Apologetics part 3 notes

(Slide 1)  Session 3: “Can We Trust the Bible?” — The Reliability of Scripture

(Slide 2)-I. Introduction: Why This Question Matters.

In western culture we are experiencing a crisis of authority.  for many Feelings and Consensus seem more important to them than their beliefs aligning with reality. Being accepted by theirs peers has replaced the search for truth. With Truth in free fall we as believers in Jesus Christ need more than ever to anchor ourselves in that which does not change and is the source of truth and wisdom and authority in our live. That is God’s Word. The Bible,

• Jesus said we are the light of the world, that we should not hide our light.
• we cannot live in fear of this world. we need to bring people hope

“How do you know the Bible you have today is the same one written thousands of years ago?”

Illustrations:

“Telephone game” vs. manuscript transmission.

Key Verse:

(16) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (17) God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NLT

(Slide 3)- II. The Nature of the Bible

66 books, 40+ authors, 1,500 years, multiple continents/languages — yet one coherent story.

in general, to be included in this collection the books called the Canon of scripture, a book had to have been written by an apostle or a prophet or recognized by them as authoritative.

How the Bible was put together is dealt with exhaustively in “A General introduction to the Bible by Geisler and Nix

The Bible claims divine inspiration

(20) Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,  (21) or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – NLT

(Slide 4) III. Main Objections to Address 

1.  “The Bible Has Been Changed or Corrupted Over Time”

Response:

• Manuscript evidence: over 5,800 Greek NT manuscripts; 25,000+ in other languages.
• Comparison: other ancientworks (Homer’s Iliad, Aristotle, etc.).
• Dead Sea Scrolls confirm OT accuracy (Isaiah scroll identical except for minor spelling variants).
• Textual criticism shows 99% textual certainty; remaining variants don’t affect doctrine.

(Slide 5) Illustration: Comparing ancient copies timeline (visual chart).

(Slide 6) What the timeline shows us

(Slide 7) 2. “The Gospels Were Written Too Late to Be Reliable”

Response: this is a common lie that makes its way around. that the new testament was written and compiled 200 to 300 years after the events, But a little bit a research puts that to rest.

NT written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses (40 – 70 A.D.).

one of the earliest Christian creeds is recorded by Paul in 55 A.D.

(Slide 8)  1st Corinthians 15: 3-7 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. (4) He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (5) He was seen by Peter  and then by the Twelve. (6) After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers  at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. (7) Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

Eyewitness details: geography, names, customs consistent with 1st-century Judea.

slide (9 through 13) Illustration: Timeline of New Testament writing vs. events.

(slide 14) IV. Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

hundreds of people and places from both the Old Testament and New Testament have been verified through archeology. Biblical Archeology is a major field of study. here are some quick examples of what has been found.

Illustration: Photos of archaeological sites confirming biblical details.

a. Hezekiahs seal

b. Isaiahs Seal

c. Senneacheribs Prism

The prism mentions the Judean king Hezekiah by name.

It records that Sennacherib conquered 46 of Hezekiah’s fortified cities, and deported 200,150 people, e (see 2 Kings 18-19; Isaiah 36-37) but differ in details.

It also shows the Assyrian perspective—a king recording only his successes and avoiding mention of his failures. For example: the prism does not record the Biblical claim that the Assyrian army was miraculously struck or that Jerusalem was delivered by divine intervention (as the Biblical text says). The prism simply claims successful tribute and “caging” Hezekiah, but does not claim to capture Jerusalem itself

V. Fulfilled Prophecy (10 min)

Consistency across centuries and authors.

Fulfilled prophecy (e.g., Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9).

Transforming power in lives and societies.

📚 Suggested Reading / Resources

“The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict” – Josh McDowell

“Can We Trust the Gospels?” – Peter J. Williams

“Cold-Case Christianity” – J. Warner Wallace

“The Case for Christ” – Lee Strobel

“From God to Us: How We Got Our Bible” – Norman Geisler & William Nix