Reaching Higher 6 - Archaeology

Transcription

1 Reaching Higher 6 - Archaeology 1

2 Earthly and Heavenly Things If I tell you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how will you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? John 3: 12 If you do not believe the earthly things (i.e., things about our physical universe) in the Word of God, then how can you believe the heavenly things (i.e., things of a spiritual nature)? Paraphrase of John 3:

3 The Bible & Physical Things Astronomy study of celestial bodies Biology / Physiology study of living organisms Chemistry study of matter and its elements Entomology study of insects Epidemiology / Pathology study of health related issues and disease Hematology study of blood Geology study of the earth (including rock layers and plate tectonics) Mathematics study of numbers or quantities Meteorology study of the atmosphere Oceanography / Hydrology study of water and its movement Optics / Electromagnetism study of electricity and magnetism Physics / Astrophysics study of matter & motion through space-time Paleontology study of fossils Thermodynamics study of heat transfer just to name a few 3 3

4 The Bible & Physical Things 4 4

5 The Bible and its Impact on Archaeology 5

6 The Bible and its Impact on Archaeology 6

7 Sir William Mitchell Ramsay I may fairly claim to have entered on this investigation without any prejudice in favor of the conclusion which I shall now attempt to justify [i.e., the reliability of the Book of Acts]. On the contrary, I began with a mind unfavorable to it, for the ingenuity and apparent completeness of the Tübingen theory had at one time quite convinced me but more recently I found myself often brought in contact with the book of Acts as an authority for the topography, antiquities, and society of Asia Minor. It was gradually borne in upon me that in various details the narrative showed marvelous truth. In fact, beginning with the fixed idea that the work was essentially a second-century composition, and never relying on its evidence as trustworthy for first-century conditions, I gradually came to find it a useful ally in some obscure and difficult investigations. - Sir William Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen 7

8 Sir William Mitchell Ramsay Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense In short this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians. Sir William Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and Roman Citizen 8

9 Luke the Historian Every location mentioned in the Book of Acts (save for one) has now been located archeologically! 9

10 Luke the Historian This includes 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands 10

11 Luke the Historian There are 95 names mentioned in the Book of Acts; 62 of whom do not show up elsewhere in the New Testament 11

12 Historicity of Jesus 12

13 Did Jesus Exist? New Testament Writers The New Testament contains 27 Books and was written from roughly 40 AD (Matthew) till about 90 AD (Revelation) There were at least 9 writers involved Each Book is written by or on behalf of someone who claims to be an eyewitness of Jesus Christ 13

14 Roman Sources: Did Jesus Exist? "Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus... Tacitus, Annals 15: 44 14

15 Pontius Pilate To the honorable gods (this) Tiberium Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea, had dedicated 15

16 Did Jesus Exist? Roman Sources: A libel was sent to me, though without an author, containing many names [of persons accused]. These denied that they were Christians now, or ever had been. They called upon the gods, and supplicated to your image, which I caused to be brought to me for that purpose, with frankincense and wine; they also cursed Christ; none of which things, it is said, can any of those that are really Christians be compelled to do; so I thought fit to let them go. Pliny the Younger, Pliny s Epistle to Trajan / Pliny s Letters 10: 96 16

17 Roman Sources: Did Jesus Exist? "As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he (Claudius) expelled them from Rome." Suetonius, Life of Claudius

18 Jews Expulsion from Rome After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. Acts 18:1-2 18

19 Jewish Sources Did Jesus Exist? Ananus (the High Priest) was of such a disposition, he thought he had now a good opportunity, as Festus was now dead, and Albinus was still on the road; so he assembled a council of judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, whose name was James, together with some others, and having accused them as law-breakers, he delivered them over to be stoned. Josephus, Antiquities

20 James the Half-Brother of our Lord Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord s brother. Galatians 1:

21 The Apostles & Early Disciples What Happened to the Twelve? 1. Andrew was crucified on an olive tree in Achaia (Greece) Hippolytus 2. Bartholomew was whipped and crucified upside down in Allanum (Armenia / southern Georgia) Hippolytus 3. James, the son of Alpheus, was stoned to death in Jerusalem (was first thrown off a 100 ft Temple pinnacle) Hippolytus 4. James, the son of Zebedee, was run though with a sword under Herod Acts 12: 2 (also Hippolytus and Eusebius) 5. John was banished to the Greek Isle of Patmos, but later was released due to old age and died at Ephesus Hippolytus 6. Matthew (Levi) appears to have died from a sword wound received in Ethiopia numerous sources 7. Peter was crucified upside down near the modern location of the Vatican Hippolytus 8. Philip was crucified in Hierapolis (Turkey) Hippolytus 9. Simon the Zealot apparently died of old age after taking a lead role in the Jerusalem meeting Hippolytus 10. Thaddeus (a.k.a. Judas the son of James) was martyred in Kara Kalisa (Parthia / Iran) Hippolytus 11. Thomas was thrust through with a spear at Calamene (India) Hippolytus 12. Matthias, the Apostle chosen to replace Judas (see Acts 1: 26), was stoned (and then possibly crucified or beheaded) Eusebius 21

22 The Apostles & Early Disciples What Happened to the Lord s half-brothers, James and Jude? 1. James, the Lord s brother, was stoned by the Jews in Jerusalem Josephus 2. Jude, the Lord s brother, was shot with arrows under decree of Trajan Eusebius What Happened to Paul? 1. Paul was beheaded along the Ostian Way outside of Rome under Nero Irenaeus What Happened to Others? 1. Mark was dragged by horses through the street in Alexandria, Egypt Numerous Coptic Sources 2. Luke may have been hung in Greece, although this is not conclusive 3. Stephen was stoned to death in Jerusalem Acts 7: Barnabas was stoned most likely on Cyprus (although some conflicting sources say Thessalonica) 22

23 Who Wrote the New Testament? New Testament Writings are Eyewitness Accounts If, then, any one came, who had been a follower of the elders (i.e., the Apostles), I questioned him in regard to the words of the elders, what Andrew or what Peter said, or what was said by Philip, or by Thomas, or by James, or by John, or by Matthew, or by any other of the disciples of the Lord, and what things Aristion and the presbyter John, the disciples of the Lord, say. For I did not think that what was to be gotten from the books would profit me as much as what came from the living and abiding voice. Papias, Expositions of the Oracles of the Lord 23

24 Who Wrote the New Testament? New Testament Writings are Eyewitness Accounts This also the presbyter said: Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord s discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely. Papias, Expositions of the Oracles of the Lord 24

25 Who Wrote the New Testament? New Testament Writings are Eyewitness Accounts So then Matthew wrote the oracles in the Hebrew language, and every one interpreted them as he was able. Papias, Expositions of the Oracles of the Lord 25

26 Who Wrote the New Testament? New Testament Writings are Eyewitness Accounts Matthew also published a gospel in writing among the Hebrews in their own language, while Peter & Paul were preaching the gospel and founding the church in Rome. But after their death, Mark, the disciple & interpreter of Peter, also transmitted to us in writing what Peter used to preach. And Luke, Paul's associate, also set down in a book the gospel that Paul used to preach. Later, John, the Lord's disciple --- the one who leaned on Jesus breast --- also set out the gospel while living at Ephesus in Asia Minor. Irenaeus, Against Heresies

27 Jesus as God in the Flesh New Testament Writings are Eyewitness Accounts There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first passible and then impassible, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians, ch. 7, shorter version, Roberts-Donaldson translation 27

28 Jesus and Performing Miracles Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus feet, and He healed them all. Matthew 15:30 28

29 Jesus and Performing Miracles Jewish Sources "Jesus the Nazarene practiced magic and led Israel astray." Talmud, Babylonian (Baraitha Bab. Sanhedrin 107b) 29

30 Jesus and Performing Miracles Jewish Sources On the eve of Passover Yeshu (i.e., Jesus) was hanged (i.e., crucified) because he has practiced sorcery (i.e., performed the miraculous) and enticed Israel to apostasy." Talmud, Sanhedron 43a 30

31 Jesus and Performing Miracles Jewish Sources "Now about this time arose an occasion for new disturbances, a certain Jesus, a wizard of a man, if indeed he may be called a man, who was the most monstrous of men, whom his disciples call a son of God, as having done wonders such as no man has ever done... He was in fact a teacher of astonishing tricks to such men as accept the abnormal with delight " - Josephus, Antiquities XVIII: 33 31

32 Jesus and the Resurrection Jewish Sources "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day." - Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:3 32

33 Jesus and the Resurrection Jewish Sources "Yeshu was put to death on the sixth hour on the eve of the Passover and of the Sabbath. When they tried to hang him on a tree it broke, for when he had possessed the power he had pronounced by the Ineffable Name that no tree should hold him. He had failed to pronounce the prohibition over the carobstalk, for it was a plant more than a tree, and on it he was hanged until the hour for afternoon prayer, for it is written in Scripture, "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree." They buried him outside the city. On the first day of the week his bold followers came to Queen Helene with the report that he who was slain was truly the Messiah and that he was not in his grave; he had ascended to heaven as he prophesied. Diligent search was made and he was not found in the grave where he had been buried." - Toledot Yeshu 33

34 Jesus and Predicting the Future Greek Sources "Jesus had a knowledge of future events also the results corresponded to his predictions. - Phlegon, Chronicles 34

35 What Happened while He was on the Cross Early Historian Debate And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place Phlegon, Chronicles (In reference to the eclipse under Tiberius Caesar) an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea." Phlegon's 13 th Book as quoted in Jerome's translation of Eusebius' Chronicle, 202 Olympiad The darkness that fell upon Judah during the crucifixion was an eclipse of the sun. Thallus, History from the Time of the Trojan War (Book 263) 35

36 What Happened while He was on the Cross Early Historian Debate "On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the 263 third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the crucifixion of Christ falls around the Passover (see Phlegon); but an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun. And it cannot happen at any other time but in the interval between the first day of the new moon and the last of the old, that is, at their junction: how then should an eclipse be supposed to happen when the moon is almost diametrically opposite the sun?" Julius Africanus, Chronography,

37 Of Jesus Christ Encyclopedia Britannica The Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 th Edition, devotes more than 21,000 words to the person of Jesus Christ and never once hints that He didn t exist. For comparative purposes, President Clinton had just over 2100 words devoted to him More words are written about Jesus Christ than any other historical figure in the encyclopedia by far! More than for Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, Napoleon, or George Washington 37

38 Of Jesus Christ Compelling Circumstances The entire calendar we live and operate within uses as its demarking point the birth of Christ Frankly, some scholars are bordering on the ridiculous (or at least political correctness insanity) when they try to change the calendar to B.C.E. and C.E. as opposed to BC and AD 38

39 Of Jesus Christ I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and whatever other religions the distance of infinity. Everything in Christ astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Between him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. He is truly a being by Himself. His ideas and sentiments, the truth which he announces, His manner of convincing, are not explained either by human organization or by the nature of things. The nearer I approach, the more carefully I examine, everything is above me - everything remains grand, of a grandeur which overpowers. His religion is a revelation from an intelligence which certainly is not that of man. One can absolutely find nowhere, but in Him alone, the imitation or the example of His life. I search in vain in history to find the similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history, nor humanity, nor the ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary. - Napoleon Bonaparte 39

40 Of Jesus Christ Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself... While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. - Dr. James Allan Francis, One Solitary Life 40

41 The Bible and Dentistry (Study of Teeth) 41

42 The Bible and Dentistry (Trigeminal Nerves) And the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; Ecclesiastes 12: 4 Trigemina l 42 42

43 The Bible and Dentistry (Relevant Pioneer Quotes) Jesus Christ proclaimed the word of God to be Truth. I found this to be true in all of my research. I therefore urge all the readers of this book to consider the facts that I have presented which uphold the scientific and historical accuracy of the Scriptures. The Bible is not just another finite book. It is the infinite Word of God. My research is finite and I do not for one minute equate it with the Bible. Dr. Jack Cuozzo, Buried Alive (1998) 43 43

44 Electromagnetism (Study of Electrically Charged Particles) 44 44

45 Electromagnetism (Wave Particle Duality of Light) "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place, that you may take it to its territory, that you may know the paths to its home? Job 38:

46 Electromagnetism (Relevant Pioneer Quotes) The Bible, and it alone, with nothing added to it nor taken away from it by man, is the sole and sufficient guide for each individual, at all times and in all circumstances For faith in the divinity and work of Christ is the gift of God, and the evidence of this faith is obedience to the commandment of Christ. Michael Faraday, as quoted in Bence Jones work The Life and Letters of Michael Faraday, Vol. 1 (1870) 46 46

47 Electromagnetism (Relevant Pioneer Quotes) Almighty God, Who has created man in Thine own image, and made him a living soul that he might seek after Thee, and have dominion over Thy creatures, teach us to study the works of Thy hands, that we may subdue the earth to our use, and strengthen the reason for Thy service; so to receive Thy blessed Word, that we may believe on Him Who Thou has sent, to give us the knowledge of salvation and the remission of our sins. All of which we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. James Clerk Maxwell, a prayer of his found among his papers as cited by E.L. Williams and G. Mulfinger in their work, Physical Science for Christian Schools (1974) 47 47

48 Electromagnetism (Relevant Pioneer Quotes) No theory of evolution can be formed to account for the similarity of molecules, for evolution necessarily implies continuous change The exact equality of each molecule to all others of the same kind gives it the essential character of a manufactured article, and precludes the idea of its being eternal and self-existent. James Clerk Maxwell, Discourse on Molecules, a paper presented to the British Association at Bradford (1873) 48 48

49 The Bible and Meteorology (Study of the Atmosphere and Weather) 49

50 The Bible and Meteorology (The Weather Cycle) All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. Ecclesiastes 1:

51 The Bible and Meteorology (The Weather Cycle) The Lord s home reaches up to the heavens, while its foundation is on the earth. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is His name! Amos 9:

52 The Bible and Meteorology (Relevant Pioneer Quotes) The cause of the six-sided shape of a snowflake is none other than that of the ordered shapes of plants and of numerical constants; and since in them nothing occurs without supreme reason -- not, to be sure, such as discursive reasoning discovers, but such as existed from the first in the Creator's design and is presented from the origin to the day in the wonderful nature of animal faculties, I do not believe that even in a snowflake this ordered pattern exists at random. Johannes Kepler, The Six Cornered Snowflake (1611) 52 52

53 The Bible and Neuroscience (Study of Nervous System, including the Brain) 53 53

54 The Bible and Neuroscience (Cognitive Learning) Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning. Proverbs 16:21 54

55 The Bible and Neuroscience (Enteric Nervous System) Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; my heart is turned within me; Lamentation 1: 20a Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3: 12 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. Philemon 1: 20 But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother has a need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how can the love of God dwell in him? I John 3:

56 The Bible and Physiology 56 56

57 The Bible and Neuroscience (Relevant Pioneer Quotes) One of the most encouraging marks of growth is the spirit of those who have accepted Christ and are now working earnestly for the salvation of others... Clara Swain, A Glimpse of India (1909) I am a believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. - Joseph Lister 57 57

58 Earthly and Heavenly Things If I tell you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how will you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? John 3: 12 If you do not believe the earthly things (i.e., things about our physical universe) in the Word of God, then how can you believe the heavenly things (i.e., things of a spiritual nature)? Paraphrase of John 3: