Some Christian Evidences

by Raymond D.Wilson

As Christian witnesses we need to know not only what we believe but why. The Apostle Peter wrote:

"Always be prepared to give an answer (Greek apologia = reasoned defense) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a good conscience..." (I Peter 3:15).

The Apostles' preaching in Acts is full of evidences and arguments in support of the truthfulness of their message.

Christian faith is not an irrational leap in the dark. Instead it is an intelligent commitment based upon credible evidence. The heart cannot accept what the mind rejects as false. Proclamation without supporting evidence encourages naked credulity and shallow convictions.

When appropriate, it is our duty to lay the evidence for the Christian faith before people in an intelligent fashion so that they can make a meaningful decision about its validity. It is the Holy Spirit's task to create conviction of sin and to open the eyes of the spiritually blind to see and believe the truth of the Gospel message.

There are five particularly important facts that we need to be able to defend: the existence of God, the reliability of the Gospels, the deity of Christ, his resurrection, and the inspiration of the Bible. In each case the evidence is solid.

THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

What reasons have we for believing that there is a God? God has demonstrated His existence in many ways. Firstly, there is His "general revelation" available to all of mankind in: nature, providence and mankind's moral consciousness. The things around us point to the existence of an intelligent and powerful creator, the universe keeps functioning and our world seems uniquely designed and controlled to keep us alive and reasonably content, and virtually everyone has an inner awareness of some external standard of right and wrong and feels guilty when they fail to live up to this standard.

These things do not prove that there is a God but they do constitute strong evidence. No logically inescapable proofs for his existence can be formulated. Human freedom includes the freedom to reject God - even to deny His existence. But for most people the evidence around and within them leads to a God-consciousness of some description. When we study mankind as a whole we find that there is an almost universal consciousness that God, or some supreme power or powers exist, certain things are obligatory for mankind and some things must be avoided, the relationship between man and the supreme being or power has been disrupted and needs to be re-established, and that mankind possesses an existence that transcends death.

God has also revealed Himself in other special ways. He has spoken and acted in history. These "special revelations" are recorded for us in the Bible.

The ultimate evidence of God's existence, however, is that He has actually visited us in person - in the person of Jesus Christ who proved himself to be God in flesh (John 1:1,14). God continues to reveal Himself in the experience of those who place their faith and trust in Christ. We experience Him as a living reality in our own lives. By taking the Bible seriously and acting upon its word we experience and enjoy a transforming personal relationship with the God of the Bible.

Despite the positive evidence for God's existence, many people claim that the undeniable existence of "evil" (pain, suffering, disease, calamity, and death) in the world makes it impossible to believe in God. Atheism supposedly eliminates the problem by making it just part of a mindless mechanical universe.

Scripture, however, explains the existence of evil as being the result of God's curse on creation as his response to Satan and man's fall and their continuing sin (Gen. 3; Rom. 5). Why God permitted the fall of Satan and the fall of man is not fully explained but some important matters are revealed:

1. The existence of evil does not eliminate God.
2. God is not a cosmic sadist.
3. We are not robots; nor is Satan. We were made with the ability to obey or disobey our maker.
4. Some physical evils are the direct consequence of the exercise of mankind's own will.
5. Some physical evil is the direct consequence of demonic activity.
6. Evil is God's megaphone telling us that something is wrong with us! (Heb. 12:11)
7. We are being taught, not by legislation, but by experience that sin is wrong and harmful.
8. Evil is educational and character building; only in the presence of suffering can fortitude, courage, patience,philanthropy develop.
9. This world is not the best possible world; but it is the best possible way to achieve the best of all possible worlds - which is yet future (Romans 8:18-31).

THE RELIABILITY OF THE GOSPELS

What reasons have we got for believing that the Gospels are true and reliable accounts of the life, work and teachings of Christ?

While the Gospels are anonymous there is good evidence both internally and externally for the belief that they were written by the four men:

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John between 10 and 65 years after the events described.

Matthew and John were eye-witnesses. Mark obtained his information directly from Peter (an eye-witness). Luke (one of Paul's companions) obtained his information (as he explains in Luke 1) from eye witnesses. Historians and archaeologists have closely examined Luke's Gospel and its sequel "Acts" and have found that he was an extremely careful historian and a writer to be trusted.

The author of the first Gospel was clearly a Jew, someone with an interest in money and coins, and someone who had access to or had himself written detailed notes of Jesus' sayings. Significantly, he refers to Matthew as "Matthew the tax collector". This was a term of contempt and is unlikely to have been used of the Apostle Matthew by anyone except himself.

When did he write his Gospel? He uses the expression "unto this day" in 27:3-10 and 28:11-15 indicating that a reasonable period (ten years or more) has elapsed since the events recorded. The way Matthew records Christ's predictions (Matt 24) about the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem (70 AD) without any comment about fulfilment having taken place or being imminent (cf. Luke 21: 5-28 written in like manner in about 60 AD) indicates that Matthew must have written before 70 AD. Thus we can reasonably believe that Matthew's Gospel was written sometime between 40 and 69 AD.

What about the second Gospel? According to the early church writers this Gospel was written by Mark just before or just after Peter's martyrdom in Rome in 67 or 68 AD. His source of information was Peter's own accounts. The evidence is consistent with this: Mark was a companion of Paul's until about 50 AD (Acts 15:36-41). He was later a companion of Peter (I Peter 5:13). He mentions Rufus Mark 15:21) who was in Rome (Romans 16:13). The style of narrative is vigorous and action-packed just as we would expect if it was derived from Peter. The predictions of the destruction of the Temple in Mark 13, like those in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, indicate that the event had not happened at the time of writing.

According to the first verses of Luke's Gospel and the Book of Acts both books were written by the same author to the same man Theophilus. A study of the style and vocabulary in the original of both books confirms that they had the same author. He does not name himself but from the "we" sectors in Acts we know that he was one of Paul's companions. He names all the others except "Luke". Luke was a physician (Paul refers to him as "Luke the beloved physician"). The writer reveals his medical background by his obvious interest in medical issues and frequent use of Greek medical terms.

Luke was not an eye-witness to the events in the Gospel story; but in Luke 1:1-4 he explains that he obtained his information from the verbal and written testimony of eyewitnesses. He records many details of names, titles, dates, places and events that can be checked. Archaeology has proved him right every time. Thus we can believe that he was very careful with his facts and would have thoroughly researched his material.

From the evidence in Acts, Paul's epistles and the writings of early church historians we know that Paul was imprisoned in Rome from 60 to 62 AD, then released for a few years during which he continued his missionary work (and wrote 1 Timothy and Titus). He was later arrested and again imprisoned in Rome (during which he wrote 2 Timothy). He. was finally beheaded in 67 AD. Acts ends with the end of Paul's first imprisonment but does not mention anything thereafter. The book must therefore have been written in 62 or 63 AD. Hence Luke's Gospel must have been written not long before that.

The author of the fourth Gospel calls himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved". He was clearly one of the original twelve apostles. All the others are named or can be eliminated except John. The style fits the personality of John as seen in the other Gospels and Acts. The writer was clearly a Jew familiar with Jewish customs and Palestinian topography and geography. Many small incidental details in the text indicate that the writer was; an eye-witness to the events he records.

According to early church writers John wrote his Gospel in Ephesus in his old age in 80-95 AD. (he died in about 98AD.) The internal and external evidence is consistent with this. The Gospel of John and the three epistles that carry his name were clearly written by the same person. The style indicates they were written at around the same time. The writer of 1 John was old (e.g. I Jn 1:12-14,18; 5:21). Peter had apparently died (68 AD) before the Gospel of John was written (see John 21:18-19). A small fragment of John's Gospel (the "John Rylands Fragment" containing John 18:31-33 and 37-38) dating from about 130 AD was discovered in Egypt. This confirms that John's Gospel must have been written and circulated some time before 130 AD.

We have very good reasons to believe that the Gospel records are true:

1. The contents come from eye-witnesses.
2. There are enough differences of emphasis and perspective to indicate that the authors were writing independently of one another, but there is a basic consistency and lack of contradiction indicating that they are describing the same body of facts and recording the same events. These are important tests applied to the testimony of witnesses in court.
3. The authors wrote when there were still plenty of eye-witnesses around to expose any mistakes or fabrications. The writers therefore had no option but to tell the truth! The church accepted the Gospels as Scripture proving that they agreed with their contents.
4. All four gospel writers frequently refer to things having happened in fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Therefore they knew and understood those prophecies. If those fulfilments had not occurred, Jesus would have been recognised as an imposter, not acknowledged as the Christ. Christianity would have evaporated. There would never have been any Gospels written. There would never have been a church. Therefore the very existence of the Gospels and the Church indicate that what is recorded in the Gospels must have really happened.
5. The eye-witness sources of information (including Matthew, Peter and John) were prepared to suffer and die for their testimony. We know from both Christian and non-Christian writers of the first and second centuries that they did suffer and many died for their faith. People do not die for belief in events that they know did not happen!

THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST

What reasons do we have for believing that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Son of God?

The Old Testament predicted a coming Messiah who would be God in human flesh, (eg Isaiah 9:2-7; Micah 5:2). Jesus of Nazareth came at the predicted time and claimed to be this Messiah, (Jn 4:25-26; 5:17-18; 8:58; Mk 14:61-62). He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies made hundreds of years before His birth. Both He and the Apostles frequently appealed to these fulfilments of prophecy as proof of His Messiahship.

Among the prophecies He fulfilled are the following:

1. The Messiah would be born of a woman (Gen. 3:15; cf. Gal. 4:4)
2. He would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; cf. Matt. 1:21)
3. He would die some 476 years after c445 BC (see Dan. 9:24). (69 x 7 x 360 divided by 365.25=476)
4. He would be of the seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3 and 22:18; cf. Matt. 1:1 and Gal. 3:16).
5. He would be of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10; cf. Luke 3:23,33; Heb. 7:14).
6. He would be of the House of David (II Sam. 7:12; cf. Matt. 1:1).
7. His birthplace would be Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2; cf. Matt. 2:1; Luke 2:4-7).
8. He would be anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:2; cf. Matt. 3:16-17).
9. He would be heralded by a messenger of the Lord (Isa. 40:3 and Mal. 3:1; cf. Matt. 3:1,2).
10. He would have a ministry of miracles (Isa. 35:5,6; cf. Matt. 9:35).
11. He would cleanse the temple (Mal. 3:1; cf. Matt. 21:12).
12. He would be rejected by his Jewish people (Ps. 118:22; cf. I Peter 2:7).
13. He would die a humiliating death (Ps. 22 and Isa. 53; cf. Matt. 27) involving:

    a) rejection by his own people (Isa. 53:3; cf. John 1:10,11; 7:5A8)
    b) silence before his accusers (Isa. 53.7. cf Matt. 27:12-19)
    c) being mocked (Ps. 22:7-B; cf. Matt.27:31)
    d) piercing his hands and feet (Ps. 22:16; cf. Lk. 23:33)
    e) being crucified with thieves (Isa. 53:12; cf Matt. 17:38)
    f) praying for his persecutors (Isa. 53:12; cf. Lk. 23:34)
    g) piercing of his side (Zech. 12:10; cf. Jn 19:34)
    h) buried in a rich man's tomb (Isa. 53:9; cf. Matt. 27:57-60)
    i) casting lots for his garments (Ps. 22:18; cf. Jn 19:23-24).

14. He would rise from the dead (Ps. 2:7; 16:10; cf. Acts 2:31 and Mark 16:6).
15. He would ascend into heaven (Ps. 68:18; cf. Acts 1:9).
16. He would sit at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1; cf. Heb. 1:3).

Jesus also proved His deity in other ways: His character was perfect, sinless and God-like in every respect, His words displayed divine wisdom and knowledge, and His deeds displayed the miraculous power of God. Both He and the Apostles appealed to His miracles as evidence of His deity (see Matt. 11:3-5; Jn. 3:2; 9:12; 20:30-31; Acts 2:22; 10:38-41)

Most of those who were close to Him and could examine the evidence were convinced that He really was who He claimed to be. As a result they became His loyal followers and were prepared to (and many did) suffer and die for their testimony.

Many people object to the miracle stories in the Bible and say that miracles are impossible because the universe is ruled by inviolable "laws of Nature". However, according to Scripture God created the universe (Gen.1-2 etc), He owns it (Ps. 24:1-2); He maintains and controls it (Gen. 8:22; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 104; Ps. 135:6-7; Jer. 31:33-37; Acts 17:25,28; Col. 1:16-17;Heb. 1:3), and He is free to do what He pleases with His own creation (Ps. 135:6). The "Laws of Nature" are not prescriptive but are merely descriptive of the normal way that things happen. God is free to do the extra-ordinary when He so desires. Miracles serve the purpose of revealing the power of God in a forceful, unavoidable manner (cf. Ps. 19:1) and were the credentials of Moses (e.g. Ex. 4-14), Elijah (1 Ki. 18:20-46), Elisha, Christ and the Apostles (Heb. 2:3-4; 2Cor. 12:12). Note also that miracles are not the sole credential of God's servants (Deut. 13:14; Jn 5:30-47; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Matt. 24:24; Rev. 13:11-15; 15:13,14) and miracles alone do not necessarily convince (Num. 14:1l;Lk 16:29-31).

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

Without the resurrection of Christ, Christianity is empty (1 Cor. 15:12-28). Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

The Resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament (eg Isa. 9:6-7 and Isa. 53, Dan. 2:44 and Dan. 9:24-26, Ps. 16:10). Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection (Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mk 8:31; 9:10; Jn2:18-22; 10:18).

He died (as predicted) and was buried. He did not merely swoon - the Roman soldiers made sure of that (Jn 19:31-37). In any case, the embalming and wrapping of His body would have suffocated Him (Jn 19:38-42).

On the third day He appeared alive to His disciples and over the next few weeks He re-appeared numerous times to different people, sometimes to individuals and sometimes to groups of people. On one occasion over five hundred people saw Him at once. (See Matt. 28; Mk 16; Lk. 24; Jn 21-22; Acts 1; 1 Cor. 15). These sightings could not have been hallucinations because there were too many, by too many people, in too many different places, at too many different times and in too many manners.

The tomb was undoubtedly empty. Otherwise the Jews could have produced the body and silenced the Apostles as soon as they began proclaiming the resurrection. For the same reason, His enemies could not have removed the body.

The disciples could not have removed the body because it was guarded (Matt. 27:57-66 cf. 28:1-15) and Roman guards knew better than to sleep on the job! Further, why would the disciples want to steal the body, fabricate stories of resurrection appearances, and then suffer and die for their "testimony"?

If the Resurrection never happened there would never have been a Christian Church! (see Acts 1:3;2:32; l0:4l; 17:31; Romans l:4; 1 Cor. 15:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:3).

THE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

The Bible claims to be the word of God written by men under the guiding control of the Holy Spirit of God. Two key texts are: 2Tim.3:16-l7 and 2 Peter 1 :20-21. What evidence supports such a claim?

The writers of the Old Testament claim that what they write is the Word of God (e g Ex.20:1; Lev.1:1; Num. 1:1; Deut. 1:3; 4:2; Josh. 1:1-9) 2 Sam. 23:2; Jer. 20:9; Ezek. 1:3 Hos. 1:l; Mal.1:1). More than two thousand passages of Old Testament Scripture begin with "Thus saith the Lord" or an equivalent statement.

The content of the Old Testament attests its inspiration: Although written by numerous different authors over a period of about a thousand years there is a unity and development which points to there being one mind behind it. The nature of its contents is unique and cannot be explained as the product of human imagination. From Genesis to Malachi, we find the OT is full of prophecies which have been fulfilled to the letter. These include numerous prophecies concerning people, Israel, the surrounding nations, and especially the Messiah. (cf. Deut. 18;2-22; Isa. 41:21-24; Isa. 42:8-9).

Christ clearly believed in and taught the inspiration of the OT (e.g. Matt. 5:18; John 10:35). He frequently cited it as an authoritative divine Word. He quoted or referred to virtually every OT book. He cited as historical fact numerous incidents from Genesis to Malachi (including many that modem "critics" reject!). He was not merely accommodating Himself to the prevailing views of the Jews about their Scriptures being inspired because He made a habit of rebuking and correcting Jewish traditions that were in error (e.g. Matt. 5: 38-39; 12:12; 15:3; 22:29). If they had been wrong concerning inspiration He would surely have corrected them, not endorsed their view!

The Apostles clearly shared Christ's view of the OT (see Matt. 1:22-23 cf. Isa. 7:10-14; Acts l:15-20 cf. Ps. 4l:9; Ps. 69:25; 1 Tim. 5:18 cf. Deut. 25:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

Archaeology cannot confirm spiritual matters but it has confirmed the general historicity of the OT. Thousands of sites showing some connection with the Bible period have been located in Bible lands. Although relatively few sites have been explored the results have served to illuminate the background history and culture of Bible times and to show that the OT books do come from the periods concerned. Archaeology has confirmed many specific historical points, filled in our knowledge in many areas, and aided in the understanding of Biblical languages.

What about the inspiration of the New Testament? It was written by Apostles or on their authority. The Apostles were Christ's authorised agents and their message was attested by miracles and fulfilled prophecies (see Matt 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 1:1-9; Acts 2:41-43; 2 Cor. 12:11-12; Heb. 2:1-4). Careful reading shows that the NT writings are of the same quality as the OT writings, (see 1 Tim. 2:1-3; 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:4; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 3:3-7).

Christ indirectly promised the inspiration of the NT (John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15; Acts 1:8).

The Apostles recognised each others writings as inspired. Paul recognised Luke's Gospel as Scripture (see I Tim. 5:18 cf. Deut. 25:4 and Luke 10:7). Peter recognised Paul's epistles as Scripture (see 2 Pet. 3:15-16) and Jude (verse 17) quotes 2 Pet. 3:2.

Christian Experience confirms the inspiration of Scripture. It is attested by the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit and by the results of taking the Bible seriously. The contents of the Scriptures provide a totally adequate and satisfying world view. The Bible has a transforming power for good on all who accept its message. The God of the Bible authenticates His Book by fulfilling His promises in His Word and answering the prayers of those who meet its requirements.

If the Bible is the Word of God then, it is authoritative because God is Supreme (see Ps. 10:16, 1 Tim. 6:15; Matt. 28:18 cf. Matt. 4:1-11; 5:17-19; John 10:34-35) and it is inerrant because God is inerrant (see Num. 23:19; Deut. 32:4; Prov. 30:5; Tit. 1:2).

CONCLUSION

When the evidence is examined, Christianity can be seen to rest on a very firm foundation. It is worthy of our belief, our proclamation and, where necessary, our defence.

©2000 Wellington Christian Apologetics Society (Inc.) All Rights Reserved.

Previously published in
Apologia (The Journal of the Wellington Christian Apologetics Society)
Vol. 1, No.1, p. 10-15, 1992