building a christian worldview part 7. tacitus, roman historian … christus, the founder of the...

Building a Christian Worldview

Part 7

Tacitus, Roman Historian

“…Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius.”

Described the torture of Christians, and said that he tried to get believers to renounce Christ and curse him, “…none of which acts…those who are really Christians can be forced into performing.”

A Greek writer who alludes to Christ in his work, On the Death of Peregrine, “…the man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced this new cult into the world…”

Made references to Christ in The Life of Claudius.

Thallus

Josephus

Hadrian

Mara Bar-Serapion

Professor Emeritus of history at Miami (Ohio) University

Proficient linguists and archaeologists

“…the fact is that we have better historical documentation for Jesus than for the founder of any other ancient religion.”

The Jesus Seminars

The Five Gospels

Gave little or no credence to canonical books of the NT

Sometimes called the “Legend Theory.”

Claimed the right to judge the world. John 5:27 Claimed to be equal with God. Mark 2 Claimed the power to raise and judge the dead.

John 5: 25,29. Said men should honor Him like they honor the

Father. John 5:23 Claimed to be the Messiah. Mark 14:61-64

He accepted worship on at least nine occasions.

He said His words were as authoritative as God’s. Matthew 5:21-22; John 13:34

Said men should pray in His name. John 14:13.

The evidence is clear…Jesus claimed to be God.

Is there evidence to back it up?

Two significant substantiations for Jesus’ claims:

1. The way scripture was fulfilled in His life.

2. The resurrection.

60 Major Messianic prophecies fulfilled in the life of Jesus.

Canon Henry Liddon, 19th century Oxford professor, claimed to have found 332 predictions fulfilled in the life of Christ.

He had no control over:

1. Place of birth

2. His lineage

3. Time of His birth

4. His anointing by the Holy Spirit

5. Rejection by His own people

6. The piercing of His hands and feet at death.

7. The piercing of His side.

8. Being buried in a rich man’s tomb.

9. Casting of lots for His garments.

10. Dying in the company of thieves.

11. None of His bones being broken.

What are the odds that it “just happened?” You have a better chance of finding… A needle in a haystack!

1888-1980

Chairman, department of Mathematics and Astronomy, Pasadena City College

Chairman of the science division, Westmont college

Author, Science Speaks

Deals with the elements of predictive prophecy using the science of probability.

The chance s of Jesus fulfilling 8 of the prophecies fulfilled in the life of Jesus…

1 in 1017. Or, seen another way,

1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.

268,601 Square miles

2 feet deep

He is told that of all the dollars covering Texas, only one is marked. He can go as far as he wishes, in any direction he chooses, but he must pick only one coin.

He has the same chance of success that Jesus had of having only 8 prophecies fulfilled in His life by accident.

Jesus had dozens of prophecies fulfilled in His life.

If 48 prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ life instead of 8, the odds go from 1017 to 10157!

Take 19 million

Multiply by 19 million

Take that sum

Multiply by 19 million

That is 10157

Did Jesus Actually Die?

The Koran

The Passover Plot

Holy Blood, Holy Grail

William D. Edwards, M.D. in JAMA

Alexander Metherell, M.D.; Ph.D.

Did someone steal the body?

Did the women go to the wrong tomb?

The Romans Soldiers

The Roman Seal

From cowards to courageous

Willing to face beatings, being stoned, and even being killed.

Because of His sinless life, sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection He is Savior.

He is the only Savior of mankind.

What about those who do not believe on Him?

Are we intolerant?

Is there room for other truth claims?

Is it possible to live believing in relative truth?

Not in the physical world.

He is a lunatic

He is a liar

Or

He is Lord!