Why Study This?

2. Why Study This? • Because Christianity in our country’s history is under attack more than ever. • Because truthhas nothing to hide!

3. Introduction • It was briefly shown that the Old Testament is in fact a reliable historical document. • More importantly, evidence supports the Bible’s inherent declaration at being divinely inspired.

4. What about… The New Testament?

5. What About the N.T.? • There were no meticulous scribal work like the O.T., so how we do know the manuscripts we have today are reliable?* • We’ll VERY SIMPLY look at the transmission of the manuscripts; external & internal evidences to answer the above question.

6. Papyrus 52 (P52) John 18:31-33, 37-38

7. Sheer Volume*

8. Original Writing to First Copy “The John Rylands fragment of the gospel of John may date to within twenty-five years of its original writing. There are numerous other manuscripts, some containing most of the entire New Testament, dating from early in the second century.” Earliest copy found to date (117-135 A.D.)

9. Original Writing to First Copy “What is significant about all this? …In the case of the New Testament Gospels, unlike other ancient works, whether secular or religious, not enough time elapsed between when Jesus spoke and when His words were recorded to allow for misrepresentation or the development of legendary material about Him. Nor has enough time elapsed between the autographs and existing translations to allow significant transmission errors or tampering.” Larry A. Taylor (The Canon of the Bible, 1999)

10. “Church Fathers” So many direct quotes written by the “Church Fathers” written within the first 150-200 years from the time of Christ could be taken to reconstruct all of the New Testament Scriptures, save 11 verses.

11. External Evidence • Papias (friend of apostle John) • Iranaeus (student of Polycarp, disciple of John) • Roman historian: Cornelius Tacitus 56-117 A.D. • Jewish historian: Flavius Josephus Flavius Josephus

12. External Evidence Archaeology: as seen in the thousands of copied manuscripts, findings of cities (Nazareth), and verification of individuals (Pilate) and events “‘This is the first time we are able to connect archaeological finds with the famine that occurred during the siege of Jerusalem at the time of the Great Revolt,’ Eli Shukron, excavation director for the IAA, said in a statement. The Great Revolt was the first of several Jewish uprisings against Roman rule that began in A.D. 66. The revolt was ultimately unsuccessful. The Romans eventually took back Jerusalem from the Jewish rebels and destroyed much of the city, including the Second Temple.” Article on 2013-06-29

13. Internal Evidences • The ancient document rule: document is true unless shown to be contrary or proven inaccurate. 2 Pe. 3:14-16 • The parol evidence rule: The document in question is to be fairly (objectively) examined...not with bias (preconceived assumptions). Matthew 24:7-21 • The hearsay rule: First-person testimony. Cp. 1 Jn. 1:1 • The cross-examination rule: Such would allow for close examination to disprove a document, or else strengthen its authenticity.

14. Conclusion • Like the Old Testament, the New Testament has been scrutinized under a microscope for centuries and has shown to be historically authentic and reliable as a document. • More importantly, it stands without fault in its inherent claim as the inspired Word of God.