It's Christ-mas Time Part 2

Last time, my Pastor wrote about how Lee Strobel came to faith in Christ and how Strobel was overwhelmed by the evidence supporting the idea that Jesus was who the Bible says he was. Here is the second part of his article.

As we enter this Christmas season, it is good to hear what four theologians say about the accuracy of the Scripture, the superior proof of Christ, archaeology, and biblical prophecy.

1) Accuracy of the Scripture: Bruce Metzger PH.D., a renowned scholar of the New Testament whose lists of academic achievements would take up the rest of the space allotted for this article, attests that our modern New Testament is 99.5 percent free of textual discrepancies, with no major Christian doctrines in doubt. We can trust that the story of Christmas related in Luke 1-2 is an accurate account (p. 65). [D.B.- No other ancient text can boast that kind of accuracy]

2) The superior proof of Christ: Edwin M. Yamauchi PH.D. makes the assertion, 'We have better historical documentation for Jesus than for the founder of any other ancient religion.' There are thirty-nine ancient sources that corroborate more than one hundred facts concerning Jesus' life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection. Jesus is the one true Son of the living God (p. 260).

3) Archaeology: John McRay, professor of New Testament and archaeology at Wheaton, wrote a 432 page work, Archaeology and the New Testament. It is considered to be "the" text book on the subject. McRay states, 'There's no question that archaeological findings have enhanced the New Testament's credibility' (p. 260). He also said, 'No archaeological discovery has ever disproved a biblical reference' (p. 260). Not too many historical works, religious or secular, can make that claim.

4) Biblical prophecy: Louis S. Lapides M. DIV., TH. M., when asked about the chances of someone coincidentally fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Jewish Messiah, he responded, 'Not a chance. The odds are so astronomical that they rule that out.' There are more than forty-eight prophecies concerning the Messiah. According to mathematician, Peter W. Stoner, 'The probability of fulfilling forty-eight prophecies was one chance in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion' (p. 183). The odds alone say it would be impossible for anyone to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies. 'Yet, Jesus-and only Jesus throughout all of history-managed to do it' (p. 183). Do the math! Jesus is our Emmanuel, our Prince of Peace.

It truly is Christ-mas time.
Pastor Gary

Let us be sure to take time and reflect on why we can trust in the Christ from Nazareth, born in the stable, hung on a cross, and risen so that we could be saved. Thank you Pastor for helping the community reflect on this.

Derrick