A very lively lecture including statistical analysis of the people, place and plant names used in the Gospels and the undesigned coincidences surrounding the feeding of the 5,000. I like how Dr. Williams points out that the authors of the Gospels, rather than being either bumbling idiots or clever conspirators, more likely were just telling things the way they actually happened.
Where is your focus? Is it in something you can learn about and enjoy forever? If not, how is that working out for you?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Undesigned Coincidences in the Bible by Tim McGrew
(Last published 9/23/11. Added 4/10/13: Video. Also see Audio Resources by Tim McGrew and Internal Evidence for the Gospels by Tim McGrew on Apologetics315.)
A few months back I heard an April 24, 2011 radio interview on this topic, by fellow Christian Apologetics Alliance member Tim McGrew, and have been interested ever since. I really, really hope Tim writes a book of all these undesigned coincidences.
An undesigned coincidence happens when one part of the Bible is missing a detail that makes us ask a question, and another part of the Bible (a part authored by someone else), or a text external to the Bible, without collusion, supplies that missing detail. It is a test for historical authenticity.
An undesigned coincidence happens when one part of the Bible is missing a detail that makes us ask a question, and another part of the Bible (a part authored by someone else), or a text external to the Bible, without collusion, supplies that missing detail. It is a test for historical authenticity.
Here is one talk at First Baptist Church of Kenner, LA (New Orleans area) in January (also available here).
Check out July 30 and August 11 (both in 2011) interviews on Frank Turek's "Cross Examined" radio show.
#1: Matthew 26:67-68 Why ask him to tell them who slapped him? Luke 22:64 They blindfolded him.
#2: Mark 6:31 Why are many coming and going? John 6:4 The Passover pilgrimage.
#3: Matthew 8:14-16 Why in the evening? Mark 1:21 Sabbath over at evening (cannot bear burden).
#4: Luke 9:36 Why did they keep silent? Mark 9:9 Jesus told them to tell no one (most consistently disobeyed command, lol).
#5: John 6:5 Why pick Philip? Luke 9:10 The setting of the miracle is Bethsaida, Philip’s “hometown” (John 1:44). (And see #17.)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Why did the apostles go from being afraid to being bold?
Compare John 20:19 and Acts 2:14, and answer this question: What explains the change in Jesus' disciples, from being full of fear, to being full of boldness?
Answer: The early post-resurrection appearances (Mark 16:9-18; John 20:1-21:23; Matthew 28:9-20; Luke 24:13-32, 34, 36-49; 1 Cor 15:5-7; Acts 1:3-8).
Answer: The early post-resurrection appearances (Mark 16:9-18; John 20:1-21:23; Matthew 28:9-20; Luke 24:13-32, 34, 36-49; 1 Cor 15:5-7; Acts 1:3-8).
Monday, September 5, 2011
It is okay and good to question our beliefs.
In "The Reason for God" Tim Keller points out “A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it.”
He sees that all doubts emerge from a starting point of alternate belief and encourages skeptics to “doubt their doubts” with as much force as they require justification for Christian belief.
Everyone (whether they consider themselves secular or religious) bases how they think people should behave on their own improvable fundamental faith-assumptions.
He sees that all doubts emerge from a starting point of alternate belief and encourages skeptics to “doubt their doubts” with as much force as they require justification for Christian belief.
Everyone (whether they consider themselves secular or religious) bases how they think people should behave on their own improvable fundamental faith-assumptions.
Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels / McGrew
I first heard about these from Professor Tim McGrew:
An undesigned coincidence happens when one part of the Bible is missing a detail that makes us ask a question, and another part of the Bible (a part authored by someone else), or a text external to the Bible, without collusion, supplies that missing detail and answers our question. It is a test for historical authenticity. (Originally published 9/5/11. Added 4/10/13: Video. Also see Audio Resources by Tim McGrew and Internal Evidence for the Gospels by Tim McGrew on Apologetics315.)
Here are a few examples internal to the Gospels:
(Note: numbers are being skipped on purpose because I am sticking to 'internal' coincidences amongst the Gospels and gleaning the examples from here.)
#1: Matthew 26:67-68 Why ask him to tell them who slapped him? Luke 22:64 They blindfolded him.
#2: Mark 6:31 Why are many coming and going? John 6:4 The Passover pilgrimage.
#3: Matthew 8:14-16 Why in the evening? Mark 1:21 Sabbath over at evening (cannot bear burden).
An undesigned coincidence happens when one part of the Bible is missing a detail that makes us ask a question, and another part of the Bible (a part authored by someone else), or a text external to the Bible, without collusion, supplies that missing detail and answers our question. It is a test for historical authenticity. (Originally published 9/5/11. Added 4/10/13: Video. Also see Audio Resources by Tim McGrew and Internal Evidence for the Gospels by Tim McGrew on Apologetics315.)
Here are a few examples internal to the Gospels:
(Note: numbers are being skipped on purpose because I am sticking to 'internal' coincidences amongst the Gospels and gleaning the examples from here.)
#1: Matthew 26:67-68 Why ask him to tell them who slapped him? Luke 22:64 They blindfolded him.
#2: Mark 6:31 Why are many coming and going? John 6:4 The Passover pilgrimage.
#3: Matthew 8:14-16 Why in the evening? Mark 1:21 Sabbath over at evening (cannot bear burden).
Three reasons we know the Gospels are telling the truth.
1. The Gospels were written too early to be legend. Tim Keller discusses this.
2. Hostiles would’ve busted ‘em and told everyone the disciples were lying. (F.F. Bruce**)
3. No-one dies for lies. See how the disciples died.
Easy to memorize.
2. Hostiles would’ve busted ‘em and told everyone the disciples were lying. (F.F. Bruce**)
3. No-one dies for lies. See how the disciples died.
Easy to memorize.
Apologetics Toolbox
Many of these links will be revised, and many will be added.
Why is apologetics so important?
Lee Strobel's "The Case for Faith for Kids" summary with commentary
"Objections to Faith" by David Spikes (12 yrs. old)
Blog index for Douglas Groothuis' "Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith"
It is okay and good to question our beliefs.
It just happened, eh? "If the earth were a golfball" and the scale of the universe.
WLC makes plain the Ontological Argument
Facebook poll: What grounds objective moral truth?
The Moral Argument
Problem: If God is good and all-powerful, why does he not prevent evil, suffering and hell?
Glimpse of Eternity (something from Don Richardson showing God did not evolve w/ kings)
Who wrote the Gospels? by Tim McGrew
External/Internal evidence of the Gospels and Acts by Tim McGrew
Why did the disciples go from being afraid to being bold?
Peter Williams on how the Gospels get people, places and plants right
Three reasons we know the Gospels are telling the truth.
Chart comparing NT manuscripts to ancient documents
Better one. (though "reliability" is not the right word)
A "Twelve Facts" resurrection logic puzzle
WLC's case for the resurrection
Evidence for Easter
Peter Stoner's probabilities of Jesus fulfilling 8 prophecies over which He had no human control
Sir Robert Anderson's calculations linking Daniel's "Seventy Weeks" prophecy and Jesus' crucifixion
Blog Discussion and Sermon Ideas for Tim Keller's "The Reason for God"
The Bible as a Narrative
"Christian Apologetics" (Groothuis) Read Along with Apologetics 315 (buy book)
Biola Certificate in Apologetics
My Testimony – If you have a testimony, it is evidence for you and those who knew you.
(more to come)
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| Apologetics Toolbox folder covers :) |
Thursday, September 1, 2011
"Christian Apologetics" (Groothuis) Read Along with Apologetics 315
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| more info |
I currently just finished chapter ten on the ontological argument, but I am definitely joining this read-along and encourage all to do the same. Starts September 9. :)
Douglas Groothuis' Christian Apologetics.
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