Ancient Evidences for the Life of Christ. God s Universe and God s Word

Ancient Evidences for the Life of Christ God s Universe and God s Word

What are the three greatest hindrances today for individuals to believe in Jesus?

Hindrances to Faith in God s Word 1. Is the story of Jesus life, death, burial and resurrection a historical event true or a fabricated hoax? We will deal with the answer to this question as we research first century history over the next 11 weeks.

Hindrances to Faith in God s Word 2. How can I believe in something that has been disproved by science over the last 100 years? We will deal with answers to this question tonight as we look at science and God s word.

Hindrances to Faith in God s Word 3. Why should I believe in Jesus when I can take care of myself? The answer to this question lies in the heart of the lost person s response to the biblical story and Gospel message.

Today s Question How can I believe in something that has been disproved by science over the last 100 years? What do you think might be the origin of this question?

Purpose: To show how God s Word and God s universe harmonize!

Do Science and the Bible Contradict One Another? 1. Scientific Truths 2. Evolution 3. Creationism

Understanding Scientific Observations Definitions: 1. Hypothesis A suggested, testable solution for unexplained phenomena that does not fit into a currently accepted scientific theory. 2. Theory A coherent proposition formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural world and repeatedly confirmed through experiment or observation. 3. Fact Any scientific observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and accepted as true.

Scientific Observation: the age of everything 1. Tree rings 2. Ice Layers 3. Radiometric dating

Science: the age of everything 1. Tree rings

Science: the age of everything 2. Ice Layers Greenland 123,000 years Antarctica 740,000 years

Science: the age of everything 3. Radiometric Dating ( 14 Carbon) Organic compounds only Dead 25,000 years

Science: the age of everything 3. Radiometric Dating ( 40 Potassium and 40 Argon) Half-life (potassium-40 1.3 million years) Greenland 3.6 million years Australia 4.4 million years Meteorites 4.56 billion years

Scientific Truth: the age of everything 4. The Speed of Light The speed of light is one of the best know facts in Physics - 186,282,397 miles/second The Milky Way galaxy center is 26,000 light years from earth That s 5.9 quadrillion miles (5,874,601,671,792,000 miles) It has taken the light we see from the center of our galaxy 26,000 years to arrive Andromeda galaxy (our closest galactic neighbor) is 2.3 million light years away.

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? There are four basic methods for measuring distances in space: 1. Parallax 2. Cepheid Stars 3. Standard Candle (Ia supernovae) 4. Red Shift/Hubble s Law

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? 1. Parallax (simple geometric exercise) star Good to 100 light years

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? 2. Cepheid Stars a. Cyclically dim b. Frequency of dimming is directly related to brightness c. Inverse square law brightness is directly related to the inverse square of the distance from the source d. Using the Hubble deep-space telescope distances to 50 million light years

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? 3. Standard Candles (Ia Supernovae) a. The laws of physics demands that all Ia s emit the exact same amount of electromagnetic energy when they explode. b. Measured brightness is directly related to the inverse square of the distance Brightness = Luminosity/4πDistance 2 c. Measurable up to 1 billion light years

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? 4. Red Shift/Hubble s Law a. Distance = Velocity / Hubble constant b. The Hubble constant = ~ 20k/s per million light years c. Velocity is measured by spectrum red-shift d. Measurable to limit of equipment (13.8 billion light years)

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? Knowing the distance to the stars and the speed at which light travels, we determine the minimum age of the universe 13.7 to 13.8 billion years

Scientific Truths: distance to the edge? Argument among Christians Young Earth (6 day) Creationist The laws of Physics didn t exist before creation therefore creation was not bound by them. What they are saying is: God created everything in 6 days and then put the laws of physics, chemistry and biology in place. God created the universe so that it appears to mankind as science sees it today.

Science: theory or hypothesis Evolution (Darwinian) Is it: 1. Hypothesis 2. Theory 3. Fact

Difference between evolution and Darwinian Evolution: Merriam/Webster 1. The historical development of a biological group as a race or species 2. A theory that the various types of animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications (genetic) in successive generations The process described by this theory (Darwinian Evolution)

Historical development (evolution) within a biological group is observable and repeatedly confirmed, and can be classified as theory, if not fact. BUT, this is NOT what Darwin postulated; It is not DARWINIAN EVOLUTION!

Building Confusion Biology Workbook for Dummies says: Because a great amount of data supports the idea of biological evolution through natural selection, and because no scientific evidence has yet been found to prove this idea false, this idea is considered a scientific theory. Because lots of evidence supports scientific theories, they are usually accepted as true by a majority of scientists.

Scientist s Stance on Darwinian Evolution The PewResearchCenter found that 99.9% of scientist agree with evolution. For most people, it is assumed this means they believe in Darwinian Evolution. This is not true! The PewResearchCenter also found that 33% of scientist believe in the God of Creation.

Although Christianity vs. Darwinian Evolution makes it difficult for Modern and especially Post-modern unbelievers to believe in Jesus, it is not their central hang-up. Young Earth Creationism

Core Problem: Many people regard Christianity as an absurd belief system, or at best a religious, non-rational, faith. Why?

1. Christianity (the Bible) is believed to date the origin of the universe about 4004 B.C. The first recorded dating by Julius Africanus (160-240) as 5501 B.C. Archbishop James Ussher calculated that the earth was created in 4004 B.C. This dating was used in margin notes for the King James Bible (1611)

2. Christians seldom consider the different biblical indicators for ancient creation date. God reveals His truth through creation Romans 1:19-20 the Bible declares everyone is "without excuse, including those people who have never heard the Gospel, since God can be know through creation. Colossians 1:23 This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,... Job 10:8-14, Psalms 104, Proverbs 8:22-31, Psalms 8, Acts 17:24-31, Romans 2:14-15, Ecclesiastes 3:11

What is Creationism? From Wikipedia - Creationism is the religious belief that the universe and life originated from specific acts of God, as opposed to the hypothesis of science that they came about through natural processes. What does this definition say to you?

Proclaimed heresy Adding Time to the Genesis Account (The Lie: Evolution) Ken Ham (Young Earth Creationist) states: When believers attempt to add evolution and millions of years to Genesis, they lay down a foundation of death and suffering on which to build their worldview. If Christians believe the lie that Genesis cannot be trusted, they are paving the way for the trustworthiness of the gospel message to be called into question. The age of the Earth does matter, and the Bible is clear about it! The age of the Earth is not important because God for some reason hates big numbers He doesn t. Ultimately the issue of the age of the Earth is about the authority of the Word of God versus the authority of the words of sinful men.

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom from Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (1980, Moody Press) 1. The period of light (as contrasted with the period of darkness) 2. The period of twenty-four hours 3. A general vague "time" 4. A point of time 5. A year (s)

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible 1. Yom is from an unused root meaning to be hot 2. A day (as the warm hours) 3. Literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next) 4. Figuratively (a space of time defined by an associated term) 5. Often used adverbially: Age, Always, Chronicles, Continue(ally)(ance), Daily, From birth, Each day, (For)ever(lasting), Ever(more), As long as (...live), even now, old, outlived, perpetually, presently, remaining, required, season, since, space, then, (process of) time, as at other times, in trouble, weather (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), whole (age), (full) year(-ly), younger

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom 1. Time Sixty-seven verses translate Yom into the English word "time." Genesis 4:3, Deuteronomy 10:10, I Kings 11:42, Isaiah 30:8, etc. Yom refers to 40 years or forever

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom 2. Year Four times Yom is translated "year." I Kings 1:1 and 2 Chronicles 21:19-20, Yom represents years, not days 3. Age Eight times in the Old Testament Yom is translated "age." Genesis 18:11 and 24:1; Joshua 23:1 and 23:2 - stricken in age Genesis 21:2, Genesis 21:7 - old age Genesis 47:28 - the whole age of Jacob," Zechariah 8:4 - old men and women Yom here refers to an entire lifetime

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom 4. Ago One time Yom is translated "ago." 1 Samuel 9:20 says "As for the donkeys you lost three days ago,..." Yom refers to a specific period of time 5. Always Four times Yom is translated as "always" Deuteronomy 5:29, 6:24, 14:23, and in 2 Chronicles 18:7 Yom refers to a lifetime

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom 6. Season Three times Yom is translated "season" Genesis 40:4, "...and they continued a season in ward" Joshua 24:7, "dwelt in the wilderness a long season," 2 Chronicles 15:3, "...a long season Israel hath been..." Yom refers to a multi-month period

A Study of the Hebrew word Yom 7. Ever Nineteen times Yom is translated "ever" to represent a long period of time Sixteen cases ever, for is placed before it. This indicates a infinite period of time. Psalm 23:6, it says "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Yom refers to both a long period of time and eternity 8. Evermore Deuteronomy 28:29, "...and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore;" Yom refers to either a lifetime or eternity

Yom in the Creation Account The creation account uses Yom in four distinct time periods 1. Genesis 1:5 "And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night." Yom indicates a 12-hour period 2. Genesis 1:14 "And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." Yom indicates both 12-hours and 24-hour days 3. Genesis 2:4 "...in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens." Yom to indicates the entire creative week or period

Yom in the Creation Account The creation account uses Yom in four distinct time periods 4. The fourth usage of Yom in the creation account is in the summary for each of the six creation days, "and there was morning and evening the first day". Yom is used to represent a finite, long period of time Now, let s consider other uses of Yom by Moses.

Moses Use of YOM Genesis 4:3 "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord." Yom refers to a growing season, probably several months Genesis 43:9 "...then let me bear the blame for ever." Yom refers to eternity Genesis 44:32 "...then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever." Yom refers to eternity Deuteronomy 4:40 "You must keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days upon the earth, which the LORD your God gives thee, for ever. Yom refers to three different times: the present moment, an extended period (lifetime) and eternity

Moses Use of YOM Deuteronomy 10:10 "Now I stayed on the mountain forty days and nights, as I did the first time..." Yom is a "time" equal to forty days Deuteronomy 18:5 "...to stand to minister in the name of the Lord, him and his sons for ever." Yom is translated as eternity Deuteronomy 19:9...to love the Lord thy God, and to walk ever in His ways..." Yom represents a lifetime

"and there was evening and morning the (X) day 1. What evening and morning are not a. Not literal evening and morning, as this requires a sunrise and sunset b. Sun was created on day four - no sunrise or sunset for the first three days c. Yet, God used the terms evening and morning in the description of the first three days 2. The words for Evening and Morning are also used to discribe the beginning and ending of a process or time period

"and there was evening and morning the (X) day Psalm 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 49:14,15 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave he will surely take me to himself. Psalm 90:6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. Daniel 8:26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future."

The History of Old Earth Creationism Many of the early church fathers and biblical scholars interpreted the creation days of Genesis 1 as extended periods of time. Jewish historian Josephus (1st century) Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, apologist, and martyr (2nd century) Origen, who rebutted heathen attacks on Christian doctrine (3rd century) Basil (4th century) Augustine (5th century) Aquinas (13th century) and others

The History of Old Earth Creationism The significance of this: 1. Not because of their prominence 2. But because their scriptural views were not shaped to accommodate secular opinion 3. Astronomical, paleontological, and geological evidences for the antiquity of the universe, of the earth, and of life not known until the 19 th century BIBLICAL EVIDENCE FOR LONG CREATION DAYS by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.

The Battle between Old Earth and Young Earth Creationist

What God s Word says about creation: The issue in the biblical creation story is: 1. Not How, Not When, but WHO! GOD (ELOHIM) DID IT HE CREATED! 2. Scripture and validated science agree on these: 1. Science is not about who, but how and when 2. The order of creation of the universe 3. The order of development of life: plants, animals and humans 4. No new species have been found that came after humankind appeared.

What God s Word says about creation: GOD (ELOHIM) DID IT HE CREATED! 3. Believing that God created the universe and all that we see over a period of millions of years does not mean we agree with or even suggest that Darwinian s Theory of Evolution has any validity! 4. It does recognize that God is the author of creation and the author of the Bible, THEY CANNOT CONTRADICT ONE ANOTHER!

What God s Word says about creation: 1. God Existed Before Time Proverbs 8:22-23 "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 1 Corinthians 2:7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 2 Timothy 1:9 God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,..

What God s word says about creation: 2. The Universe Had a Beginning Genesis1:1, 2:3-4 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. Psalms 148:5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. Isaiah 40:26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? Isaiah 45:18 For this is what the Lord says he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited he says: "I am the Lord, and there is no other.

What God s word says about creation: 2. The Universe Had a Beginning John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible Genesis 1:2 and Job 38:8-9

What God s Word Says about Creation 3. Creation came from nothing Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 4. The universe is expanding Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. Psalms 104:2... he stretches out the heavens like a tent Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 48:13 Jerimiah 10:12 But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Zechariah 12:1...The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him,

What God s Word Says about Creation 5. Fixed Laws that have not changed Jerimiah 33:25 This is what the Lord says: 'If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed laws of heaven and earth,... Ecclesiastes 1:4-10 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

What God s Word Says about Creation 6. Origin of life Genesis 1:9-13 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning the third day.

What the Bible Says about Creation 4. Origin of life 1) Genesis 1:20-21 2) Genesis 1:24-25 3) Job 39 4) Genesis 1:27 5) Genesis 1:28

Apologetics for our witness: what can we say? 1. Nothing in science refutes that God created 2. Fine Tuning of the universe indicates God created it 3. Scientist have found nothing on earth or in the universe to refute Fine Tuning (the probability that God created). 4. No data, specimen or proof has ever been presented that supports Darwin s Theory of Evolution 5. God s Universe and God s Word must harmonize! They both belong to him!