The Nature of Inspiration- Norman Geisler

What is inerrancy? In short form, it means the Bible contains no errors of fact, of history, of science, of anything. Good discussions of inerrancy can be found in dozens of Norm's books. The book titled Defending Inerrancy is an obvious choice. Norm's Systematic Theology is another great choice. His most recent book, From God to Us hits it well too. It's also discussed directly and indirectly in the youtube video athttp://youtu.be/Vub_ecXRKlA. It's the center of many/most/all articles here: http://normangeisler.net/articles/Bible/Inspiration-Inerrancy/Licona/default.htm. But maybe the best starting point is here http://library.dts.edu/Pages/TL/Special/ICBI_1.pdf and herehttp://library.dts.edu/Pages/TL/Special/ICBI_2.pdf.

Andy Stanley And the Authority of The Bible

Andy Stanley makes many statements in this interview that cause me concern. The greatest concern however is when he says he doesn't believe the account of Adam and Eve because the Bible says so, but because Jesus said so. The obvious error is to pit the Bible vs the words of Jesus. We know that Jesus had a very high view of scripture saying they could "Not be broken" (John 10:35).

We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16 that ALL scripture is inspired by God and in
2 Peter 1:21 that scripture did not come from the will of man but of God.

Andy Stanley, whether he is aware of it or not is attacking the authority of the Bible and is actually undermining the authority of God's word. It is not just the "red letters" that are inspired by God, but every word.

To his point that the Bible is not our foundation but Jesus, it is a SERIOUS error to try and separate "special revelation" which informs us of whom Jesus is and what He has done from who Jesus is. The two while not identical can not be,separated in mans salvation because one must have special revelation in order to know what we must believe. Unless God tells us via special revelation (His word) we know nothing of the redemptive work of Christ and what one must believe in order to be saved. Andy's statements are wreck-less and dangerous in this interview. Not trying to be offensive but we must defend truth even if our favorite teacher Crosses the line into dangerous boundaries.

http://creation.mobi/the-authority-of-scripture 

The Authority of Scripture- Dr. Albert Mohler

This message will defend the claim that Scripture alone (as opposed to the Quran, Book of Mormon, etc.) is the Word of God, and defend the claim that Scripture is inerrant.

The Errors of Bart Ehrman (Norman Geisler)

Dr. Norm Geisler's lecture "From Evangelical to Agnostic:The Errors of Bart Ehrman". Presented at the Veritas Apologetics Conference on May 7, 2011 at Mt. Airy Bible Church (mabcmd.org) in conjunction with Veritas Seminary (veritasseminary.com)

Theology Matters

Take time to listen to our last podcast. We deal with some of the reasons apologetics is so important as well as started a new series on how we got the Bible.

Listen to internet radio with The Invisible Conservative on Blog Talk Radio

Bart Ehrman vs Atheist The Infidel Guy Part 1

Bart Ehrman gets into a disagreement with atheist the Infidel Guy over the Historical Jesus on the Infidel Guy Show

Both are Atheists in regard to Christianity. Dr. Ehrman has written numerous books attacking the reliability of the bible.

Bart Ehrman vs Atheist The Infidel Guy Part 2

Bart Ehrman continues to take the infidel guy to school!

Is the New Testament Reliable?

Dr. Frank Turek gives four arguments as to why we can trust the New Testament.
Dr.s Turek and Geisler wrote the book " I don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist" in which they address the 12 points that demonstrate Christianity is true, here are the 12 points

Twelve Points That Show Christianity is True

•Truth about reality is knowable.

•The opposite of true is false.

•It is true that the theistic God exists.

•If God exists, then miracles are possible.

•Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God
(i.e., as an act of God to confirm a word from God).


•The New Testament is historically reliable.

•The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God.

•Jesus' claim to be God was miraculously confirmed by:
a. His fulfillment of many prophecies about Himself;
b. His sinless and miraculous life;
c. His prediction and accomplishment of His resurrection.

•Therefore, Jesus is God.

•Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true.

•Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God.

•Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God
(and anything opposed to it is false).

I highly recomend that you buy this book and Visit Dr. Tureks website, crossexamined.org

Joe Rogan Mocking Noah's Ark

(WARNING: This Video Contains Explicit Language)


This article is a response to Joe Rogan who is the host of "Fear Factor" and numerous UFC events. Rogan is a comedian and a outspoken atheist. He decides to have a good laugh at the Bible, but as we will see Rogan has no clue when it comes to theology!

.10- Rogan starts by  saying even an eight year old retarded boy would have questions about the story of the Ark. Right from the start he attacking the intelligence of those who hold to the Biblical account of the flood. Sadly instead of going to the actual text and reading what Holy Scripture says he instead has to build fallacious arguments and insert things into the account that the Bible never says.


.30- Rogan Says that God was angry because the world was so wicked and instead of telling them they were doing wrong he decided to drown everybody

Response

I am not sure where Rogan is getting his information. Man knows whats right and wrong because God created man with a conscience that knows right from wrong. Sadly men do suppress the truth:


            (Romans 1:18-23 ESV) 
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.


We also know from early on that man was offering a sacrifice for their sin:

             (Genesis 4:1-7 ESV)

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
( http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=427 )

Man knows right from wrong and from the beginning were making offerings to God. This idea that those on the earth did not know what sin was and that God just decided to destroy them is ridiculous.

Secondly God gave man 120 years to repent and they refused:

            (Genesis 6:1-3 ESV)

"When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”

Jesus himself gives us insight when he tells us:

(Matthew 24:37-39 ESV)

"For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

Men love darkness rather than light (John 3:18-22) and it has been that way since the fall. It is not that men do not know what the light is but rather man hates the light and will not come to it for fear their deeds will be exposed.

@1:03- Rogan claims that all the other boats supposedly did not work

Response

I think we need to keep in mind that this was a world wide flood and it would last for a year meaning it would need to be able to have food and water for survival for a year. It was a boat that would have to be specifically designed for the task at hand.

Here is a great article dealing with the stability and structure of the Ark and why just "any" boat would work
 (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/thinking-outside-the-box)

@1:10- Rogan makes a "straw man" argument where he is building and argument the Bible never makes and then tears it down

Response

The Bible NO WHERE says that Noah brought 2 of every animal. Lets look at a couple issues:

1)-Noah did not take marine animals with him on the ark. The Bible tells us what categories of animal were taken

"The text that follows in Genesis 6:20 goes on to explain. “Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.” God therefore limited “all flesh” by specifying three categories: (1) birds; (or fowl); (2) cattle; and (3) creeping things."

2)- The text says Noah was to bring two of every "kind" the text does not say "species" which is a man made classification system which was made by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778).

Noah could take two dogs and from them get several different species of dogs through whats known as "micro-evolution".  To claim Noah would have had to take "millions" of animal on the Ark is fallacious.
Here is a great article dealing with micro-evolution   (http://creation.com/dogs-breeding-dogs )



To see more information on what is a "Kind" and how it differs from "Species" please read
( http://creation.com/variation-information-and-the-created-kind )

@1:15- Rogan mocks the idea that the animals willingly came into the Ark.

Response

Rogan is an atheist and thus rejects miracles and the supernatural working of God. After all if you do not have a God that exists then you can not have acts of God. Rogan's presuppositions of naturalism is driving his world view. If God exists then leading the animals to the Ark is not a big deal. If he created the universe then leading the animals he created to the boat would not seem like a big deal in my opinion. We would have to look at arguments for God's existence and not just dismiss the idea. Mockery and ridicule is not an argument.

Here is a great article addressing Rogan's objection

 (http://icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=2470)

@1:30- Rogan says they sailed away for forty days and forty nights and civilization began new.

Response

Rogan again gets the details completely wrong. I understand this is just comedy but at least get the details of what you are mocking straight.  It rained for forty days and forty nights but the majority of the water would have come from the ground and the shifting of the plates underneath. It rained for forty days but the water came from under the ground for 150 days:

               (Genesis 7:11-12 ESV)

"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights."

             (Genesis 7:24 ESV)

"And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days."

            (Genesis 8:2-5 ESV)

The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.

The Bible is clear that this was not some little flood but rather it was a major event in earth's history.   Those interested can read more about Noah's flood and how exactly this event could have taken place.

(http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/really-a-flood-and-ark)

@1:45- Rogan continues to mock and ridicule by asking how big was the boat to hold the "millions" of animals.

Response

I have already shown his claim of the "millions" of animals is fallacious. As far as the size of the Ark, the dimensions are given in the text.

        (Genesis 6:14-16 ESV)

"Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks."

A cubit is about 18 inches or so. (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/original-cubit)

The Ark would have had no problem holding all the animals. Rogan mocks and ridicules but he does not even know how many animals go on the boat and secondly he does not even know how big the boat is.

It is said  " The total available floor space on the Ark would have been over 100,000 square feet, which would be more floor space than in 20 standard-sized basketball courts."

Also " The total cubic volume would have been 1,518,000 cubic feet [462,686.4 cubic meters] --that would be equal to the capacity of 569 modern railroad stock cars." 

We should also remember that Noah would have took babies and did not have to get the full grown animals such as giraffes.  We are told " Doctors Morris and Whitcomb in their classic book,The Genesis Floodstate that no more than 35,000 individual animals needed to go on the ark. "

( http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c013.html )

@2:20-Rogan asks what were the animals eating for all that time and animals eat other animals so how would that work

Response

Here is an incredible resource that answers many questions such as what did the animals eat, how did they go to the bathroom, etc...   (http://www.amazon.com/Noahs-Ark-A-Feasibility-Study/dp/0932766412)

            (Genesis 6:21 ESV)

Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”

Noah and his family had made sure to take enough food with them and God in his grace provided for them so they would be taken care of. As has been shown there was more than enough room to store the food.

As far as his question about animals eating other animal this is a false assumption. We are told that death is the result of man's sin and that everything was created to be vegetarian:

               (Genesis 1:29-30 ESV)

"And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so."

This is why before one launches into an attack on the scriptures they should at least know what it says. I think it can be inferred from the text that it was not till after the flood did the carnivorous activity begin:

             (Genesis 9:1-3 ESV)

"And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."

@2:45-Rogan mocks the flood by asking where did all the black people come from

Response

Why does he assume they were all white on the Ark? This is an elementary mistake on his part. There is enough genetic diversity among eight people where we could easily get the wide variety of skin colors we see today. Please see (http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/are-there-different-races)

The funny thing is that Rogan mocks those who believe Noah's Ark as being stupid and yet he makes one bad line of reasoning after another. This is what happens when you are full of arrogance and pride and will not even understand the position that you are mocking.

I am not going to bother addressing the rest of the conversation between Rogan and the archaeologist because I just wanted to deal with Rogan's mockery and misrepresentations of the text.

The Bible is probably the most attacked book on the earth because of it's claims and because of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. People were mocking Noah back in his day and people in 2012 mock God and his word today.   I would ask those reading this to pray for Mr. Rogan, that he would encounter the Lord of glory and repent of his sin and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  

I want to be clear that I am not attacking Mr. Rogan as a person but rather his arguments and as a Christian, I am commanded to do that :

                 2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 

Do the Gospels Have Contradictions?

In this lecture, entitled Alleged Contradictions in the Gospels, Dr. Timothy McGrew explores and answers 7 alleged contradictions between the Gospels. This is about an hour of content followed by about 15 minutes of Q&A. If you want the powerpoint and PDF of this lecture, go tohttp://www.Apologetics315.com

Case For Christ

Based upon the Gold Medallion award-winning best-seller, The Case for Christ documents Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to faith through his two-year investigation of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. Strobel, the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, draws upon his investigative skills to examine the historical accuracy of the Gospels, the personal claims of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. Is there evidence to confirm that Jesus of Nazareth was, indeed, the son of God and the savior of the world? This remarkable film features interviews with 10 leading Biblical scholars from North America and England, cutting-edge apologetics, and a compelling original music score.

At the Bottom of this Blog I have several others videos like this dealing with science, the Bible, etc. Please take time to check them all out.

Theology Matters With The Pellews

Join us tomorrow (Thursday) from 6-8pm EDT for an exciting "Theology Matters". This week during the first hour, we will be giving an introduction to our study on the Attributes of God. For the next several weeks, we will be diving into different attributes that tell us about the nature of God. During the second hour, we will have Brendon Helms, apologetics speaker and Associate Pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church- Lincolnton, NC, on the air with us to discuss evidence for the Reliability of the New Testament. This is going to be a great show so make sure you tune in to listen at the link below and as always, feel free to call in with your questions and comments at (760) 542-3907. For those who want to participate, the chatroom will also be up during the show.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-visible-conservative-christians-unleashed/2012/08/09/theology-matters-with-the-pellews#.UCKt6UWOxbQ.facebook

A Gnostic Gospel:

Americans are incurably “spiritual,” but this spirituality expresses itself in ways that are incompatible with biblical Christianity. It expresses itself in ways that are essentially Gnostic. The American church has not been immune to the influence of this American Gnosticism. In this message, Dr. Peter Jones compares this private, mystical, and inward religious mentality with the corporate, doctrinal, and visible faith of orthodox Christianity.

Reliability Of The New Testament

Many are unaware that the NT has more manuscript evidence to support it then any other work in ancient history. Also the events were recorded closer to the actual events then any other work in History. Those who claim the NT is not reliable would be forced to throw out all history if they apply their standard consistently.

Ehrman Project

Mike Kruger, Dean of Faculty at RTS Charlotte, responding to some of the assertions of Bart Ehrman.

Misstatements Regarding J.I. Packer And Michael Licona

Most know about the controversy that came about do to Dr. Licona's book on the Resurrection and his view of Mathew 27:52-53 among other passages.   For those not familiar with the discussion please look at the discussion from both parties (Dr. Norman Geisler and Dr. Mike Licona).
(http://www.normgeisler.com/articles/Licona/default.htm)


Dr. Geisler has responded to a claim from some Licona supporters about a statement J.I. Packer made about a certain passage and there has been some confusion so Dr. Geisler has responded to clear up the confusion to which you can read here (http://normangeisler.net/articles/Licona/MisstatementsAboutJIPackersSupport.htm).

This really is an important issue and would ask those reading to study the issues out. Dr Geisler and Bill Roach have written a new book on inerrancy that I highly recommend

You can buy it here  (http://www.amazon.com/Defending-Inerrancy-Affirming-Scripture-Generation/dp/0801014344)

Inspiration & the Canon of Scripture

Inspiration and the Canon of Scripture

Dr. R.C. Sproul gives this informative and important lecture!

Granted that Scripture is the Word of God, how do we know which books belong in Scripture? In this lesson, the concept of canonicity is explored in order to equip Christians to better defend the truth of the Bible.

From the series: Hath God Said


http://www.ligonier.org/rym/broadcasts/video/inspiration-canon-scripture-/

Is the Doctrine of Inerrancy Defensible?

For centuries orthodox Christians have taught that the Holy Scriptures are inerrant. Skeptics, on the other hand, claim that this doctrine is meaningless, saying that the doctrine of inerrancy has died the death of a thousand qualifications. How should Christians respond? In this lecture, Dr. Michael Horton explains what inerrancy means and shows how and why it remains a defensible part of our confession.

In the Dark - Answers to Critics - Frank Turek

Dr. Turek does a great job equipping Christians, with answers to give a reason for the hope that lies with in us!

Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?

Gary Habermas vs Anthony Flew


This is the debate that changed my life. I grew up in a Christian home with great Christian parents but did not know there was actual evidence and arguments to support the Resurrection of Jesus.

When I came across this debate on TV I thought Christians just had blind faith and the Atheist had facts and science on his side.

After watching this debate I knelt down and asked forgiveness of my sins and unbelief and from that moment on my life radically changed!

I know some people think I focus to much on theology and apologetics and not enough on the heart but they go hand in hand!

I could not apply it to my heart because my mind was not convinced. After seeing there were good reasons to believe then I was able to fully trust in Christ and embrace him as my Lord and Master.