BBXtra: Chapter 6 of 12 Points that Prove Christianity is True
In this enlightening episode of the Bible Breakdown Podcast, we delve deep into the question: Can we really trust the New Testament? With the guidance of Dr. Norman Geisler's compelling 12-step approach to proving Christianity, this episode provides a robust defense of the New Testament's reliability and historical accuracy. We explore the first six steps of Dr. Geisler's method, starting from the acknowledgment of the knowability of truth to the recognition of miracles as divine confirmations. This journey is essential for articulating and defending the Christian faith in today's diverse and often skeptical world.
The episode begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding our Christian faith beyond mere knowledge acquisition. It's about growth and wisdom in the things of God. In today's pluralistic society, it's crucial to be able to defend and describe our faith clearly. This episode highlights the necessity of periodically taking a break to deepen our understanding of our faith. By doing so, we can connect with others more meaningfully and articulate our beliefs more effectively.
Dr. Geisler's approach starts with the fundamental principle that truth about reality is knowable. This is the cornerstone of any meaningful conversation about faith. Without agreeing that truth is knowable, we can't proceed to discuss the deeper aspects of Christianity. In a world where relativism is prevalent, it's vital to establish that truth is objective and observable. The episode explains how the three laws of logic help us determine the truth: the law of non-contradiction, the law of excluded middle, and the law of identity.
Once we establish that truth is knowable, the next step is understanding that opposites cannot both be true. This principle debunks the notion that all roads lead to God. Different religions make conflicting claims, and they can't all be true simultaneously. The episode explains how recognizing this helps us better understand the exclusivity of the Christian faith.
The third step in Dr. Geisler's approach is affirming the existence of a theistic God. The episode delves into the three basic beliefs about God: atheism (no God), deism (a God who is not involved in our lives), and theism (a God who is involved in our lives). By affirming the existence of a theistic God, we set the stage for understanding the possibility of miracles.
The fourth step is accepting the possibility of miracles. A miracle is a divine, supernatural event that interrupts the natural order that God has created. The episode emphasizes that miracles performed in connection with a truth claim confirm the truth of God through a messenger. This principle is crucial in understanding how miracles validate the message of the Bible.
The fifth step builds on this by explaining that miracles performed in connection with a truth claim confirm the truth of God through a messenger. The episode uses examples from the Bible to illustrate how miracles served as signs to point to the gospel message. This understanding helps us see the significance of miracles in affirming the truth of Christianity.
The sixth step, which is the focus of this episode, is proving the reliability of the New Testament documents. The episode discusses the process of preserving God's Word through the early practice of copying letters written on papyrus. Despite the inevitable errors introduced by human scribes, the rapid and widespread copying of these texts ensured the accuracy of the New Testament. The sheer number of manuscripts—over 5,000 Greek copies compared to a mere 60 of Homer's Iliad—supports the reliability of the New Testament.
Textual criticism plays a crucial role in bringing us closer to the original texts' accuracy. The episode highlights the meticulous work involved in this field, using the NET Bible as an example. This translation openly addresses minor discrepancies while affirming the 99.9% accuracy of the original texts. By understanding the process of textual criticism, we gain confidence in the reliability of the New Testament.
The episode also touches on the historical reliability of the New Testament, emphasizing that it was written by eyewitnesses or contemporaries of the events described. This aspect bolsters its credibility, as it provides a direct link to the events being narrated. The fulfilled prophecies and miraculous events described within the New Testament further attest to the veracity of the scriptures. The life of Jesus, who claimed to be the Son of God and substantiated this claim through miracles, is central to this discussion.
As we navigate through the episode, we are reminded that defending our faith is not about arguing but about being able to describe our faith in a way that makes sense to others. The episode encourages listeners to delve deeper into resources like Dr. Norman Geisler's "12 Points that Show Christianity is True" for further study on the historical accuracy and trustworthiness of the Bible.
In conclusion, this episode of the Bible Breakdown Podcast provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the reliability of the New Testament. By following Dr. Geisler's 12-step approach, we gain valuable insights into articulating and defending our faith. The meticulous process of preserving God's Word, the overwhelming number of New Testament manuscripts, and the role of textual criticism all contribute to the reliability of the New Testament. Coupled with the fulfilled prophecies and miraculous events described within the scriptures, we have a robust foundation for our faith in Christianity.
Stay tuned for the next session, where we will continue to explore Dr. Geisler's 12 points and delve deeper into the authenticity of God's Word. By understanding these principles, we equip ourselves to defend our faith in a pluralistic world and connect with others in meaningful ways.
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