Month May 2025

Evidence for our Faith: External Evidence for Jesus

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Whether you’re a believer or just curious, the question of whether Jesus of Nazareth really lived is something that gets people talking. While the Bible gives the main story of His life, it’s not the only place we hear about Him. In fact, several ancient Roman and Jewish writers, people who weren’t Christians, also mentioned Jesus. And what they said actually backs up the Bible in some powerful ways.

One of the best-known Roman historians, Tacitus, wrote about Christians in his work Annals around the year 116 AD. In Book 15, Chapter 44, he talks about how Emperor Nero blamed Christians for a fire in Rome and punished them. He even mentions their founder, “Christus” (Christ), who was executed by Pontius Pilate during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. That lines up perfectly with what we read in Matthew 27:2. What’s especially interesting is that Tacitus wasn’t a fan of Christians at all. He was just reporting what he knew, likely from official Roman records. That makes his words a strong, unbiased confirmation that Jesus really was crucified.

Another Roman writer, Pliny the Younger, gives us a peek into what early Christians were up to. Around the year 112 AD, he wrote a letter to the Emperor Trajan asking how to deal with this growing group of Jesus-followers. He said they worshiped Christ “as a god” and were spreading quickly. This matches what we see in Acts 2:41, where thousands started following Jesus shortly after His resurrection. Pliny wasn’t trying to preach, he was just doing his job as a governor, which makes his report even more valuable.

Then there’s Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived in the first century. In his book Antiquities of the Jews, he refers to Jesus as a wise man who did amazing things, was crucified by Pilate, and had followers who didn’t give up on Him. This section, called the “Testimonium Flavianum,” has sparked debate because it may have been edited by Christian scribes later on. But most scholars believe the basic facts, like Jesus’ crucifixion, are authentic. It’s a fascinating link to what we see in Mark 15:15.

Even the Babylonian Talmud, a collection of Jewish writings compiled later on, has something to say. In Sanhedrin 43a, it talks about a man named Yeshu who was executed on the eve of Passover for leading people astray. It’s a negative take on Jesus, but oddly enough, it lines up with John 19:14 and Matthew 26:65-66. Even though the tone is critical, it still confirms key parts of the story—Jesus’ existence, His influence, and His death.

So, what do all these sources have in common? They come from people who weren’t trying to promote Christianity. In some cases, they were even hostile to it. And yet, they confirm important details from the Gospels, like Jesus being crucified under Pilate and the rapid rise of His followers.

When you put it all together, these outside voices create a strong picture: Jesus wasn’t just a religious figure made up later. He was a real person who made a real impact—so much so that even His critics couldn’t ignore Him.

Agape,

4 Things I Cannot Hide

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4 Things I Cannot Hide: A Personal Reflection

As I navigate life’s winding paths, I often try to present my best self to the world, hoping to mask my flaws. Yet, there are four things I cannot hide: my speech, my assumptions about others, how I let trouble affect me, and my perseverance despite obstacles. These aspects of my character slip through the cracks of my carefully curated facade, revealing my true heart. Through the lens of Scripture, I see both my shortcomings and the path to transformation, as God’s Word guides me to align these areas with His truth.

1. My Speech: The Way I Talk to Others
My words betray my heart. Whether I speak with kindness, impatience, or cutting sarcasm, my tone and intent are laid bare for others to see. I cannot hide the impact of my speech, it lingers, shaping how others perceive me. A harsh word can wound, while a gentle one can heal. Proverbs 15:1 offers wisdom: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” When I choose words that uplift and encourage, I reflect God’s will for my life on how to interact with others. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph 4:29; see Col 4:6) O God, forgive me.

2. My Assumptions: Judging Without Knowing
I often catch myself forming quick judgments about others based on their appearance or actions. Someone comically said, “I can tell a judgmental person just by looking at them.” These assumptions (especially in impugning motives) creep out through my body language, a fleeting glance, a hesitant tone, or an unconscious step back. My biases betray me, revealing a heart prone to prejudging. James 2:1-4 (KJV) challenges me: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons… Have ye not then been partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” By seeking to understand others, I strive to embody humility, countering my tendency to assume. (see Matt 7:1-6 Judge not…) O God, forgive me.

3. The Way I Let Trouble Bother Me
When trials come, my response reveals the depth of my faith. Too often, I grumble or slip into pessimism, broadcasting a lack of trust in God. My complaints expose a heart struggling to hold onto hope. Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) offers a better way: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” By turning to prayer and gratitude, I can display hope, letting God’s peace shine through my troubles. “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” (Phil 2:14-15) O God, Forgive me.

4. The Way I Keep On Despite Obstacles
My perseverance (or lack thereof) reveals my resilience (or lack thereof). Do I press forward when others criticize, when obstacles loom, or when doubts creep in? My response is visible to all. Galatians 6:9 (KJV) encourages me: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” This verse urges me to keep going, trusting God, no matter what stands in my way. My steadfastness displays my Hope in God. “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:” (Heb 10:36) O God, Forgive me.

The Problem Exemplified
When I fail to guard these areas, my flaws are exposed. Proverbs 21:23 (KJV) warns, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” My unguarded words can spark conflict, reflecting a broader truth: when my speech, assumptions, complaints, or lack of perseverance go unchecked, I invite calamity. This verse humbles me, reminding me of the consequences of letting my heart run unrestrained.

Transforming My Life
Though I cannot hide these four aspects of myself, I can, by God’s grace, refine them to reflect His character. Proverbs 15:1 teaches me to speak with gentleness. James 2:1-4 calls me to love without prejudice. Philippians 4:6-7 guides me to replace complaints with hope. Galatians 6:9 strengthens me to persevere. Together, these scriptures shape me to live in a better way, letting my words, actions, and attitudes shine as a testimony to the transformative power of God’s word. In a world that sees what I cannot hide, I pray my life reflects Christ.

Agape,

Spencer

Evidence for our faith: Scientific Discoveries

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Scientific Insights in the Bible Before Their Discovery

The Bible, often seen as a spiritual guide, harbors scientific insights that predate their modern discovery, hinting at a wisdom beyond its ancient writers. While not a scientific treatise, its casual mentions of natural phenomena (later validated by research) present a compelling case for its inspired nature. From lightning’s path to Earth’s form, these glimpses into the physical world challenge assumptions of a purely primitive text.

One remarkable example is the Bible’s reference to lightning’s path. Job 28:26 states, “When He made a law for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,” while Job 38:25 asks, “Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, or a path for the lightning of thunder?” Written around 2000 BC, these verses suggest lightning follows a guided route, a concept unknown to ancient meteorology. Not until the 1960s, with advancements in high-speed photography and electrical studies, did scientists like Martin Uman confirm that lightning indeed traces a predictable plasma channel. This discovery, detailed in The Lightning Discharge (1987), aligns with Job’s imagery, predating it by nearly 4,000 years. This example is absolutely compelling; it’s a precise, testable phenomenon described millennia before the tools existed to verify it, making it a standout among biblical insights.

The hydrologic cycle also emerges in Scripture long before its scientific mapping. Ecclesiastes 1:7 observes, “All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again.” This encapsulates evaporation and precipitation, a process not formalized until Bernard Palissy’s 16th-century work. Job 36:27-28 reinforces this: “He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist,” revealing an understanding absent in contemporary cultures.

Biologically, Leviticus 17:11 declares, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood,” a truth central to modern medicine. Penned circa 1400 BC, it precedes William Harvey’s 1628 circulation discovery by over two millennia. Henry Morris, in The Biblical Basis for Modern Science (1984), argues this reflects knowledge beyond ancient observation, tying blood to vitality in a way science later confirmed.

Cosmologically, Job 26:7 asserts, “He hangs the earth on nothing,” portraying Earth as suspended in space—a view not widely accepted until Copernicus. This contrasts with ancient myths of a supported Earth, aligning with modern astronomy’s findings. John W. Montgomery’s Evidence for Faith (1991) notes such insights suggest a source transcending human limits.

These instances don’t prove divinity but defy coincidence, bridging faith and reason.

Agape

Sources:

Morris, Henry M. The Biblical Basis for Modern Science. Baker Books, 1984.

Montgomery, John W. Evidence for Faith. Probe Books, 1991. Uman, Martin A. The Lightning Discharge. Academic Press, 1987.

Evidence for our Faith: The Manuscript Evidence for the Bible’s Preservation

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The Manuscript Evidence for the Bible’s Preservation

The Bible’s preservation across millennia stands as a testament to its enduring reliability, backed by an unmatched trove of manuscript evidence. With over 5,800 Greek New Testament manuscripts and more than 19,000 in other languages, the Bible dwarfs all other ancient texts in sheer volume. This vast collection, paired with its textual consistency, builds a logical and compelling case that today’s Scriptures faithfully echo their original form.

Take the New Testament: The Rylands Papyrus (P52), dated to around AD 125, preserves John 18:31-33, penned just decades after the Gospel’s origin. Contrast this with Caesar’s Gallic Wars, where the earliest copies lag 900 years behind the original, yet face little skepticism. The Bible’s early manuscripts, hundreds before AD 300, shrink the window for distortion. F.F. Bruce, in The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (1943), asserts this abundance yields a text 99.5% accurate, with variants largely trivial (e.g., spelling in John 1:1).

For the Old Testament, the Dead Sea Scrolls, like the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa^a) from 125 BC, showcase precision. Isaiah 7:14, foretelling a virgin birth, aligns almost perfectly with the 10th-century Masoretic Text across 66 chapters. Minor shifts, like phrasing in Isaiah 40:3, leave meaning intact. Daniel B. Wallace’s Revisiting the Corruption of the New Testament (2011) praises the scribes’ meticulousness, reflecting their obedience to Deuteronomy 4:2’s command against altering God’s Word.

This consistency holds across key doctrines. Christ’s divinity (John 1:14), God’s covenant (Genesis 17:7), and salvation through faith and baptism (Acts 2:38, preserved in Codex Vaticanus, 4th century AD) remain unshaken. In Acts 2:38, Peter’s call to “repent and be baptized… for the remission of your sins” mirrors countless manuscripts, showing no doctrinal drift despite centuries of copying. The volume of texts enables rigorous comparison, a privilege rare among ancient works like Homer’s Iliad (643 copies).

Such preservation stems from deliberate effort, not chance. Jewish scribes counted letters per line, while early Christians, under persecution, shared copies widely—Paul even instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:27, “I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren,” fostering circulation among congregations. This dedication ensured texts endured, as urged in 2 Timothy 2:15 to handle truth diligently. The Codex Sinaiticus (4th century AD) and later Byzantine manuscripts align closely, bridging continents and eras.

Skeptics may doubt miracles, but the manuscript evidence refutes claims of textual unreliability. From desert caves to medieval scriptoriums, the Bible’s words have weathered time, emerging intact. In a sea of ancient literature, Scripture stands as a rock—its message preserved not by chance, but by a legacy of care that echoes its own call to endure.

Agape

Sources:
Bruce, F.F. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Eerdmans, 1943.
Wallace, Daniel B. Revisiting the Corruption of the New Testament. Kregel Academic, 2011.

Evidence for our Faith: The Dead Sea Scrolls: Evidence for the Bible’s Reliability

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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 ranks among the most significant archaeological finds in history, offering a profound window into the reliability of the Bible. Hidden in caves near Qumran, these ancient manuscripts, dating from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD, include fragments of nearly every Old Testament book. Their remarkable preservation and textual consistency with later biblical manuscripts provide compelling evidence that the Scriptures we read today faithfully reflect their ancient origins.

One of the most striking finds is the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa^a), a nearly complete copy of the Book of Isaiah dating to around 125 BC. When compared to the Masoretic Text, the standard Hebrew Bible from the 10th century AD, the scroll shows astonishing fidelity. For instance, Isaiah 53, a messianic prophecy central to both Jewish and Christian theology (Isaiah 53:5-6), differs only in minor spelling or stylistic variations—none altering the meaning. This consistency across a millennium demonstrates that scribes meticulously preserved the text, countering claims of rampant corruption over time.

The scrolls also include fragments of Deuteronomy, such as 4QDeut^j, which preserves Deuteronomy 32:43. This passage, part of Moses’ song, aligns closely with the Septuagint (Greek translation) suggesting a textual tradition predating later standardization. Yet, its core message—God’s covenant with Israel—remains intact, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:8-9. Such findings reveal a diversity of ancient texts but affirm their essential unity, reinforcing the Bible’s reliability as a transmitted document.

Beyond specific books, the scrolls reflect a broader cultural and religious context matching biblical accounts. The Community Rule (1QS) and other sectarian writings echo the ascetic lifestyle of groups like the Essenes, resonating with descriptions of John the Baptist’s wilderness ministry (Matthew 3:1-4). While not direct proof of New Testament events, this alignment anchors the biblical world in historical reality, showing that its narratives were not invented centuries later.

Critics once argued that the Bible’s text evolved significantly over time, but the Dead Sea Scrolls challenge that notion. Scholarly analysis, such as Millar Burrows’ The Dead Sea Scrolls (1955), notes that discrepancies are minimal—often mere scribal errors—while Frank Moore Cross’s The Ancient Library of Qumran (1995) highlights the scrolls’ role in tracing textual transmission. These manuscripts predate the Masoretic Text by over a thousand years, yet their agreement is uncanny, suggesting a disciplined copying tradition rooted in reverence for the Word.

The Dead Sea Scrolls do not prove every biblical claim, but they powerfully affirm the Old Testament’s textual integrity. They bridge centuries, showing that what was written in antiquity endures today with remarkable accuracy. In an age of skepticism, these fragile fragments whisper a timeless truth: the Bible’s words have been guarded through the ages, as if etched in stone and sealed in clay.

Agape

Sources:
Burrows, Millar. The Dead Sea Scrolls. Viking Press, 1955.
Cross, Frank Moore. The Ancient Library of Qumran. Sheffield Academic Press, 1995.

Evidence for our faith: Historical Accuracy of the Bible

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The Bible’s Historical Accuracy: Archaeology and Scripture

The historical accuracy of the Bible has long been debated, yet archaeological discoveries consistently affirm its reliability as a historical document. Far from being a mere collection of spiritual tales, the Bible contains detailed accounts of people, places, and events that align with evidence unearthed by modern archaeology. This interplay between Scripture and science offers a compelling case for the Bible’s trustworthiness, bridging faith and reason in a unique way.

One striking example is the discovery of the Hittites, a once-obscure people mentioned over 50 times in the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 15:20, 2 Chronicles 1:17). For centuries, skeptics dismissed the Hittites as fictional, as no evidence of their existence appeared in known ancient records. However, in 1906, German archaeologist Hugo Winckler excavated Hattusa, the Hittite capital, in modern-day Turkey. Tablets and ruins revealed a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization that matched biblical descriptions, including their interactions with Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 23:10). This find silenced doubters and showcased the Bible’s precision in recording historical peoples.

Similarly, the Pool of Bethesda, described in John 5:2 as having “five porches,” was long questioned by critics who argued no such structure existed in Jerusalem. Excavations in the 19th century, however, uncovered a twin-pool complex with five porticoes, precisely as Scripture depicted. This discovery, detailed by archaeologist Conrad Schick, not only confirmed the Gospel’s topographic accuracy but also its cultural context, as the site was linked to healing practices consistent with the narrative of John 5:7-9.

The Tel Dan Stele, unearthed in 1993 in northern Israel, provides another powerful corroboration. This 9th-century BC inscription references the “House of David,” marking the first extra-biblical mention of King David, a central figure in Scripture (2 Samuel 5:11). Critics had previously argued David was a myth, akin to King Arthur, but this basalt fragment, discovered by archaeologist Avraham Biran, aligns with the biblical timeline and dynasty, lending credibility to the historicity of Israel’s monarchy as recorded in 1 and 2 Kings.

Even the New Testament finds support in archaeology. The Pilate Stone, discovered in 1961 at Caesarea Maritima by Italian archaeologist Antonio Frova, bears the name and title of Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect who sentenced Jesus to death (Matthew 27:24). This limestone block, dated to AD 26-36, matches the biblical timeframe and refutes claims that Pilate was a fabricated character. Such finds anchor the Gospel narratives in verifiable history.

These examples, spanning countries, centuries, and both Testaments, demonstrate a pattern: the Bible’s details, once dismissed as implausible, are repeatedly vindicated by the spade of the archaeologist. While not every verse has been archaeologically confirmed, the cumulative weight of evidence challenges the notion that Scripture is detached from reality. Sources like The Archaeology of the Bible by James K. Hoffmeier (2008) and Biblical Archaeology Review underscore this growing alignment.

Agape