IV. How Did
We Get the Bible? [Getting Started}
a. Who wrote it?
i. Inspiration or conspiration?
1. Bible was written by collaboration
a. Moses wrote the Pentateuch (1st 5 books)
b. Prophets, Kings, fishermen, etc. wrote the rest
2. Bible was written as inspired by god
a. II Tim. 3:16 – Scripture is God-breathed
b. Luke
24:44 & Luke 11:51 – Jesus confirms the Scriptures of OT (many others like John 5:45-47, etc.)
ii. Witnesses
1. Bible
is confirmed by witnesses, prophecy, miracles, and it’s weathering of time and attack
iii. Confirmation (external)
1. Bible is preeminent in all literature
a.
Circulation – translated into >300 languages
b.
Influence – more books written about it – quotes, study, dictionaries, commentaries, atlases, apologetics,
etc.
2.
Bible is most attacked by Man
a.
Banned, burned; God seems to preserve it through time
i. Mark 13:31 – Word will not
pass away
b.
Voltaire (died 1778) said Bible would be extinct 100yrs after his death
i. 50yrs after death Geneva Bible Society
bought his house and used his own printing press to copy Bible
iv. Timeline: (see below)
b.
When was it written?
i. Dates for OT
1.
~1400BC – Moses writes Pentateuch
a.
When those events occurred exactly is unknown
b.
Other books written around this time, both before and after
2.
400-150BC – OT recognized as complete; revelations had ended largely; silent period
3.
250-150BC – Septuagint, Greek translation appears
4.
~5BC-5AD – Jesus born
5.
~33AD – Jesus crucified; resurrection
6.
50-100AD – Gospels & Pauline letters written
a.
All NT writings completed by 200AD by most liberal critics’ estimation
7.
70AD – Temple destroyed; Jewish religion focal point removed
8.
90AD – Council at Jamnia; Jewish scholars officially recognize OT cannon as what has been circulated for years
now; attempt to preserve OT and religion in light of Temple destruction
9.
170AD – Bishop of Sardis; Christians officially recognize OT cannon as that of Jamnia (only rearranged)
10. 367AD – Oldest
list of NT letters & gospel writings on record; list was of commonly recognized NT cannon
11. 393AD – Council
(Synod) at Hippo; NT cannon officially recognized as that which had been circulated for nearly 200 years now
12. ~900AD –
Oldest manuscripts of OT known to exist
13. 1947AD –
Dead Sea Scrolls discovered
a.
New oldest known manuscripts of OT found – dating back to ~100BC (1000yrs. older than oldest manuscript we had)
b.
Manuscripts found to match! Confirm prophecies, histories, integrity of
OT
c.
Confirm Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus
ii. Dates for NT
1.
Matthew 70-80AD --------80-100AD
2.
Luke 60AD ---------------70-90AD
3.
conservative vs. liberal dating
iii. How was it compiled and when?
1.
Papyrus, parchments, scrolls
2.
Uncial (codex) writing – book-hand
3.
Miniscule writing – very small
4.
No spaces or divisions
5.
586BC – some divisions added to Pentatuach; books sectioned
a.
Law – Torah, 1st 5
b.
Prophets – Nebhim, Major Prophets
c.
Writings – Kethubhim/Psalms, Minor Prophets & history
i. Chronicles was their last book of
the “Bible”
d.
Talmud – Rabbinic sayings & teachings added later by 400AD
6.
Verses, modern sections, spaces, etc. by 1500’s AD
a.
Latin Vulgate in 1555AD
c.
What’s the difference between the OT and the NT?
i. OT – gives Law; shows Law’s
inadequacy; looks forward to Messiah
ii. NT – reveals Messiah; gives
Grace; fulfills prophecies; looks forward to Heaven
What about the Apolcryphal
writings?
1.
NT Tests for Inclusion
a.
Written by a Prophet?
b.
Writer confirmed by acts of God?
c.
Message tell the truth?
d.
Does it come with power?
e.
Was it accepted by people of God?
2.
NT Apocryphal writings thrown out because:
a.
Only temporary or local recognition
b.
Never widely accepted manuscripts
c.
No major church council included them
d.
Referenced other cannon, but were never themselves so recognized
3.
OT Apocryphal writings thrown out because:
a.
Geographical or historical inaccuracies
b.
Teach false doctrine compared to other Scripture
c.
Literary types out of style compared with other Scripture
d.
Lack of power or divine authority
a.
What are some criticisms leveled against the Bible? [see 2b. above]
i. The Bible is full of errors and contradictions
1.
Instead, it is textually sound & reliable
ii. Science disproves the Bible; sheer lack of evidence to support it
1.
As we shall see, science & archeology confirm it
iii. Bible teaching forces me to change, to give up freedom and fun
1.
As we’ll see, it rather teaches acceptance, tolerance, and gives the ultimate in freedom; it is the foundation
of liberty and hope
iv. The Bible is just a bunch of myths & stories – many of which are found in other religions and fables
1.
History and scientific discoveries support its accounts; parallel accounts need to be considered with causative context
2.
We’ll also see how Christianity differs sharply from other world religions
v. The Bible is too old and is not relevant to me today
1.
It is still the most widely distributed and copied book
2.
We’ll see how it has and continues to change the world and the lives of each believer in Christ
b. Discussion: Top Five Reasons
People Don’t Believe the Bible as Truth
