Friday, May 31, 2019
Why Inerrancy is Important
Why is it Important to believe in Inerrancy? Brian's notes...
1. The Bible itself claims to be perfect:
• "The law of the Lord is perfect" (Psalm 19:7).
• "Every word of God is pure" (Proverbs 30:5 KJV).
• All scripture is GOD BREATHED (2 Timothy 3:16)
• "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6)
2. The Bible stands or falls as a whole. If parts are made up or not factual, then the whole must be discredited. It is not a mixture of doctrine that we are free to select from.
• 40 Authors writing 66 books over 1600 years (or possibly much longer) written on three continents and all in agreement. Luke researched and interviewed eyewitnesses.
• Historical Evidences abound.
o until 1993 there was no proof of the existence of King David or even of Israel as a nation prior to Solomon. Then in 1993 archeologists found proof of King David's existence outside the Bible. At an ancient mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel, words carved into a chunk of basalt were translated as "House of David" and "King of Israel"
o The Hittites: Bible mocked by many for years over the references to Hittites. Then end of the 19th century, Hittite monuments were uncovered at Carchemish on the Euphrates River in Syria, proving the Bible right.
o Pool of Siloam found in the Old City of Jerusalem recently. John 9:1-7 Jesus healing the man blind from birth.
o Sodom is not a fairytale. The references to the infamous city were found.
On the other hand, much of the Bible, in particular the historical books of the old testament, are as accurate historical documents as any that we have from antiquity and are in fact more accurate than many of the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek histories. These Biblical records can be and are used as are other ancient documents in archeological work.
• Proofs through Prophesy
o 300 prophecies concerning Jesus Christ.
o Rise and fall of kingdoms, Israel's captivity etc.
• Truthful representation of Hero's faults and weaknesses
• Is the Bible we have today the Bible as it existed 2000 years ago?
o The truth is the composition of the New Testament was officially settled at the Council of Carthage in AD 397
o The majority of the New Testament was accepted as authoritative much earlier.
o There is no literary rival in the ancient world to the number of manuscript copies and the early dating of the New Testament. There are 5,300 Greek, 10,000 Latin, and 9,000 miscellaneous copies of the New Testament extant today, and more continue to be unearthed via archaeology. There are also some 86,000 quotations from the early church fathers and several thousand Lectionaries (church-service books containing Scripture quotations used in the early centuries of Christianity)
Comparison
• Works of Julius Caesar (10 Copies with earliest being 1000 years after his death
• Works of Plato/Aristotle/Socrates – 1 to 20 copies
• Koran – Many years after the death of Muhammad, Uthman arranged for an official version of the Koran that was to combine the many varying versions in existence at the time. All previous versions were then burned!
Textual Criticism - 150,000 "Variants" - 99% of variant cases, the original text can be reconstructed to a practical certainty. Even in the few cases where some perplexity remains, this does not impinge on the meaning of Scripture to the point of clouding a tenet of the faith or a mandate of life.
3. The Bible is a reflection of its Author. All books are. The Bible was written by God Himself as He worked through human authors in a process called "inspiration." The Bible judges us, not vice versa.
• All scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16)
• Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• 2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
4. The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. If it is not reliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, and that includes trust in what He says in His Word.
• John 6:67-69 – 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
• Many warnings about Deceivers...
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Ephesians 5:6 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Ephesians 6:10 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
All Scripture Is breathed out by God 10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and sat Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom1 you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Conclusion:
1. We can truly rely upon the Bible we have today as God's word to the world. The evidence is simply overwhelming.
2. We can count on the fact that many will attempt to create doubt in the authenticity of scripture or work to change its content and meaning
3. If we are in agreement that the Bible contains the words of the Living God, do our lives reflect that belief. Do our neighbors, work associates, or enemies simply need to watch how we live as their proof that the Bible holds nothing but false promises?
Why does this matter? If we deny the inerrancy of the Bible, should a serious moral problem confronts us can we not lie? Can we really trust God in anything? What about salvation? If we deny inerrancy we place our own minds higher than Gods truth. We must also say doctrines could be untrue.
Sharing with others – ask "Do you believe the Bible is the inspired authoritative word of God?
Ask: How does my life reflect these beliefs? What changes do I want God to make in my life?
Listen. Ask. What are the errors in the scriptures? Tone is important. Follow up. Understand. James 1:19 - be quick to hear and slow to speak.
Speak the truth in love. Be ready to give a defense of the faith which is in you. I Peter 3:15 gentle, with respect. Balance relational loving and speaking the truth.
Give a testimony of what happened in my own life, that the word of God changed my life. Ask: do you have a story like that?
Invite non-Believers to read the Bible together. Take the time.
1. The Bible itself claims to be perfect:
• "The law of the Lord is perfect" (Psalm 19:7).
• "Every word of God is pure" (Proverbs 30:5 KJV).
• All scripture is GOD BREATHED (2 Timothy 3:16)
• "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times" (Psalm 12:6)
2. The Bible stands or falls as a whole. If parts are made up or not factual, then the whole must be discredited. It is not a mixture of doctrine that we are free to select from.
• 40 Authors writing 66 books over 1600 years (or possibly much longer) written on three continents and all in agreement. Luke researched and interviewed eyewitnesses.
• Historical Evidences abound.
o until 1993 there was no proof of the existence of King David or even of Israel as a nation prior to Solomon. Then in 1993 archeologists found proof of King David's existence outside the Bible. At an ancient mound called Tel Dan, in the north of Israel, words carved into a chunk of basalt were translated as "House of David" and "King of Israel"
o The Hittites: Bible mocked by many for years over the references to Hittites. Then end of the 19th century, Hittite monuments were uncovered at Carchemish on the Euphrates River in Syria, proving the Bible right.
o Pool of Siloam found in the Old City of Jerusalem recently. John 9:1-7 Jesus healing the man blind from birth.
o Sodom is not a fairytale. The references to the infamous city were found.
On the other hand, much of the Bible, in particular the historical books of the old testament, are as accurate historical documents as any that we have from antiquity and are in fact more accurate than many of the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek histories. These Biblical records can be and are used as are other ancient documents in archeological work.
• Proofs through Prophesy
o 300 prophecies concerning Jesus Christ.
o Rise and fall of kingdoms, Israel's captivity etc.
• Truthful representation of Hero's faults and weaknesses
• Is the Bible we have today the Bible as it existed 2000 years ago?
o The truth is the composition of the New Testament was officially settled at the Council of Carthage in AD 397
o The majority of the New Testament was accepted as authoritative much earlier.
o There is no literary rival in the ancient world to the number of manuscript copies and the early dating of the New Testament. There are 5,300 Greek, 10,000 Latin, and 9,000 miscellaneous copies of the New Testament extant today, and more continue to be unearthed via archaeology. There are also some 86,000 quotations from the early church fathers and several thousand Lectionaries (church-service books containing Scripture quotations used in the early centuries of Christianity)
Comparison
• Works of Julius Caesar (10 Copies with earliest being 1000 years after his death
• Works of Plato/Aristotle/Socrates – 1 to 20 copies
• Koran – Many years after the death of Muhammad, Uthman arranged for an official version of the Koran that was to combine the many varying versions in existence at the time. All previous versions were then burned!
Textual Criticism - 150,000 "Variants" - 99% of variant cases, the original text can be reconstructed to a practical certainty. Even in the few cases where some perplexity remains, this does not impinge on the meaning of Scripture to the point of clouding a tenet of the faith or a mandate of life.
3. The Bible is a reflection of its Author. All books are. The Bible was written by God Himself as He worked through human authors in a process called "inspiration." The Bible judges us, not vice versa.
• All scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16)
• Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• 2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
4. The Bible is our only rule for faith and practice. If it is not reliable, then on what do we base our beliefs? Jesus asks for our trust, and that includes trust in what He says in His Word.
• John 6:67-69 – 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
• Many warnings about Deceivers...
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Ephesians 5:6 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Ephesians 6:10 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
All Scripture Is breathed out by God 10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and sat Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom1 you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Conclusion:
1. We can truly rely upon the Bible we have today as God's word to the world. The evidence is simply overwhelming.
2. We can count on the fact that many will attempt to create doubt in the authenticity of scripture or work to change its content and meaning
3. If we are in agreement that the Bible contains the words of the Living God, do our lives reflect that belief. Do our neighbors, work associates, or enemies simply need to watch how we live as their proof that the Bible holds nothing but false promises?
Why does this matter? If we deny the inerrancy of the Bible, should a serious moral problem confronts us can we not lie? Can we really trust God in anything? What about salvation? If we deny inerrancy we place our own minds higher than Gods truth. We must also say doctrines could be untrue.
Sharing with others – ask "Do you believe the Bible is the inspired authoritative word of God?
Ask: How does my life reflect these beliefs? What changes do I want God to make in my life?
Listen. Ask. What are the errors in the scriptures? Tone is important. Follow up. Understand. James 1:19 - be quick to hear and slow to speak.
Speak the truth in love. Be ready to give a defense of the faith which is in you. I Peter 3:15 gentle, with respect. Balance relational loving and speaking the truth.
Give a testimony of what happened in my own life, that the word of God changed my life. Ask: do you have a story like that?
Invite non-Believers to read the Bible together. Take the time.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Bryce and Zion
We rode by the Linburgh Taqueria Sunday on our way from Lenox to Ponce. Drove through Morningside through Virginia Highland to avoid the Piedmont Park jass festival, which Matthew had attended Saturday night. I hate it when newcomers to the area (unlike me, who moved here 42 years ago) call the Virginia Highland area “the Highlands.” Might as well call it “HOT-Lanta.”
Tuesday: Matthew and Ceil cooked stuffed green peppers. A decent experiment but probably won’t be repeated. Cleaned up and watched the Braves and Whiskey Cavalier – another good show that was recently cancelled.
Had a good Wednesday evening. Left work at 3:30. Picked up Ceil and got to SunTrust Park before the Right Field Gate opened. Went over and talked to Miss Marian, who gave us a bunch of stickers and foam tomahawks. Later I picked up a bobblehead and poster from the season ticket booth. Ceil got Chickfila and a small bottle of wine. I got a burger & fries, which filled me up. Saw my Hot Stove friend sitting nearby.
The Braves replayed the earlier announcement by the commissioner that the 2021 MLB All Star Game will be in Atlanta. Before the national anthem a parade of former Braves all-stars circled the field, riding on the back of new Corvettes: Niekro, Gary Matthews, Terry Pendleton, Dan Uggla, Andruw Jones, and Chipper. Smoltz threw out the first pitch to his former catcher Brian McCann. Before the game two Nationals players knelt together and prayed (one was Soto).
The Nats batted around in both the first and second. Later people wondered if former Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki had inside info on starting pitcher Kevin Gausman. Washington’s lead grew to two touchdowns before Albies managed a single in the bottom of the sixth. Pinch-hitter Max Fried poked a single, and later scored on rookie Austin Riley’s grand slam. At one point I walked over to customer relations. On the way I saw one of the regulars and said hello. On the way back I passed Phil Niekro.
Got home and turned on the postgame and replay. An above average broadcast, with Skip Carey, Glavine, and Francoeur hosting a parade of insightful guests: Commissioner Manfred, Atlanta mayor Bottoms, Cobb Commissioner Ott, and the Braves VP Derek Schiller. Each shared interesting personal anecdotes. Good to have an Atlanta mayor who doesn’t dismiss the Braves. I stayed up cobbling together my blog post and didn’t hit the sack until 1 am.
WAR=wins above an average replacement player.
HR = home runs
Top 5 MVP finishes
MVP awards
OPS=on base percentage + slugging percentage
WAR.HR.top 5.MVP.OPS
47.8 163 5 2 .975 Trout
47.8 163 5 2 .975 Trout
39.5 160 3 1 .995 Mantle
39.4 183 3 1 .985 Mays
33.2 117 1 1 .837 Bonds
30.1 132 1 0 .895 Griffey Jr.
29.9 140 3 1 .908 Aaron
Lunch Thursday catered by Jimmy Johns.
Cool that Bill Curry got to play on some of those great Packer teams, then move on to Don Shula’s Baltimore Colts with Johnny Unitas.
One of the Jeopardy contestants Wednesday looked like a cross between Will and Matthew.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Braves Nationals
This afternoon out in the fan plaza MLB commissioner Rob Manfred
announced the Braves would host the 2021 All-Star Game.
By the time we arrived there was already a sign inside the stadium.
Tonight's giveaway: the 2019 Braves/NAPA trucker snapback cap,
designed by NASCAR driver Chase Elliott from Dawsonville.
Before the national anthem the Braves held a quick parade of former all-stars. Below: Chipper.
?Dan Uggla?
Andruw
Brian Jordan
Former MVP Terry Pendleton
Gary Matthews
Phil Niekro, who we later passed on the mezzanine.
John Smoltz threw out the first pitch to his former catcher, Brian McCann.
After the top of the first inning
the Nationals relievers sauntered out to the bullpen.
Went to the game with longtime friends Lee and Nancy.
Reliever Dan Winkler had a strong sock and strong shoe game.
Tonight his pitching game was weak.
When the Home Depot Tool Race participants were announced you could spot us up on the jumbotron. Later I was in the background when a kid was shown on the screen.
Anabel Sanchez took a no-hitter into the sixth,
before Ozzie Albies collected the braves first hit.
Riley's grand slam was the second home run in as many nights.
Pitcher Max Fried (below right) had a pinch hit single
for the second Braves hit.
Ronald Acuna
Earlier this week Riley, Blooper, and Touki visited kids in the hospital.
My deep blue Jordan RCVRs didn't match up well
with my royal blue Braves feather socks.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
More on the Weekend
Decent weekend. Friday night we tried the La Fonda on Roswell Road, at the corner of Wieuca. Food was okay but didn’t like it as much as the Howell Mill location. I had enchiladas and C had the burrito, which wasn’t smothered in sauce. Got home and accidentally left the leftovers in the car. Found them Saturday afternoon sitting out in the hot sun.
Saturday Ceil wanted to stick in the house and straighten up, his she’d had such a busy week working outside. I cleaned upstairs then did laundry and other housework. At three I left for the Gwinnett Stripers game. Ronald Acuna bobblehead. Sold two of them even before I got them. Talked to Stripers GM Adam English and saw several other friends: Johnny, LJ and his wife, Jonathan, Alan, Eric, the Vet, and the Chief. Was waiting to see Old Hugh, who was running late. Never saw him. After three hours I hit the road. Got a large Vitamin Water and ice cream at RaceTrac, then stopped by three thrift stores on the way home. Found a nice Braves golf shirt. Back home I ate Ceil’s leftovers: cooked vegetables and long grain rice.
Sunday School on the Lord’s Prayer. Later we went to Lenox Square, Ponce City Market, and Westide Provisions for Jeni’s Ice Cream. Got home and Ceil had to watch her “When Calls the Heart.” Afterwards I saw the Braves were down 3-0 so we started watching a movie. Ceil went to bed and I was playing on my laptop. Noticed on my phone the Braves had loaded the bases so I flipped it over, but the team was walking off the field celebrating the comeback win.
Monday we didn’t leave out until 11:30, after packing the car and fixing sandwiches and coolers. Drove up to North Georgia. Stopped at a country store, then climbed Mt. Yonah near Helen, from the trailhead above. Was rough going up, so we stopped to rest several times. Took and hour and a half. Most of the way in shade from all the trees. Cool breeze at the top. Easier coming down. A five mile hike. Thought I’d be sore this morning but really not. Traffic home was backed up in Dawsonville, which has really grown. The GPS routed us on small, scenic back roads east of 400 across Lake Lanier to north Cumming.
Stopped at Pizzaria Lucca on the way back. Came home and crashed on the couch. This morning I weighed less than I have in a couple of years. Probably still a little dehydrated from the hike.
Yesterday in Hilton Head Will played the Harbour Town Golf Links,
where the PGA Tour’s Heritage Classic is played.
He shot an 87 despite making an 8 on the last hole.
Last night the whole gang played putt putt.
After spending a couple of days in Las Vegas,
today Anna and the girls visit the Grand Canyon.
Bart Starr was like a 17th round draft choice by Green Bay. Someone in the Packers drafted him as a favor to someone at Alabama. Once at practice Lombardi chewed out Starr out on the field in front of the rest of the team. After practice Starr went into Lombardi’s office and agreed he had messed up, but asked Vince that since he was supposed to be the leader on the field for the coach to save his admonitions for closed doors. After that Lombardi never chewed out Starr in front of the team.
Back then in practice the Packers players would wear different jersey numbers, in case there were spies watching. Starr wore 51 instead of 15. Jim Taylor 13 instead of 31. Jerry Kramer 46 and Forrest Gregg 57 and Boyd Dowler 68. Didn’t seem to fool anyone.
Starr went to Sidney Lanier High in Montgomery. When he was there they played my alma mater, Sidney Lanier High in Macon. The nickname of both teams was the Poets. You never see good names like that any more. Lake Lanier was also named for the poet, but a few years ago a new high school in Hall Country was dubbed Lanier High. Their team name? The Longhorns.
Up Ga 400 at the McFarland Road exit the new high school was named after the area’s famous resident, Dr Lelia Denmark, who practiced well past the age of one hundred. They could’ve named the team the Denmark High Doctors, or Fighting Pediatricians. Instead they named them the Great Danes, or Denmark Danes for short. At least that was semi-original. Better than Longhorns.
More Packers: interesting that in the early to mid-1960’s the Packer kicking duties were shared by RB Paul Hornung, guard Jerry Kramer, and punter/kicker Don Chandler. Many teams had yet to hire a player to just kick. The Browns had guard Lou Groza, who finally retired as a guard but later came back just to kick. The Bears had QB George Blanda, who also played some linebacker. The Patriots had WR/DB/QB/K Gino Cappelletti. The Falcons first kicker was #55, guard Lou Kirouac (below).
Falcons punter Billy Lothridge (holding above) was a QB/K at Tech, then played some defensive back for the Falcons. When Bear Brian Piccolo was weakened by cancer, he hoped to come back as a kicker.
BILL BUCKNER [SABR Bio] passed away yesterday. Here are some fun facts about his career: playing left field, he climbed the fence in an attempt to catch Hank Aaron's 715th career home run - he nearly scaled the fence in his effort.
Was drafted by the Dodgers behind his friend Bobby Valentine, who the Dodgers took first - Buckner went in the 2nd round of the 1968 Draft. Valentine went in the 1st, just behind Thurman Munson. Buckner was displaced at first base by Steve Garvey, who took over 1st base for LAD in 1973. He won the NL MVP in 1974. Buckner also got an MVP vote that year. Buckner was the first professional baseball player to wear Nike high-top cleats - first wore the high-tops in 1986. Yes, he was wearing them that night. Was once traded for Dennis Eckersley - 25-May-1984: Traded by CHC to BOS for Mike Brumley and Dennis Eckersley. His record for assists by a first baseman in a season lasted well into this century - his record of 184 assist by a 1st baseman in 1985 w/BOS was broken when Albert Pujols had 185 in 2009 with STL. His 174th and final career home run was, ironically, his only inside-the-park home run - ITPHR off Kirk McCaskill 25-Apr-1990, made possible when Claudell Washington fell into the stands after trying to catch Buckner's drive. That was the 1st HR McCaskill gave up that season. The antepenultimate and penultimate HRs he surrendered that year were to father & son Griffey. Buckner is one of only five players to appear in major league games in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s - 60s-90s players also include Rick Dempsey, Carlton Fisk, Jerry Reuss and Nolan Ryan. As of today, Buckner ranks 66th in career hits and 65th in career doubles - his 2,715 H rank just behind Rusty Staub & Lou Gehrig. He is also just behind Staub w/498 career doubles. Was responsible for developing the Fenway Park subdivision in Boise - Fenway Park subdivision in Boise.
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