But the PhD on TV Said…
Ever since the “incident” at Jesus’ tomb three days after his death, people have been trying to disprove the claims of Christ. As a result, there are many questions about what we believe… it can seem overwhelming.
Where is the intersection of faith and knowledge? What facts can history teach us? What can we know for sure about Jesus? And what should that knowledge lead us to do?
- Rick talked about facts & apologetics. Describe the the interplay of faith and knowledge in your Christian walk.
- What subjects do you have a lot of knowledge about? How does that knowledge affect your actions and relationships?
- Read Job 42:5-6. How did the knowledge of God lead to repentance for Job? How does this apply to us?
- Read John 10:14-16. Notice how many times Jesus uses the word “know.” What is the culmination of all this knowledge? (obedience)
- Read Philippians 1:9-11 and Colossians 1:9-10. Describe how a knowledge of God affects your lifestyle & righteousness. Where does this righteousness come from?
- Read 2 Peter 1:5-9. Notice the progression from virtue to love, and that knowledge is part of the progression. Talk about all these attributes in your walk.
- Read Galatians 2:20. How does the denial of self and submission to the Holy Spirit play out in your life?
Ancient literature & accuracy
- Caesar’s Gallic Wars (58-50 BC)… 10 manuscripts, 900 year gap
- Homer’s Iliad (800 BC)… 643 manuscripts, 400 year gap
- Tacitus’ History (AD 100)… 20 manuscripts, 1000 year gap
- Livy’s Roman History (59 BC- AD 17)… 20 manuscripts, 400 year gap
- 1st Biography of the Buddha… written 600 years after his life
- 1st Biography of Muhammad… written 130 years after his life
- New Testament (AD 50-90)… 5366 manuscripts, 50-225 year gap
Can we prove that the New Testament accurately depicts the life of Jesus?
- It was written by eyewitnesses or by an acquaintance of an eyewitness.
- Those eyewitnesses believed that what they wrote was true:
- They recorded their own faults.
- They were brutally tortured and killed for their faith.
- There are NO contrary writings until HUNDREDS of yrs. later.
- Completely supported by archaeology.
- Jesus perfectly fulfills prophecy.
- Jesus’ life and death are mentioned by other contemporary historians:
- Tacitus says he was put to death by Pilate (AD 120)
- Lucian says Christians “worshipped the crucified sage.” (AD 180)
- Talmud says he was killed on the eve of Passover for sorcery and leading Jews astray
- Josephus calls him a wise man who did wonderful works.
- Julius Africanus regarding the time of the crucifixion: “Fearful darkness and earthquakes in Judea. An eclipse without reason.”
- Phlegon (AD 137) “It became night in the 6th hour of the day.”
Jesus’ resurrection is undeniable
- Over 500 witnesses.
- Conversion of Paul.
- Conversion of Jesus’ family.
- Expansion of the church.
- Disciples went from cowards to martyrs.
- Worship changed from Saturday to Sunday.
“Wherefore all theology, when separated from Christ, is not only vain and confused, but is also mad, deceitful, and spurious.” -John Calvin
Knowledge of God must lead to:
- Repentance
- Obedience
- Righteousness
- Love
- Denial of self and submission to the Holy Spirit
“Now the great thing is this: we are consecrated and dedicated to God in order that we may thereafter think, speak, meditate, and do nothing except to his glory…We are not our own; let not our reason nor our will, therefore sway our plans and deeds. We are not our own; let us therefore forget ourselves and all that is ours. Conversley, we are God’s. Let us live therefore for him and die for him. We are God’s; let his wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions. We are God’s; let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward him as our only lawful goal.” -John Calvin
“The Christian philosophy bids reason give way to, submit and subject itself to the Holy Spirit so that the man himself may no longer live but hear Christ living and reigning within him” -John Calvin
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