APOLOGETICS “Explaining or defending in speech or writing what one believes religiously.”

OUR FAITH IS: An Objective Faith – Jesus of Nazareth as the object of faith A Historical Faith – real people, places and events in history An Intelligent, Rational Faith – that invites examination of the historical evidence Jesus of Nazareth is a Historical Figure – Who lived in Palestine in the First Century A.D.

WAS THERE EVER ANY QUESTION? Skeptics believed Jesus was just a “myth” – some “scholars” of 1800’s, rare today No serious historian disputes the fact that Jesus existed- H.G. Wells, atheist – “one is obliged to say, ‘Here was a man. This part of the tale could not have been invented.” (Outline of History)

WAS THERE EVER ANY QUESTION? Skeptics believed Jesus was just a “myth” – some “scholars” of 1800’s, rare today No serious historian disputes the fact that Jesus existed- Will Durant, prof. Columbia Univ. spend two chapters in The Story Of Our Civilization depicting Jesus as a historical figure right along with the Caesars.

WAS THERE EVER ANY QUESTION? Skeptics believed Jesus was just a “myth” – some “scholars” of 1800’s, rare today No serious historian disputes the fact that Jesus existed- Encyclopedia Britannica used over 20,000 words to describe Jesus. More than Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed or Napoleon!

EVIDENCE FOR A HISTORICAL JESUS Among “Pagan” Sources Thallus – 52 A.D. tried to give a natural explanation for the darkness which occurred at the crucifixion of Jesus – Matthew 27:45 Letter of Mara-Serapion – 73 A.D. “What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise king?...Nor did the wise king die for good; he lived on in the teaching which he had given.”

EVIDENCE FOR A HISTORICAL JESUS Among “Pagan” Sources Cornelius Tacitus – 112 A.D. in his Annals – “Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberias.” Pliny the Younger – 112 A.D. Wrote to Trajan about Christians and their devotion to Christ Seutonius – 120 A.D. “As the Jews were making constant disturbance at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.” Acts 18:1,2

EVIDENCE FOR A HISTORICAL JESUS Among “Jewish” Sources The Talmud -100 – 500 A.D. Speaks frequently of Jesus of Nazareth in unfriendly terms… but never disputing his status as a historical figure. Flavius Josephus – Born 37 A.D. makes several references to Jesus in his History Of The Jews

IMPLICATIONS OF THIS EVIDENCE What it Does Do: Solid basis to intelligently believe in Jesus as a person Who actually existed in history Requires everyone to give some sort of answer to the question posed by Jesus in Matthew 16:15: ”But who do you say that I Am?”

IMPLICATIONS OF THIS EVIDENCE What it Does NOT Do: Does not prove Jesus to be the Son of God Basically tells us He lived and died in the First Century A.D.. He must have done something significant to gain some notoriety by the historians

TO LEARN MORE – MUST LOOK ELSEWHERE 27 Books in the New Testament Only Reliable source of information about Jesus As a Historical Document, is it Reliable? Is it Accurate concerning Jesus, His life, death & resurrection? Is it accurately copied from the original penmen?

THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Why do we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? “Because of the miracles He did” “Because He fulfilled hundreds of Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament” Matthew 8:16,17; Luke 4:17-21 “Because He rose from the dead” Matthew 28:5-7

THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT But Where Do We Learn About These Things? Where do we read about His miracles? Only in the New Testament Who says He fulfilled prophecies? Penman of the New Testament Evidence for the Resurrection? Primarily in the New Testament

THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT What if it were shown that the New Testament was written over 100 years after the events? Would not be written by Eye Witnesses, nor those whose names are connected with it IF such is true, it is nothing more than a FORGERY!

THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT What if the manuscript evidence is very scarce & 1,000 years removed from originals? No way of testing accuracy of copyists, for hundreds of years made hand copies Faith in Christ would be based on shallow ground, a document which is historically questionable

THE HISTORICAL RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Our faith in Jesus is dependent on the New Testament being Reliable as a Historical Document “Blind Faith” may seem adequate for some IF we desire a “Strong Faith” – We understand our dependency on the New Testament

Next Study: The “Acid Test” For Any Document Claiming to be a Historical Record of Certain Events