The Authority of the Scripture Hebrews 3:6, 14 10:35

Two Main Issues Why does God need to give man a standard of authority for his conduct? Why does God need to give man a standard of authority for his conduct? How do the Scriptures meet the criteria for that standard? How do the Scriptures meet the criteria for that standard?

External Ev: Scientific Accuracy Rotundity of the earth (Isa 40:22). Rotundity of the earth (Isa 40:22). Empty space in the North, & the suspension of the earth in space (Job 26:7). Empty space in the North, & the suspension of the earth in space (Job 26:7). Static electricity: lightening (Jer 10:13). Static electricity: lightening (Jer 10:13). Oceanography: paths in the seas (Psa 8:8). Oceanography: paths in the seas (Psa 8:8). Life is in the blood (Lev 17:10-14). Life is in the blood (Lev 17:10-14). All nations created of one blood (Acts 17:26). All nations created of one blood (Acts 17:26).

External Ev: Scientific Accuracy Quarantine, disinfection procedures, covering over mouth in treatment of infectious diseases (Lev 13, 14). Quarantine, disinfection procedures, covering over mouth in treatment of infectious diseases (Lev 13, 14). The countless number of stars: Ptolemy, 150 A. D. listed only 3000 (Gen 13:16; 15:5). The countless number of stars: Ptolemy, 150 A. D. listed only 3000 (Gen 13:16; 15:5). Process of rain, evaporation into air, & condensation to earth (Ecc 1:7; Job 36:27-28). Process of rain, evaporation into air, & condensation to earth (Ecc 1:7; Job 36:27-28). Dimensions of the ark: modern ship builders use the same ratio (Gen 6:15). Dimensions of the ark: modern ship builders use the same ratio (Gen 6:15).

External Ev: Scientific Accuracy Progression & classification of life: vegetable, fish, fowl, mammals, man (Gen 1) Progression & classification of life: vegetable, fish, fowl, mammals, man (Gen 1) 5 facts of science in first verses of the Bible: 5 facts of science in first verses of the Bible: “In the beginning” – time “In the beginning” – time “God created the heavens” – space “God created the heavens” – space “And the earth” – matter “And the earth” – matter “And the Spirit of God” – force “And the Spirit of God” – force “Moved upon the face of the waters” – motion “Moved upon the face of the waters” – motion

External Ev: Scientific Accuracy Circumcision of male children 8 days after birth (Gen 17:12). Circumcision of male children 8 days after birth (Gen 17:12). We have learned through science, that eight days after birth the body is producing enough Vitamin K in the intestinal tract to cause the liver to produce a substance called prothrombin, which makes the blood platelets so the blood can coagulate during a surgical procedure (1935, Henrik Dam). We have learned through science, that eight days after birth the body is producing enough Vitamin K in the intestinal tract to cause the liver to produce a substance called prothrombin, which makes the blood platelets so the blood can coagulate during a surgical procedure (1935, Henrik Dam).

Uniqueness of Scripture Its Unity – Its Unity – Its Translation & Circulation – Its Translation & Circulation – Its Survival – Its Survival – It has survived persecution – It has survived persecution – It has survived criticism – It has survived criticism – It has survived time – It has survived time –

AuthorDate WrittenEarliest CopyTime SpanCopies (extent) Secular Manuscripts: Herodotus (History) BC900 AD1,300 years8 Thucydides (History) BC900 AD1,300 years? Aristotle (Philosopher) BC1,100 AD1,400 years5 Caesar (History) BC900 AD1,000 years10 Pliny (History) AD850 AD750 years7 Suetonius (Roman History) AD950 AD800 years? Tacitus (Greek History)100 AD1,100 AD1,000 years20

Biblical Manuscripts: (note: these are individual manuscripts) Magdalene Ms (Matthew 26)1st century50-60 ADco-extent (?) John Rylands (John)90 AD130 AD40 years Bodmer Papyrus II (John)90 AD AD years Chester Beatty Papyri (N.T.)1st century200 AD150 years Diatessaron by Tatian (Gospels) 1st century200 AD150 years Codex Vaticanus (Bible)1st century AD years Codex Sinaiticus (Bible)1st century350 AD300 years Codex Alexandrinus (Bible)1st century400 AD350 years Total New Testament manuscripts = 5,300 Greek MSS, 10,000 Latin Vulgates, 9,300 others = 24,000. Total MSS compiled prior to 600 AD = 230 (McDowell 1972:42, & Bruce 1943:16-17)