Following on from my last blog post when I answered the question "Aren't there contradictions in the Bible?" I am intending to write a series of articles on alleged discrepancies in God's infallible word.
Of course, because the Bible is both infallible, and inerrant, there are NO discrepancies or contradictions; indeed, there has never been a proven fact of science or archaeology that has shown the Bible to be in error.
The subject I've chosen for this article is on the timing of Jesus' crucifixion. The order of events over that time was that Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, was brought before various people and, when he was brought before the governor Pilate, He was led out in front of a crowd who howled for His blood. After Pilate pronounced sentence viz. that Jesus should be crucified, He was then led through the streets to His execution. From the moment Jesus was brought before the crowd to the time He was put on the cross would have been several hours and yet there appears to be a serious problem as I will now explain:
In John 19 v 13-14 we are told that Jesus was brought out before the crowd at the 6th hour; however, in Mark 15 v 25 we are told that Jesus was crucified at the 3rd hour. How could he have been put on the cross 3 hours before being brought out to the crowd?
This seems to be a"gotcha" moment as far as the opponents of the Bible are concerned. However, there is a simple answer and it runs like this:
In Mark's Gospel the times given are all in line with the Jewish reckoning of time; that is - the day starts at 6am and the 3rd hour is 9am, the 6th hour is noon, the 9th hour is 3pm.
In John's Gospel the timing follows the Roman reckoning, that is - there are 2 blocks of 12 hours as in our own clocks today.
Bearing that in mind we see that Jesus was brought out before the crowd at 6am (the Roman time mentioned in John 19 v 14) and was crucified at 9am (the Jewish time mentioned in Mark 15 v 25); therefore, there is no problem, and certainly no contradiction or discrepancy.
Once again, the Bible is proved to be trustworthy and we can depend upon it as being true in every detail.
Wednesday, 3 January 2018
Thursday, 7 December 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #10 - Aren't there contradictions in the Bible?
We come, now, to the 10th in our series of questions most frequently asked by the unsaved and this must be one of the all-time favourites - "Aren't there contradictions in the Bible?".
After all, if everything we believe is in the Bible and it is full of errors, then we are basing our whole belief system on a document that is unreliable.
The first thing to remember is that people often ask this question, or even assert that there are errors in the Bible, because they are simply repeating what they've heard other people say, and have not bothered to check out the facts for themselves.
An example of this is a brief conversation I had with a bloke who boldly told me that the Bible must be wrong "because there aren't any apples in the area where the Garden of Eden was alleged to have been!" I quickly corrected him by pointing out that Genesis says nothing about Adam eating an apple, that is an assumption with no biblical warrant.
However, there are people who have bothered to read the Bible and if they come up with an apparent contradiction what should be our answer?
Simply this, remember the 3 Cs of Biblical analysis and study - Context, Context, Context !
Every single supposed contradiction and error in the Bible can be answered by examining the verse/passage in its context; that is, the context of the book it is in, the people it is addressed to, the person who wrote it and why, and even by going back to the original Greek/Hebrew text.
In the next few months it is my intention to write a series of articles on various supposed contradictions and errors and show how, by comparing scripture with scripture, and by keeping the relevant verses in their context, ALL of these can be answered.
We can be absolutely sure that there are NO errors in God's infallible word, and we can refute those who claim that it is "full of contradictions".
Every word of God is pure - Proverbs 30 v 5
After all, if everything we believe is in the Bible and it is full of errors, then we are basing our whole belief system on a document that is unreliable.
The first thing to remember is that people often ask this question, or even assert that there are errors in the Bible, because they are simply repeating what they've heard other people say, and have not bothered to check out the facts for themselves.
An example of this is a brief conversation I had with a bloke who boldly told me that the Bible must be wrong "because there aren't any apples in the area where the Garden of Eden was alleged to have been!" I quickly corrected him by pointing out that Genesis says nothing about Adam eating an apple, that is an assumption with no biblical warrant.
However, there are people who have bothered to read the Bible and if they come up with an apparent contradiction what should be our answer?
Simply this, remember the 3 Cs of Biblical analysis and study - Context, Context, Context !
Every single supposed contradiction and error in the Bible can be answered by examining the verse/passage in its context; that is, the context of the book it is in, the people it is addressed to, the person who wrote it and why, and even by going back to the original Greek/Hebrew text.
In the next few months it is my intention to write a series of articles on various supposed contradictions and errors and show how, by comparing scripture with scripture, and by keeping the relevant verses in their context, ALL of these can be answered.
We can be absolutely sure that there are NO errors in God's infallible word, and we can refute those who claim that it is "full of contradictions".
Every word of God is pure - Proverbs 30 v 5
Thursday, 23 November 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #9 - Why did Jesus have to die?
As we continue our series of questions most frequently asked by the unsaved we come to one which has intrigued many, including myself as a young Catholic lad growing up in the 1960s -
"Why did Jesus have to die?"
Given that the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most indisputable facts of history, and given that, despite being acquitted as innocent by Pilate the governor, Jesus was crucified as a common criminal, this remains one of the most puzzling questions of all time; and the answer is simple - Jesus died because God is both Holy and Merciful.
Because God is holy, He must punish sin. That is bad news as we have all fallen short of His standard, we have all sinned in His sight, and deserve eternal condemnation.
However, because God is merciful and loving He doesn't issue a blanket "death penalty" upon all mankind, and leave us to our fate (even though we deserve it) but provides a way for us to be put right with Him, while not compromising His holiness - and that is where the cross of Christ comes in.
When Jesus died God, the Father took our sins and laid them upon His own dear Son, thus punishing Him in our place As the prophet Isaiah put it ".....the Lord has laid on Him, the iniquity of us all" - Isa. 53 v 6.
However, He didn't only die, but rose again 3 days later thus showing that His sacrifice upon the cross was an acceptable sin-offering. This is made clear in Romans 4 v 25 where we are told that Jesus was "given for our offences, and raised again for our justification".
At first, it may be a wonder to us why this should be so - but rather than simply ponder this question we need to avail ourselves of the only way God has provided for us to be right with Him, and be assured of an eternal Heaven.
Next time we will look at the question "Are there contradictions in the Bible?"
"Why did Jesus have to die?"
Given that the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most indisputable facts of history, and given that, despite being acquitted as innocent by Pilate the governor, Jesus was crucified as a common criminal, this remains one of the most puzzling questions of all time; and the answer is simple - Jesus died because God is both Holy and Merciful.
Because God is holy, He must punish sin. That is bad news as we have all fallen short of His standard, we have all sinned in His sight, and deserve eternal condemnation.
However, because God is merciful and loving He doesn't issue a blanket "death penalty" upon all mankind, and leave us to our fate (even though we deserve it) but provides a way for us to be put right with Him, while not compromising His holiness - and that is where the cross of Christ comes in.
When Jesus died God, the Father took our sins and laid them upon His own dear Son, thus punishing Him in our place As the prophet Isaiah put it ".....the Lord has laid on Him, the iniquity of us all" - Isa. 53 v 6.
However, He didn't only die, but rose again 3 days later thus showing that His sacrifice upon the cross was an acceptable sin-offering. This is made clear in Romans 4 v 25 where we are told that Jesus was "given for our offences, and raised again for our justification".
At first, it may be a wonder to us why this should be so - but rather than simply ponder this question we need to avail ourselves of the only way God has provided for us to be right with Him, and be assured of an eternal Heaven.
Next time we will look at the question "Are there contradictions in the Bible?"
Monday, 6 November 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #8 - If the Christian faith is true, why do so many people not believe?
Continuing on with our series of articles on FAQs from the unsaved we come now to the following:
"If the Christian faith is true, why do so many people not believe?"
This is a fair question; after all, census returns seem to suggest that a growing percentage of the population do not hold to any religious belief and may even identify themselves as atheists. Others hold to one of the many non-Christian faiths prevalent in Britain today. What answer should we give to this reasonable enquiry?
Firstly, we should acknowledge that the enquirer is correct. Most people do not have a strong and vibrant faith in Christ; however, this is in line with our Saviour's prediction in Matthew 7 v 13-14 viz. that the way to eternal life is narrow and "few there be that find it", and the way to judgement is broad. with most people travelling along that route. The reason is simple - people love their sins and do not want to repent; this is asserted in John 3 v 19 where we are told that people "loved darkness rather than light..."
Secondly, we should point out that, due to the fact that Satan has blinded people (2nd Cor. 4 v 3-4), they will not turn to Christ until the Spirit of God works upon them. Indeed, in Acts 16 v 14 we are told that Lydia took heed to the Gospel preached by Paul because God worked upon her by opening her heart. Moreover, in John 6 v 44 we are told by Jesus, Himself, that people will not turn to Christ until they are drawn, and this is further confirmed by our Saviour in c6 v 65 where He states that people will not come to Him unless they are granted the ability to do so.
Thirdly, given that people will not come to Christ until they are drawn, and granted the gift of faith, it then begs the question - why do some people come, and others don't? Again the Bible gives the answer - in John 6 v 37 Jesus stated that the ones who come to Him are those given to Him by His Father. This is further confirmed in Acts 13 v 48 where we are told that it is the people "ordained to eternal life" that believed.
In conclusion - we should not be defensive when this question is raised but rather go on the offensive by stating that God is sovereign, His purposes WILL be carried out, and that He can never be thwarted in His intent to convert all those who have been been given to Christ by Him.
This precious truth should be an encouragement to us not to be fearful of failure when spreading the Gospel but be bold in declaring the truth as we have a cause that can never fail.
"If the Christian faith is true, why do so many people not believe?"
This is a fair question; after all, census returns seem to suggest that a growing percentage of the population do not hold to any religious belief and may even identify themselves as atheists. Others hold to one of the many non-Christian faiths prevalent in Britain today. What answer should we give to this reasonable enquiry?
Firstly, we should acknowledge that the enquirer is correct. Most people do not have a strong and vibrant faith in Christ; however, this is in line with our Saviour's prediction in Matthew 7 v 13-14 viz. that the way to eternal life is narrow and "few there be that find it", and the way to judgement is broad. with most people travelling along that route. The reason is simple - people love their sins and do not want to repent; this is asserted in John 3 v 19 where we are told that people "loved darkness rather than light..."
Secondly, we should point out that, due to the fact that Satan has blinded people (2nd Cor. 4 v 3-4), they will not turn to Christ until the Spirit of God works upon them. Indeed, in Acts 16 v 14 we are told that Lydia took heed to the Gospel preached by Paul because God worked upon her by opening her heart. Moreover, in John 6 v 44 we are told by Jesus, Himself, that people will not turn to Christ until they are drawn, and this is further confirmed by our Saviour in c6 v 65 where He states that people will not come to Him unless they are granted the ability to do so.
Thirdly, given that people will not come to Christ until they are drawn, and granted the gift of faith, it then begs the question - why do some people come, and others don't? Again the Bible gives the answer - in John 6 v 37 Jesus stated that the ones who come to Him are those given to Him by His Father. This is further confirmed in Acts 13 v 48 where we are told that it is the people "ordained to eternal life" that believed.
In conclusion - we should not be defensive when this question is raised but rather go on the offensive by stating that God is sovereign, His purposes WILL be carried out, and that He can never be thwarted in His intent to convert all those who have been been given to Christ by Him.
This precious truth should be an encouragement to us not to be fearful of failure when spreading the Gospel but be bold in declaring the truth as we have a cause that can never fail.
Saturday, 28 October 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #7 - How do you know the Bible is true?
Continuing on with our series of the most common questions asked by enquirers we come, now, to the most pertinent question of all viz. "How do you know the Bible is true?"
The reason I say that it is the most pertinent of questions is simple. We are spreading a message which has huge implications for peoples' lives and their eternal destiny. We are claiming that we have the answer, not only to life itself, but on how to obtain eternal life in Heaven.
Moreover, we are basing all of this on a book written 1,000s of years ago, and which is often derided as "an irrelevance written by ignorant goat-herders who didn't have the advantage of modern scientific discoveries".
So, what answer do we give to such enquirers? We answer the question in 4 ways:
1. Fulfilled prophecies.
The Old Testament is replete with prophecies about the coming Messiah which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. People who wish to examine this in greater detail will be advised to do their research on the internet, but 2 examples will suffice. Isaiah 53 is clearly about a coming one who would die as a sacrifice for His people ("for the transgression of my people was he stricken" - v.8); also Psalm 22 speaks of death by crucifixion hundreds of years before such a barbarity was even invented.
It would also be worthwhile to mention the 7-fold prophecy of Tyre in Ezekiel chapter 26 which was perfectly fulfilled. The chances of this happening merely "by accident" would be 1 in many millions.
2. Archaeological Discoveries.
No Archaeological discovery has ever disproved the Bible despite intensive digs taking place over many generations in the lands of the Bible. On the contrary, such expeditions have served to prove the historicity of the Biblical record time and again. Space does not permit me to go into intensive details (again, an internet search is recommended) but I would just mention the city of Nineveh. This was destroyed by the Babylonians in 612BC as prophesied in the book of Nahum.. At one time the Biblical record of this happening was scoffed at by historians as, they claimed, no such place even existed! However, the ruins were discovered in the 1840s and, once again, the Bible proved to be true.
3. It has stood the test of time.
If the Bible was not the Word of God, and divinely preserved, then it would have been eradicated, or at best, just became a museum piece. The reason for my stating that is because no book has been subjected to so many attempts at destruction, as the Bible. Its opponents have been numerous over many centuries and it simply would not have survived. However, it has not only survived but is daily being printed and distributed all over the world!
4. The power to change lives.
Over the last 2,000 years millions of people have experienced a powerful change through reading God's Word as the Holy Spirit has confirmed its truths and applied them to their lives and situations. Time and again I have heard personal testimonies of people who once had lives that were in a terrible mess, but have been transformed by God's power. Indeed, as the Bible says: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" - Romans 10 v 17.
In conclusion, when we get challenged to show that the Bible is the Word of God, we should not be fazed, but we should relish the opportunity to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. We have the evidence on our side, let's no be afraid to use it!
Next week we hope to look at the question: "If the Christian faith is true, then why do so many people not accept Christ?"
The reason I say that it is the most pertinent of questions is simple. We are spreading a message which has huge implications for peoples' lives and their eternal destiny. We are claiming that we have the answer, not only to life itself, but on how to obtain eternal life in Heaven.
Moreover, we are basing all of this on a book written 1,000s of years ago, and which is often derided as "an irrelevance written by ignorant goat-herders who didn't have the advantage of modern scientific discoveries".
So, what answer do we give to such enquirers? We answer the question in 4 ways:
1. Fulfilled prophecies.
The Old Testament is replete with prophecies about the coming Messiah which were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. People who wish to examine this in greater detail will be advised to do their research on the internet, but 2 examples will suffice. Isaiah 53 is clearly about a coming one who would die as a sacrifice for His people ("for the transgression of my people was he stricken" - v.8); also Psalm 22 speaks of death by crucifixion hundreds of years before such a barbarity was even invented.
It would also be worthwhile to mention the 7-fold prophecy of Tyre in Ezekiel chapter 26 which was perfectly fulfilled. The chances of this happening merely "by accident" would be 1 in many millions.
2. Archaeological Discoveries.
No Archaeological discovery has ever disproved the Bible despite intensive digs taking place over many generations in the lands of the Bible. On the contrary, such expeditions have served to prove the historicity of the Biblical record time and again. Space does not permit me to go into intensive details (again, an internet search is recommended) but I would just mention the city of Nineveh. This was destroyed by the Babylonians in 612BC as prophesied in the book of Nahum.. At one time the Biblical record of this happening was scoffed at by historians as, they claimed, no such place even existed! However, the ruins were discovered in the 1840s and, once again, the Bible proved to be true.
3. It has stood the test of time.
If the Bible was not the Word of God, and divinely preserved, then it would have been eradicated, or at best, just became a museum piece. The reason for my stating that is because no book has been subjected to so many attempts at destruction, as the Bible. Its opponents have been numerous over many centuries and it simply would not have survived. However, it has not only survived but is daily being printed and distributed all over the world!
4. The power to change lives.
Over the last 2,000 years millions of people have experienced a powerful change through reading God's Word as the Holy Spirit has confirmed its truths and applied them to their lives and situations. Time and again I have heard personal testimonies of people who once had lives that were in a terrible mess, but have been transformed by God's power. Indeed, as the Bible says: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" - Romans 10 v 17.
In conclusion, when we get challenged to show that the Bible is the Word of God, we should not be fazed, but we should relish the opportunity to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. We have the evidence on our side, let's no be afraid to use it!
Next week we hope to look at the question: "If the Christian faith is true, then why do so many people not accept Christ?"
Saturday, 14 October 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #6 - What about the hypocrites in churches?
In our series of questions most frequently asked by the unsaved we come, now, to one of the most common viz. "What about the hypocrites in churches?" or, to put it another way, "How can I believe in Jesus when so many Christians are doing bad things?".
People who ask this have probably seen media reports of vicars running off with members of the congregation, or pervert priests doing evil things to kids, or a number of other reports that show supposed Christians doing the most awful things.
To be fair, it is possible that some who ask these questions may be genuinely willing to consider the claims of Christ, but have been put off by these media reports. Others, are simply looking for excuses not to come to faith in Christ.
So how do we answer such queries?
Firstly, it should be acknowledged that professing Christians have committed terrible crimes and the media reports are often correct in the basic facts reported. However, we should answer the question with a question viz. "How do you know that the person concerned is a true Christian?" - many people claim to be followers of Christ, and may even have a good knowledge of the Bible, but may never have had a true work of grace in their hearts. Such people, may talk the talk, but have never come to repentance and true faith in Christ as their Lord and Saviour. An example of this would be Judas - not only did he betray Christ but, we are told in scripture, that he would steal money from the treasury bag. It is clear, therefore, that he was never truly saved in the first place.
Secondly, we could challenge the enquirer by saying that one day, every one of us will stand before God as individuals, and give account before Him (Romans 14 v 12) ; it will do us no good to point the finger at other peoples' failings as God will say "I will deal with them, what about you?".
Thirdly, we could challenge the enquirer by asking him a simple question: "Are you prepared to give up an opportunity to get to Heaven, because of the actions of other people?". In other words, as Christ is the only way to Heaven, and as people are put off believing in Him because of the actions of hypocrites, this means they have forfeited their chance to be saved because of the wrong deeds of other people.
This last point is a powerful argument - we are all appalled by the actions of hypocrites, but refusing to believe in Jesus because of them means we damage ourselves. Whether or not we believe is not going to make a scrap of difference to hypocrites, but it will affect our own eternal destiny.
I hope you are finding these articles helpful, next week we hope to look at the question - "How do you know the Bible is true?"
People who ask this have probably seen media reports of vicars running off with members of the congregation, or pervert priests doing evil things to kids, or a number of other reports that show supposed Christians doing the most awful things.
To be fair, it is possible that some who ask these questions may be genuinely willing to consider the claims of Christ, but have been put off by these media reports. Others, are simply looking for excuses not to come to faith in Christ.
So how do we answer such queries?
Firstly, it should be acknowledged that professing Christians have committed terrible crimes and the media reports are often correct in the basic facts reported. However, we should answer the question with a question viz. "How do you know that the person concerned is a true Christian?" - many people claim to be followers of Christ, and may even have a good knowledge of the Bible, but may never have had a true work of grace in their hearts. Such people, may talk the talk, but have never come to repentance and true faith in Christ as their Lord and Saviour. An example of this would be Judas - not only did he betray Christ but, we are told in scripture, that he would steal money from the treasury bag. It is clear, therefore, that he was never truly saved in the first place.
Secondly, we could challenge the enquirer by saying that one day, every one of us will stand before God as individuals, and give account before Him (Romans 14 v 12) ; it will do us no good to point the finger at other peoples' failings as God will say "I will deal with them, what about you?".
Thirdly, we could challenge the enquirer by asking him a simple question: "Are you prepared to give up an opportunity to get to Heaven, because of the actions of other people?". In other words, as Christ is the only way to Heaven, and as people are put off believing in Him because of the actions of hypocrites, this means they have forfeited their chance to be saved because of the wrong deeds of other people.
This last point is a powerful argument - we are all appalled by the actions of hypocrites, but refusing to believe in Jesus because of them means we damage ourselves. Whether or not we believe is not going to make a scrap of difference to hypocrites, but it will affect our own eternal destiny.
I hope you are finding these articles helpful, next week we hope to look at the question - "How do you know the Bible is true?"
Wednesday, 4 October 2017
FAQs from the unsaved #5 - How could God be so cruel as to command genocide?
Continuing our series on the type of questions I get asked when doing street evangelism, I come now to one that is not as frequent as the others, but has still arisen from time to time -
"How could God be so cruel as to command genocide?"
This type of question tends to get asked by militant atheists who have read the Bible with the sole aim of finding "contradictions" or objectionable statements (objectionable in their eyes, that is). However, as I stated in an earlier article, unless we have good grounds to believe that an enquirer is insincere, we should proceed on the basis that they are genuine seekers after truth. The person raising this matter may be a genuine seeker who has been reading the Bible and has come across these "difficult" passages.
It is to be acknowledged that, according to scripture, God did command the Israelites to wipe out the inhabitants of the Promised Land, examples being Deuteronomy 7 v 2 and also, in the same book, chapter 20 v 17-18.
There are a number of ways that this question can be answered, and I'm not saying that my readers should slavishly follow these suggestions, but I tend to approach it like this:
One should not say, How can God be so cruel as to command genocide but rather, How could people be so wicked as to need wiping out?
Having chosen the Jews God wanted to protect them from both spiritual harm and physical disease. In Deut. 20 v 18 we read that God wanted these heathens wiped out so that they could not be a temptation to the Israelites. Indeed, as we see while reading through the Old Testament, the Jews failed to obey God's command, they did not wipe out the heathens and, as a result, were led into the sin of idolatry and unnatural perversions. This, in turn, led to God having to chastise them.
Moreover, God wanted to protect them from physical disease - these heathens were so vile with their unnatural perversions that disease would have been rife and the Lord, who had the best interests of His people at heart, wanted to preserve them from that.
Indeed, as we look at Britain, today, we see that that situation has arisen. The incidents of disease caused by sinful living is at an all time high. Moreover, there have been notable occasions when people have died as a result of perverse living (Freddie Mercury and George Michael for example).
So you see, then, when God commanded this "genocide" it was for a good purpose - to protect His own precious people.
No doubt, because most people are humanistic, (and that also includes some "Christians") there will be objections to the answers I have given, but they are eminently Biblical and I stand by them.
"How could God be so cruel as to command genocide?"
This type of question tends to get asked by militant atheists who have read the Bible with the sole aim of finding "contradictions" or objectionable statements (objectionable in their eyes, that is). However, as I stated in an earlier article, unless we have good grounds to believe that an enquirer is insincere, we should proceed on the basis that they are genuine seekers after truth. The person raising this matter may be a genuine seeker who has been reading the Bible and has come across these "difficult" passages.
It is to be acknowledged that, according to scripture, God did command the Israelites to wipe out the inhabitants of the Promised Land, examples being Deuteronomy 7 v 2 and also, in the same book, chapter 20 v 17-18.
There are a number of ways that this question can be answered, and I'm not saying that my readers should slavishly follow these suggestions, but I tend to approach it like this:
One should not say, How can God be so cruel as to command genocide but rather, How could people be so wicked as to need wiping out?
Having chosen the Jews God wanted to protect them from both spiritual harm and physical disease. In Deut. 20 v 18 we read that God wanted these heathens wiped out so that they could not be a temptation to the Israelites. Indeed, as we see while reading through the Old Testament, the Jews failed to obey God's command, they did not wipe out the heathens and, as a result, were led into the sin of idolatry and unnatural perversions. This, in turn, led to God having to chastise them.
Moreover, God wanted to protect them from physical disease - these heathens were so vile with their unnatural perversions that disease would have been rife and the Lord, who had the best interests of His people at heart, wanted to preserve them from that.
Indeed, as we look at Britain, today, we see that that situation has arisen. The incidents of disease caused by sinful living is at an all time high. Moreover, there have been notable occasions when people have died as a result of perverse living (Freddie Mercury and George Michael for example).
So you see, then, when God commanded this "genocide" it was for a good purpose - to protect His own precious people.
No doubt, because most people are humanistic, (and that also includes some "Christians") there will be objections to the answers I have given, but they are eminently Biblical and I stand by them.
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