Week 27: What About Contradictions in the Resurrection Accounts?

This is the second part of our discussion about the resurrection of Jesus. We tackle some of the most commonly cited "contradictions" in the resurrection accounts. Are they historically reliable?


Key Themes:

• What did the sign say that hung over Jesus' head on the cross?

• How many women went to Jesus' tomb?

• How many angels were at the tomb?

• Handouts: 
• "Holy Week Events," by Jim Moseley

• "Holy Week Map," by Jim Moseley

Digging Deeper:

• Movie: "The Case for Christ"

• Short Video: "Nature of Eyewitnesses" with J. Warner Wallace

• Book: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus

Week 26: Why Should I Be Convinced a Man Rose from the Dead?

We're wrapping up our year of discussions on tough questions about the faith. This week we're exploring the importance of the resurrection of Jesus, which is a keystone of the Christian faith. 



Key Themes:

• 1 Corinthians 15

• Inter-connectedness between theology and history

• Evidence of Jesus' resurrection

• John 12 ("doubting" Thomas)

Digging Deeper:

• Video: "The Cold Case for the Resurrection"

• Book: Without a Doubt, chs. 10 and 11

Week 19: Ask Me Anything

Question #1: What are the differences in beliefs between various seminaries?


Key Themes:

• Rise of fundamentalism and modernism

• Origin of the term "evangelical"  

Digging Deeper:

• Short video: Fundamentalist Movement (a homemade video that gives mostly accurate information)

• Book: Fundamentalism and American Culture, by George Marsden 

-----------

Question #2: Were the Catholics the ones who decided the books of the Bible?

VIDEO COMING SOON!

 -----------

Question #3: What was the Azusa Street revival?

Week 18: How Do We Know We Have the Right Books in the Bible?

We're continuing to explore questions surrounding the origin and history of the Bible. This week we're surveying the development of the canon of the Christian Scripture. In other words, we're asking the question, "How do we know we have the right books in the Bible?"

Key Themes:

• Old Testament canon: 
• Ordering of the books
• Development of the Septuagint (LXX) vs. Masoretic
• Catholic/Orthodox Canon
• Protestant Canon

• New Testament canon:
• Disputed books
• Apocrypha

Digging Deeper:

• Handout: List of New Testament canon
• Book: The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance

Week 17: Has the Bible Been Corrupted? Part 2

We're continuing to explore questions surrounding the origin and history of the Bible. This week we're wrapping up our discussion of the question, "Has the Bible been corrupted?" In other words, is the Bible we have today the same as the one written 2000 years ago?

 Key Themes:

• Brief review of last week's lesson

• Excerpts of the debate between Bart Ehrman and Dan Wallace (2012)

• Introduction to textual criticism

• New Testament manuscripts

• Variants

Digging Deeper:

• Activity: Simulation in textual criticism

• Video: Full debate between Bart Ehrman and Dan Wallace at the University of Chapel Hill, SC (2012).

Week 16: Has the Bible been Corrupted?

We're continuing to explore questions surrounding the origin and history of the Bible. This week we're focusing on the question, "Has the Bible been corrupted?" In other words, is the Bible we have today the same as the one written 2000 years ago?

Key Themes:

• Assertions from non-believers about the corruption of the Bible

• How manuscripts were copied and preserved in the ancient world

• Case studies:
• John 7:53–8:11
• The Lord's Prayer
• 1 John 5:7–8
• Mark 16:9–20

Digging Deeper:

• Video clip: "Snake Salvation" (example of using Mark 16 as a foundation for theology)

Week 15: Can You Trust What the New Testament Says About Jesus?

We're starting a new series of conversations. We will focus on questions surrounding the origin and history of the Bible. This week we're focusing on the question, "Can you trust what the New Testament says about Jesus?" 

Key Themes:

• Introduction to the doctrine of the Bible

• Critical concept: relationship between theology and history

• Argument #1: The Gospels preserve eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus.

• Argument #2: External sources corroborate the accuracy of the Gospels and Acts.

Digging Deeper: 

• Chapter: “Are the Gospels Trustworthy Account of Jesus’ Life?” Without a Doubt, chapter 7

• Video: "Cold Case Christianity," teaching by J Warner Wallace

• Book: Cold Case Christianity, by J Warner Wallace (This is a great resource to help Christians get started in the conversation about defending the faith. It's also appropriate to share with a high school or college student who needs reasons for their faith. If you're wanting a resource for an unbeliever, I'd recommend something more technical.)