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In The Hands of Critics. Not New In The World. Jude 14,15 “harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 1 Peter 3:15 “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks…” Colossians 4:5,6 “know how you ought to answer each one.”
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Not New In The World • Jude 14,15 “harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” • 1 Peter 3:15 “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks…” • Colossians 4:5,6 “know how you ought to answer each one.” • Proverbs 26:4,5 “Answer a fool according to his folly…”
“..Only interested in the facts…” • The Bible Does Not Have Mistakes- John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16 • Critics are NOT without mistakes • Allegations of Error in the Bible are based on Some Error of their Own • Deny Bible infallibility, but claim Infallibility for their viewpoint
Bible Claims to be Truth & Excludes all other Religions • Mathematical Truth is Exclusive: • 2 + 2 = 4 • Critics says: “I hate the exclusive nature of the Bible!” • “BUT I love Jesus’ charge to humanity.” • Jesus’ charge or teaching is very exclusive in its nature – Mark 16:16; John 3:16; 8:24; 14:6; Matthew 7:13,14,21-23
Bible Claims to be Truth & Excludes all other Religions • Inconsistent to love Jesus but hate what He taught – John 12:48; 13:20 • Critics says: “You have the freedom to believe what you want to believe.” • Criticize you for exercising that freedom • Critic reserves ire for those who simply take what the Bible says at face value
Bible Claims to be Truth & Excludes all other Religions • Critic says: “Just as people have different tastes in food, each can also have their own taste in spiritual food.” • Difference between food that perishes and truth – John 6:48 • All created in the image of God, why should we have different spiritual needs? Genesis 1:26
Critic Resents “My way or the Highway” attitude • Bible is NOT Someone’s opinion • It IS the Word of God • God Does have the Moral right to Tell Them What to Do • God does have the right to say, “My way or the highway.” • God has the right to say, “Believe this or perish!” John 3:16
Critic Says Exclusive Nature of Bible Doctrine has led to Crusades, Witch hunts, etc. • New Testament does not advocate spreading the Gospel through violence – 2 Corinthians 10:4 • Critics equate Catholicism with Christianity – Somewhat true, since the word “Christianity” is rooted in the apostasy of Catholicism • Abuses are without approval of God
Critics Exaggerate and Overstate Their Case • “No other Christian historian or Theologian has been able to answer these contradictions.” • False Claim! These have been answered many times • “Gospels written in admitted propagandistic style and manner.” • John 20:30,31 “that you may believe” • Where is the deception/falsehood?
Alleged Contradictions • “Mark states Mary was at the tomb very early in the morning when sun had risen (Mark 16:2) John says it was ‘early, while it was still dark’ (John 20:1 Matthew says it was ‘at it began to dawn toward the first day of the week’ (Matthew 28:1” • Between pre-dawn & dawn very short. When started for tomb it was dark, arrived as sun had risen.
Alleged Contradictions • “What women came to the tomb? Matthew said Mary Magdalene & other Mary. Mark said Mary Magdalene, Mother of James & Salome. Luke said Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mother of James and other women. John said Mary Magdalene.” • NONE said “Only” one woman – not necessary for all women to be mentioned in every account. • 2 Peter 1:3 “all things pertain to life & godliness” John 21:25 “many other things”
Alleged Contradictions • “Matthew (28:5) says there was one angel at the tomb after the resurrection, John informs us there were two (20:12).” • Matthew did not say there was “Only” one angel – critic must add the word ONLY for his argument to hold water • Fact: where two are present there is as least one present as well. • Compare John 20:12 with Matthew 28:2
Dealing with Critics Remember: • Critic needs to be held accountable – if will not abandon argument when answered, no longer honest • Remind critic of everything he is missing, all of the evidence is to be considered • IF will not admit you have given satisfactory answers to questions, unfair for him to demand more