bible was inspired, we do not mean the same thing as when we say that Beethoven, the composer, was inspired to write beautiful music or that Rembrandt, the artist, was inspired to paint his masterpieces on canvas. Biblical inspiration does not refer to the type of inspiration which great poets, artists, or musicians receive to create their works of art. Rather, it describes the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding approximately forty human authors to write the words God wanted them to write. We learned that the Scriptures, thus written, are the inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. We saw that a first step in demonstrating that the Bible is indeed the Word of God in written form is the Bible s own assertions about its divine origin. Another step, which we will consider in Lesson 9, is the fulfillment of many biblical prophecies. A further evidence is the unity of the Bible, particularly in consideration of the amazing span of time involved in its writing and the number and diversity of its human authors. From beginning to end it presents a consistent view of God and His redemptive purpose. Now we are ready to consider two important questions with respect to God s Word. The first is, How reliable is the Bible as we have it today? Is there evidence to show that all of the books included in the Old and New Testaments are truly the Word of God? The second is, How did the present list of sixty-six books come to be selected, and why did other books not become part of the list? Learning the answers to these two questions will give us confidence that the Bible is truly the written Word of God. As you study, I hope you will appreciate the divine providence that has given us this dependable written revelation of God and His will for us. Distinguish between the processes of higher and lower or textual criticism. textual criticism the study of a literary work that aims to establish the original text; a critical study of literature emphasizing a close reading and analysis of the text Is The Biblical Text Trustworthy? Reading 1 The question, How do we know the biblical text is trustworthy? is in the domain of the science of textual criticism*. The term biblical criticism may sound to many Bible-loving Christians like a bad thing, but we must remember that not all criticism is destructive. While there have been destructive critics of the Bible, textual criticism, as Little (2000) says, the process of establishing the accuracy is no small task (92). Biblical criticism is usually subdivided into two areas. One is higher criticism, which is the study of the authorship, dating, occasion, literary structure, and contents of the individual biblical writings, plus the history of how the books were accepted into the canon. The other is lower criticism, which is the attempt to trace the history of the biblical texts in the original languages to determine as accurately as possible the rendering that is nearest to the original manuscripts themselves. This is sometimes called textual criticism. Gordon Fee describes it in this way:

172 172 Apologetics Textual criticism, commonly known in the past as lower criticism in contrast to the so-called higher (historical and literary) criticism, is the science that compares all known manuscripts of a given work in an effort to trace the history of variations within the text so as to discover its original form. (Harrison et al. 1978, 127) We see, therefore, that biblical criticism represents the earnest asking of important questions. One may come to these questions with preconceived negative attitudes that will make the study destructive, or one may come with a positive attitude and see in the array of facts support for the Bible as God s book. Historically, the science of textual criticism has included more conservative evangelical scholars in its front ranks than has the field of higher criticism. The reason for this is that the conservative scholars have not been afraid to search out the history of the text. They have wanted to get as near to the original documents as possible. Fee states three ways in which textual criticism is of special significance to the interpreter of the Bible, which we will summarize here (Harrison et al. 1978, 128): 1. It helps him or her to determine the authentic words of an author. 2. It helps him or her to determine the accuracy of a given translation in representing the original text of the author. 3. It provides him or her with knowledge of the history of textual variation that will help him or her to see how a passage was understood during the early history of the church. 1 In the blank space preceding each statement, write the letter H if it describes higher criticism. T if it describes lower or textual criticism.... a Involves the study of historical data surrounding a biblical book... b Compares manuscripts to determine the original form of the text... c Determines how the early church understood a given passage... d Focuses on such things as the literary structure of the text... e Helps the Bible scholar to discover the accuracy of a given Bible translation What evidence does textual criticism give us to show that the available Old and New Testament manuscripts are indeed reliable documents? Let us look first at the evidence for the reliability of the Old Testament manuscripts.

173 173 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Objective 8.2 Explain how the Dead Sea Scrolls and other manuscripts have helped to establish the accuracy of the present biblical text. fragments detached or incomplete parts Reliability of Old Testament Manuscripts Nearly all of the Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew. It was the task of the scribe to copy the scrolls with the greatest of care. The scribe enjoyed an honored reputation in the ancient Jewish communities. He took his responsibility very seriously because he recognized that it was the Word of God with which he was entrusted. Quite early in Jewish history, it became a common practice to destroy old, worn copies of the Scriptures and replace them with new copies. The custom of destroying worn copies helps to account for the fact that no complete copies of the Hebrew Old Testament are older than AD 900. The Jewish scribes of that time, from whom the Hebrew text (Masoretic text) derives its name, were called Masoretes. We are well aware of the state of the text that far back. But what of the period prior to what is known as the Masoretic text? This is an important question because the time from the first century onward was indeed difficult for the Jews. In AD 70, the temple in Jerusalem was demolished. In addition, the Jewish national and religious life was virtually destroyed, and the scribes and scholars were forced to leave the area. What happened to the careful copying of Scripture during these troubled times? There is now a remarkable answer to this question. In 1947, near the Dead Sea just south of Jericho, a wandering Bedouin goat herdsman found some jars hidden in caves that were nearly inaccessible. In the jars he and other Bedouins found the now famous Dead Sea Scrolls. The scrolls evidently belonged to a community of Jews who had developed a kind of monastery in the wilderness. They reveal that such a group of Jews lived at a place called Qumran between the dates of 150 BC and AD 70. Paul Little (2000) describes the group in this way: Qumran was a communal society, operated very much like a monastery. In addition to tilling the fields, they spent their time studying and copying the Scriptures. It became apparent to them in AD 70 that the Romans were going to invade the land. Their leather scrolls were put in jars and hidden in the caves of cliffs on the west side of the Dead Sea. (94) God s providence is seen in the preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The extremely dry climate and the barrenness of the land, together with the inaccessibility of the caves, made it possible for these treasures to remain undisturbed for nearly two thousand years. After the discovery became known, scholars set out to explore the area. They uncovered additional caves with more scrolls. It was soon apparent that these scrolls contained several kinds of material. Some of them described the pattern of life of the Qumran community. Others revealed the special ideas that set the Qumran community apart from the mainstream of Judaism. But some of the scrolls were Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament Scriptures. Fragments* of all of the Old Testament books were found, with the exception of the book of Esther.

174 174 Apologetics Large portions of some of the Old Testament books were preserved in the scrolls. The best-known document is the Isaiah scroll. Scholars found that the entire book of Isaiah had been preserved intact! A study of the textual style, and confirmed by other means, have dated these documents, including the biblical materials, at about 100 BC Paul Little (2000) explains the significance of this find with respect to determining the accuracy of the Old Testament text: In one dramatic stroke, almost 1,000 years were bridged, closing the gap in the age of the manuscripts we now possess....enthusiastic comparing of these Dead Sea Scrolls with the Masoretic text resulted in discovering remarkable accuracy of the transmission process. A period of nearly a millennium was closed. (95) What an opportunity this provided for scholars to determine the accuracy of our present biblical text! Indeed, that is the most important result of the dramatic Dead Sea Scrolls discovery. 2 State the date or approximate time period for each of these: a Destruction of the temple in Jerusalem:... b Period during which Jews lived at Qumran:... c Approximate date of the Masoretic text of the Hebrew Old Testament: d Year in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found:... e Approximate date of writing of the Dead Sea Scrolls:... f Approximate length of time between the copying of the Masoretic text and the copying of the Scriptures in the Dead Sea Scrolls: 3 Explain the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in establishing the accuracy of the Old Testament text. 4 Suggest how Bible scholars in the field of textual criticism can use the Masoretic text and the Dead Sea Scrolls to determine the accuracy of our present Old Testament text. 5 The portion of the book of Isaiah found in the Dead Sea Scrolls can best be explained as being a) a few small fragments. b) the first half of the book. c) a very large portion. d) the entire book. R. Laird Harris, an Old Testament scholar, illustrates the importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in confirming the accuracy of our Old Testament text (Figure 8.1):

175 175 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? COMPARISON OF ISAIAH IN THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS AND THE MASORETIC TEXT The text is extremely close to our Masoretic text. A comparison of Isaiah 53 shows that only seventeen letters differ from the Masoretic text. Ten of these are mere differences of spelling, like our honor or honour, and produce no change in the meaning at all. Four more are very minor differences, such as the presence of the conjunction, which is often a matter of style. The other three letters are the Hebrew word for light which is added after they shall see in verse 11. Out of 166 words in this chapter, only this one word is really in question, and it does not at all change the sense of the passage. This is typical of the whole manuscript. (Clark 1963, 24) Figure 8.1 An additional witness to the Old Testament text came from Alexandria about 200 BC in the form of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. This translation, also called the LXX for the seventy Jewish scholars credited with its development, was made to accommodate the large number of Jews who had settled in Egypt during the time of Greek domination of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean. Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, there was no means of determining whether the Masoretic text or the LXX (Septuagint) was the best rendering when differences were apparent. Another witness to the Old Testament text is called the Samaritan Pentateuch. A few miles north of Jerusalem, at the city of Nablus, there still remain about two hundred Samaritans. In the days of Nehemiah and Ezra, a deep rift developed between these inhabitants of the land and the newcomers who had returned from the Babylonian captivity. This hostility continued down to the days of the New Testament era. Chapter 4 of the Gospel of John contains the wonderful story of Jesus and His ministry to the Samaritan woman. That story discloses something of the rivalry that existed at that time between Jews and Samaritans. 6 Read John chapter 4. What attitude did Jesus demonstrate toward the Samaritan woman that was different from that of typical Jewish contemporaries? Important for our discussion is the fact that the Samaritans edited the books of Moses to serve their own special purposes. This document became known as the Samaritan Pentateuch. It serves as an independent witness to the accuracy of the existing Old Testament text.

176 176 Apologetics extant currently or actually existing; not destroyed or lost The result of all this is that three extant* (existing) families of Old Testament texts can be distinguished: the Masoretic text, the Septuagint, and the Samaritan Pentateuch. With the new information available through the Dead Sea Scrolls, the state of the text as early as 200 BC can now be determined. From his studies of these texts, R. Laird Harris makes this affirmation: We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament, even back to 225 BC At that time there were two or three types of text available for copying. These types differed among themselves so little, however, that we can infer that still earlier copyists had also faithfully and carefully transmitted the Old Testament text. 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 Law to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity. (Clark 1963, ) Objective R. Laird Harris bases his confidence in the present Old Testament text on what grounds? 8 From these grounds Harris concludes that a) today s translators have an easy task in modernizing the Old Testament language. b) the accuracy of copyists can be trusted even further back into history. c) there are no reliably accurate extant copies of the Old Testament Scriptures. d) the most reliable translation of the Old Testament manuscripts is the Septuagint. Defend the argument that the New Testament text we have today is trustworthy. koine the Greek language commonly spoken and written in Eastern Mediterranean countries in the Hellenistic and Roman periods; a dialect or language of a region that has become the common or standard language of a larger area Reliability of New Testament Manuscripts As the Gospels, the Epistles, the book of Acts, and the book of Revelation were written, they were circulated and read in the Christian churches that were springing up throughout the ancient Eastern Mediterranean. The various books were gathered into collections and copied, sometimes as a whole collection and sometimes as individual books. A mass of New Testament documents has come down through the centuries. Scholars who have followed sound principles of textual criticism in studying these documents have determined what the original texts must have been like. The New Testament was written in the Greek language, and the language of the marketplace was the style of Greek employed. It is called koine* (pronounced koy-nay), which means common.

177 177 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? 9 Is it not remarkable that God employed the speech of the ordinary citizens as the vehicle for communicating His truth? What does this tell you about the nature of God as a communicating Being? codices manuscript books especially of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals uncials capital letters with no space between words miniscules (also minuscules) small or lower-case letters The two basic types of writing material used by the writers of the early texts of the New Testament were papyrus and parchment. Later these materials were replaced by paper. At first the books produced were in scroll form much like the Hebrew Old Testament. By the second and third centuries, the scroll system was replaced by the codex, which is very similar in arrangement to our modern books. Codices* were sheets of paper which were folded and sewn together, then bound in a volume. When we know the history of the materials and the style of a book, we can readily see how manuscripts may be dated by scholars. Another way of determining the age of documents is by examining the kinds of writing used. Ancient Greek manuscripts used two basic kinds of writing. The earlier manuscripts were written in capital letters without spaces between the words. This practice was followed from the third to the tenth centuries. These manuscripts were called uncials*. From the ninth century to the sixteenth century, the practice was to write using small connected letters called miniscules* (small letters) in cursive (connected writing) form. Knowing the style of writing also aids the scholar in determining the age of a document. Great value has been placed upon the New Testament since antiquity. One reason we know this is that an enormous number of manuscripts or fragments of manuscripts have been preserved. Well over four thousand Greek manuscripts of New Testament books from ancient times are currently known. Fee states, There are now extant, in whole or in part, 5,338 Greek MSS [manuscripts], as well as hundreds of copies of ancient translations (not counting over 8,000 copies of the Latin Vulgate) (Harrison et al. 1978, 128). In comparison, relatively few documents are available from the Greek classical literature, and a great span of time separates the earliest known of these documents from the originals. F. F. Bruce (1959), in his book, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? discusses the dating of the documents. According to Paul Little (2000): Bruce says that there is no body of ancient literature in the world that enjoys such a wealth of good textual attestation as the New Testament. By contrast, among the works of classical writers, contemporaries of Christ, no one questions the existence of these secular authors or the validity of their writings. Have you ever heard anyone ask, How do we know Socrates ever lived? Yet there is far less supportive documentary evidence for his and other contemporary Greek and Latin writers than of the New Testament and its account. (99)

178 178 Apologetics THE NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS Writing Materials Approximate Time of Use Papyrus: Made from reeds and highly durable Beginning of the Christian era Parchment: Form Used Scroll Made by polishing the skin of sheep or goats with pumice A roll of papyrus or parchment Early in the Christian era until the late Middle Ages; replaced by paper

179 179 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? We can see, therefore, that the sheer abundance and great antiquity of the New Testament manuscripts supply modern scholars with a wealth of information for confirming the accuracy of our present New Testament text. And there are other helps to assist in this task. For example, many early writers, from the second century on, quoted from the writings of the apostles. The earliest such group to do this was called the Apostolic Fathers. They wrote between the years AD 90 and AD 160. In addition, even some enemies of the Christian church, such as Valentinus the Gnostic, also quoted freely from the New Testament. 11 Compare the John Rylands papyrus with the earliest available manuscript of the History of Herodotus with respect to the reliability of the two texts. 12 Scholars have found quotations of New Testament text even in the writings of ancient secular authors who opposed the church. What does this reveal about the New Testament manuscripts? lectionary a book or list of liturgical lessons for the church year In addition to the scrolls and codices, there is another large group of manuscripts called the lectionaries. As Fee explains, These are texts written, not in regular sequence, but in accordance with the designated daily and weekly lessons from the Gospels and Epistles lessons that had been developed in very early times (Harrison et al. 1978, 132). These reading lessons were used in public worship services and contained the Gospels or the Epistles, or sometimes both, and perhaps the book of Acts. According to Fee, there are presently 2193 known lectionary* manuscripts, with fragments dating from the sixth century and complete manuscripts dating from the eighth century. Another valuable source for textual critics of the New Testament is the three groups of versions known as the Syriac, Coptic (Egyptian), and Latin versions. The term version refers to translations of the Greek manuscript of the New Testament into other languages. Studies of the Syriac, Coptic, and Latin versions have given important information to Bible scholars concerning the original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. Thousands of these versions exist today. They can be divided rather easily into geographical regions. The Syriac family of versions is identified with the Eastern Mediterranean world, the Coptic with the North African world, and the Latin with the Western Mediterranean world. These translations are valuable because some of them date from the second century. 13 Review what we have said in this section, and list all of the available sources to which the textual critic can refer to determine the reliability of the New Testament.

180 180 Apologetics It is interesting to note the nature of the textual variants that these materials disclose. Nearly all of the differences can be attributed to scribal or copying errors. The changes can be put into two groups: the intentional changes and the unintentional. The unintentional changes rarely affect the meaning of the passages in which they occur. Sometimes, however, a well-meaning scribe would alter the text to improve the clarity of the passage. Yet, despite all of the differences, the textual critic can demonstrate with considerable precision what the original text must have said. The enormous volume of textual materials is of great help in detecting errors, whether intentional or unintentional. We have more assurance today about the text of the New Testament than scholars had two hundred years ago (Schnabel 2004, 75). In contrast to how scarce important Greek and Roman texts are, Metzger (1968) relates how a scholar of the New Testament is embarrassed by the wealth of his material (34). He says, Revelation is the least well-attested part of the New Testament, being preserved in about 300 Greek manuscripts. There are only about four hundred variations that materially affect the sense of the text. Perhaps only fifty are of real significance, but no essential New Testament teaching is greatly affected. 14 Read each of these statements, then write in the blank space preceding each one the letter S if it could be used to support an argument for the trustworthiness of the New Testament. N if it does not accurately support such an argument.... a The most reliable documents still in existence are the papyri on which the autographs were written.... b The earliest available manuscripts include collections of the New Testament books in the order in which they were written.... c Many New Testament documents have come down through the centuries and are excellent sources for textual critics.... d More than five thousand Greek manuscripts exist that give us all or parts of the New Testament.... e There are many more sources available to confirm the reliability of the New Testament books than there are for the Greek classical literature.... f Some New Testament fragments in existence date from the fourth century.... g All of the sources we have mentioned in this lesson are free of intentional errors but do contain many unintentional errors.... h Reliable textual critics report that no important doctrine of the New Testament is seriously affected by variations in the many available manuscripts.

181 181 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Objective 8.4 Recognize and appreciate God s providence in providing for us a dependable written revelation of himself and His works. Which Books Belong In The Bible? Reading 2 It is customary to speak of the sixty-six books of the Bible (thirty-nine in the Old Testament, twenty-seven in the New) as the canon of Scripture. The term is derived from the Greek word for rod or measuring stick. It came to signify anything which was straight or which measured up to the expected standard. With regard to Scripture, the word canon has assumed a technical meaning. To canonize may be defined as to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to. Canonization in this respect refers to the process by which each book of the Bible was evaluated against a standard by the early church fathers and brought together with other books that measured up to the standard. The fathers thus recognized the value of the books as the revelation of God. This process helps to answer the question, Which books belong in the Bible? Objective 8.5 Identify the various categories of Old Testament books and facts about how they were gathered, and explain why the apocryphal books were excluded from the Protestant Bible. How the Old Testament Books Were Gathered The Old Testament was gathered into the collection of books now included in the Protestant Bible in four stages. Our first ancestors, of course, had no Scripture at all. God spoke to them and to the patriarchs in direct fashion. It was not until the time of Moses that God arranged for a written communication through the agency of writing prophets. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, which are known as the Pentateuch. The Jews called it the Law or the Torah. Following the writing of these books around 1500 BC, other books came into existence. How and when did they become part of a recognized authoritative collection? Stage 1: Recognition of the Pentateuch As early as the conquest of Canaan, perhaps in the fourteenth century BC, Joshua recognized the writings of Moses as absolutely authoritative (Joshua 1:7 8). Leaders who followed Joshua added support to this recognition. For example, Amaziah followed the instructions written by Moses and spared the children of those who assassinated his father (2 Kings 14:6). Hezekiah revered the Law (2 Kings 18:6). Josiah acknowledged the authority of the books of Moses when they were found in the temple (2 Kings 23:21 25). By the time of Jesus, the authority of Moses was fully accepted in Judaism. The Pentateuch, then, was the beginning of the Old Testament canon. Incidentally, some critics have argued against the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch on the grounds that the death of Moses is related in Deuteronomy 34. However, a phenomenon of the Law and the Prophets seems to be that

182 182 Apologetics

183 183 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? HEBREW BIBLE The Law or Pentateuch Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy The Prophets Former Prophets Joshua Judges Samuel Kings Latter Prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Minor Prophets The Writings Psalms Proverbs Job Song of Solomon Ruth Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra-Nehemiah Chronicles CHRISTIAN OLD TESTAMENT The Law or Pentateuch Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy History Joshua Judges Ruth 1 and 2 Samuel 1 and 2 Kings 1 and 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Poetry and Wisdom Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Prophecy Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel The Twelve Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi Figure 8.3 You can see that there was a development in the formation of the Hebrew canon. First came the acknowledgment of the Law, then the Prophets; finally, a third grouping of books, The Writings, gained stature. intertestamental of, relating to, or forming the period of two centuries between the composition of the last book of the Old Testament and the first book of the New Testament Stage Three: Collection of the Old Testament Canon Josephus, a first-century (AD) Jewish historian and soldier, reports that during the lifetime of Ezra (about the middle of the fifth century BC) the collection of a canon was already in evidence. The Jewish Talmud, completed about AD 500, contains many old traditions. This is a second source that suggests the gathering of authoritative Jewish Scriptures was already in process about the time of Ezra. A third source is intertestamental* Jewish literature, notably 4 Ezra, 2 Maccabees, and 2 Esdras. All of these indicate that the concept of a canon developed in the middle of the fifth century BC Note,

184 184 Apologetics however, that this does not indicate a final canon. Malachi, for example, was not written until fifty years later, at the end of the fifth century BC It is important for us to know that at this time the books of sacred Scripture, which met the standard, were being incorporated into an authoritative body that included not only the Law, but other writings as well. apocryphal of doubtful authenticity; spurious; of or resembling the Apocrypha Stage Four: Recognition of the Final Canon By 300 BC the threefold designation of Scripture employed by the Jews of Jesus day is apparent for the first time. This designation, the Law, the Prophecies, and the rest of The Writings, appears in the prologue to an apocryphal* book called Ecclesiasticus. There is massive evidence for a thoroughly substantiated canon of Old Testament Scriptures during the first century AD At the Council of Jamnia in AD 90, the Jewish canon, which was already firmly established in the minds of the Jewish people, was formally recognized. By that time the term Scripture had come to mean a fixed body of divinely inspired writings. We have already seen that Jesus repeatedly referred to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament writings) as fully authoritative (Matthew 19:4; 22:29; John 10:35). He regarded the entire Jewish canon as a unity that had equal value in all of its parts. On this point the Pharisees agreed with Him. (However, they also added their tradition to the Old Testament writings and considered it authoritative also.) The apostles likewise quoted from the Old Testament and appealed to it consistently as the authoritative voice of God. It is striking that the apocryphal (meaning hidden or doubtful ) books that appeared in the years just before the New Testament Age are never so quoted. While the apocryphal literature of this age had some historical value, neither Jews nor Christians in the early church accorded it the same value as the Old Testament Scriptures. Little (2000) emphasizes this point: The apocryphal books... were excluded from the Jewish canon....it is noteworthy that the New Testament does not quote any of these books directly. The apocryphal books do not claim inspiration nor to be the work of prophets. But their status within the church s Scriptures, especially due to their inclusion within the Vulgate, was well established from the fifth century on until challenged by the Reformers. The Reformers sided with the Jews in recognizing the canonical status only of those books originating in Hebrew or Aramaic. (104) The Protestant Old Testament generally follows the Jewish Canon. The Old Testament for Catholic and Orthodox Bibles differ. Anglicans try to bridge Catholicism and Protestantism, so they retained, as a separate group, some deutero-canonical books. Some Orthodox, however, have different lists from Roman Catholics. Figure 8.4 provides the common list of Apocryphal books.

185 185 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Objective 8.6 The Apocryphal Books Historical: 1 & 2 Esdras; Tobit; Judith; 1 & 2 Maccabees, and the rest of Esther Poetical: Wisdom; Sirach; Prayer of Azariah; and Prayer of Manasses Prophetical: Baruch; Epistle of Jeremy; History of Susanna; and Bel and the Dragon Figure 8.4 In his article, How We Got Our Old Testament, Dr. Bruce Waltke (1997) states: Roman Catholics since 1546 (the Council of Trent) have officially included the deutero-canonical or apocryphal books. These books were included in the early editions of the King James Bible, but Protestants have not considered them authoritative because they are not found in the Hebrew Bible. (33) 16 One problem with the apocryphal books is that a) they claim to be God s inspired Word. b) they distort the historical events of their time. c) some of them are merely legends. d) some of them seem to be authoritative Scripture. 17 Briefly explain each of these: a How did the Pentateuch develop?... b c d What is included in the Former Prophets and Latter Prophets? What characterizes the books in the category of The Writings? Why has the Apocrypha been omitted from the Protestant Bible? Explain the process by which the New Testament books were selected. How the New Testament Books Were Gathered It is very important to remember that the books of the New Testament, like the Old Testament books, have met the standards of canonicity by virtue of their inspiration, not because they were declared to be authoritative by the church

186 186 Apologetics councils. Let us trace the steps that led believers to recognize the inspired books of the New Testament in a fixed and final canon of Scripture. Alluding to Tradition and Writings: The Apostolic Age (AD ) The Apostolic Age can be divided into two periods. The first, lasting from approximately AD 30 to AD 45, was the period of oral tradition. During this period, witnesses of the Resurrection proclaimed the good news of the risen Lord. During the second period, between AD 45 and AD 100, God impressed several apostles to write down the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and supply an authoritative interpretation of the significance of this story for humankind. Within the very years that some of this writing was taking place, various collections of these writings were already in process. Peter refers to this in his second Epistle (2 Peter 3:1 2). Later in the same chapter, Peter accords the writings of Paul the same degree of authority as the other Scriptures (3:15 16). This is a strong witness within the New Testament itself to the gathering of a Pauline collection even prior to AD Most of the human authors of New Testament writings are known as a) prophets. b) Old Testament scholars. c) apostles. d) writers but not preachers. Quoting Gospels and Writings: The Apostolic Fathers (AD ) The Apostolic Fathers, beginning with Clement of Rome about AD 95, quote at great length from the apostles. Polycarp, for example (ca. AD 130), quotes from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke as if it were common belief that these were authoritative records of the life of Christ in circulation among the churches. These writers quote abundantly from the letters of the apostle Paul as well. The indication is that leaders recognized that a body of material was available which was valuable for edifying believers. They also saw that, in some cases, this material was inspired just like the Old Testament Scriptures. 19 With respect to the canon, the role of the Apostolic Fathers was to a) recognize the authoritative nature of certain writings. b) choose what could easily be classified as Scripture. c) give credibility to certain writings by quoting them. d) interpret the writings of the apostles to the church. Considering the Canon: Marcion to Eusebius (AD ) Marcion was a Gnostic heretic from Asia Minor (now western Turkey) who went to Rome about AD 138. He propagated his peculiar views there, finally breaking with the church about AD 150. His concept involved two Gods: one the harsh Creator-God of the Old Testament, and the other the loving New Testament God revealed in Jesus who, Marcion taught, was a higher kind of being. Marcion believed that Paul was the only preacher of the truth. Marcion s New Testament collection of books consisted solely of ten of Paul s Epistles and the Gospel of Luke. He rejected the entire Old Testament. His work is important because he produced a list of books that he held to be authoritative.

187 187 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? His action prompted the church leaders of that time to announce which books they accepted that bore the marks of divine inspiration. 20 In relation to the New Testament canon of Scripture, Marcion s greatest achievement was to a) give a better definition of the nature and character of God. b) provide an authoritative list of books that everyone could accept. c) elevate Paul s position in the eyes of the early church fathers. d) cause church leaders to address the need for a canon of Scripture. NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS IN MARCION S LIST Luke Philippians Romans Colossians 1 Corinthians 1 Thessalonians 2 Corinthians 2 Thessalonians Galatians Philemon Ephesians (Marcion called this book Laodiceans) Figure 8.5 Another influence on the development of a New Testament canon was the persecution of the Christian church by the Roman state. In a wave of ten violent but brief persecutions from AD 64 to the beginning of the fourth century, the church suffered bitterly. These dreadful experiences raised an important question: What books are worth dying for? The Muratorian Canon appeared about AD 180. It may have been the first formal attempt to form a Christian canon. It is possible that Hippolytus of Rome was responsible for the collection. The list is not identical with the final canon established two hundred years later, but it does furnish a clue as to the state of affairs in the church at that time. A collection of Gospels, Paul s Epistles, the writings of John, and other books appear in this list. While the first two Gospels are not included in the list, the Gospel of Luke, which is the first listed, is described in the list as the third Gospel, implying that there was also a first and a second Gospel. The Muratorian Canon Luke (the third Gospel) 1 Thessalonians John 2 Thessalonians Acts 1 Timothy Romans 2 Timothy 1 Corinthians Titus 2 Corinthians 1 John Galatians 2 John Ephesians Jude Philippians Revelation of John Colossians Wisdom of Solomon Revelation of Peter Figure 8.6

188 188 Apologetics The historian Eusebius in the third century pictured the development of the New Testament canon rather well. He cited three classes of books: 1. Homologoumena (an acknowledged book): The four Gospels, Acts, Paul s Epistles, 1 Peter, 1 John, and Revelation. 2. Antilegoumena (a disputed book): James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John. 3. Notha (a spurious book): numerous apocryphal books of the second century but apparently no New Testament books. (Note: The word spurious means outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities; of falsified or erroneously attributed origin. ) 21 Match each term (right) to the appropriate explanation with respect to the New Testament canon (left).... a There was agreement among the church leaders that these books were divinely inspired.... b While church leaders saw similarities between these books and those considered to be authoritative, they questioned their true authorship.... c Some church leaders considered these books to be authoritative, while others were unsure. Fixing of the Canon: Athanasius, Council of Carthage (AD ) 1) Antilegoumena 2) Homologoumena 3) Notha The church of the fourth century was already developing into two wings: (1) the Eastern part, which was influenced by Alexandria and the Greek culture, and (2) the Western part, which was strongly influenced by the Latin culture. It is remarkable that within a single generation each of these wings of the church, independently of each other, adopted the same twenty-seven books as we now have them in our New Testament. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, acknowledged a New Testament of twenty-seven books in his Thirty-Ninth Paschal Letter in the year AD 367. He drew a sharp line between the authorized books and the non-canonical literature that abounded. In the West, at the synod known as the Council of Carthage, the Latin bishops acknowledged the very same twenty-seven books. This Council, which was held in AD 397, identified the criteria it employed in the selection of the books. Let it be underscored again: This Council did not give the New Testament to the church: it merely recognized what God had already done!

189 189 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? THE COMPLETED CANON: OUR NEW TESTAMENT The Gospels The Epistles Matthew Mark Luke John Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude The book of Acts Church History Revelation of John Prophecy Paul Little identifies the three criteria used in selecting the New Testament books: Three criteria were generally used throughout this period of time to establish that particular written documents were the true record of the voice and message of apostolic witness. Was the book authored by an apostle? The Gospels of Mark and Luke do not meet this criterion specifically, but were accepted as the works of close associates of the apostles. Was the book widely recognized by the church? This centered on the matter of ecclesiastical usage. Were these canonical books used by the church or a majority of churches. Was the teaching of the book in conformity to standards of sound doctrine preached in the churches? (2000, 105) Figure 8.7 You will immediately recognize that these are all objective criteria. That is, the facts could be ascertained without great speculation. Woodworth (1986) further clarifies the three criteria (Figure 8.8): The Rule Or Canon For New Testament Scripture It must be either written or backed by an apostle. Its contents must be of such spiritual character that it is recognized as divinely inspired. It must be accepted universally by the church as divinely inspired. Woodworth 1986, 208 Figure 8.8

190 190 Apologetics 22 Compare the three canons illustrated in Figures 8.5, 8.6, and 8.7 and answer these questions: a Which books listed in an earlier canon were omitted from the final canon? b c d Why do you suppose this omission occurred? Why should we not consider Marcion s canon complete? What is remarkable about the Athanasian canon and the canon of the Council of Carthage? 23 The New Testament as it appears today has been in existence since the a) first century AD b) fourth century AD c) Middle Ages. d) early 1800s. 24 Suppose you want to share with someone your appreciation for the providence of God in the establishment of the Old and New Testaments and in the transmission of authentic texts of these Scriptures. Write at least four statements that you could make about this. a b c d

191 191 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Self-Test True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE The most important value of the Dead Sea Scrolls is that they confirm the Hebrew text of the entire Old Testament Historical and literary criticism of Scripture is called textual criticism Biblical criticism involves the science of textual criticism, which seeks to discover the original form of the biblical text The term higher criticism refers to biblical criticism by non-christian scholars Textual criticism helps the interpreter of the Bible to determine how accurately a Bible translation represents the author s original text Many Old Testament manuscripts exist that date back to the Intertestamental Period because Jewish scribes carefully preserved worn manuscripts after copying them The best-known document in the Dead Sea Scrolls is the Isaiah scroll, which has been preserved intact The early texts of the New Testament were uncials produced in scroll form on papyri or parchment The earliest available manuscript of the History of Herodotus dates closer to its autograph than does the John Rylands fragment of the Gospel of John In relation to the Old Testament canon, we can say correctly that the Pentateuch was recognized as early as the days of Joshua The Apocrypha is the last s ection of the Hebrew Bible The class of books labeled as homologoumena by Eusebius, a thirdcentury historian, were so labeled because church leaders agreed that they were part of the New Testament canon.

192 192 Apologetics Matching. Read the instructions carefully and write your answer in the space preceding each question Match each description (left) to the appropriate source for determining more precisely the original text of the Old Testament (right) Copy of a major portion of the Old Testament edited to serve the group s own special purposes Copy of the Old Testament in Hebrew (dating from ca. AD 900) Documents discovered in Greek translation of the Old Testament (ca. 200 BC) a) Dead Sea Scrolls b) Samaritan Pentateuch c) Septuagint d) Masoretic text In biblical studies it is important to know something about how the New Testament came to be recognized as inspired and how the canon was finally established. Match each period of time (right) to the explanation of its importance (left) Agreement of the eastern and western wings of Christendom concerning the New Testament Influence of the Gnostic heresy and persecution of Christians on the development of the New Testament canon Quotation from many New Testament writers by other Christian writings for the purpose of edification Use of both oral traditions and written accounts in forming the canon of the New Testament a) Apostolic Age (AD ) b) Apostolic Fathers (AD ) c) Marcion to Eusebius (AD ) d) Athanasius, Council of Carthage (AD )

193 193 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? Answers To Study Questions 13 These include manuscripts written on papyrus and parchment; codices; quotations from these manuscripts by the Apostolic Fathers and secular (non-christian) writers; and manuscripts called lectionaries that were used in public worship services for readings. In addition, there are Syriac, Coptic, and Latin versions or translations from the original Greek. 1 a H b T c T d H e T 14 a N b N c S d S e S f S g N h S 2 a AD 70 b 150 BC to AD 70 c AD 900 d 1947 e 100 BC f One thousand years 15 Inspired by God, having the authority of God 3 Comparing the text of the Dead Sea Scrolls with the Masoretic text made it possible to determine how accurately the Old Testament text had been preserved over this thousand-year period. 16 c) some of them are merely legends. 4 A comparison of the three gives much information about the accuracy of our present text. 17 a Moses wrote the Pentateuch at God s direction and by His inspiration. These writings were acknowledged as being authoritative by Joshua and other leaders who followed him. b The Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings The Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve Minor Prophets c These books include a variety of literary forms such as history, wisdom, poetry, and prophecy, and their self-authenticating character reveals their divine inspiration. d Protestants do not consider them to be authoritative because they are not part of the Hebrew canon.

194 194 Apologetics 5 d) the entire book. 18 c) apostles. 6 He reached across the cultural and religious barriers to demonstrate His compassion for her. 19 a) recognize the authoritative nature of certain writings. 7 He bases his confidence on the fact that there is such small variation in the three families of ancient texts. 20 d) cause church leaders to address the need for a canon of Scripture. 8 b) the accuracy of copyists can be trusted even further back into history. 21 a 2) Homologoumena b 3) Notha c 1) Antilegoumena 9 It indicates that God wants to be heard by as many as possible. He speaks to all people. (That illustrates for us the importance of translating the Bible into as many languages as possible so that everyone can read it in his own language.) 22 a Wisdom of Solomon and Revelation of Peter b They were judged to be spurious. c Because he selected it on the basis of his mistaken beliefs about God d While these two canons were recognized separately by the two wings of the church, both of them list exactly the same twenty-seven books. 10 a Sixty years following the death of Christ: The manuscript would likely be written on a scroll of papyrus in uncials. b The tenth century AD: The manuscript would likely be written on parchment using miniscules in cursive form and arranged in a codex. 23 b) fourth century AD 11 The John Rylands papyrus is dated around AD 130, which is less than 100 years after the original document was written. The earliest known manuscripts of the History of Herodotus are dated more than 1300 years later than the date of the original manuscripts. This indicates that the reliability of the John Rylands papyrus is far greater than the manuscript of the History of Herodotus.

195 195 Lesson 8: Are the Bible Documents Reliable? 24 You may have mentioned some of these or other evidences presented in this lesson (in any order): a The Dead Sea Scrolls provide confirmation that Old Testament Scriptures are reliable as we have them. b There are many ancient manuscripts of the New Testament. Biblical scholars who compare these have found the documents to be trustworthy. c Quotations of biblical texts by the Apostolic Fathers and even secular writers confirm their accuracy. d While there is evidence of some scribal and copying errors, either intentional or unintentional, most of these have little real significance. Essential teaching is not affected by them. e God has miraculously preserved the text over the centuries so that the text we read today is truly the inspired Word of God. 12 Quotations have to be accurate, and this proves that what we now call the New Testament is the same text that was in existence during the time of the Apostolic Fathers and before.

196 9Can Scriptures Be Verified? the activities... the objectives... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Reading 3: Little, pages Reading 4: Little, pages Work through the lesson development in the usual manner. Be sure to read all Scripture passages mentioned in the lesson development as they are important to your understanding of the lesson. Take the self-test, and check your answers. Review the lessons in this unit in preparation for your unit progress evaluation (UPE). Read the instruction page in your Student Packet, then turn to Unit Progress Evaluation 2. When you have completed the UPE, check your answers with the answer key provided in your Student Packet. Review any items you may have answered incorrectly. (Although UPE scores do not count as part of your final course grade, they indicate how well you learned the material and how well you may perform on the final examination.) If you have not already done so, make arrangements now with your enrollment office for taking the final examination. 9.1 State specific characteristics of biblical prophecy, and identify examples of each characteristic. 9.2 Defend with examples the assertion that biblical prophecies about Christ, about Israel, and about nations have already been fulfilled. 9.3 Describe the values and limitations of archaeology as a means of validating biblical records.

197 197 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? 9.4 Based on given facts from archaeological discoveries, draw a conclusion about the implications of these discoveries for the biblical record. the outline... 1 The Bible and Fulfilled Prophecy a Characteristics of Biblical Prophecy b Specific Examples of Fulfilled Prophecy 2 The Bible and Archaeology a The Value and Limitation of Archaeology b The Old Testament and Archaeology c The New Testament and Archaeology Now that we have discussed the concept of biblical inspiration, the reliability of the biblical documents, and the formation of the canon of Scripture, you should feel more confident about your ability to defend the Bible as the very Word of God. Certainly we have discovered that there is a tremendous amount of evidence to support this belief. In this lesson we want to explore two very important topics that have a special bearing on the trustworthiness of Scripture. One of the most powerful apologetic arguments is the fact of fulfilled prophecy. The apologist can point to many prophecies in Scripture, including messianic prophecies, which have already been fulfilled. Also, events now occurring in our world lead many Christians to believe that other prophecies will soon find fulfillment. We are living in exciting times! Furthermore, in recent years the science of archaeology has given fresh knowledge to the Bible scholar. This knowledge helps the apologist to understand more clearly some of the baffling passages of Scripture and substantiates the historicity and accuracy of other references. We will learn in this lesson how archaeological discoveries have provided additional historical background of events recorded in Scripture and revealed the meaning of obscure biblical terms. Many discoveries have been invaluable in giving us a clearer understanding of God s Word. In this unit of study we have seen that God has communicated with His people through both the living Word, Jesus and His written Word, the Bible. How blessed we are to have received His revelation in a manner that can be defended as completely reliable and trustworthy.

198 198 Apologetics

199 199 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? 1 Match each example of prediction (left) to the term which best describes it (right).... a In five years John will be the president of this organization.... b This material contains hydrocarbon compounds which, when heated to a sufficient temperature and exposed to oxygen, will burn. 1) A good guess 2) Contingent 3) Causal... c You will soon meet a rich, handsome man. Because the precise prediction of contingent events is beyond the scope of natural human capability, such a prediction has potential to demonstrate the supernatural. As a matter of fact, the appeal to prophecy and its subsequent fulfillment was an important way that true messengers of God were authenticated in the Old Testament. Fulfilled prophecy was a kind of credential for the prophet. So one might say correctly that the fulfillment of predictive prophecy was a type of apologetic. Thus, the fulfillment of a messenger s prophecy demonstrated his link with God and demanded that the people listen to his message. 2 Read Jeremiah 28:9. How does it support the idea of fulfilled prophecy as a credential? 3 Read Deuteronomy 18:21 22, which presents the other side of the issue. What if one comes as a prophet and his predictions do not come true? 4 According to Isaiah 41:22 23, how is the true God to be distinguished from the pagan gods? In his Protestant Christian Evidences, author Bernard Ramm (1953) lists several characteristics of biblical prophecy, which we have summarized here: 1. Biblical prophecy is unique. Prophecy has peculiar importance in the biblical record. This should not be interpreted to mean that other religions do not have prophetic elements, but for them prophecy is merely an occasional phenomenon. However, the prophetic ministry that carried with it a predictive element is integral to the Bible. It was a means of establishing Old Testament religion, and it is part of the very fiber of biblical Christianity. 2. Prophecy occurs throughout the Bible. It pervades all of Scripture and is not limited to one part. Prophecy is scattered through the historical books, the wisdom literature, the poetry books, the books of the prophets, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

200 200 Apologetics 3. Biblical prophecy predicts specific details. In many instances it refers to such specific details that only divine intervention could provide adequate fulfillment. Time after time, biblical prophecy fulfills the demand of dealing with contingent events with a degree of precision that rules out the possibility of guesswork. In prophetic biblical utterances, people were named before they were born (Isaiah 44:28 45:1; Ezra 1:1 8); kingdoms were characterized before they came into existence; and the destinies of specific individuals were declared even prior to their birth. 4. The fulfillment of prophecy is clear. There is no ambiguity in the way predicted events are described as actually occurring. Prediction without well-documented and precise fulfillment is not a guarantee of supernatural revelation. It is the nature of the fulfillment that supplies the verification. 5. The fulfillment of prophecy is supernatural. One occurrence of the fulfillment of prophecy would establish its supernatural character and would provide a legitimate reason for recognizing God as the God of the miraculous. But we do not need to rely on only one example because the Bible abounds with fulfilled prophecies. 6. Predictions are often contrary to expectations. Biblical prophecy often predicts outcomes that are the opposite of what unguided human intelligence would predict. This is true especially of the prophecies of doom regarding flourishing cities and societies. Consider, for example, the predictions of the fall of Jerusalem, of Nineveh, and of Babylon. 5 Read each example, and in the blank space write the letter B if it describes biblical prophecy. N if it is NOT a correct description of biblical prophecy.... a A prediction of a causal order... b Supernatural source... c A prediction that is fulfilled... d A broad and ambiguous guess that comes true... e Includes very specific details... f What people s wisdom would expect to happen... g Focuses on precise and contingent events Objective 9.2 Defend with examples the assertion that biblical prophecies about Christ, about Israel, and about nations have already been fulfilled. Specific Examples of Fulfilled Prophecy Prophecies About Christ Approximately three hundred prophecies in the Bible relate directly to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The mathematical probability of all of these details being fulfilled in one lifetime by one person is enormous. Let us examine a few examples of this vast array of messianic prophecies. Read each Scripture

201 201 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? passage indicated, and search for New Testament descriptions of Jesus to find how the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled. Genesis 3:15. This prophecy emphasizes that some member of the human race (as opposed to an angelic being) would be the agent who would defeat Satan. 6 How do the records of the birth of Christ in Matthew and Luke support the prophecy of Genesis 3:15? Genesis 12:1 3. This passage predicts that God will work through the nation of Israel, beginning with Abram. The Gospels emphasize in many ways the identification of Jesus with the nation of Israel. 7 How does Matthew 1:1 17 relate to Genesis 12:1 3? Genesis 49:10. This passage indicates that the promised Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah. Scripture frequently refers to Jesus as the Son of David (Matthew 12:23; 15:22; 21:9). Romans 1:3 indicates that Jesus was a descendant of David. David, of course, descended from one of the families of the tribe of Judah. Psalm 16:8 11. This messianic psalm includes a clear reference to the resurrection of Jesus that is specifically quoted in the New Testament. Peter quotes this psalm in his famous Pentecost address (Acts 2:25 36). Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6 7. Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. 8 How does Matthew 1:18 21 support Isaiah 7:14? Isaiah 52:13 53:12. This is the single most powerful messianic prophecy in the Bible. It contains fifteen verses, which are all focused specifically on Jesus Christ. 9 Read Isaiah 52:13 53:12. Make a list of at least five things recorded in this passage that you recognize as being fulfilled in the life of Christ. 10 Compare Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1. How do these two passages reveal the fulfillment of messianic prophecy? Micah 5:2. The prophecy in Micah 5:2 is all the more remarkable because Jesus would not have been born in Bethlehem if Caesar Augustus had not issued the decree which required Joseph and Mary to leave their home in Galilee and go to Judea at that particular time (Luke 2:1 7).

202 202 Apologetics 11 Compare each of these Scripture passages, and explain what messianic prophecy is revealed in them as being fulfilled. a Isaiah 61:1 2 and Luke 4:18 21:... b Malachi 3:1 and Luke 7:20 27:... c Zechariah 9:9 and John 12:12 15:... d Psalm 22:18 and John 19:23 24:... e Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20; Zechariah 12:10; and John 19:31 37: Prophecies About Nations Many Bible prophecies are related to the future of cities, nations, kings, and whole dynasties. Such predictions are scattered from Genesis (prophecies about the future of Sodom and Gomorrah) to Revelation (prophecies about the final destiny of nations). In addition to isolated prophecies about nations, whole sections of books deal with this subject. For example, twenty chapters in Isaiah, nine in Jeremiah, nine in Ezekiel, and two in Amos predict the destiny of Israel s neighboring nations. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks with some detail about the future of Jerusalem (Matthew 24; Luke 21; Mark 3). The history of Tyre reveals a spectacular fulfillment of biblical prophecy relating to the destiny of a kingdom. In Ezekiel 26, the prophet identifies at least eight items that together furnish a quite specific picture of how the destruction of that city-kingdom would occur. For example, more than one nation would have part in the coming judgment (v. 3). These nations would assault the city in waves rather than in a united attack (v. 3). There would be a thorough devastation (vv. 4, 8 14). Verse 4 further indicates that even the dust would be scraped from the site. Finally, after several other items are identified, the prophet indicates that the city would never be rebuilt (v. 14). This prophecy of Ezekiel can be dated at about 586 BC, at the time Solomon s temple was destroyed. It would be another two hundred years before the prophecy would be fulfilled. In 334 BC, Alexander the Great led his army across Asia Minor, where he defeated the Persians. In 332 BC, Alexander was at the gates of Tyre. When the Tyrians refused to submit, Alexander built a causeway out to the island city. In so doing, he scraped the dust of the older city of Tyre to

203 203 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? furnish building material for the causeway. In this way Alexander destroyed both the old city and the new city. To this day the area remains desolate. For another example of Old Testament prophecy that has seen remarkable fulfillment, read Zechariah 9:1 8. In these verses Zechariah, as God s spokesman, predicted with amazing detail the subsequent success of Alexander in his assault on Syria in the fourth century BC He foretold how Syria would be absorbed along with the cities of Hamath and Damascus. Tyre would then be destroyed, while neighboring Sidon would survive the destruction promised to Tyre. The Philistine cities of Gaza, Ekron, Ashkelon, and Ashdod, further south on the Mediterranean coast, would also be taken. The only major city in the Philistine territory not mentioned by Zechariah was Gath, which was off the main line of march southward for Alexander s armies. Further, Zechariah declared that the Jews of Palestine would not suffer the fate of Alexander s wrath. The writings of Flavius Josephus, a first-century AD Jewish historian, recount the precision with which these prophecies of Zechariah were fulfilled. 12 Read Isaiah 13: Summarize what Isaiah predicted about the city of Babylon. Those who visit the site of the ancient city of Babylon today find a desolate place with no dwellings. Arab shepherds may tend their flocks nearby, but none are found at the ruins of that city. From the time of its destruction to the present day, it has been inhabited only by desert creatures... jackals... owls... wild goats... hyenas. 13 Compare Jonah 3:1 4, 10 with Jeremiah 18:7 10. Based on these passages we can conclude that biblical prophecies against nations will be fulfilled EXCEPTING when a) God changes His mind concerning the matter. b) the prophet of God intervenes for the nations. c) other contingencies get in the way. d) the involved nations repent of their sin. 14 Complete this sentence. God s promise to bless a nation is conditional; that is, in order for the promise to be fulfilled, the nation must 15 How can the apologist use Ezekiel 26 to illustrate the trustworthiness of the Bible as the Word of God? Prophecies About Israel According to a well-known story, Frederick the Great of Prussia, a selfprofessed doubter, asked his court chaplain, Give me in one word a proof of the truth of the Bible. The chaplain s response was, simply, The Jews. The Israel was chosen to be God s people not because they were large in number, good, or well-known, but because God loved them (Deuteronomy 7:7

204 204 Apologetics phenomena observable facts or events; facts or events of scientific interest that can be subjected to scientific description and explanation; rare or significant facts or events 8). Because of sovereign love, He chose them to be the vehicle through whom the Messiah would come and His divine plan would unfold. Very early in the history of the Israelites, Moses predicted that they would be scattered because of their disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:36 68). Yet they would not be permanently scattered (Leviticus 26:43 46). Second Kings 17 reports the deportation of the northern tribes in 722 BC Later, the southern kingdom was swept away in a series of deportations that occurred at the hands of the Babylonians between 605 and 586 BC, the year Jerusalem fell (2 Kings 25:1 21). According to Jeremiah 25:11 and Daniel 9:1 2, the deported Israelites would return from their exile in seventy years. The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah, and Haggai disclose that the people did return to Jerusalem as predicted. 16 It is noteworthy that the temple, which was destroyed in 586 BC, was rededicated upon completion of its rebuilding in 516 BC a How many years elapsed between the destruction of the temple and its rededication after being rebuilt? b How does this relate to Jeremiah 25:11 and Daniel 9:1 2? When the Israelites returned to Palestine in the sixth century BC, they stayed there under a variety of foreign powers until the first century. They were in Palestine when Jesus was born. Jesus predicted that the great city of Jerusalem, with its colossal temple refurnished by Herod the Great, would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1 2). At the same time, He predicted that the people would nonetheless endure to the end of time (24:34). Interestingly, although the Jews almost totally rejected the gospel in Paul s day, the apostle predicted that they would someday be restored. This prophecy of an amazing spiritual revival of Judaism is recorded in Romans 11:26, where Paul refers to earlier prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 59:20 21; 27:9). The apostle John indicates much the same thing in his prophecy that the Jews will recognize Jesus as Messiah (Revelation 1:7). Of current interest is the host of Old Testament prophecies regarding the return of the Jews to their ancient homeland and the restoration of their nation. Read carefully Jeremiah 31. Do you see any connection between these words and the declaration of the modern state of Israel? Concerning this, Little (2000) states: Jeremiah 31 makes the astonishing prediction of the restoration of Israel as a nation. For centuries, this was considered to be unthinkable. Some events in our own time, however, may well be at least partial fulfillment of these prophecies. All observers agree that the re-establishment of Israel as a nation, in 1948, is one of the amazing political phenomena* of our day. (89) 17 Read Deuteronomy 28:25; Hosea 9:17; Jeremiah 24:9 10; 31: How can an apologist use these passages about Israel to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the Bible as God s inspired Word?

205 205 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? Objective 9.3 Describe the values and limitations of archaeology as a means of validating biblical records. The Bible And Archaeology The Value and Limitation of Archaeology Reading 2 Archaeology is defined as the scientific study of material remains (such as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities; remains of the culture of a people. It is the study of ancient things. As a science, it has become highly developed and is currently pursued by competent scholars throughout the world. It is by no means limited to excavations* in the lands of the Bible. Nevertheless, our immediate concern is with the work of archaeologists who have investigated ancient biblical sites. What is the value of biblical archaeology? In his book, Archaeology and the Living Word, E. Jerry Vardaman (1965) identifies several important elements in this regard which we have summarized here. You will likely note that some of these, at least in an indirect way, have a bearing on Christian apologetics. The Value Of Archaeology For Christians Creates interest in Bible study Identifies locations of geographical sites Fixes the chronology of events Illuminates customs and cultures Provides historical background Reveals the meaning of obscure biblical terms Figure 9.2 Archaeology creates interest in Bible study. One of the most spectacular archaeological finds of the current century in any scientific field has been the location of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This has created great interest in the study of the Bible. Some of the books regarding discoveries made by experts who study these scrolls have become best-sellers. Archaeology enables scholars to identify locations of geographical sites mentioned in the Bible. In the early nineteenth century, much misunderstanding arose over the location of many such sites. Archaeologist Edward Robinson

206 206 Apologetics Archaeology illuminates customs and cultures. For example, the Gospel of John mentions that Jesus was buried in accordance with Jewish burial customs (John 19:40). A study of Jewish burial practices helps us to understand the meaning of that phrase. Archaeology provides historical background. It provides new sources of information to help us understand the historical background of the Bible. For example, Sargon was mentioned in Isaiah 20:1 and was thought to be a fictitious person by critics of the Bible, until French archaeologist Paul Emile Botta discovered his palace in The inscriptions at that site mention the capture of Samaria in 722 BC and add to our understanding of 2 Kings 17:5 41. Sargon II s conquest of the Philistine city of Ashdod, which is recounted in Isaiah 20:1, is dramatically depicted on the walls of Sargon s palace. Archaeology reveals the meaning of obscure biblical terms. Until the development of the science of textual criticism, some words that appeared only once or twice in Scripture were sometimes misunderstood. Careful study of the large number of papyrus fragments and ostraca (fragments of pottery used as writing tablets) has given Bible scholars a better understanding of some obscure biblical words. For example, the New Testament word paidagogos, translated in some Bible versions as schoolmaster, (Galatians 3:24 25, KJV) has now been shown to mean something else. It did not refer to the child s teacher; rather, it referred to the slave who had responsibility as a guardian or governess for the well-being of the child. This gives an altogether different meaning to the Galatians passage. Now it is possible to see the Old Testament law as the guardian to bring the child to the real teacher, Christ. The NIV translation of these two verses clarifies this: So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. Can you see from these citations the value of archaeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls in substantiating the accuracy and trustworthiness of the biblical record? In his discussion of the place of archaeology with respect to the historical and literary criticism of the Old Testament, R. K. Harrison (1978) states: It is commonplace among Near Eastern scholars that relevant modern archaeological discoveries support rather than refute the testimony of the biblical authors. When they are interpreted by means of an accredited Near Eastern methodology, they provide a proper background against which events may be understood. While there are periods on which historical criticism is as yet unable to throw much light, there are also many potential sources of information that await excavation. We might hope, therefore, that the limitations characterizing this approach in certain areas will be removed by discoveries that will furnish the factual information necessary for a clear understanding of what actually occurred. Should this take place, we can expect it to confirm the authenticity of the biblical record, as other discoveries have done, and increase the respect of the reader for the accuracy of OT historiography. (19 20)

207 207 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? 18 Harrison s view of the value of archaeology in providing historical background and explaining the meaning of biblical texts indicates that, with respect to apparent conflicts between the Bible and available information, the Christian should a) consider that unresolved conflicts demonstrate weaknesses in the testimony of biblical authors. b) adopt a wait-and-see attitude rather than assume that the Bible is in error. c) not put much hope in the possibility that future archaeological discoveries will resolve the problems. d) try to avoid talking about problem areas in Scripture and focus on areas that have archaeological support. Paul Little (2000) emphasizes help from archaeology some specific biblical events previously doubted and even ridiculed have been verified by some critics of the Bible. It has also helped because overall background to the culture and practices of the biblical times was filled in (109). However, Little cautions that we cannot prove the Bible by archaeology, nor do we believe the Bible on the basis of archaeological proof.... Added to faith, it is God who ultimately confirms the spiritual truth of the Scripture as we read it ( ). Little includes this observation of H. Darrell Lance: Although archaeology can sometimes provide independent evidence for the existence of certain places, persons or events mentioned in the Bible, it can say nothing at all about whether God had anything to do with any of it. That, for the modern believer as well as for the ancient Israelite, is a matter of faith. ( ) 19 Circle the letter preceding each statement that correctly identifies a VALUE of archaeology with respect to the biblical record. a Confirms biblical statements about customs and cultures at given times b Helps Bible scholars to determine the actual meaning of obscure biblical terms c Provides proof of the miraculous acts of God recorded in the Bible d Provides dates which confirm the chronology of biblical events e Makes it possible to locate geographical sites mentioned in the Bible f Explains all difficult biblical passages g Proves conclusively that the Bible is the inspired Word of God h Confirms the historical background of biblical events 20 State three limitations of archaeology with respect to the apologist s task.

208 208 Apologetics Objective 9.4 Based on given facts from archaeological discoveries, draw a conclusion about the implications of these discoveries for the biblical record. tell an ancient mound in the Middle East composed of remains of successive settlements The Old Testament and Archaeology Reading 3 Some entire groups of people mentioned only in the Old Testament were thought to be mythical by some critics until recent discoveries. It is now known, for example, that there was a sizable group of people in the second millennium BC who were called the Hittites. Another group, the Horites mentioned in the Old Testament, are now identified with the ancient Hurrians. An important contribution of archaeology to Old Testament studies is the knowledge gained about the prevailing culture of the patriarchal period. Excavations at Nuzi, on the Tigris River, were begun in Thousands of clay tablets from the fifteenth century BC were found there, shedding light on the culture of ancient Babylonia. From the legal materials discovered, it is now known that a childless Nuzian couple frequently adopted an adult male to manage their affairs and serve as heir. This is precisely what Abraham and Sarah did with Eliezer (Genesis 15:2 3). When a child, Isaac, was born to Abraham and Sarah, this child displaced Eliezer as the heir. Concerning the level of civilization in Ur of the Chaldees at the time of Abraham, archaeologists have discovered that Ur was a highly developed and surprisingly modern society. Earlier critics had thought that Abraham was illiterate and thus questioned the biblical description of him as a man of learning and culture. Now that biblical picture is supported by evidence. One way archaeologists are able to determine the dates of ancient sites is by studying the remains of pottery. Because styles change, they are able to date sites by observing changes in the styles of pottery over a period of time. In the ancient Eastern Mediterranean, cities were built on hills that could easily be defended. The fortunes of war ravaged these sites again and again. In each case they were rebuilt on top of the ruins that remained from the previous city, creating several levels or layers of ruins. These ancient mounds, called tells*, are important sites for archaeological digs because they are composed of remains of successive settlements. The layers of building that can be identified are useful for dating because coins, inscriptions, and pottery found in the same level help to furnish clues for that layer. Tombs and foundation stones often contain inscriptions as well. You can see that such information in the hands of trained scholars can furnish a surprising amount of information about a given site, providing at least in skeleton form the history of the tell from its earliest occupation onward. From the age of the patriarchs, let us journey forward to the time of the Israelite kings. Considerable archaeological material provides background to support the period of King Solomon. For example, 1 Kings 9:26 indicates that Solomon had a navy. It is now known that in the days of Solomon (ca BC), extensive smelting and mining operations were undertaken at the south end of the Arabah near the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba (also known as the

209 209 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? Gulf of Eilat). It appears that Solomon had a harbor there for his ships and that he engaged in extensive commerce, as indicated by his astounding accumulation of wealth. His many building projects included the fortification of the cities of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer (1 Kings 9:15). Excavations at Hazor and Megiddo in 1960 identified the layer of Solomon s time by comparing pottery types. The layer also revealed that both cities had elaborate water systems and great double walls and gates. Likewise, the gates of the two cities followed a single master plan. Many areas of biblical history have been confirmed and expanded by archaeology. Several levels of excavations at Ashdod and Gezer, for example, have been identified as Philistine, confirming biblical references to the Philistines. The exile of the Jews in the sixth century BC has been confirmed by archaeologists through discoveries from this period, which give evidence of the destruction of many Judean sites during that time. An inscribed stone excavated at Dibon, in the land of Moab, confirms the battle between Moab and the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom following the death of Ahab (2 Kings 3). Paul Little (2000) gives this report concerning the inscription on the Moabite stone: In an early form of the Phoenician alphabet (an area of presentday Syria), the inscription describes how Mesha, king of Moab, with the help of his god Chemosh, had thrown off the rule of Israel. King Omri of Israel, Ahab s father, is referred to by name in the inscription and a number of biblical place-names mentioned. Significantly, it mentions the God of Israel, called Yahweh. (120) These are but scattered examples from the field of Old Testament archaeology. If you have a Bible atlas, you will probably find in it many other examples of how archaeology has confirmed Old Testament history. The significance of archaeological discoveries is well explained by Harrison (1978): Archaeology is in no sense an adequate control mechanism by which OT historic sequences stand or fall. Nevertheless, archaeological discoveries have assisted enormously in demonstrating the historicity of certain OT events and personages, and in other areas have furnished an authentic social and cultural background against which many OT narratives can be set with assurance. Numerous cuneiform texts that have been unearthed show how the Mesopotamian writers of early historiographic material expressed themselves in terms of a world view, as is the case in the first few chapters of Genesis, thereby indicating that the latter should not be taken as myth, but as Mesopotamian historiography. (6 7) 21 Describe the types of materials discovered by archaeologists which help to shed light on the times and history of the Old Testament.

210 210 Apologetics 22 Explain why the following discoveries are important: a Clay tablets from Nuzi:... b The Moabite stone:... c Excavations at Megiddo and Hazor:... d Excavations at Ur of the Chaldees: What are the implications for the Old Testament record of the archaeological discoveries we have discussed? Reading 4 The New Testament and Archaeology As Little indicates, New Testament archaeology is primarily a matter of written documents. F. F. Bruce (1958) clarifies this: These documents may be public or private inscriptions on stone or some equally durable material: they may be papyri recovered from the sand of Egypt recording literary texts or housewives shopping lists; they may be private notes scratched on fragments of unglazed pottery; they may be legends on coins preserving information about some otherwise forgotten ruler or getting some point of official propaganda across to the people who used them. They may represent a Christian church s collection of sacred Scriptures, like the Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri; they may be all that is left of the library of an ancient religious community, like the scrolls from Qumran or the Gnostic texts from Nag Hammadi. But whatever their character, they can be as important and relevant for the study of the New Testament as any cuneiform tablets are for the study of the Old. (320) Four types of documents are sources of valuable information to confirm New Testament writings: 1. Papyrus documents. These were in common use by ordinary people to record the daily affairs of life. The Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri that come from a church in Egypt contain eleven fragmentary codices, and three of these include most of the New Testament books. 2. Ostraca. These are broken pieces of pottery that contain notes of common people and illustrate the similarity between New Testament Greek and the language of these people. 3. Inscriptions on stone. For example, the inscription found at Delphi in Greece is dated in AD 52 and mentions the proconsul of Achaia, Gallio, who is also mentioned in Acts 18:12. This is helpful in providing the

211 211 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? chronology of Paul s missionary ministry. Likewise, a Greek inscription from Abila (or Abilene) near Damascus mentions Lysanias, the tetrarch between AD This confirms the accuracy of detail that characterizes Luke s writing (Luke 3:1). 4. Coins. Coins have been useful throughout history in providing substantial concrete support for ancient names and dates because of their durability. Even today, shepherds in remote places in the Near East find coins that date back to Roman times. Paul Little (2000) tells of one example in which Roman coinage has corroborated the accuracy of the biblical text. Notice in Acts 24:27 that two governors are mentioned: Felix and Porcius Festus, who succeeded Felix. It appears that a new coin was struck in AD 59, likely marking the change in governorship at that point (124). This furnishes yet another clue to New Testament chronology. 24 Match to each type of archaeological discovery (right) the statement of its value in supporting New Testament Scripture (left).... a These broken pieces of pottery upon which notes were written reveal that the New Testament was written in the common Greek language.... b These durable materials confirm with certainty ancient names and dates which help to determine the chronology of events in the New Testament. 1) Coins 2) Inscriptions on stone 3) Ostraca 4) Papyri... c Many New Testament writings have been preserved on these documents.... d Names of rulers and the dates and places of their reign are recorded on these, confirming biblical references to such rulers. The conversion of Sir William Ramsay, a noted archaeologist at the beginning of the twentieth century, is a moving testimony of the impact of archaeology in confirming the biblical record. The archaeologist began his study with a low view of the historical accuracy of Luke, the historian who wrote the book of Acts. In the course of his careful investigation into the world of Paul the apostle, Sir William Ramsay dramatically changed his ideas and concluded, on the basis of archaeological evidence, that the facts of the New Testament indeed are true. Let me encourage you to read other accounts of what archaeological discoveries have disclosed concerning the trustworthiness of the Bible as the revelation of God. Not only will you be further strengthened in your own faith in God s Word, but you will also have a strong foundation when called upon to defend your beliefs concerning the supernatural character of the Bible. Are you making notes that will help you to complete the project assignment for this course? Review the instructions for the assignment at this time (they are in your Student Packet), and begin to consider how you will apply what you are learning in this course to fulfill the requirements of the project.

212 212 Apologetics Self-Test True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE As God s spokesman, the Old Testament prophet was a preacher of righteousness When an Old Testament prophet predicted future events, the prediction was usually broad and rather ambiguous Biblical prophecies are of a causal order; that is, they are independent of contingencies The fulfillment of biblical prophecy is supernatural The most powerful messianic prophecy in the Bible is Isaiah 52 and Many chapters in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel contain prophecies concerning Israel s neighboring nations Old Testament prophecies are unclear concerning the length of time Israel would be in exile in Babylon Old Testament prophecies are useful in an argument for the trustworthiness of the Bible because many of them have already been fulfilled One value of archaeology is that it confirms the supernatural character of the Bible While archaeology does give us some historical background concerning cultures, it does not help us to determine the chronology of ancient events Through archaeological finds, textual critics of the Bible have been aided in determining the meaning of obscure biblical terms A few archaeological discoveries have revealed weaknesses in the testimony of some Old Testament authors There is no record of King Solomon s reign in archaeological material from his period in history Excavations at Ur of the Chaldees confirm that Abraham was a simple, uneducated peasant All of the archaeological discoveries from the Old Testament period support the truthfulness of the biblical record The Chester Beatty Papyri are valuable resources for the apologist because they include most of the New Testament books Ostraca are interesting to study but are insignificant in providing information related to the biblical record Ancient coins are a source of useful information for an understanding of New Testament chronology.

213 213 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? One cannot conclude on the basis of archaeological evidence that the historical accounts contained in the New Testament are true The apologist can rely on both biblical prophecy and archaeology to defend the accuracy of the Bible. Short Essay. Write your essay in the space provided Explain the foretelling aspect of biblical prophecy and describe three characteristics of such prophecy. Unit Progress Evaluation 2 Now that you have finished Unit 2, review the lessons in preparation for Unit Progress Evaluation 2. You will find it in your Student Packet. Answer all of the questions without referring to your course materials, Bible, or notes. When you have completed the UPE, check your answers with the answer key provided in your Student Packet, and review any items you may have answered incorrectly. Then you may proceed with your study of Unit 3. (Although UPE scores do not count as part of your final course grade, they indicate how well you learned the material and how well you may perform on the final examination.)

214 214 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 13 d) the involved nations repent of their sin. 1 a 2) Contingent b 3) Causal c 1) A good guess 14 obey God and turn from evil. 2 If the word of the prophet comes to pass, then God s people know that the Lord has sent him. 15 He can show from historical accounts of the conquests of Alexander the Great that this prophecy has been fulfilled exactly as Ezekiel had prophesied. 3 If the prophet s word does not come to pass, God s people know that he is not from the Lord and they need not fear him. 16 a Seventy years b This is what Jeremiah and Daniel prophesied concerning the period of exile. 4 God reveals what has happened and what will happen; pagan (false) gods are unable to do good or evil or predict future events. 17 All of these predictions about Israel have been fulfilled or are in the process of being fulfilled. 5 a N b B c B d N e B f N g B 18 b) adopt a wait-and-see attitude rather than assume that the Bible is in error. 6 These are both genealogies of Jesus human ancestry, which demonstrate clearly the reality of His human nature. 19 Statements a, b, d, e, and h describe values of archaeology. 7 It traces the ancestry of Christ back to Abraham. 20 Archaeology cannot prove that God was actively involved in recorded events. It has not cleared up all apparent conflicts in the biblical text. It does not prove that the Bible is God s inspired Word. 8 It is a clear statement that Mary would give birth to a child by the miraculous provision of God. 21 Any of these: Clay tablets, pottery, remains of settlements, coins, inscriptions, tombs, and foundation stones

215 215 Lesson 9: Can Scriptures Be Verified? 9 Any of the following: He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. We did not esteem Him. He bore our sorrows and infirmities, was smitten of God and afflicted. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and took our punishment. His wounds bring us healing. He was oppressed and afflicted but did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter but did not open his mouth. He was taken away and cut off from the land of the living. He was stricken and assigned a grave with the wicked and the rich, although He had done no violence or deceit. Yet it was the Lord s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer. Then He saw the light of life and justified many. 22 a They provide a wealth of information about the culture of ancient Babylonia. b It confirms the battle recorded in 2 Kings 3. c d They confirm the great wealth and building program of King Solomon. They confirm that Abraham came from a highly developed society and therefore could have been a man of learning and culture as depicted in the Bible. 10 Micah 5:2 declares that the Messiah would come out of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1 reveals that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 23 Your answer. All of these support the truthfulness of the Old Testament account. 11 a Isaiah s prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 4:21). b John the Baptist was the messenger sent to prepare Jesus way before Him. c As Zechariah prophesied, Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey as the great crowd waved palm branches and shouted Hosanna! d The soldiers did not tear Jesus clothing but divided it by casting lots. e The soldiers did not break Jesus bones but they pierced His side. 24 a 3) Ostraca b 1) Coins c 4) Papyri d 2) Inscriptions on stones 12 Any of these: No Arab will pitch a tent there; no shepherd will graze his flocks there; wild animals and owls will live there; the empty buildings will echo with the cries of hyenas and jackals.

216 216 Apologetics

217 3 EXPERIENCE AND FAITH: KNOWING THAT GOD ACTS Lessons Procedures Are Miracles Possible? Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Why Does God Permit Suffering? Is Christian Experience Valid? Study the Learning Activities to know what to expect, then complete the exercises. Reflect on the Objectives for key concepts and action needed. Study the content, identifying key points by underlining or highlighting, and answer the Study Questions. Answer the Self-Test questions to help you synthesize the lesson. Review the lessons in this unit in preparation for the Unit Progress Evaluation.

218 10Are Miracles Possible? the activities... the objectives... the outline... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Reading 3: Little, pages Study this lesson in the usual manner as explained in Lesson 1. Be sure to read all Scripture passages cited in the lesson development. Take the self-test, and check your answers Describe and evaluate given views regarding the terms miracle and natural law Explain the contexts in which miracles are viewed by the naturalist, the deist, the pantheist, and the Christian Identify the meanings of given terms that help us to understand the biblical concept of miracles Evaluate biblical miracles on the basis of what they teach and what this indicates about their necessity in biblical Christianity Explain the difference between miracles of the old creation and miracles of the new creation, and identify examples of each Evaluate given objections to miracles, and suggest answers to refute them Evaluate the claim that miracles still do happen and are important in our day. 1 Definition of Miracles a The Starting Point b The Contexts

219 219 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? 2 Characteristics of Biblical Miracles a The Language b The Teaching c The Classifications 3 Refutation of Objections to Miracles 4 Possibility of Present-Day Miracles We have seen that God communicates through the living Word, Jesus, and through the written Word, the Bible. Now we are ready to consider evidence that indicates that God acts in nature and in human affairs. Human experience normally reveals the regularity and uniformity in one s environment. Does God or can God break into the regularity of nature? Is it important to Christian faith that supernatural occurrences be demonstrated? We will address these questions that are vital to Christian apologetics as we begin this unit of study. Another important question for the apologist involves the relationship between science and biblical faith. Is there a conflict between them? In Lesson 11 we will discuss this question. Then we will consider the problem of evil, pain, and suffering and how these relate to a good God. Why does God permit pain? Why is there so much evil in the world? Why do good people suffer? No Christian apologetic can avoid these difficult questions. Finally, we will conclude with this thought-provoking question, Is Christian experience valid? In relation to this we will see that a biblical philosophy of history has significance because it addresses the very meaning of life. Objective 10.1 Describe and evaluate given views regarding the terms miracle and natural law. Definition Of Miracles Reading 1 The Starting Point The dictionary defines a miracle as an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. C. S. Lewis (1960) describes it as an interference with Nature by supernatural power (5), and he identifies that power as God (8). Paul Little explains it as an act of God breaking into, changing, or interrupting the ordinary course of things (2000, 128). These definitions presuppose two important things: (1) the existence of God, and (2) the existence of a universe that normally operates according to a regular order or pattern known as natural law.

220 220 Apologetics 1 Classify each of these examples by writing in the blank space the letter M if you would describe it as a miracle. N if you would describe it as a natural event.... a The virgin birth of Christ... b The healing of the man born blind (John 9)... c The landing of men on the moon... d The transmission of pictures by television... e A seemingly supernatural answer to your prayers How you define the word miracle exposes something of your philosophy or basic outlook on life. For example, David Hume, the rationalist who attacked miracles nearly two hundred years ago, defined miracle as the violation or contradiction of natural law. According to Hume no power could be conceived that was greater than natural law, which he assumed to be autonomous in the universe; that is, natural law existed independently or required no outside control. Once Hume assumed this point of view, of course, it was obvious that any intrusion into the cause-and-effect continuum of natural events could be categorically ruled out. The real god of Hume was natural law itself. Therefore, as far as he was concerned, there is no God. Miracle: God s Intervention in Nature and in Human Affairs Presuppositions: God exists. The universe operates by natural law. Figure According to Hume s view miracles are impossible because natural law, as he defines it, is a) an impersonal result of observation of natural events. b) the cause-and-effect manner in which things normally behave. c) fixed universal rules of nature that cannot be violated. d) natural events which are subject to external supernatural control. In describing the view of Hume, Paul Little states that, with this view, whatever God there may be becomes the prisoner of natural law (2000, 127). According to Little natural law is valuable as a description of what regularly happens in the observable world. However, that which does not fit this description is not to be ruled out, because natural law does not control events only God does that. As Little emphasizes, Laws do not cause anything in the sense that God causes things. They are merely descriptions of what happens (128). Therefore, we can conclude that natural law is useful but limited. Hume and others have gone too far. They have made of natural law more than a description; it has become a closed system of cause and effect. One might say that all responses to the word miracle begin with a viewpoint. One viewpoint for those who acknowledge a belief in God is to

221 221 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? start with the assumption that the universe is a closed system in which God is contained and in which He is subject to the bigger power of natural law. Another viewpoint is to believe in a sovereign God who stands above and beyond natural law. Therefore, one s view of God largely determines whether or not one will believe in miracles. Either natural law is the supreme power in the universe, or a supernatural power exists which is above the power of natural law. This latter description applies to God as He is revealed in the Bible. 3 How would a defender of biblical Christianity respond to Hume s claim that miracles are the violation or contradiction of natural law? Objective 10.2 Explain the contexts in which miracles are viewed by the naturalist, the deist, the pantheist, and the Christian. The Contexts deist one who advocates natural religion, emphasizes morality, and denies the interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe pantheist one who equates God with the forces and laws of the universe The Negative Context In the negative context of miracles, there are three views that have deified natural law: naturalism, deism, and pantheism. All of these views effectively rule out the possibility of supernatural intervention in the natural course of events. Naturalism. The naturalist pictures all of reality as being subject to impersonal and inflexible natural laws. These laws dictate behavior within the closed universe, and there is no reality outside the universe itself. By definition, then, there can be no miracle. Since no reality exists outside the universe, there is nothing to interrupt the orderly, determined pattern of events within the universe. Natural law is the only god there is. Deism. The deist* may be religious and believe in God; however, the deist believes that God, by His own choice, decided not to interfere with the universe He set in motion. Sometimes the deistic conception of God has produced descriptions of God such as those of the absentee landlord or the clock maker who wound up the universe and then left it to run by itself strictly on the basis of natural law. God is pictured as being quite impersonal and aloof; He will not intervene. Humankind is caught in an unrelenting web of circumstances dictated by natural law, much like a cog in a giant wheel. Miracles are alien to this kind of universe, for God does not permit any disruption of the existing pattern. Pantheism. Pantheism is a theory or doctrine that equates God with the forces and laws of the universe. It holds that all finite things are merely aspects, modifications, or parts of one eternal and self-existent being. It regards God as one with the natural universe (Thiessen 1979, 34). Like the deist, the pantheist* may also be religious. Because the pantheist thinks of God as being one with the universe, every action in the universe is seen as the direct action of God. The pantheist confuses God with nature and believes that since God is inside the operation of the universe, there is nothing outside to intervene in human affairs. In a system in which every orderly act in

222 222 Apologetics nature is considered to be divine, there is no recourse for any special kind of intervention. Miracles are effectively ruled out of such a system. 4 Summarize the reason why each of these rejects the idea of miracles: a The naturalist:... b The deist:... c The pantheist:... The Positive Context The Christian framework exists in the positive context of miracles. Bernard Ramm (1953) believes that one must begin by seeing miracles within the context of Christianity in order to give them a fair hearing. According to Ramm, miracles appear as credible facts within the Christian system. This follows a basic canon of science that says that one must assume a hypothesis to be true before one can confirm or disprove that hypothesis. There must be a tentative acceptance at least. The scoffer has no means available to determine the truth or falsity of a statement. Steven T. Davis (1993) holds a similar position. In speaking of the resurrection of Christ, Davis makes a strong case against the idea of some apologists that His resurrection can be established in such a secure way that all rational people must accept it (169). Davis, who contrasts naturalists (those who believe nature alone exists) with supernaturalists (those who believe nature depends for its existence on God, and that He can interrupt the regularity of nature), writes: Clearly, anyone who wants to argue in favor of belief in the resurrection of Jesus as I am doing must make a powerful case. It must be strong enough to overcome the bias that all rational people share against highly unusual and miraculous events, their commitment to give naturalistic explanations of phenomena whenever possible.... Naturalists are people in whom this bias is so strong as to be almost insuperable. Those who do not believe in God or in the possibility of miracles will doubtless reject the resurrection of Jesus regardless of any arguments they might encounter. I do not presume that anything I might say in this book will convince them. I am interested in trying to make a powerful enough case for the resurrection of Jesus as to prove to any sensible person that belief in it is rational from a supernaturalist perspective. ( ) 5 According to the arguments of Ramm and Davis, why do naturalists, deists, and pantheists reject miracles? They a) have a worldview that is inconsistent with this possibility. b) are not rational in their consideration of this possibility. c) have considered and disproved the hypothesis that miracles happen. d) have only considered them from a supernaturalist perspective.

223 223 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? discontinuity lack of cohesion; an instance of being not mathematically continuous Why is it important to assume a hypothesis to be true before trying to confirm or disprove it? Let us address this question from logical, scientific, and psychological perspectives. Logically, a given proposition will only be confirmed or disproved if it is placed within the system and tested according to how it fits within that system. For example, many years ago people laughed at Copernicus because his observations led him to conclude that the earth revolved around the sun. This conclusion ran counter to the beliefs of those who supported the prevailing geocentric system in which the earth was viewed as a stationary body and the center of the universe. Copernicus should have been given a chance to confirm his hypothesis. Scientifically, it is basic to good methodology to assume the truth of a hypothesis in order to demonstrate either its reliability or falsity. Experimentation is conducted on the basis of an initial assumption of truth. This assumption must have a fair hearing. Psychologically, it is important for the inquirer to approach a concept with sympathy and understanding if he or she is to understand what another thinker proposes. It seems obvious that anyone who comes to the subject of miracles having already ruled out their possibility can never be convinced. That person s mind is closed. In the world of modern historical and scientific scholarship, the basic presupposition is the continuity of events. A miracle, however, is a kind of event that interrupts the continuity of cause-and-effect relationships. This is discontinuity*. Therefore, only by seeing miracles within the context of a system that allows for discontinuity can there be a fair hearing. This kind of system is what Christianity provides. Christian scholars view biblical miracles as facts because the miracles of the Bible fit into a grand, spiritual, redemptive system, a system that gives meaning and purpose to the universe and to human life. 6 Why is it necessary to view miracles within a Christian framework? Objective 10.3 Identify the meanings of given terms that help us to understand the biblical concept of miracles. Characteristics Of Biblical Miracles The Language A key passage for our study of the biblical meaning of the word miracles is 2 Corinthians 12:12. This passage employs three Greek words used in the New Testament to describe the concept of miracles. These are translated in 2 Corinthians 12:12 as follows: The things that mark an apostle signs, wonders and miracles were done among you with great perseverance.

224 224 Apologetics MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT Greek Word Examples Of Use Various Translations Semeion Teras Dunamis s Paradoxos John 20:30, Luke 23:8, Matthew 12:38 39 Acts 2:19, 22, 43 Sign, miracle, wonder, marvel Wonders, portents, marvels 1 Corinthians 12:10, Miraculous powers, mighty works Only in Luke 5:26 Remarkable things Figure 10.2 Let us briefly examine the three words semeion, teras, and dunamis in 2 Corinthians 12:12: Semeion (sign). This Greek word is used exclusively in the Gospel of John to identify the miracles of Jesus. It describes works of supernatural character and origin and carries with it the very clear force of the miraculous performed for a purpose. 7 What is the purpose of the sign (semeion) in the following passages in John s Gospel? a 2:11, miraculous signs :... b 4:43 54, miraculous sign :... c 9:1 16, miraculous signs :... mediate to be in the middle; to effect by action as an intermediary; to interpose between parties in order to reconcile them d 20:30 31, miraculous signs :... Teras (wonders). Always used in the plural in the New Testament, this word has the idea of a visible manifestation of power that causes the beholder to marvel. That which is wonderful is something that is recognized as being remarkable. It is an obvious, visible way in which God breaks into the consciousness of people to get their attention. The teaching of J. Gresham Machen, an outstanding apologist of many years ago, emphasizes the importance of miracles as wonders. Machen ministered in the days of the great debate between Fundamentalists and Modernists. Fundamentalists upheld the authority of the Bible and the supernatural character of biblical Christianity. The Modernists of his time questioned the trustworthiness of the Bible and rejected all supernatural elements in Christianity. Machen carefully distinguished between the providential care of God over man and nature and the creative power of God in miracles. He readily acknowledged that the normal way in which God managed the ongoing regularity of the universe was through secondary means, that is, through a mediate* relationship. Occasionally, however, God, as sovereign Lord of the universe, would make himself immediately known through direct intervention in special creative acts. These special interventions of God into the natural order are miracles. They are spectacular wonders because they are intended to be unusual. Their purpose is to get our attention.

225 225 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? Dunamis (miracles, powers). The word translated miracles in 2 Corinthians 12:12 is the one from which we get our word dynamite, and it describes the bursting forth of energy. The immediate intervention of God into the natural order of events is pictured here as having such remarkable effects that they direct one s attention to the divine source from which the remarkable event comes. The word dunamis is sometimes defined as authority and emphasizes the authorship of the miraculous demonstration of power. 8 Which of these Greek words for miracle emphasizes that there is a purpose for a supernatural act of God? a) Paradoxa b) Dunamis c) Teras d) Semeion 9 Davis says, I believe Christians need to recover a sense of the shocking absurdity of the very idea of resurrection (Ibid., 168). This sense of astonishment is best expressed by which of these translations of a biblical word for miracles? a) Mighty works b) Miraculous signs c) Wonders d) Supernatural acts of God 10 Which word emphasizes the source and power of the miracle? a) Paradoxa b) Dunamis c) Teras d) Semeion Objective 10.4 Evaluate biblical miracles on the basis of what they teach and what this indicates about their necessity in biblical Christianity. The Teaching Through miracles, the biblical revelation teaches us some important truths about God, about His Word, and about the nature of human beings. Figure 10.3 summarizes these truths: Miracles Confirm That... God is sovereign. God is supernatural. God is compassionate. human s nature is holistic (material and spiritual). humans can have faith in God. the gospel message is true. Figure 10.3 God is sovereign. The Bible pictures God as breaking into human events. He is the sovereign Lord over all other forces or things, and He triumphs over

226 226 Apologetics every disaster, disease, demonic power, and even death itself. The Bible reveals that He will ultimately be triumphant over every force that comes against Him. God is supernatural. As we have seen, belief in miracles begins with a particular view of God. The Christian world-and-life view, unlike that of naturalism, deism, or pantheism, is that God is free, sovereign, and omnipotent. He is supernatural that is, He stands outside nature and is Lord over nature. Natural law is the normal manner by which God operates the universe. However, since He is Lord, He occasionally bursts vividly into the universe in miracles. God is compassionate. Not only is God omnipotent, but He is also compassionate. It is His nature to disclose himself redemptively to people who, helpless by themselves, are lost apart from outside intervention. Natural revelation is sufficient to disclose to each person that he or she is responsible to Someone Out There. (We discussed this in Lesson 4.) But God s self-disclosure in Christ, in Scripture, and in miracles gives evidence of His compassion. A study of Scripture reveals that miracles are neither vain displays of power nor mere entertaining acts. They are acts of divine grace to relieve human suffering, dispel doubt, and stimulate vigorous faith. Humankind s nature is holistic. We are spiritual beings housed in material bodies. The biblical teaching about the resurrection of the body and the biblical miracles of bodily healing confirm the teaching that, indeed, the body is intended to be the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This holistic view of humankind has vast ethical implications. If God is concerned about the whole person the body as well as the spirit then it is the responsibility of each person to so order his life that he accepts his body as good. This is the opposite of the ascetic teaching that the body is but a prison house of the soul. When one sees his body as good, he disciplines it so that it reflects propriety and dignity. This is the opposite of the teaching of antinomianism, which promotes the squandering of life s resources in wanton or immoral living. 11 Miracles of healing are said to support teaching concerning the holistic nature of humankind because a person s body is a) a prison house of the soul with no significant value. b) totally separate from his spirit and not subject to moral law. c) a temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore good. d) weaker than the spirit and subject to disease and decay. Humankind can have faith in God. Miracles strengthen our faith because they help us to harmonize perplexing problems. For example, our understanding of the relationship of the spiritual to the material may be resolved by our awareness that God is not limited to natural law. If God is the free and sovereign Lord of the universe and the Author of providence (natural law) and creative acts (miracles), He is not limited to a cause-and-effect continuum. We can resolve many perplexing questions simply by resting in the knowledge that God is in control. Questions that vex us because of our limited understanding may be safely left in the hands of a God of miracles. The gospel message is true. Miracles authenticate the Christian message. Let us look at some important evidence to substantiate our claim that miracles have a legitimate role in verifying Christian truth:

227 227 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? 1. Jesus appealed to miracles to attest to His deity. For example, see His declaration in John 5:36: For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. He made a similar declaration in John 10:25. Again, when the disciples of John the Baptist came to inquire if Jesus was the promised Messiah, Jesus appealed to His miracles to verify that fact: So he replied to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. (Luke 7:22) It is clear that an important part of the ministry of Jesus was not only to proclaim His identity, but also to demonstrate who He is. 2. Miracles of the apostles are an attestation of the truth of the gospel. As you read the book of Acts, you will find many examples of the spectacular phenomenon of miracles. It is obvious that the apostles viewed the manifest presence of God in miracles as vital to their mission of world evangelization. 12 Read Acts 3:1 4:4. a Which verse in this passage indicates that Peter and John saw this miracle as a confirmation of the truth of the gospel? b What result came from this spectacular event? 13 Read 1 Corinthians 2:1 5. What place did Paul give to the miraculous in his ministry? 14 If God manifested himself in miraculous power to attest His Word and authenticate His messengers in the first century, what implications do you see in this for the ministry of God s Word today? The Christian Jews of the second generation in the apostolic church between AD 60 and 70 were not new converts, but the pressures under which they lived were causing some of them to reconsider the Christian walk they had begun. Was the Christian way worth the cost? It was to answer this question that the book of Hebrews was written. Notice that the writer of this Epistle appeals to the supernatural acts of God to validate the claims of the gospel: For... how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:2 4) In this passage the same catalog of words is used for the supernatural display of God s power that we observed in 1 Corinthians 12:12: signs, wonders, and miracles. This language attests to the gospel message by mention of the supernatural works of God for the purpose of confirming the truth.

228 228 Apologetics 15 Circle the letter preceding each statement that supports what the Bible teaches about miracles. a The truth claims of the gospel require a God of miracles. b Miracles attract people s attention but they do not, of themselves, cause people to have greater faith in God. c Miracles affect people s physical nature but not their spiritual nature. d One cannot believe in miracles without also believing that God is free, sovereign, and omnipotent (all-powerful). e Miracles performed to relieve human suffering emphasize God s compassion for those in need. Objective 10.5 Explain the difference between miracles of the old creation and miracles of the new creation, and identify examples of each. The Classifications C. S. Lewis (1960) sheds more light on the characteristics of biblical miracles by his classification of miracles according to those of the old creation and those of the new creation (134). Figure 10.4 illustrates this classification: Classification Of Biblical Miracles (From Miracles by C. S. Lewis, 1960, ) Miracles of the Old Creation 1. Miracles of Fertility 2. Miracles of Healing 3. Miracles of Destruction Miracles of the New Creation 1. Miracles of Dominion Over the Inorganic 2. Miracles of Reversal 3. Miracles of Perfecting or Glorification Figure 10.4 Lewis (1960), referring specifically to the miracles of Jesus, explains the difference between miracles of the old and new creations in this way: I contend that in all these miracles alike the incarnate God does suddenly and locally something that God has done or will do in general. Each miracle writes for us in small letters something that God has already written, or will write, in letters almost too large to be noticed, across the whole canvas of Nature. They focus at a particular point either God s actual, or His future, operations on the universe. When they reproduce operations we have already seen on the large scale they are miracles of the Old Creation; when they focus those which are still to come they are miracles of the New.... [The miracles] are not, on the one hand, isolated from other Divine acts: they do close and small and, as it were, in focus what God at other times does so large that men do not attend to it. ( ) Examples of the miracles of fertility include the turning of water into wine (John 2:1 11); the multiplying of bread and fish in the feeding of the five thousand (6:1 13) and of the four thousand (Matthew 15:29 39); and the

229 229 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? multiplying of fish (John 21:1 14). In each of these God does close and small and in focus what He is always doing. The miracle consists in the short cut; but the event to which it leads is the usual one.... Every year God makes a little corn into much corn; the seed is sown and there is an increase (Lewis 1960, 136). The grandest miracle of fertility, of course, is the miracle of the Virgin Birth by means of which God (the Word) became flesh and lived for a while among us (John 1:14). The Gospels are filled with miracles of healing. For example, Matthew 4:23 24 reports: Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demonpossessed, the epileptics and the paralytics, and he healed them. It is part of our physical makeup that cuts heal themselves; our bodies can in many ways restore themselves through a process designed by God. Miraculous healings, Lewis explains, are visible manifestations close and small and in focus of what God is always doing. Lewis (1960) describes the withering of the fig tree (Matthew 21:18 22) as a miracle of destruction. Again, the incarnate God did, close and small and in focus, what God is always doing. He is the God of death because He is the God of Life.... No tree died that year in Palestine, or any year anywhere, except because God did or rather ceased to do something to it (141). While Lewis (1960) classifies dominion over the inorganic as a miracle of the new creation, one example, Jesus calming the storm, refers to a miracle of the old order. Another, Jesus and Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:22 32; John 6:16 21), refers to a miracle of the new creation because, as Lewis explains, God had not made the Old Nature, the world before the Incarnation, of such a kind that water would support a human body. This miracle is a foretaste of a Nature that is still in the future (141). Also belonging to the new creation are the miracles of reversal, which involve the raising of the dead (Mark 5:21 43; Luke 7:11 17; John 11:1 44) and the miracles of perfecting or glorification, which refer to Jesus transfiguration (Matthew 17:1 13), His resurrection (John 20:1 29), and His ascension (Acts 1:1 11). 16 Summarize in one sentence what Lewis means by each of these: a Miracles of the old creation:... b Miracles of the new creation:...

230 230 Apologetics 17 Read each of these passages, and explain what class of miracle is illustrated in each one: a Matthew 14: b Matthew 28: c Mark 2: d Mark 4: e Luke 7: f John 6: Objective 10.6 Evaluate given objections to miracles, and suggest answers to refute them. Refutation Of Objections To Miracles Reading 2 In the apologetic task it is important to be concerned about the criticisms launched against miracles. Miracles are a means by which God reassures us that He cares about us. To strip away the miraculous is to attack the heart of the only hopeful message that has ever come to the human race. If miracles are disallowed, then Jesus was at best a better man than most but certainly not the Savior of lost people. Without the possibility of miracles, there is no truth in the resurrection story of Jesus, and we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Corinthians 15:19). Some common objections to the possibility of miracles are these: 1. Miracles have natural causes. 2. Only superstitious and ignorant people in ancient times believed in miracles. 3. Miracles give us a low view of God. 4. There is inadequate testimony for the miracles in the Bible. Many people try to explain miracles such as the crossing of the Red Sea as having natural causes (Exodus 14:21 22). But even if one grants the possibility that high winds drove the waters back so that the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground (v. 22), one would have to acknowledge that the miracle was in the timing of this event. The waters parted just as the Israelites were ready to cross over. Then God caused the waters to flow back over the Egyptians as they attempted to follow, so that the entire army of Pharaoh was swept into the sea (vv ). Once again, the miracle was in the timing. Another objection is that only superstitious and ignorant people in ancient times believed in miracles. This is based on the idea that, because they did not understand the scientific explanation for certain natural events, they saw these as miraculous phenomena. But many miracles in the Bible cannot be explained away with such an objection. When Jesus healed people of lameness or blindness, or fed five thousand people with a few loaves and fishes, or raised

231 231 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? Lazarus from the dead, it was obvious to everyone who observed these miracles that they were supernatural events. Some critics, even within the church, have rejected the idea of miracles on the ground that they picture God as having to patch up His own creation. They claim that miracles give us a low view of God. Consider, however, that this view misses the heart of the matter. The very picture of God that we get from miracles is that He is personal. Such an argument would have any substance if the universe was only composed of things, and there were no people. Miraculous intervention makes considerable sense in a universe inhabited by persons. Miracles are powerful demonstrations of the love of a personal God. Opponents of miracles also claim that miracles in the Bible were not verified by reliable testimony. However, if you read the accounts of the miracles of Jesus, you will discover that not even His opponents disputed or denied the facts of the miracles He performed. It is significant that the miracles reported both in the ministry of Jesus and of His apostles occurred in circumstances where unbelievers were present. The result, it is reported in the biblical record, is that many believed. The clear evidence is that such phenomenal things occurred that unbelievers were convinced, as Acts 19:11 18 indicates. Notice that the evidence of the supernatural intervention of God through miracles gripped unbelievers so that they were made ready to listen to the Word of the Lord. It is true, as we see in Acts 19, that impostors sometimes attempt to perform miracles, but these eventually fail to stand the weight of investigation. In contrast, the massive scale of Jesus miracles in time, space, and scope are such as to make His ministry altogether beyond the possibility of fraud. For example, refer to Figure 5.3 in Lesson 5, which illustrates from miracles recorded in the Gospel of John seven areas over which Jesus exhibited authority. Other Scripture passages confirm that Jesus demonstrated power over demons and possessed the power of supernatural knowledge and of creation. Those who were affected by His miracles recognized the supernatural character of His work. The man born blind, the crippled man at the gate of the temple, the lepers who were cleansed, and Lazarus all recognized in their own bodies the healings they experienced. 18 Read the Scripture passages listed in Figure 5.3 in Lesson 5. Clearly the most common response to these miracles was that a) there were accusations against Jesus of fraud. b) skeptics denied that they were miraculous events. c) many people who witnessed them believed in Jesus. d) only superstitious or ignorant people acknowledged them. 19 Look again at the story of the healing of the crippled man recorded in Acts 3 and 4. a On what grounds did the officials release this man? (4:22) b Did his testimony bear the marks of a responsible witness?

232 232 Apologetics 20 What characteristic of God provides positive support against the criticism that miracles give us a low view of God? 21 Refute the claim that there is no reliable verification of miracles recorded in the Bible. Objective 10.7 Evaluate the claim that miracles still do happen and are important in our day. Possibility Of Present-Day Miracles Reading 3 Some evangelical Christians who firmly believe in the biblical miracles are not convinced that miracles can happen in our day. They see miracles as unnecessary because we now have the Bible. As you can see from your reading assignment, Paul Little is one of these. For example, he asserts, Miracles are not necessary for us today... because we have extraordinary records of superior accuracy to show us God s truth. (2000, 133). It seems reasonably clear that the biblical miracles did, in fact, authenticate the message and ministry of Jesus and the apostles. However, is there any good reason to limit the miraculous to the biblical era? If unbelievers of that day were jarred out of their complacency by witnessing the supernatural invasion of the living God into their situation, why should that not also be true today? Millard J. Erickson (1985) sees some purposes of miracles as continuing to the present day. He describes these purposes as follows: There are at least three. The most important is to glorify God. The beneficiaries and observers of the biblical miracles generally responded by glorifying God. This means that when miracles occur today, we should credit God, who is the source of the miracle, not the human agent who is the channel. In biblical times, a second purpose of miracles was to establish the supernatural basis of the revelation which often accompanied them.... Finally, miracles occur to meet human needs. Our Lord frequently is pictured as moved with compassion for the needy, hurting people who came to him. He healed them to relieve the suffering caused by such maladies as blindness, leprosy, and hemorrhaging. He never performed miracles for the selfish purpose of putting on a display. (409) 22 Which purposes of miracles cited by Erickson are as valid today as they were in the New Testament era?

233 233 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? Another theologian, Henry C. Thiessen (1979), has this to say about the possibility of miracles today: And finally, we believe that miracles still do happen. They are not contrary even to present-day experience. All true Christians testify to the fact that God answers prayer. Indeed, they are convinced that God has wrought miracles on their behalf, or on behalf of some of their friends. They are certain that the laws of nature alone cannot account for the things which they have seen with their own eyes and experienced in their own lives. No amount of opposition on the part of unbelievers will ever persuade them to think otherwise. More specifically, we have the ever-recurring miracle of regeneration. We cannot change the color of our skin, nor can the leopard change his spots, but the Lord can and does change the heart and remove the stains from the sinner.... Suffice it to say that answers to prayer and the experience of regeneration prove that miracles still do happen. (12 13) While Paul Little says miracles are no longer necessary, doubtless he would agree with Thiessen that people experience regeneration and answers to prayer today. 23 If you have experienced any miracles in your life, list them here. 24 We are living in what is referred to as the Church Age. Read 1 Corinthians 12: According to this passage what is the place of miracles in the church? Today a Pentecostal revival (also called the charismatic movement) is sweeping the world. Through this revival great numbers of people are accepting Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. Nations that have long been closed to the gospel message are now opening their doors to receive God s Word. Do you believe God is performing miracles in our day? Should believers expect to see God performing signs and powers and wonders? Are miracles important to meet the needs of people who are hungry for an experience with God? My answer is a positive yes. We do need miracles today. They are possible, and they do occur in response to faith.

234 234 Apologetics Self-Test Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 David Hume defined a miracle as the a) setting aside of natural laws. b)

235 235 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? Matching. Read the instructions carefully and write your answer in the space preceding each question Match each view (left) to the one holding that view (right) Belief in miracles is rational from a supernaturalist point of view God will not interfere in the system He has set in order No reality exists outside the universe so there is nothing to interrupt the system of natural laws God is one with the universe so there is nothing outside the universe to intervene in human affairs. a) Naturalist b) Deist c) Pantheist d) Christian Short Essay. Briefly answer the following question What evidence do we have that miracles still occur today?

236 236 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 13 Paul affirmed that miracles were a demonstration of the Spirit s power and therefore a vital accompaniment to his message. 1 a M b M c N d N e M 14 There is sufficient reason to expect miracles to occur today as an attestation of the truth of the gospel. 2 c) fixed universal rules of nature that cannot be violated. 15 Statements a, d, and e support biblical teaching. 3 Your answer. Natural law simply refers to what regularly happens in the observable world. It does not refer to a law that can be violated. God can and does intervene in nature and in human affairs. 16 a These are miracles that demonstrate, close and small and in focus, what God is always doing. b These are miracles that give us a foretaste of a nature which is still in the future. 4 a The naturalist claims that no reality exists outside the universe, which operates according to inflexible natural laws; so there can be no miracles. b The deist believes that God will not intervene in the existing pattern which He has set in motion. c The pantheist believes that God is inside the operation of the natural universe and that there is nothing outside to intervene in the existing pattern of orderly events. 17 a Miracle of dominion over the inorganic (new creation) b Miracle of perfecting or glorification c Miracle of healing d Miracle of dominion over the inorganic (old creation) e Miracle of reversal f Miracle of fertility 5 a) have a worldview that is inconsistent with this possibility. 18 c) many people who witnessed them believed in Jesus. 6 There is no good purpose in discussing the possibility of miracles in a setting where such phenomena are ruled out at the start. 19 a He was over forty years old. b Apparently the officials considered him to be mature and responsible.

237 237 Lesson 10: Are Miracles Possible? 7 a To reveal Christ s glory and give His disciples faith in Him b To relieve human suffering c To display the work of God d To cause readers to believe that Jesus is the Son of God 20 His love. He is compassionate and works for our good. 8 d) Semeion 21 There were many eyewitnesses to the miracles of Jesus and the apostles. Many of these believed as a result of the miracles. Even the unbelievers did not dispute the miracles but were amazed by them. 9 c) Wonders 22 Miracles cause us to glorify God. They also have the purpose of meeting the needs of hurting, suffering people. 10 b) Dunamis 23 If you are a Christian, you have experienced the miracle of salvation in Christ. You can also probably affirm that God has answered your prayers many times. These are remarkable works of God. 11 c) a temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore good. 24 According to this passage, miracles are a vital part of the ongoing ministry of the church through the agency of Spirit-filled believers. 12 a Verse 16 b Many who heard the message believed.

238 Is There Harmony between Science and the 11Bible? the activities... the objectives... Study this lesson in the usual manner, and answer all study questions as you come to them. Read Genesis chapters 1 and 2 as background for this lesson. The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages Reading 2: Little, pages Take the self-test, and check your answers Describe the meaning, scope, and limitations of science and the scientific method Identify factors that created conflicts between scientific inquiry and Christian beliefs With regard to implications of the scientific method of inquiry, identify three negative attitudes of Christians that limit their effectiveness as witnesses for Christ Identify the basis of the philosophical conflict between the claims of science and the claims of the Bible State what the Christian must hold to be true in developing a biblical synthesis that accommodates the discoveries of science Identify given terms and concepts related to studies about the nature and origin of the universe Evaluate scientific evidence and theories concerning the origin of the universe in the light of scriptural teaching Explain what can be known about the age of the universe from the biblical revelation and from science Distinguish between the views of Charles Darwin and given views of other evolutionists.

239 239 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Consider various creationist views with respect to the meaning of Genesis 1 and 2, and develop a biblical perspective that can be used as an apologetic. the outline... 1 Science and the Bible a The Nature of Science b The Scientific Method c Why Conflicts Exist d Negative Reactions of Christians e Implications of the Conflict f A Biblical Synthesis 2 Origin of the Universe a Scientific Evidence b Biblical Conclusions 3 Origin of Man a Evolutionist Views b Creationist Views c A Biblical Perspective No question has captivated people s imagination more than the question, Where did we come from? Were we created, or did we evolve, as many scientists claim? When did the universe come into being? Is it eternal, or did it have a beginning? What is our destiny? How one attempts to answer these age-old questions depends to a great extent on his or her worldview. Just as belief in miracles depends on belief in a transcendent Creator God who intervenes in human events, so our belief in such a God shapes our understanding of the origin and destiny of all things. The rise of Darwin s theory of evolution and technological advances in the scientific method of study have challenged Christian beliefs concerning such matters as the existence of God, the creation of all things, the fall of man, and man s eternal destiny. Since the scientific method is based solely on empirical evidence that which can be tested and experienced with the senses it does not require an assumption of the existence of God. Therefore, the conclusions reached by this method often appear to conflict with what the Bible teaches. The apologist needs to be able to answer honest questions regarding this subject. That is what we will attempt to do in this lesson. Science And The Bible Reading 1 The twentieth century has been unlike any other time in the history of the world, due in part to the effects, both good and bad, of rapid technological changes. We live in an age in which technology has brought swift and profound alterations in styles of living and in philosophical worldviews. Around the world, the impact of scientific advancement is being felt.

240 240 Apologetics No wonder, then, that Christians face many questions relating to the rise of invention, exploration, and investigation. The very methods of the scientist require thoughtful response. Are the worlds of science and the Bible truly in conflict? Or is there an inner harmony that should be heralded? The faith of many, particularly the young, hinges on the answer to this issue. Let us begin our discussion with a brief overview of the nature of science. Objective 11.1 Describe the meaning, scope, and limitations of science and the scientific method. The Nature of Science Definitions Before we can investigate the implications of science for Christian belief, we must understand the meaning of the word science, which comes from a Latin word meaning to know. The basic meaning of science is the state of knowing. A more complete explanation describes science in this way: Science is... knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through the scientific method. such knowledge or such a system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena. the orderly study of observable phenomena. knowledge gained through the senses interacting with the natural world. Figure 11.1 From these definitions of the word science we need to make some important observations. First, science is only concerned with the natural world. It depends strictly on empirical evidence that which is available to the senses and is therefore verifiable for information. This limitation should be clearly understood at the outset. Second, the purpose of science is not to explain the natural world but to describe it. We might say that the scientific method enables the scientist to develop a working picture of the world. However, it is incapable of making value judgments about the things it measures. Scientists may describe how things occur, but they overreach their proper sphere when they attempt to explain why. Third, the scientific method limits scientists to describing process or what is continuous. They overstep their proper boundaries when they attempt to explain origins or destinies. These are questions that belong to the fields of philosophy and religion. By definition, therefore, science does not concern the supernatural. This is not because of bias, necessarily, but because the supernatural is not subject

241 241 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? to investigation in the same way as natural phenomena. Figure 11.2 illustrates these concepts: SCIENCE REVELATION HOW? Process Natural Events WHY? Origins Destinies The Supernatural Figure From these definitions we see that the main purpose of science in relation to the natural world involves a) explanation. b) description. c) value judgments. d) bias. 2 Circle the letter preceding each term that applies to science. a Observation b The supernatural c What can be known through the senses d Origins e Process f Empirical evidence induction inference of a generalized conclusion from particular instances deduction the deriving of a conclusion by reasoning; inference in which the conclusion about particulars follows necessarily from general or universal premises The Scientific Method Francis Bacon ( ) is usually credited with being the father of scientific method. In other words, he encouraged experimentation or the process of induction* to arrive at an answer. Bacon began by asking a question and then, through trial and error, amassing evidence. This is called induction. It is the opposite of deduction*, through which one arrives at an answer by beginning with a logical premise and moving from the general statement or premise to particular conclusions. We may describe the scientific method more precisely by listing the usual steps the scientist follows. Remember that he begins with a belief that the orderliness of the universe is rational and that his senses hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell have the ability to tell him the truth. By following certain steps, therefore, he can arrive at the truth: 1. Identify a worthwhile problem. The problem must be worth the effort but also within the scope of the scientist to solve. Many so-called conflicts between the Bible and science originate here. For a scientist to move outside the realm appropriate to science is to invite a collision with biblical truth. (We will discuss this more fully in the next section of this lesson.) 2. Observe. The tools of the scientist, such as the microscope and telescope, are aids to observation. They sharpen his ability to sense what is happening. They enable him to see and study things that he could not otherwise discover. 3. Hypothesize. Working from already-known scientific information and bearing in mind the problem he seeks to solve, the scientist now proposes a possible solution. He has already explored by observation the general field

242 242 Apologetics of his inquiry. The possible solution he proposes is a theoretical model. It is called the hypothesis. 4. Experiment. The scientist tests his hypothesis by repeating or reenacting the proposed solution and carefully reviewing the data. 5. Verify. As a result of comparing the anticipated results with the experimental results, the scientist either confirms or rejects the hypothesis. 6. Accommodate. On the basis of the results of his comparison, the scientist may conclude that some modification of the hypothesis is necessary. 7. Predict. The real test of the validity of the theoretical model is the scientist s ability to make predictions of a useful nature that extend beyond the boundaries of the experimental model itself. If the data confirm his hypothesis, he can generalize the results to predict what will happen when the experiment is repeated. These generalizations expand the range of his understanding of the world in which he lives. 3 Which of these best illustrates a hypothesis? a) Since my cat likes milk, all cats must like milk. b)

243 243 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Objective 11.2 Identify factors that created conflicts between scientific inquiry and Christian beliefs. Why Conflicts Exist The Rise of Modern Science During the Renaissance Period a new spirit of inquiry arose. The medieval Roman church, through its scholastic theology, had established itself as the judge of all truth. Truth was viewed as a closed system that God had given to the church. This view had prevailed for centuries. Now, with the fresh winds of inquiry blowing, an immediate tension developed between the scientific mind with its spirit of experimental inquiry by induction and the deductive logic of the medieval church. Here we must make a positive defense for the strong Christian convictions of scientists such as Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton. They sought to investigate the universe because they believed that God was the Creator of an orderly universe. They were not afraid to explore the unknown. But the medieval church reacted vigorously. When early scientists such as Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo argued that, according to their investigation, the earth revolves around the sun, churchmen dogmatically rejected such notions. So, almost from the beginning of the modern era of science in the sixteenth century, scientists and churchmen have clashed. The initial conflicts were created because churchmen had a wrong understanding of what the Bible demands concerning beliefs about the universe. It was not a happy beginning. Loss of Christian Moorings During the eighteenth century, a movement called the Enlightenment strongly influenced the Western world, and it was like a modern tower of Babel. By this comparison we mean that the earlier spirit of inquiry came to be expressed in the deification of humankind. Those who embraced the new ideas of that age visualized man as having within his own ability, within his realm of reason, the resources he needed for solving all of his own problems. God was largely ruled out as a factor to be considered and the idea of miracles was banished. There was a great confidence in the uniformity of nature and in humankind s ability to reason and perceive reality through the senses. This was the beginning of scientism. Scientism The word scientism describes methods and attitudes typical of or attributed to the natural scientist, or those who are naturalists. It includes the notion that nothing is real except that which is observable and which can be subjected to the scrutiny of the scientific method. In this view supernatural phenomena that do not fit into the natural order are held to be impossible. Natural law is seen as autonomous (self-contained or self-governing). There is no room for God. Scientism carries with it supreme confidence in the following: 1. Human rationality, because (according to scientism) given enough time, humans can unlock all the secrets of the universe.

244 244 Apologetics empirical method scientific study based on observation or experience; method of study which begins with a hypothesis that is capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experience 2. The regularity of nature, because only with a strong conviction in the orderliness of natural phenomena can science exist. 3. The trustworthiness of sensory data, because the way information can be derived is through the empirical method* alone, that is, through observation and experimentation. Despite the rise of scientism, we must emphasize that many early scientists had a firm faith in the God of the Bible and did not embrace those views that denied His existence. However, there were some negative reactions to these new ideas by Christians, as we shall see. 7 What basic change occurred as a result of each of these, which brought science into conflict with the Bible? a The Renaissance Period:... b The Enlightenment:... c Scientism:... Objective 11.3 With regard to implications of the scientific method of inquiry, identify three negative attitudes of Christians that limit their effectiveness as witnesses for Christ. Negative Reactions of Christians The growing hostility between science and Christian faith caused by misunderstandings on both sides has caused Christians to react in different ways. Some have reacted by looking with fear and suspicion on the modern world. This defensive attitude is very negative and sometimes causes them to lose opportunities for winning others to Christ. Other Christians live in two different worlds with respect to science and faith in God. In their private lives they are guided by their Christian faith, but in other areas they adopt the implications of scientism. An example of this is seen among university people. The particular discipline in which they are trained may have all the trappings of pure naturalism with no room for God at all, but on Sunday they are in church praying fervently. Still other Christians have, in varying degrees, surrendered to the apparently overpowering demands of scientism. An example of this was Henry Ward Beecher ( ), a very popular American preacher of the late nineteenth century who was described by many people as the prince of the American pulpit. When biological evolution swept through the Western world, Dr. Beecher tried to accommodate the biblical view of humankind s beginnings to the then prevailing fad of evolutionism. As a compromise, he surrendered rather easily to the theory of Darwinian evolution. Today, with renewed questions surfacing regarding biological evolution, one is tempted to wonder if Dr. Beecher did not capitulate too easily. In the twentieth century, many theologians have made the assumption that miracles are impossible since scientism has no room for the supernatural. Such theologians attempt to tailor a style of Christianity that is believable by the modern naturalist. Rudolph Bultmann illustrates the spirit of surrender to the

245 245 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? demands of scientism. For Bultmann the miraculous in the Bible is a stumbling block. So, for modern human, he has devised a theology that requires no belief in the miracle-working power of God. 8 State three attitudes of Christians concerning the scientific method that can limit their effectiveness in witnessing for Christ or hinder their personal relationship with God. Objective 11.4 Identify the basis of the philosophical conflict between the claims of science and the claims of the Bible. Implications of the Conflict Simply stated, Darwinian evolution theories suggest that life arose spontaneously from inorganic matter and that all living plants and animals, including humans, have descended from a common ancestor. We will discuss Darwin s views more fully later in this lesson. Our emphasis here is that his view of man s origin does not agree with what the Bible teaches. Therefore, a chief target of Darwinism was the literal interpretation of the creation account in Genesis. The evolutionist believes that human knowledge is restricted to the evidence accumulated through human experience. Human experience is limited to those things that can be approached by the scientific method. 9 Is it possible, by applying the scientific method, to prove that life arose spontaneously from inorganic matter? Explain your answer. 10 Is it possible, by applying the scientific method, to disprove the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2? Explain your answer. In contrast to this limited view of how knowledge is obtained, evangelical Christians contend for the validity of knowledge based upon spiritual experience. The basis for acceptance of the reality of the supernatural is not simply blind faith in the Bible as God s Word. It also involves the spiritual experience of the individual whereby the Spirit of God confirms the claims of the Scripture. While this position can be attacked on intellectual and philosophical grounds, the fact of one man s spiritual experiences is not subject to evaluation by another.

246 246 Apologetics 11 Upon what basis does the Christian accept the Genesis account of creation as the truth about the origin of the universe and of humankind? In an unpublished thesis, Richard B. Cunningham (1965) emphasizes that there has been a long-standing philosophical conflict between the proponents of evolution and evangelical Christians. He summarizes the nature of the conflict with these words: The evangelical claims to have contact with God and access to spiritual truth. He says, with St. Paul, The things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned, and, If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. This is called arrogance [by the non-christian]. It is no more arrogant, however, than the evolutionist who says, with Julian Huxley, All intelligent men accept the theory of evolution! The evangelical says, If you don t agree with me, you aren t spiritual. The evolutionist says, If you don t agree with me, you aren t intelligent.... Disagreement is obviously at the very foundation of both arguments. (7) 12 The basis of the philosophical conflict between evangelical Christians and the proponents of Darwin s theory of evolution can be expressed by saying that a) Darwin s theory raises more questions than it answers concerning man s origin. b) Christians have a closed mind with respect to scientific theories. c) the scientific method does not require an assumption of the existence of God. d) the biblical account of creation gives a non-scientific explanation of the development of life on earth. We can see from this that evolutionists and Christians have a different starting point in their approach to the question of human origin. While scientists derive knowledge through sense experience (enhanced by technology such as the microscope and telescope), Christians believe that knowledge can be derived through sense experience, divine revelation, and spiritual experience. While scientists are concerned with investigating and describing process, Christians focus on faith and purpose in life. While spiritual matters cannot be subjected to scientific study, the scientific study of nature can lead to belief in God, as can the Christian s fervent testimony to his or her own spiritual experience. This leads us to the topic of our next section: What is it that Christians must hold to be true in developing a biblical synthesis that accommodates the discoveries of science? Objective 11.5 State what the Christian must hold to be true in developing a biblical synthesis that accommodates the discoveries of science. A Biblical Synthesis A synthesis is a point of view that puts things together so that the whole picture is seen. The following propositions present a perspective that combines the demands of the Bible and the clear evidence of scientific inquiry. It

247 247 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? represents the approach of a Christian who holds the requirements of the Bible and the demands of genuine scientific discovery in a balanced tension. 1. A biblical synthesis will reject the notion that nature alone is real. This is the shortsighted view of the naturalist. 2. A biblical synthesis will, without apology, distinguish between the natural order (the domain of science) and the supernatural order (the domain of special revelation). 3. A biblical synthesis will consider the natural order to be a derived order dependent for its existence upon an all-powerful God. He normally governs the natural world through the regularity of natural law, but He is not limited to natural law. 4. A biblical synthesis will allow for occasional interjections of the supernatural into the natural order and allow for those interruptions or temporary suspensions of natural law that we call miracles. 5. A biblical synthesis will not, however, allow the presence of occasional miracles to destroy confidence in the basic orderliness of a universe characterized by natural law. Without this, science is impossible. 13 Which of these claims must a Christian reject in the process of developing a biblical synthesis in his or her approach to science? Circle the letters preceding the statements you choose. a Natural laws are fixed laws of nature which cannot be violated. b God created all things and governs through natural laws. c There is no reality beyond that which can be discovered by the scientific method. d The natural order of things can at times be interrupted by a supernatural act of God. e There is no conflict between biblical revelation and natural law. f Scientific discoveries aid our understanding of the world we live in. As we saw in our study of archaeology, while the Bible is not a textbook of history, it is not inaccurate in its references to history. This is also true concerning its references to things of a scientific nature. What God says in special revelation He does not contradict in natural revelation. This leads us to our next topic. What does the Bible require us to believe regarding the origin of the universe and the origin of humankind? Objective 11.6 Identify given terms and concepts related to studies about the nature and origin of the universe. Origin Of The Universe People have been curious about the age of the universe since the time of the ancient Greeks. The field of study that deals with questions about the nature of the universe is called cosmology (from the Greek words cosmos, meaning world, and logos, meaning word or science ). That area within cosmology that is specifically concerned with the origin of the universe is called cosmogony (from the Greek word cosmos and a form of the word gignesthai meaning to be born ).

248 248 Apologetics ex nihilo from or out of nothing Primitive peoples usually have mythological stories to account for the origin of the present world. It is interesting that virtually no cosmogonic beliefs of primitive peoples contain within their creation accounts the concept of a creation out of no previously existing materials. The biblical account is apparently unique in this regard. The Bible indicates in various places that God created the world out of nothing. This is sometimes called ex nihilo* creation, that is, out of nothing. 14 What do these passages indicate about the origin of the universe? a Colossians 1:16 17:... b Hebrews 11:3:... The Bible opens with answers to two of the great questions concerning origins: a statement regarding the origin of the universe, and a statement regarding the origin of man. Our immediate concern is with the first of these statements. In the Genesis account there is no emphasis upon the time of God s creation of either the universe or life itself. Even the age of man is not specified. Scientific studies have attempted to set a date for the origin of the universe. Let us look at this data first. Objective 11.7 Evaluate scientific evidence and theories concerning the origin of the universe in the light of scriptural teaching. Scientific Evidence To gain some idea of the immensity of the universe, consider that our planet, Earth, has a diameter of about 12,756 kilometers, or 7,926 miles (NASA 2005). As it revolves around the sun, its average distance from the sun is about million kilometers, or almost 93 million miles. The earth is but one of nine planets in our solar system, as we commonly count planets. The sun, around which all of these planets revolve, is an average-sized star with a diameter of about 1,391,000 kilometers, or 864,400 miles. Our sun is one of over 100 billion stars that form a cluster called a galaxy. The distances involved in figuring relationships of bodies within a galaxy are so immense that astronomers use the term light-years to describe them. A lightyear is the distance light travels (at 299 million meters, or 186 thousand miles, per second) in a single year about 9.40 trillion kilometers (5.88 trillion miles). Our galaxy has a diameter of about 100,000 light-years. Such huge distances are almost impossible for us even to comprehend. But that is just a small part of the picture of the universe. Our galaxy, in which our sun is but one tiny part, is a member of the Local Group, a cluster of about three-dozen galaxies. There are in the universe many other similar clusters of galaxies. Astronomer s observations indicate there are multiple billions of galaxies in space. The how many stars this represents is an incomprehensible number. When did this entire far-flung, vast universe come into being? Scientists have a variety of means for checking the speed and direction of movement of the heavenly bodies. They have learned an astonishing thing: the various galaxies appear to be moving apart at a tremendous speed. And the farther out

249 249 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? they move, the faster the galaxies seem to be going! The knowledge that our universe appears to be expanding has led to three important theories concerning the origin of the universe. These are known in the field of science as the Big Bang Theory, the Oscillating Universe Theory, and the Steady State Theory, as we present in part from the Global University Studies in Physical Science course (Love and Niles 1996, ): 1. The Big Bang Theory. According to this theory, the entire universe had a beginning and all matter in the present universe was at that time together in one very dense point source. Following a violent explosion, all of this matter was expelled from the point of origin. The movement of galaxies away from one another with increasing velocity does fit the Big Bang model. Also, spacecraft have measured a very low but pervasive background radiation, which indicates that there was an explosion from which it was emitted. According to Love and Wireman, most astronomers tend to hold the Big Bang idea because it seems to explain more of the observed events to the present time. It accounts for an expanding universe with the more distant objects moving faster, and a large explosion would account for the pervasive background radiation recently measured in space. A Christian research scientist, Robert Ganges (1986), reports in his book Origins and Destinies that scientists have recently modified the Big Bang Theory. These modifications involve something beyond particle physics and are known as the New Inflationary Theory of the Universe. There is not space here to explain the details of the modifications, but Ganges conclusions are of particular interest to the creationist: In the Big Bang Theory, our hands were tied because we could not go back in time to the actual beginning. A small impenetrable interval of time, called a Planck time, separated us from mathematically seeing the true beginning.... But the New Inflationary Theory frees us from this limitation and gives us a picture of the universe from the moment it unfolded. Were we to condense its implications into one sentence, it would be this: The universe seems to have come into existence out of nothing. (18 19) 2. The Oscillating Universe Theory. This theory, which is an extension of the Big Bang approach, states that the universe is presently expanding. However, there will come a time in the distant future when gravitational forces will overcome the momentum of expansion. At that point in time, the universe will slowly reverse back to a concentration of dense material similar to that described in the Big Bang Theory. Then, once again, internal pressures will cause an explosion, and the expansion process will recur. Thus, according to this theory, there is an oscillation a swing from one extreme limit to the other that consists of expansion followed by contraction. 3. The Steady State Theory. This theory began with an awareness that we could not see out into the universe beyond a distance of more than about three billion light-years, with modes of observation present at that time. Entire galaxies are passing out of our range of observation continually. According to this theory new hydrogen atoms (the basic building blocks of

250 250 Apologetics matter) are being formed out in space at a rate sufficient to replace those galaxies that are moving farther out into the vast reaches of the universe. Thus, as the universe continues to expand, more matter comes into being to maintain a constant supply of hydrogen and other elements. This continuous creation of galactic material leads to a steady state of matter in the universe. The result is that one may speak about the origin of a given star but not the origin of the universe. This theory holds that there was no definite beginning but that the universe is infinite and eternal. 15 Match each description related to the universe (left) with the term it describes (right).... a Clusters of stars numbering in the billions... b Study of the origin of the universe... c Term used to measure distances between galaxies and stars in the universe... d Term used to indicate that the universe was created out of nothing... e Study of the nature of the universe 1) Cosmogony 2) Cosmology 3) Ex nihilo 4) Galaxy 5) Light-year 16 In the following chart briefly explain each theory about the formation of the universe, and compare each one to the account in Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:16 17, and Hebrews 11:3. In the second column state any conflict between the theory and what the Bible indicates. Also indicate which theory is most compatible with the biblical account. Theory Description Conflict? Agreement? a Steady State b Oscillating c Big Bang Based on various age-dating methods that include the study of fossils and radioactive decay, most scientists today estimate the age of the earth at about 4.5 billion years. However, estimates range between 3 and 5 billion years. The age of the universe is more difficult to determine, but based on the speed at which the galaxies appear to be moving away from one another, some estimates place the age of the universe at about 6 billion years or more and other estimates are three or four times that number. However, while the general consensus is that there was a beginning, no one can give a certain date for that beginning.

251 251 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? 17 Genesis 1:1 begins with the words, In the beginning God.... An evolutionist began a university class with these words: In the beginning hydrogen.... a How is each of these statements to be understood? b How would you defend Genesis 1:1 to this evolutionist? Objective 11.8 Explain what can be known about the age of the universe from the biblical revelation and from science. Biblical Conclusions We have already carefully distinguished between the proper boundaries of science and Scripture. Final answers dealing with the who and the why of ultimate issues such as the origin of the universe rest with God s revelation. Science can furnish only limited suggestions when it comes to such matters. Of this, however, we can be sure: genuine scientific findings and the demands of Scripture do not conflict. What God says in His special revelation, the Bible, He does not contradict in natural revelation (scientific facts). Remember these things about the language of Scripture: 1. It is the popular language of common people and not the language of a technician. 2. It is phenomenological description of what common sense observes. The word phenomenological relates to what is observable or knowable through the senses. For example, the Bible describes the sun as rising and setting. We know from science that it does not actually rise and set, yet we use the same manner of speaking today. It describes what we commonly observe. It is a phenomenological description. 3. Sometimes the language of the Bible takes on a poetic form. For example, we read that trees clap their hands and the heavens declare the glory of God. These three characteristics of Scripture should not be confused with the demands for precision made by twentieth-century science. The Scriptures answer questions that science either is unable to answer or answers in a very limited manner. As Little indicates, the attempt by Bishop James Ussher ( ) to set a date for the creation of the world at 4004 BC, based on genealogies included in the Bible, is misguided (2000, 142). Interestingly, the Jewish calendar counts 3760 BC as the year of Adam and Eve s creation and AD 2000 was the Jewish year The Bible gives no date for creation, and the biblical genealogies are not complete enough to be used in this way. But what can we know about the age of the universe from Scripture?

252 252 Apologetics Genesis 1:1, the first verse in the Bible, says this: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The first phrase, In the beginning, is a time concept. God is eternal and timeless. At some moment of His choosing, He brought into being all that pertains to time and space. Hebrews 11:3 and Colossians 1:16 17 emphasize that the whole cosmos (time and space) was brought into existence by God. It is not specified when this happened, how it happened, or even why it happened. However, the Bible does insist on who made it happen. The phrase God created indicates that it was God who acted in some specific fashion. The how of the creation of the universe is not supplied anywhere in the Scripture. We are told, in Hebrews 11:3, that it was ex nihilo, out of nothing. What is clear is that the universe is not eternal. 18 Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement based on Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3; and Colossians 1: a The universe and the entire concept of time began at some point. b The universe was created by God out of nothing. c How God created all things is carefully explained. d The universe embraces the totality of the created order. e No age is specified for the origin of the universe. 19 Since the Bible does not specify when God created the universe, are there any valid clues from science to give us an answer? Objective

253 253 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Largest Group Smallest Group Figure 11.3 To explain the common characteristics of human beings and anthropoid mammals such as the apes, the theory of biological evolution proposed that, over a long process of time, lower orders of primitive animals evolved upward. Eventually, they reached the highest state of development presently existing, which is the human being. The process by which this development occurred was variously described, but the ideas of Charles Darwin gained the greatest popularity. In 1859 Darwin s book, The Origin of Species, captured popular imagination. His idea was that the environment in which a species lived required the development of new and better ways for an organism to adapt for survival. Those organisms that evolved or changed upward by developing better survival mechanisms were the ones that survived and flourished. Adaptation characteristics, according to this theory, were passed on to the succeeding generations over a long period of time. The spectacular success of Darwin s ideas can be traced in part to the mood of the nineteenth century. It was an age intoxicated with the notion of progress. Scholars in many different fields were adopting evolutionary ideas at the same time. Many biologists seized upon evolution and progress as the most rational explanation yet developed of the taxonomy of living things. Paul Little (2000) discusses three views of evolution called evolutionism, microevolution, and macroevolution. The first, evolutionism, is the view that the universe has been evolving forever exclusively on the basis of natural processes, mutation and natural selection (151). The view of microevolution refers to a process of change within a species. As Little indicates, it does not allow for the development of a species to a higher classification. The second view, macroevolution, requires the transfer of genetic information to a higher, more complex classification, the boundaries, as this view sees it, being crossed by mutation and natural selection (152). However, evolutionists have been unable to find the missing links in this process, for example, the transitional forms between whales and land mammals. Little seems to agree that the boundaries of species are not clear and that it is entirely possible for some change or development to occur. However, he sees this as entirely permissible in terms of the Genesis account of creation. 20 Based on the term according to their kinds in various verses of Genesis 1, which of the preceding views of evolution seems most compatible with the Genesis account? Explain. Darwin popularized evolution, but as we have seen, there were many variations. Not all evolutionists fit the same pattern. Let us look now at various views of evolutionists related to God s role in the origin and development of life.

254 254 Apologetics Evolutionist Views We will consider four views of evolutionists: (1) naturalistic evolution, (2) Thomistic evolution, (3) theistic evolution, and (4) emergent evolution. 1. Naturalistic evolution. Atheists, whether they are materialists of one kind or another, have no place in their thinking for a God as pictured in the Bible. They see man as simply part of a physical universe explainable in purely natural-law terms. The Christian is strongly opposed to such an explanation for man. Under naturalistic evolution, God is but a superstition some primitive people hold. 2. Thomistic evolution. Thomas Aquinas, the great Roman Catholic philosopher-theologian of the Middle Ages, pictured God as the great prime mover behind the universe. Modern Roman Catholics and many Protestants, as well, tend to accept the Thomistic idea that evolution is simply God s method by which He has chosen to operate. 3. Theistic evolution. Some evangelicals who believe in the new birth and the authority of Scripture have accepted evolution as an appropriate accommodation of scientific theory and biblical revelation. Thiessen (1979) explains that this view allows for the geological ages, evolutionary process, and the active involvement of a creator God.... Man himself is considered a special creative act of God (114). Outstanding American evangelicals who fall into this category include A. H. Strong, James Orr, and Asa Gray. Unfortunately, accepting organic evolution so easily opens up as many new problems as it may solve. 4. Emergent evolution. Henri Bergson (1911), a French philosopher, sought to counteract the naturalistic evolutionism of his day. Sometimes his theory is called creative evolution. Unlike the naturalists who rule out the possibility of God, Bergson emphasized that at every point in the evolutionary development, God was miraculously intervening. In effect, evolution is viewed as a whole series of creative acts instead of mere chance development, as the naturalists claim. We can see from these views that not everyone who accepts the theory of evolution is an atheist. Even among those who have accommodated to evolution, there are some views that make room for God. 21 Is it necessary for the Christian to reject all scientific evidence related to the evolutionary process? Explain. 22 Which of these views is most compatible with Darwin s view of the origin of species? a) Emergent evolution b) Theistic evolution c) Thomistic evolution d) Naturalistic evolution

255 255 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Objective Consider various creationist views with respect to the meaning of Genesis 1 and 2, and develop a biblical perspective that can be used as an apologetic. Creationist Views Just as there are various views of the process of evolution, so there are differences of opinion among those who believe strongly in creationism based on Genesis 1 and 2. Thomas D. S. Key lists the following creationist theories in an article Influence of Darwinism on Biology (Mixter 1959): 1. Progressive Creative Catastrophism Theory. There is apparently a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 during which an indeterminate but vast period of time elapsed. It was during this period that the various geological ages unfolded and that dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures existed. A sudden catastrophe about the time of the Ice Age destroyed many of these early creatures. The six literal days of creation described in Genesis 1 (actually re-creation) occurred after this time. 2. Day-Age Catastrophism Theory. This view takes the Hebrew word for day in Genesis 1 to mean age, as in Zephaniah 1:7. This permits the idea that God created things suddenly but at various times during the geological ages. A catastrophe that had minor results and did not destroy all early species occurred about the time of the Ice Age. 3. Progressive Creationism Theory. This view also accepts the idea that the Hebrew word for day should be translated age in Genesis 1. There is no attempt, however, to find a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 or a catastrophe to account for early creatures such as dinosaurs, which are now extinct. The theory holds that, in a more or less continual process, God at various times suddenly created new forms. 4. Alternate Day-Age Theory. According to this theory, the days of Genesis were actually 24 hour days but they were separated by vast periods corresponding to the geological ages. 5. Eden-Only Theory. This view pictures God as engaging in special creation in the Garden of Eden a few thousand years ago. But God s creation of the rest of the universe and of life elsewhere on earth was entirely separate, conforming to the time intervals suggested by geology. 6. Concurrent Ages Theory. Time does not limit God. The days may have been overlapping or concurrent ages. (For example, the atomic age and the space age overlap.) In other words, God might have been engaging in creative activity in several spheres at once, instead of doing these activities consecutively. 7. Split Week Theory. Since God is not bound by time, He may have created some aspects of the universe and life in seconds, while some others might have corresponded to vast ages. The term day may have meant anything from a brief flash of time to vast geological periods, depending on what aspect of creation was involved. 8. Revelation Day Theory. According to this theory the days of Genesis refer to days in the life of Moses when God revealed the account of His creation

256 256 Apologetics to Moses and not to the length of time to bring about creation. The focus is on God making known to Moses the principle of His creation, not on the time and manner of the creation itself. 9. Literal 24 Hour Day Theory. This is the view that God, in a period of 6 days of 24 hours each, created the world from the initiation of matter out of nothing to the making of Adam himself. All of the geologic ages and fossils are therefore built in at the start, since man, according to this view, is very near the origin of the universe itself. We should also mention that several other Scripture passages may refer to a previous creation and a subsequent destruction of that creation. For example, see Jeremiah 4:23 26; Isaiah 24:1; 45:18; and 2 Peter 3: Review the nine theories and answer these questions. a Which view, if any, seems most compatible with scientific research concerning the age of the universe? Explain. b What conclusions can you make, based on these various views, concerning what the Bible teaches about the age of the universe and the origin of man? A Biblical Perspective What does the Bible demand that we believe regarding the creation of humankind? First, it demands the uniqueness of man (all human beings). Genesis 1:27 emphasizes that man was made in the image of God. This fact must be preserved at all costs. Most major cosmological and evolutionary theories purposely avoid this fact. Second, humankind has a single pair as its first parents (Genesis 2). The solidarity of the human race must be preserved. Romans 5:12 21 is based on this presupposition. Third, the Bible does not exclude genetic adaptation within limits, and it does seem to allow for variation and change. The term kind in Genesis 1 is not to be understood in terms of modern scientific precision. We must simply say that the limits are somewhat indefinite.

257 257 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? 24 As a Christian apologist, how would you answer the following statements by an honest inquirer? a I feel that science destroys the trustworthiness of Scripture. b c I believe that evolution is God s way of running the world. Science has proved that humans have evolved from the ape family. We conclude this lesson with a statement by Robert Ganges (1986) concerning the implications of what one believes concerning humankind s origin and destiny: Events that are reproducible lend themselves to scientific inquiry. Events that are unpredictable lend themselves to statistical inquiry. But singular events lend themselves to legal inquiry. The creation of the world or of life are one-time happenings, thus lending themselves to such legal inquiry. The same, incidentally, can be said of the bodily resurrection that history records for Jesus Christ (a one-time happening). We must ask what role science can play in such questions. Since science is properly concerned with reproducible events, it has no jurisdiction whatsoever in questions of origin or destiny. It can and does, however, gather evidence in support of one interpretation or another. In other words, it assists the court in gathering evidence on which the jury (you and I) renders a verdict. Unfortunately, we as jurists cannot be entirely objective because we are personally affected by the outcome. For example, if the universe and all of life were intentionally created by an eternal Being, then the eternal destiny of the jury may very well depend on its response to his demands. Conversely, if an accident produced it all, then human life is the highest authority and we can live as we please without fear of... reprisal. (33 34)

258 258 Apologetics Self-Test True-False. Write T in the blank space preceding each TRUE statement. Write F if it is FALSE Science obtains its information strictly from empirical evidence The main purpose of science is to explain the natural world Science gives us important information concerning our origin and destiny Science is limited to describing process The scientific method uses the process of induction to arrive at a conclusion When a hypothesis has been validated by the scientist, he or she is ready to make predictions or generalizations concerning it Terms such as laws of nature and scientific facts are causal; that is, they describe what must be Galileo and Isaac Newton easily convinced the medieval church that its understanding of the universe was incorrect The Period of Enlightenment marked the beginning of scientism and supreme confidence in human rationality Scientism emphasized the regularity of nature and the trustworthiness of sensory data Christians can function best by maintaining their Christian faith in their private lives and accepting the implications of scientism in all other areas of their lives To accommodate the views of scientism, theologians such as Rudolph Bultmann devised a theology that rejected the miraculous It is possible, by applying the scientific method, to disprove the creation account as it is described in Genesis 1 and The Christian is reinforced in his or her belief that the Bible is God s Word by his or her personal spiritual experience A biblical synthesis rejects the idea that nature alone is real Miracles tend to destroy confidence in the basic orderliness of a universe characterized by natural law The word ex nihilo is used to emphasize that God created the universe out of nothing The Oscillating Universe Theory and the Steady State Theory both begin with the premise that the universe had a beginning The estimate of scientists that the universe may be as old as six billion years is not in conflict with anything taught in the Bible on this subject.

259 259 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? Darwin s theory of evolution is inconsistent with biblical teaching because, according to Darwin, man is the result of lower orders of animals evolving upward The view of microevolution, which allows for a process of change within a species, does not conflict with the biblical account of man s origin The Bible makes no allowance for genetic adaptation, variation, and change in species. Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions Explain these processes in the scientific method: 23 Hypothesize: Experiment: Accommodate:...

260 260 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 13 A Christian must reject statements a and c. 1 b) description. 14 a God created all things and sustains all things. b The universe was formed at God s command and was made out of nothing (ex nihilo). 2 Answers a, c, e, and f apply to science. 15 a 4) Galaxy b 1) Cosmogony c 5) Light-year d 3) Ex nihilo e 2) Cosmology 3 c) Given a choice of liquids, cats will choose milk. 16 a Description: As galaxies are moving farther out into the universe, they are being replaced by new hydrogen atoms so that there is at all times a given amount of matter in evidence. Conflict: According to this theory the universe is eternal. b Description: The universe is constantly expanding, but when gravitational forces overcome the momentum of expansion it will slowly revert back to a concentration of dense material, at which point the process will begin again. Conflict: The Bible reveals that there is a beginning and a destiny for all of creation. c Description: At one point (the beginning), there was a dense source of matter which, at a given moment, violently exploded, bringing the universe into being. Agreement: There is no conflict between this theory and the creation account. Both indicate a beginning at a point in time. 4 d) proposition. 17 Your answer may be similar to this: a Both statements indicate there was a beginning. Christians believe the universe was created by God out of nothing. Therefore, hydrogen and all other elements in the universe were created by Him. The non- Christian scientist believes that everything came into being by accident through a huge explosion. b Both of these statements are based on faith because neither one can be proved by the scientific method. The biblical account better explains the orderliness and intelligence that we see in the universe. 5 They describe what happens with regularity in the natural world. 18 Statements a, b, d, and e are true. 6 Probability, because this cannot be proved by the empirical method 19 Tests involving the stars, movement of galaxies, and other age-dating methods such as the study of fossils and radioactive decay give us some ideas concerning the age of the universe.

261 261 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible? 7 a A spirit of inquiry challenged current ideas. b Man was elevated to a superior position, and God was ruled out. c The idea of supernatural phenomena was rejected. 20 Microevolution seems to fit best with the biblical account. 8 Some are fearful and suspicious of people with modern views concerning the scientific method. Some try to adopt ideas of scientism in their public life and serve God in their private life. Others have allowed the demands of scientism to rob them of fundamental biblical beliefs. 21 No, this is not necessary. Not all scientists are atheists, and some evolutionist views do make room for God. The Bible is not a science book. Many scientific findings are valid and help us to understand better the amazing world God has created. 9 No, this is not possible, because the scientific method relies solely on empirical evidence that which can be observed or tested by the senses. 22 d) Naturalistic evolution 10 No, this is not possible either, because the scientific method cannot be applied to it either to prove it or disprove it. 23 Your answer may be similar to this: a Probably the Progressive Creative Catastrophism Theory is most compatible with a literal interpretation of Genesis 1, and it does account for the apparent age of the universe. However, these are all theories. The Bible does not tell us how and when these things happened. b The Bible does not tell us when the events in the Genesis 1 account took place, except to describe it as the beginning. It does tell us that from the dust of the earth God created man (male and female) in His own image. 11 He or she accepts this on the basis of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and on the basis of his or her acceptance of the Bible as God s revealed Word.

262 262 Apologetics 24 a Using what you have studied in this lesson, you should emphasize that science answers the material questions of life and the Bible answers people s spiritual questions. Each deals with different aspects of our life on earth. Perhaps you also would explain the biblical synthesis that you studied in this lesson. It shows how a Christian today can honor God s Word and at the same time understand the place science occupies in our world. b As we have seen, there are many theories related to evolution. You need to be sure what kind of evolution the inquirer has in mind. You might ask for reasons for his opinion. You could also explain that many Christians today hold to some type of microevolution. But those who believe the Bible insist that God created man in His image. c Science has never been able to prove this. There are gaps in the theory that cannot be overcome by applying the scientific method. The theory is no more testable than the Bible s revelation that God created man in His image. Both require faith. One requires faith in assumed processes of nature; the other requires faith in God and His Word. 12 c) the scientific method does not require an assumption of the existence of God.

263 263 Lesson 11: Is There Harmony between Science and the Bible?

264 Why Does God Permit 12Suffering? the activities... the objectives... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Ramm, pages Reading 2: Ramm, pages Reading 3: Ramm, pages Reading 4: Ramm, pages Reading 5: Ramm, pages Reading 6: Little, pages Work through the lesson in the usual manner. Then take the self-test, and check your answers Summarize the problem of evil, and identify examples of natural, moral, and gratuitous evil Identify the main concepts of the reality of freedom view of evil and the views of evil as meta-physical lack, as instrument, and as a given Describe the main ideas of the various versions of the view that evil is an instrument God uses for good Identify the concept of evil according to the Christological, doxological, and eschatological points of view Based on given Scripture passages, summarize biblical teaching concerning the problem of suffering and evil Use the given Scripture passages to develop a biblical synthesis concerning the problem of evil.

265 265 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? the outline... 1 Statement of the Problem 2 Attempts to Resolve the Problem a Various Philosophical or Religious Views b Evil Alleviated Christologically c The Doxological Verdict d The Eschatological Verdict 3 Key Biblical Passages a Old Testament b New Testament 4 A Proposed Biblical Synthesis a Freedom and Choice b Judgment and Satan c God s Personal Action No question in apologetics today is more critical than the one posed in our lesson title. How can the Christian address the problem of evil in the world that causes suffering, devastation, and death? How can those who serve a good, wise, and omnipotent God explain this problem? Is there a satisfactory explanation? The twentieth century has been a time of intense suffering for multitudes of people around the world. The legacy of our times includes some of the world s bloodiest wars, the threat of nuclear disaster, and the horror of great atrocities by one ethnic group against another in various parts of the world. Add to these the many natural disasters that continue to occur, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and widespread famines, and you can begin to understand why ours is an age of pessimism. In this lesson we will look at some of the major arguments that have been given to resolve the problem of evil. Then we will suggest a biblical synthesis that can help you minister to those who express serious doubts about the existence or nature of God because of deep suffering and tragedy they have experienced. We believe that the Bible offers hope to those who are suffering: hope, which is found through faith in a God who loves us and who works in all things for our highest good. Objective 12.1 Summarize the problem of evil, and identify examples of natural, moral, and gratuitous evil. impotent lacking in power, strength, or vigor malevolent productive of harm or evil; having, showing, or arising from intense and often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred Statement Of The Problem Reading 1 Probably the most quoted statement of the problem of evil comes from David Hume s (1974) Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. Speaking of God, Hume asks these questions: Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent*. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent*. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil? (490).

266 266 Apologetics The word impotent in this quotation means powerless ; the word malevolent means bad or evil. These are opposite in meaning to the words good and omnipotent, which we ascribe to God as characteristics of the divine nature. Let us state the problem of evil in another way: How can God be good (that is, not willing evil), wise (able to construct a universe that is not a jumble of confusion), and powerful (not letting anything exist which is beyond His control), and still permit evil to exist? You can see the apparent dilemma. If God is wholly good, then it would appear that He would want to make His creation happy. The fact that there is unhappiness in the universe, therefore, might lead one to believe that a good God is not powerful enough to accomplish this. Or, to put it another way, if God were all-powerful, then one might conclude that He is not good, because having the capacity to make His creation happy and not using that power could imply that He is less than good and benevolent. What about the wisdom of God? Is it possible that God does not know enough to do the best thing? Does that explain why He permits suffering? You can see from these different ways of stating the problem that the reality of evil in this world raises the question of the character of God. Therefore, it is a crucial issue in apologetics. Bernard Ramm distinguishes between evil and sin (Figure 12.1): EVIL: The destruction of the good. SIN: An act contrary to some moral code. gratuitous unwarranted; not called for by the circumstances; being without apparent reason, cause, or justification Figure 12.1 Theologians sometimes distinguish between moral evil (sin) and natural evil (that which is harmful). John S. Feinberg (1994) describes the problem of moral evil as the theological/philosophical problem of evil and describes moral evils as those that arise from human activity. He distinguishes moral evil from natural evils such as pains and diseases, earthquakes, fires, floods, pestilences, hurricanes, and famine. Feinberg also emphasizes that the problem of evil in general includes problems about the quantity, intensity, and apparent gratuitousness of evil. In summary he defines these problems with the following questions (16): 1. The quantity of evil. Whatever God s purpose in allowing evil, why is there so much evil in the world? 2. The intensity of evil. Even if there is some justification for evil in general, why are some specific evils (cancer, for example) so bad? 3. Gratuitous* evil. While some evils seem attached to some good end, others seem purposeless (for example, children or animals in great pain). Why would an omnipotent, loving God allow seemingly unwarranted evils?

267 267 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? 1 Try from memory to restate the three main questions the apologist must seek to answer concerning the problem of evil. In your three questions you will use the following words: a Good:... b Wise:... c All-powerful:... 2 Read each statement, then write in the blank space the letter N if it describes something in the category of a natural evil. M if it describes a moral evil.... a One group of people is treated badly by another group of people.... b A baby suffers brain damage during a difficult birth.... c An employee is untruthful about the work he has done.... d Homes are destroyed by a flood following heavy rains.... e A rope breaks and a mountain climber falls to his death.... f A plane crashes because needed repairs were not made. 3 Which of these is an example of seemingly gratuitous evil? a) A widow mourns the sudden death of her husband. b) A man is killed when his car goes out of control and strikes a tree. c) A minister is thrown in prison for preaching the gospel. d) Victims of famine in a remote area slowly starve to death. Attempts To Resolve The Problem Readings 2 and 3 Now that we understand why the presence of evil in the world presents a problem for the Christian apologist, let us consider some of the important attempts to reconcile the apparent conflict between the idea of evil and the character of God. First we will summarize Ramm s analysis of the following points of view: 1. Evil as metaphysical lack 2. Evil as instrument 3. Evil and the reality of freedom 4. Evil as a given

268 268 Apologetics Objective 12.2 Identify the main concepts of the reality of freedom view of evil and the views of evil as meta-physical lack, as instrument, and as a given. Various Philosophical or Religious Views Reading 2 Evil as Metaphysical Lack Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz ( ), a German philosopher, coined the word theodicy as the title of his 1710 essay on the problem of evil. Theodicy refers to the justification or the exoneration of the ways of God with men, particularly as they center in the problem of evil (p. 120). Leibniz identified three kinds of evil: moral, physical, and metaphysical. John S. Feinberg helps us to understand the Leibnizian system of evil, which begins with the idea that perfection is to be found only in God. Leibniz explains that metaphysical evil

269 269 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? Objective 12.3 Describe the main ideas of the various versions of the view that evil is an instrument God uses for good. Evil as Instrument GOD... WHISPERS TO US IN OUR PLEASURES, SPEAKS IN OUR CONSCIENCE, BUT SHOUTS IN OUR PAINS: IT IS HIS MEGAPHONE TO ROUSE A DEAF WORLD. C.S. Lewis, in The Problem of Pain (1940, 81) Figure 12.2 According to the evil as instrument view, God, in His wisdom and providence, makes all evil contribute to the total good of the universe. In other words, God uses evil as an instrument for human good. Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28 are cited to support this view. Ramm discusses seven versions of this view ( ). 1. The aesthetic version. By itself evil appears to be irrational and contrary to the goodness of God. However, in its total perspective it is instrumental in contributing to the beauty of the universe. 2. The dualistic version. This view rests on the assumption that an ongoing struggle between good and evil is built into the universe itself. Although its outcome is not yet realized, good will eventually triumph and a greater good will somehow emerge. 3. The definition theory. According to this theory, it is only by knowing pain that one can know the meaning of relief from pain. C. S. Lewis (1940) refers to this awareness of relief from pain in a simple illustration. He writes, And, if I may trust my own feeling, a slight aching in the legs as we climb into bed after a good day s walking is, in fact, pleasurable (20). Therefore, in order to appreciate goodness, one must experience evil. Ramm states that a person is therefore eternally better for having experienced evil, for he now knows the real character of the good.... Only those who have known evil, shame, depravity, sin, and guilt really understand love, redemption, forgiveness, pardon, and salvation ( ). 4. The struggle theory. According to this theory, character comes out of contest. Therefore, obstacles to be overcome are important for the fullest development of a person s nature. Only by struggling against evil can one have such qualities as courage, resourcefulness, godly character, and love. 5. Calvin s theory. This theory is developed from the writings of John Calvin ( ), the French reformer and theologian. The theory states that in a universe under the absolute lordship of Christ, everything ultimately will point to the glory of God. Within this majestic view even evil will someday be a means to that end. For it is in the triumph of God over evil that He will be fully revealed in all of His glory.

270 270 Apologetics compossibility the state of being compatible or potentially consistent; the ability to exist or happen together 6. Leibniz s theory. This theory is based on the premise that in order for God to create the best of all possible worlds, a world with just those evils in the amount present in our world must exist (Feinberg, 1994, 38). Ramm explains this further: God chose this present universe because it yields the most good... in terms of compossibility*. It is the best possible compossible world! God could eliminate cancer. But this would lower the good in the world for God thought of every possible world including the exact one in which we live but without cancer. The elimination of cancer lowered the good so many millimeters. Eliminate any evil you can think of. God has already thought of that universe and saw that the elimination of that evil lowered the good in the universe. (127) Ramm s definition includes the idea of compossibility. By this he means that combination of factors that can best be put together harmoniously so as to produce the maximum possible good. In other words, it refers to the best possible combinations of conditions to achieve the greatest good cosmically or universally. 7. Soul-making. The soul-making theory is similar to the struggle theory. It suggests that man s character is developed as he is confronted with obstacles over which he must gain victories. Thus, evils and hardships in life are instruments through which a person becomes a mature soul. The liberal view of soul-making is related to the evolutionary teaching that man progressed from beast to prehuman and eventually to human as a result of confronting obstacles and eventually developing a moral way of looking at things. It becomes apparent from the variety of expressions of the instrumental view that this focus has been important in the attempt to resolve the problem of evil. 4 Which view of evil as an instrument states that built into the universe is an ongoing struggle between good and evil and good will eventually triumph? a) The struggle theory b) The definition theory c) Leibniz s theory d) The dualistic theory 5 Leibniz s theory of compossibility is based on the idea that a) this is the best of all possible worlds. b) it is impossible for God to overcome evil. c) the greatest possible good comes through the greatest evil. d) there is good in evil and evil in good. 6 One can only know the meaning of courage by experiencing fear. This is an example of the evil as instrument view called the a) aesthetic version. b) definition theory. c) theory of Calvin. d) dualistic version.

271 271 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? 7 Circle the letter preceding each TRUE statement. a According to Calvin s teaching, evil is a means to the full revelation of the glory of God. b The soul-making theory relates the development of character to the experience of evil. c According to Leibniz the best of all possible worlds would be free of evil. d According to the dualistic version, the struggle between good and evil will never end. Evil and the Reality of Freedom The person Ramm most strongly associates with the reality of freedom view is the Scottish theologian A. M. Fairbairn ( ). Fairbairn s argument rests squarely on the biblical concept that man is created in the image of God. Of what does that image consist? Ramm sees in this view a forceful attempt to define the image of God in terms of complete freedom. That is, to be human is to have the alternative to sin or not to sin. God did not create human beings as robots but as persons equipped with the power to make moral decisions. With that power comes the risk of wrong decision-making. Therefore, as a necessary aspect of being human, freedom requires the potential for evil. 8 According to this freedom concept, the possibility of evil is based on a) man s free choice to obey or disobey God. b) the extent of the image of God in man. c) whether free choice involves decision-making. d) the risks involved in making moral decisions. Evil as a Given In the field of philosophy, the given is defined simply as what is there. It is something that is taken for granted, a basic condition or assumption. It is something presented to us over which we have no control. A given is so imbedded in the universe that it is simply there. There are some givens, therefore, which defy definition or explanation; they merely require acceptance. Because evil is a given, there is no need to find justification or an explanation for it. An exponent of this view is Karl Barth ( ), a Swiss theologian. Some theologians who accept evil as a given refer to the dark side of God. This is a way of describing God as limited or being less than all-powerful. 9 Based on your studies about God in this course, does the Bible support the concept of a dark side of God? Explain. Ramm sees yet another aspect of this view. He sees the idea of a cosmic fall as a way of speaking of the reality of evil in the present world. Rather than picturing God as being permanently limited, the concept of a fall shows the effects of sin in the present world as a harsh reality to be reckoned with. It does not view God as lacking in perfection; rather, evil is seen as an intrusion that someday will be dealt with by a powerful God.

272 272 Apologetics 10 Does the Bible support the concept of a cosmic fall to explain the presence of evil in the world? Explain. 11 Match each explanation (left) to the view of evil it describes (right).... a Because people are made in the image of God, they have the possibility of choice for good or for evil.... b One can only know the real character of good by experiencing pain or evil.... c Evil is to be understood as something which simply must be accepted as part of experience because it is there in the universe and therefore outside of anyone s control. 1) Evil as metaphysical lack 2) Evil as instrument 3) Evil and the reality of freedom 4) Evil as a given... d Nothing is perfect except God; in a finite and less-than-perfect world there is, therefore, the possibility of evil.... e God makes all evil contribute to the total good of the universe. 12 According to Leibniz, evil is necessary in order for God to a) make humankind in His image. b) receive glory from humans. c) create the best of all possible worlds. d) develop people s characters and make them mature souls. Objective 12.4 Identify the concept of evil according to the Christological, doxological, and eschatological points of view. Evil Alleviated Christologically Reading 3 Evil incidents raise questions about the love and goodness of God. The Christological view does not attempt to explain evil. Rather, it points to Christ s death on the cross, where He took the punishment for our sins, as the answer to the question raised about the love of God. The cross of Christ becomes the entire argument. The Christian, confronted by suffering and tragedy, finds comfort and reassurance of the love and goodness of God when he or she looks to the cross. Ramm relates this view to Sir Robert Anderson s book, The Silence of God, written following severe persecution of Christian Armenians near the end of the nineteenth century. Anderson s main point in this book, Ramm says, was that God revealed His supreme love for man in the cross of Christ; nothing more needs to be said: Therefore the Christian rests his heart about evil and atrocities and barbarities in the sure knowledge of God s love at the cross (131).

273 273 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? Another proponent of the Christological view of evil is Karl Barth, who, like Sir Robert Anderson, was convinced that there are no rational explanations of the irrationality of evil. For Barth the cross of Christ is the final answer. Christ reveals God s supreme love on the cross. If the distressed Christian looks to Calvary, he realizes that sin and evil were dealt with there and, in God s time, will be overcome completely. For the present Ramm writes, The bleeding wounds of Christ are more powerful to comfort than the bleeding wounds of evil are able to create doubt or distrust (134). 13 Why is the cross such a source of comfort for the suffering Christian? doxological relating to a usually liturgical expression of praise to God The Doxological Verdict The doxological* verdict refers to the theodicy point of view of Dutch theologian, G. C. Berkouwer (1952). There is a similarity between the views of Berkouwer and Barth in that both reject philosophical or some religious approaches that attempt to explain the problem of evil. Berkouwer s list is a little different from ours and spoke well of Karl Barth s Christological theodicy in how it refuted a weakness of Leibniz ( ). Still, Berkouwer disagrees with Barth s focus, on the extent of interpreting the Creation and the universe Christologically. To Berkouwer, theodicy systems were too artificial and unbelievable ( ). He believes that through the totality of troubles, Christians should lift praise to God. God is triumphant. Using the Lord s Supper as illustration for the Church, it is in the participation oin the body and blood of Christ that the congregation is called back from murmuring to thanksgiving, from doubt to certainty, and from rebellion to doxology (274). This view is called the doxological verdict because it emphasizes that the Christian gives praise and glory to God in the midst of all circumstances. Merlin Carothers (1973) speaks of this in his book, Power in Praise: Praise is based on a total and joyful acceptance of the present as part of God s loving, perfect will for us. Praise is not based on what we think or hope will happen in the future (5). 14 What is the key to approaching the problem of evil according to the doxological verdict? eschatological of or relating to the end of the world or the events associated with it; of or relating to various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment The Eschatological Verdict The eschatological* verdict concerning evil is attributed to the philosopher Immanuel Kant ( ). While the doxological verdict aims at sustaining the believer in the midst of present difficulties, the eschatological verdict is future-oriented. There is no attempt to resolve the tangles of this present life. Recourse for the lack of justice and harmony in this life is left in the hands of God, but in terms of the future, not the present. To expect justice in this world is foolish because the solution to injustice is reserved for a future time beyond this life. God s goodness, wisdom, and power will only be fully evident eschatologically (at the end of time).

274 274 Apologetics Hope is an important word in this viewpoint. Hope is what gives a sense of meaning and direction to believers when they are surrounded by apparently unresolvable frustrations for which they can find no good answers. 15 Match to each Christian approach to evil (right) the example that best illustrates it (left).... a This is the most difficult experience I have ever had, but my heart is full of praise to God because I know He is using it to show me His perfect will for my life.... b I have many troubles, but I can say with Job, Though He should slay me, yet will I trust Him. When I get to heaven, God will reveal to me the reason for my suffering. 1) Christological approach 2) Doxological verdict 3) Eschatological verdict... c When I think of the cross of Christ, I can never doubt God s goodness and love for me no matter what happens to me. Objective 12.5 Based on given Scripture passages, summarize biblical teaching concerning the problem of suffering and evil. Key Biblical Passages Now that we have looked at various philosophical, religious, and Christian views of the problem of suffering and evil, we need to look closely at biblical references to the problem and what we can learn from them. Be sure to read the following Scripture passages as you come to them in this section: 1. The book of Job 2. Psalm The book of Habakkuk 4. Luke 13: Romans 8: Corinthians 4: The book of Revelation Reading 4 Old Testament The Book of Job The book of Job is the most important passage of Scripture with respect to the problem of evil. Ramm does not attempt to furnish a detailed exegesis of the book, but he does suggest four themes that help us to understand the meaning of the book. 1. The basis of love for God: The central theme in Job, according to Ramm, is that Job s love for God is based solely on God s being, perfection,

275 275 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? goodness, and justice and not on any particular earthly blessing or benefit he, Job, has experienced. As Ramm indicates, the great missionary evangelist, Jonathan Edwards ( ) emphasized in his great work, A Treatise on Religious Affections, that faith is loving God for what He is and for the pure benefits of the gospel. The thesis of Job and Edwards, Ramm says, is this: Real faith is not for reward but for God himself (p. 137). Job is not destroyed by evil because his faith does not depend on earthly blessings that can be destroyed by evil. 2. The eschatological interpretation: This theme is summarized in Job 19: Read that Scripture passage carefully. Crucial to the eschatological theme is the idea that not all suffering is punishment and that, therefore, affliction is not always the result of something the sufferer has done. God will not desert the sufferer but will eventually vindicate the innocent. Job expresses strong hope that ultimately right will triumph because justice is part of the character of God. Job is willing to live without immediate answers and explanations of evil and suffering because he knows and trusts God. 3. The providence of God: Job has trust in the present providence of God. While he cannot explain his suffering, he has not overthrown his confidence in the regularity of the seasons and in the various and marvelous other means arranged by God to keep life ongoing. As Ramm indicates, the problem of evil is not solved for Job, but he learns how to live with it because of his trust in the God of creation. We might state this another way: In the midst of life s storms and perplexities, the fact that God provides the means for survival is itself a witness to His care. We all have much for which to thank the Lord. Paul emphasizes this with his admonition, Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 4. The instrumental aspect of evil: The epilogue of the book of Job pictures Job as prospering greatly in terms of the culture of that time. Ramm sees in this the principle that, apart from the time of suffering he experienced, Job s latter end would not have had the richness and meaning which God intended for him to understand. 16 Suppose you are ministering to someone who is going through a great trial. Using the four themes of Job, what could you say to that person to help him or her understand why God would allow such suffering? a The basis of love for God:... b The eschatological interpretation:... c The providence of God:... d The instrumental aspect of evil:...

276 276 Apologetics Psalm Read Psalm 73 carefully and answer these questions: a How does the Psalmist look at the wicked (vv. 1 12)? b c How does the Psalmist view the apparent worth of his own devotion and obedience to God (vv )? What causes a dramatic change to take place in the Psalmist s outlook (v. 17)? In verses 17 20, the Psalmist is reminded that the wicked will eventually be judged according to their deeds. The reverse too is true. A day will come when the righteous will be appropriately rewarded. The Psalmist cites a key principle to explain why the one who trusts in God may have hope in the midst of suffering: Through divine revelation, God is shown to be the Moral Vindicator (140). 18 The Psalmist s solution to the problem of evil best represents which of these? a) The Christological approach b) The doxological verdict c) The view of metaphysical lack d) The eschatological verdict Habakkuk 19 Ramm calls Habakkuk the Job of the Minor Prophets. In your opinion why does he use this title? Habakkuk 2:1 4 is crucial to an understanding of this book. Habakkuk goes up to the watchtower to wait for a word from the Lord. But when God speaks, He tells Habakkuk that the revelation which will explain the ambiguity of the present, in which evil seems to prevail, will not be forthcoming immediately. In the meantime, the prophet is encouraged to throw himself on the Lord in trust, for the righteous will live by his faith (v. 4). 20 Ramm describes God s response to Habakkuk as an eschatological answer. Explain why this is an appropriate description. Ramm refers to a parallel passage in the New Testament: Hebrews 10: Here the reference is to the suffering of Christians. God s promise has both eschatological and Christological implications.

277 277 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? 21 Read Hebrews 10:32 39 and answer these questions: a When will Christians be vindicated for the suffering they endure on earth? b Explain the eschatological and Christological implications of this passage. Reading 5 Luke 13:1 5 New Testament While it is true that a person s sinful acts may bring upon him tragic results, Jesus referred to the incidents recorded in Luke 13:1 5 to teach his disciples that tragedies, pain, and suffering are not necessarily the result of specific sinful acts. Nevertheless, Ramm points out, tragic things in general happen to people in general because people are sinners (143). Also, God will eventually judge the sinful acts of people who do not repent of their sins. 22 What truth does this passage emphasize that we need to remember when we are trying to help a Christian who is suffering a tragedy and does not understand why? Romans 8:18 25 In Romans 8:18 25, the apostle Paul speaks of a creation that has been subjected to the bondage of decay because of sin but which will eventually be brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God (v. 21). As Ramm indicates, the theodicy of this passage is eschatological. Paul does not attempt to explain why the righteous suffer, but he offers future hope. Ramm sees this encouragement of things yet to come as having instrumental value. 23 To what future hope does Paul contrast our present sufferings? 2 Corinthians 4:16 18 In 2 Corinthians 4:16 18, the apostle Paul contrasts the believer s outward experience of wasting away (as a result of being subjected to such things as disease, corruption, and death) with his inward experience of being renewed day by day. 24 Read 2 Corinthians 4:16 18, and answer these questions: a What instrumental value does Paul give to our light and momentary troubles? b Explain the eschatological implications of this passage.

278 278 Apologetics The Book of Revelation Ramm explains that the basic purpose of the book of Revelation is to encourage persecuted Christians and churches of the first century AD He also declares, The contest of good and evil, God and the devil, saint and persecutor, angels and demons comes out in the fullest revelation and manifestation more than in any other part of all of Holy Scripture (145). Ramm sees in the book of Revelation a parade of all the answers to the problem of evil. In summary, every evil person will be punished and every wicked deed will be judged. Every righteous person and every righteous act will be rewarded. Hell is the reward of those who are wicked, sinful, immoral, and anti-god. Heaven is the place of perfect joy and contentment for the righteous. Everything that is evil will be banished from heaven. God is the final victor, and Christ is the triumphant Lion of Judah. 25 Why is the book of Revelation so important as a final word of encouragement for all Christians who are experiencing persecution, pain, or suffering of any kind? Objective 12.6 Use the given Scripture passages to develop a biblical synthesis concerning the problem of evil. A Proposed Biblical Synthesis Reading 6 We have already considered various dimensions of the problem of evil and have considered what several important Scripture passages indicate about the perplexities of suffering. Now we will follow Paul Little s line of reasoning and attempt to develop a biblical synthesis of the problem. Freedom and Choice Little (2000, 168) begins by discussing the nature of man, whom he pictures as the product of God s special creation. (When we speak of the nature of man, our reference includes all human beings, both male and female.) That which makes human beings unique is that they were created in the image of God and have a moral nature. It was God s intent that man should fellowship with Him out of choice. Such a choice should be freely made because of one s love for God. Therefore, He gave man the precious but risk-filled gift of freedom. Without the capacity or freedom to make moral decisions, man is less than human. It is important to mention here that evil is not a thing. It is not proper to ask the question, Did God create evil? Evil is not a kind of property that can be created. It is best described as a force or a relationship a disordered relationship and not a thing. It is by his own personal choice that man entered into a disordered relationship with God. The fact that God made man with the

279 279 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? awesome capability to make moral choices does not automatically charge Him with responsibility for what man does with that power. Notice in Romans 1 the repeated phrase, God gave them over (vv. 24, 26, 28). When people persistently resist the light and love that God makes available to them, God eventually permits them to become what they demand. God will leave them alone at last. The awful fate of those who, by their own choice, rule out all conviction of the Holy Spirit is that they become what they are capable of becoming apart from God. Hell is populated by people who have pushed God out of their lives and have at last received what they demanded. The tyranny and judgment of a life lived for self, rather than for God, is terrifying to contemplate. Romans 1 graphically illustrates the historical unfolding of moral evil. Genesis 3 depicts the story of natural evil. Man s choice to disobey God not only corrupted his own moral nature, but also resulted in the disordering of the created world, his own environment. Physical suffering is pictured in Scripture as part of the legacy left by man s sinful choice. 26 Consider humankind s capacity to make moral choices and answer these questions: a Why did God not make man so that he could not sin? b c According to Romans 5:12, who is charged with responsibility for sin? Who sends man (any human being) to hell? Judgment and Satan Speaking of God s judgment of sin, Little (2000) indicates that a time is coming when He will stamp out evil in the world and judge the devil and all of his works. It will be an eternal judgment. Little then makes this observation: If God were to stamp out evil today, he would do a complete job.... His action would be complete and would have to include our lies and personal impurities, our lack of love and our failure to do good (169). 27 Suppose God were suddenly to invade our disordered world and stamp out all evil. What would be the result? Psalm 103 emphasizes that God s judgment is tempered by His mercy and grace. Read it now, and notice particularly verses 8 and 10: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. These verses describe two very important words related to God s judgment: mercy and grace. Mercy is the withholding of judgment: He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. This does not mean that wrath will not be poured out upon sin, but that it is delayed or diverted. God, as a Holy God, must act against sin. In His mercy He has withheld or

280 280 Apologetics diverted His wrath so that, instead of falling upon sinful man, it falls on His Son, Jesus Christ. By His grace God does give us what we do not deserve: He bestows upon us the righteousness of Christ so that we stand before Him wrapped, not in our own filthy garments, but in the perfect righteousness of Christ (Galatians 3:26 27). This wonderful benefit is received simply by trusting in Christ. Is that not indeed good news? We see, then, that God is holy and He judges sin. Evil will not go forever unpunished. But He is also a God of supreme love. Mercy and grace are expressions of His love. Today is still a day of mercy. The very fact that final judgment has not yet been administered is a token that His offer of pardon is still available. 28 What must a person do to avoid the wrath of God?... An important facet in the whole question of evil is the role of Satan. While the Bible does not give us many details about the rebellion of Satan, it appears that, prior to the events recorded in Genesis 1 2, a created order of personal beings called angels were tested morally. Like man, they were created with freedom of choice. During their period of testing, one-third of these beings sided with their rebellious leader, Lucifer, son of the dawn (Isaiah 14:12). God judged this wicked act and cast the wicked angels out of heaven. Evidently Satan has been given a limited sphere of freedom in which to operate, including access to the minds of men today. He is the destroyer, tempter, and enemy (Matthew 13:24 28). 29 What does James 4:7 indicate about Satan s access to the Christian? Satan is indeed the cause of much of the sickness and suffering in the world today. It is the foolish Christian who does not recognize that he is a cunning foe. He has been defeated at Calvary but has not yet been banished. Ephesians 6:10 18 outlines in a practical fashion the armament the believer should employ in the battle against this subtle enemy. 30 According to 1 John 5:4, what is the source of victory that makes it possible for the Christian to live an overcoming life? God s Personal Action The Christian revelation adds a powerful dimension to the resolution of the problem of evil. God, as a personal Being, enters the struggle. The Bible portrays God not only as Creator, but also as Redeemer. The God who made man in His image, giving him the vast potential to choose wrong as well as right, is the same God who arranged for man s deliverance out of guilt. The removal of sin through Jesus Christ is the focal point of all history. At Calvary God acted to break the power of sin. Romans 8:32 tells us that God involved himself personally in our predicament.

281 281 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? Therefore, even though this present age still bears the stamp of Satan upon it, we are assured that the victory has already been won at Calvary. Further, at a time still in the future, God will put away all evil. His revelation, both written and living, discloses His goodness, wisdom, and power. We are not expected to understand all of the details of God s working, nor are we expected to know specific reasons for particular tragedies that befall us. We are, however, provided with the important revelation that, in Christ, God has moved into our need with immense love, mercy, and grace. 31 Summarize the main ideas in the biblical response to the problem of evil that you could use to help someone who, as the result of personal suffering, is questioning the goodness, wisdom, and power of God.

282 282 Apologetics Self-Test Multiple Choice. Circle the letter preceding the best answer to each question. 1 One way the problem of evil is expressed is this: If God is all-powerful, then He is NOT a) active in the universe. b) wholly good. c) the author of evil. d) a personal God. 2 Another word for moral evil is a) disease. b) pain. c) sin. d) guilt. 3 The view that evil is simply a metaphysical lack describes evil as being a) gratuitous pain. b) immoral acts. c) irrational. d) imperfection. 4 In the view of evil as instrument, the definition theory claims that a) in order to appreciate goodness, one must experience pain. b) what is good will eventually triumph over what is evil. c) evil contributes to the beauty of the universe. d) everything, including evil, will ultimately point to the glory of God. 5 Which of these theories includes the idea that the best of all possible worlds must contain evil? a) Leibniz s theory b) The struggle theory c) Calvin s theory d) The soul-making theory 6 The reality of freedom theory maintains that God created man in such a way that the possibility to do evil is a) limited. b) unlikely. c) avoided. d) necessary. 7 It is incorrect to say that God a) judges sin. b) created evil. c) permits evil. d) brings good out of evil.

283 283 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? 8 The Christological view addresses the subject of evil by a) explaining its irrationality. b) showing that suffering is necessary. c) pointing to the cross of Christ. d) looking to the future justice of God. 9 The eschatological interpretation of the book of Job is that a) no one can explain why people suffer. b) ultimately right will triumph. c) evil can destroy a person. d) love for God is not based on circumstances. 10 Jesus example of tragic incidents recorded in Luke 13 emphasizes that a) sinful acts always bring tragic results. b) God uses some people to punish others. c) suffering is not necessarily the result of sinful acts. d) every evil deed will be punished at some future time SHORT ESSAY. In the space provided, briefly describe how God has acted to break the power of sin or evil and relieve human suffering.

284 284 Apologetics Answers To Study Questions 16 Your response may be similar to this: a Love for God is based on His being and not on the benefits one receives from Him. b We can trust God without immediate understanding of why we must suffer because we know that ultimately right will triumph. c We can see God s providence all around us in a general way, and therefore we can trust Him in our particular circumstances. d The spiritual blessings that come out of our trials help us to see that we have benefited from them. 1 Your questions may be similar to these: a How can God be good and still allow evil to exist? b If God is all-powerful, why does He not prevent evil from happening? c If God is wise, does He not know enough to prevent suffering? 17 a He is envious because of their apparent successes. b He seems to see no immediate benefit of his devotion and obedience. c When he enters the sanctuary, he sees things from a new perspective. Presumably he hears the Word of God. 2 a M b N (This response assumes that immoral actions of the parents or others did not cause the brain damage.) c M d N e N (This response assumes that the rope broke by accident.) f N (This response assumes that the cause of the accident was simply negligence.) 18 d) The eschatological verdict 3 d) Victims of famine in a remote area slowly starve to death. 19 Like Job, Habakkuk complains directly to God about the apparent unreasonableness of his immediate predicament, but eventually his true faith is expressed and God gives him a satisfactory answer. 4 d) The dualistic theory 20 The resolution of the problem of evil will come in the future. 5 a) this is the best of all possible worlds. 21 a When He who is coming will come for them b The believer s vindication for suffering will come in the future through Jesus Christ, the coming One. 6 b) definition theory. 22 Sometimes people suffer through no fault of their own. Bad things do happen to good people. 7 Statements a and b are true.

285 285 Lesson 12: Why Does God Permit Suffering? 23 He contrasts it to the glory that will be revealed in us at some future time. 8 a) man s free choice to obey or disobey God. 24 a These troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. b In our sufferings we fix our eyes on the unseen, which is eternal. 9 There is no support in Scripture for such a concept. 25 This book gives encouragement to Christians who are under great stress. God is the final victor. Christ, the Lamb, triumphs. There will be a future resolution of suffering and evil. 10 Yes, prior to human history and the creation of earth, Satan and one third of the angels fell because of pride, and brought evil into the universe. 26 a If He had done so, man would be less than human and merely a robot. b Man himself is responsible for his sin. c He sends himself to hell by the choices he makes that do not include God. 11 a 3) Evil and the reality of freedom b 2) Evil as instrument c 4) Evil as a given d 1) Evil as metaphysical lack e 2) Evil as instrument 27 Nobody would remain. 12 c) create the best of all possible worlds. 28 He must repent of his sin and accept the provision of God to remove his sin through the death of Christ on the cross. 13 The cross is evidence of God s supreme love for man. Christ s death on the cross dealt with the problem of sin and evil which, as a result, will be overcome completely. 29 If we resist Satan, he cannot harm us. 14 The key is to give praise and glory to God in every circumstance. 30 Our faith 15 a 2) Doxological verdict b 3) Eschatological verdict c 1) Christological approach 31 Your answer may include these ideas: Evil is inherent in the gift of free will. Much of the suffering people experience is due to the evil choices they make. Some suffering is allowed by God as judgment and punishment. God has an enemy in Satan, who is free to work his evil deeds until the final judgment of God. God is the greatest sufferer: He satisfied the problem of evil by giving His Son to die in our place.

286 Is Christian 13Experience Valid? the activities... the objectives... The readings for this lesson are Reading 1: Little, pages ; Acts chapter 2 Review the lessons in this unit in preparation for your unit progress evaluation (UPE). Read the instruction page in your Student Packet, then turn to Unit Progress Evaluation 3. When you have completed the UPE, check your answers with the answer key provided in your Student Packet. Review any items you may have answered incorrectly. (Although UPE scores do not count as part of your final course grade, they indicated how well you learned the material and how well you may perform on the final examination.) If you have not already done so, make arrangements now with your enrollment office for taking the final examination Identify and refute common objections to the validity of Christian experience Defend the validity of Christian experience on the basis of four given arguments Write an apologetic statement concerning where history is taking us based on the assumption that the Bible is a trustworthy historical document Evaluate given statements concerning the historical accuracy of the Bible to determine what they imply about Jesus Christ and His place in history Select statements that correctly summarize the implications of biblical Christianity.