Richard Dawkins: The Empty Chair

Pictured below is the Empty Chair that was reserved for Dawkins to follow the eighth commandment he quoted in The God Delusion:  “Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you.”  Dawkins refused to show up to the Sheldonian Theatre October 25 to debate the world’s leading Christian apologist, William Lane Craig.

“The Ultimate 747 Gambit is a very serious argument against the existence of God and one to which I have yet to hear a theologian give a convincing answer, despite numerous opportunities and invitations to do so,” says Dawkins in the video below:

***

This post also appeared on Examiner.com.

Posted in Examiner.com Articles, Richard Dawkins, William Lane Craig | 4 Comments

Answering Jerry Coyne and Jason Thibodeau on the Euthyphro Dilemma

Maryann, Matt, Tom and Jerry (missing:  Jason)

I’m writing this blog post to get in on the most recent Euthyphro Dilemma dilemma between atheist biologist Jerry Coyne and my fellow Christian Apologetics bloggers Matt Flannagan of MandM and Tom Gilson of Thinking Christian [timely and relevant digression:  Coyne’s fellow atheist biologist Richard Dawkins continues to break an eighth commandment (quoted in The God Delusion) by refusing to test his 747 Gambit in debate with William Lane Craig…I’m still feeling some disappointment].

First, some back-story to get you caught-up…btw, (6) and (5) are out of order because Thibodeau posted before Coyne’s most recent reply:

*Jerry Coyne posted an (1) opinion titled “As atheists know, you can be good without God” on the USAToday Forum in July/August.

*Tom Gilson (2) replied to it on his blog Thinking Christian, August 4.

*Matt Flannagan (3) also replied on MandM, October 10 (excellent!).

*Coyne (4) replied to Gilson (Thinking Christian) on Coyne’s blog, October 20.

*Coyne’s (6) most recent reply (Oct 24) mentions both Flannagan (MandM) and Gilson (Thinking Christian) in order to share (5) Jason Thibodeau’s “The Euthyphro Dilemma is Robust” (Oct 21) (a reply to Flannagan on Thibodeau’s blog).

1.  Ontology vs. Epistemology.

First it is important to distinguish between two problems going on here.  It is one thing to ask “To what in reality does this theory correspond?” (ontology) and another thing to ask “What justifies believing this theory?” (epistemology).

The Euthyphro Dilemma (below) deals with ontology (how/whether ‘the good’ in general ‘corresponds’ to reality), whereas the Moral Monster Objection deals with epistemology (how we ‘justify’ believing a particular theory in Ethics).

So, it is possible to show the Euthyphro Dilemma to be a false one—to deal with an ontological question—without ever answering any questions dealing with epistemological objections like Moral Monster (or while answering them falsely).

Likewise, it is possible to agree with Jerry Coyne, as Christians do, that we can do/be good without believing in God (Paul reflects the same epistemology in Romans 2:14-15).  However, we are not always good and we do not always do good, so we are not the sort of being to which moral truth corresponds; we are not the sort of being described by moral truth.  When we do/are as we ought to do/be—regardless whether we believe God exists—our goodness, if true goodness, corresponds to a good being that is ‘always’ good (God), or it corresponds to nothing (is not real, has no ontology).  That is just another way of discussing William Lane Craig’s argument in Question 44, referred to by Gilson.  Dr. Craig, although he does subscribe to a version of Divine Command Theory not represented by Coyne, does NOT invoke the Divine Command Theory in Question 44, as Coyne falsely claims, Coyne saying it is “too stupid to address”.  Clearly he did not even read Question 44.

2.  The Euthyphro Dilemma and Arbitrariness

Simply put, the Euthyphro Dilemma (from Socrates’ dialogue with Euthyphro) asks whether the good is dependent on God’s commands (a made up, and so fictional, arbitrary good), or whether it is independent of God’s commands, because God’s commands depend on the good (so, no need for a God to ground it—it is higher than God’s commands—and so to what in reality does it correspond?).  This was resolved a long time ago by Aquinas, who explained that God commands in accordance with his good nature—he is that good being to which his commands correspond.  Critics then ask “But what dictates God’s nature?”—If not God, then God is not omnipotent.  If God, then the good is arbitrary.  The answer is that 1) God exists necessarily, as do all his attributes, so his nature, including goodness, is not dictated (he is the Uncaused Cause and his essence and existence are identicalhe exists his essence [or, as Sarte would say, is the “in-itself-for-itself,” (Being and Nothingness, Existentialism Basic Writings, Indianapolis/Cambridge: Charles Guignon and Derk Pereboom, Hackett Publishing Company, 2001, p. 358)]), though he is capable of choice, of creation and so forth, and, 2) Aquinas explains that “‘To be able to sin is to be able to fall short in action, which is repugnant to the omnipotence of God. Therefore it is that God cannot sin, because of His omnipotence.’[28]” (quoted by Steve Lovell).  Sin is only chosen out of weakness, and being omnipotent, being good, though he has the choice, God will never choose sin, and so in that sense is unable to sin.  On a related note, when Thibodeau writes that “it is possible for an all-loving God to command that we torture kids and thus, on the DCT, it is possible that torturing kids is right,” he is confused.  That it is possible (in one sense) for God to sin does not mean it is possible that sin is right.  And to enjoy watching innocent babies suffer (Thibodeau again) is sin (see my epistemology on the Golden Rule below).

One may be left wondering, “But why is God’s nature good?  Which theory in Ethics best describes God’s nature—egoism, utilitarianism, the categorical imperative, what?  And if we can explain that using good reasons, don’t we have an account of the good that is independent of God?”  First, whatever theory we come up with (epistemology), we must always ask “Is this true?  Does this describe something in reality?” (ontology).  Second, I think one reason the Arbitrariness objection persists is that no one (to my knowledge—correct me if I am wrong) ever attempts to actually answer “Which theory in Ethics best describes God’s nature?” (understandably to avoid losing ground when debating ontology by slipping into epistemology).  However, to that end:  This is my epistemology (the first half is on the Golden Rule, the second half refers to ontology).  This is my ontology (though Aquinas said it first, I only make reference to Hume, and I part ways with Dr. Craig on the is-ought distinction) (here is a brief discussion with Matt Flannagan on my position).  This longer post sums it up and refers back to other posts.  The first objection I hear is that the Golden Rule is found in every major religion and culture and so is not dependent on God.  Again—we agree we can be good without believing in God.  But if there is no God, no theory in Ethics can be true or correspond to anything in reality, not even the Golden Rule.  If you say it is true and corresponds when we do fulfill the Golden Rule, then you are saying it is only ever momentarily true—so what makes it the way we all ought to be, all of the time?  There must be a being ‘to’ which it is true all of the time in order for it to be true ‘for’ everyone. The Golden Rule is like the formula for photosynthesis – it describes something that actually happens – a perfectly good being. If you say it is true and corresponds when we do fulfill the Golden Rule, then you are saying it is only ever momentarily true—so what makes it the way we all ought to be, all of the time? There must be a being ‘to’ which it is true (descriptive) all of the time in order for it to be true ‘for’ everyone (prescriptive). But, description (fact) cannot take the place of prescription (ought), and prescription cannot take the place of description. And WANTING (value) to be the sort of being who is described by doing what they ought – cannot take the place of either the description (fact) or the prescription (ought). All three are needed independently of each other – all at once – for everyone (all selves/others) – at every time (all time).

If the Judeo-Christian concept of God is a Moral Monster and no good God exists, there is not a single theory in Ethics that corresponds to an always-good being in reality (there is no true theory).  If you think there is still the possibility of a good God existing that is not the Judeo-Christian God, just ask yourself:  What is the evidence?  Christians have evidence of God fulfilling the Golden Rule in taking on flesh and switching perspectives with us on the cross.  Crazy, sure—but no other religion has such a demonstration.  The New Atheists who claim there can be a “real” good without a correspondent good being—their epistemology hovers over an abysmal ontology.  Coyne and Thibodeau understandably leave out the nihilist alternative of the atheist existentialists (Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, Heidegger, et cetera) that without a God to which a ‘real’ good may correspond, there is no good beyond what we choose/create/will (there is no moral truth).  They leave it out for the same reason they reject their (straw man) understanding and representation of Divine Command Theory.  Atheists and essentialist Christians all agree that if you (even God) have to make it up (command/dictate it into being), it isn’t ‘true’.  So either the atheist existentialists are right that there is no God, and so there is no good, or essentialist Christians are right that God commands in accordance with his good nature.

3.  Loose-ends…

So, the ontological questions in the Euthyphro Dilemma are resolved.  The epistemological questions are a completely separate issue.  I referred above to my epistemology (the Golden Rule) and I will defer to others who have addressed the Moral Monster objection elsewhere with different outcomes (William Lane Craig, Matt Flannagan, Paul Copan, et cetera).  I have only briefly (in my opinion) researched it.  I will only say here that to resort to the Moral Monster objection to avoid admitting your moral theory has no ontology is intellectually dishonest.

Lastly, a note on the ‘evolution’ spin.  I believe we evolved (note that I am about to read Jay Richards’ “God and Evolution” given to me by Wintery Knight), and that we evolved a moral sense just as we evolved the ability to reason in general.  If there is moral truth, it did not evolve into being—we merely evolved the ability, or hunger, to apprehend it (even if we still do not recognize the being that ultimately satisfies that hunger).  Any theory in Ethics that grounds its ontology in evolution is a sandcastle for the tides.  Matt Flannagan addressed that issue quite well in his article above (3).

***

This post also appeared on Examiner.com.

Posted in Divine Essentialism, Euthyphro Dilemma, Examiner.com Articles, Gettier Problem, Golden Rule, Is-Ought Fallacy, Justified True Belief, Natural Law and Divine Command, William Lane Craig | 28 Comments

ISWA-U free on-line apologetics curriculum for women coming October 28

The International Society for Women in Apologetics (ISWA) has put together a curriculum to get women all over the world equipped in knowing why we believe and how to answer objections to the Christian faith.  Free audio and video lectures by and for women will start becoming available October 28, with more to come in the future.  Each lecture comes with a workbook.  Go here to see some of the subject titles and an overview of what ISWA-U is all about. 

“Here are just a few:  Truth. The Deity of Christ. The Defense of the Resurrection. Women, Apologetics, and Evangelism. Finding God at Harvard. The Challenges of Equipping the Next Generation.”  (status update from ISWA’s Facebook page

In this interview, ISWA’s president, Sarah Ankenman, The Valley Girl Apologist, talks about why the upcoming ISWA-U apologetics curriculum is important for women:

Posted in Apologetics | Leave a comment

Confident Christianity Conference in the Dallas/Fort Worth area

There are 2 weeks left until the Confident Christianity Apologetics conference in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  There are folks coming from as far as Oklahoma City and Houston.

Some of the amazing speakers include JP Moreland, Craig Hazen, Clay Jones and Michael Keas.  The whole conference is bilingual with Spanish-speaking apologists, as well!  There are two members of the International Society for Women in Apologetics speaking at this event: Melissa Cain Travis and MaryJo Sharp!

Conference agenda/registration link: http://www.cvent.com/events/confident-christianity-apologetics-conference/agenda-a593a5a1479c42898d6c445e8609c341.aspx
Video promos:
http://vimeo.com/30156409
http://vimeo.com/30155273
http://vimeo.com/30155771

Posted in Apologetics | Leave a comment

Picked Up Poetry (etc.)

Each poem posted in the order in which it was written, opposite the order in which it was picked up, oddly enough…

Ana Kata to the Infinite Well

Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)

God’s face shines upon you. God’s face shines upon you.
Feeling in three dimensions, still, you are, most times.
You ana kata from the fire against your will,
Waiting to be born posthumously no longer,
For those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines. You cry,
Smitten with the madness of too much seeing, “Lord!”
(Strong within your whirlwind of deluding spirits…)
“Lord!” Smitten with the madness of too much seeing,
You cry, for those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.
No longer waiting to be born posthumously
Against your will: you ana kata from the fire.
Still… you are, most times, feeling in three dimensions.

God’s face shines upon you. God’s face shines upon you.
Wrested in obdurate stone, His seed is growing,
Watered from the infinite well. You remember
The rest of your life while living it. You awake:
“Is there anyone who dances through you?” He asks
(“Through to the division of soul and spirit… there,
Strong within your whirlwind of deluding spirits…
There, through to the division of soul and spirit.”)
He asks, “Is there anyone who dances through you?”
You awake: The rest of your life while living it,
You remember. Watered from the infinite well,
His seed is growing, wrested in obdurate stone.

Easter 2006

The Penwood Review and North Central Review published in their Spring 2011 issues.

Forward Poetry of Remus House will publish in the anthology A Symphony of Life: A Collection of Poetry, January 31, 2012.

Straightway Swept Away
To: my King

I came to You broken with fear and trembling
You stretched out Your hand and mastered my ascending
Plucked from the fire, chosen before the beginning
Resurrected by the finger of God, dancing
Done with spineless speculating, with pretending
Everything else in my life all foreshadowing
Found understanding in the shadow of Your wing
The mire Your incorruptible love transcending
In indelible ink, in Your own blood writing
To suffer death for friends, Son of God descending
The narrow path Your Word ever enlightening
Spongy mirror of my heart Your will reflecting
By You my soul walking, for Your return waiting

“Something so amazing, in a heart so dark and dim, when the walls fall down, and the light comes in” – Sara Groves, Something Changed

Poetry Rivals (of Forward Press) published in November 2010.

Haiku: Sword and Sacrifice

Sword and sacrifice:
made in the essence of God–
treat others as self.

There is no true good?
Good is a construct of will?
Ever take offense?

Love others as self:
no construct, no evolved good–
eternal essence.

Accept nothing less:
constructs do not obligate–
only love fulfills.

Goodness will always
withstand the fire of reason
and love, resonate.

Not even God willed
goodness into becoming
but IS that goodness.

The highest truth is
discovered, not created:
love your enemy.

Love is not love if
there is no demonstration–
Sword and Sacrifice.

Published in late 2009 in an anthology by Forward Press titled “My Word is My Voice”.

Published by Melanie Eyth on her blog, The Sheltered Poet.

North Central Review published in their Spring 2011 issue.

***

I’m Sorry
—Most recently published in Stepping Stones Magazine, and soon to be published in the 2014 winter edition of Poets’ Espresso Review.

***

Other than poetry:

At Coffee with the Euthyphro Dilemma (skit) published in September 2010 by Down in the Dirt.

Fun! :)

Posted in Euthyphro Dilemma, Poetry, Poetry and Fiction | Leave a comment

Richard Dawkins: Greatest no-show on earth?

Posted in Richard Dawkins, William Lane Craig | 1 Comment

San Francisco Atheists interested to see Dawkins debate Craig

When asked what they thought about the prospect of an October 25th debate in Oxford between Professor Richard Dawkins and Professor William Lane Craig, the San Francisco Atheists were of the same general opinion: they are interested.

An SF Atheists member, Owens Rodriguez, replied that “while I still think that debating Craig is mostly a waste of time based on what I’ve seen of his ‘arguments’ in the past, the more I think about it the more I think it’d be really interesting to watch.”

David Fitzgerald, the SF Atheists’ current representative, expressed that “Wm. Lane Craig is a bit notorious for being a more skilled debater than a skilled thinker.” David gave the example of Dr. Craig’s position on the slaughter of the Canaanites and continued, “Judging from Craig’s debates with opponents like Richard Carrier, Craig seems far more interested in scoring points and propping up the party line than really honestly engaging in intellectual discussion. So I can understand why many think it would be a waste of time to debate with someone like Craig. But for me, if Dawkins decided to participate, then no matter how many rhetorical games Craig plays, it would still be worth watching just for the chance to hear Richard Dawkins!” Dr. Craig’s debate with Richard Carrier can be seen on YouTube here.


SF Atheists’ former representative, David Millett, offered “My personal opinion is that Dr. Craig seems to be grandstanding. A debate for the purposes of showboating seems counterproductive to me. What is Dr. Craig trying to achieve with such a debate? Will he prove the existence of gods?” David went on to explain why proving God’s existence is not
possible, providing examples of evidence and why they are not credible. Dr. Craig claims the existence of God cannot be proved or demonstrated with mathematical certainty, but only shown to be more probable than not.


Neither Dr. Craig nor Dr. Dawkins are seeking the October 25 debate arranged by Premier Christian Radio, Damaris Trust and Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship. In an interview with William Crawley of UK’s BBC Radio Ulster “Everyday Ethics” program, when asked “Does this bother you, that he [Dawkins] won’t debate you?” Dr. Craig replied, “Frankly, no. I think that the expectations on me, if such a debate came up, would be so high, that if he even just managed to survive, people would see this as a victory for him. So, I’m not plumping for this debate at all. This is not something that I’ve sought to do. This is something that other organizations and persons have tried to put together. I welcome it, but I’m not seeking it. I won’t be the least disappointed if this doesn’t come off.”

However—whereas Dr. Craig has accepted the invitation, Dr. Dawkins has refused four invitations sent to him from The British Humanist Association, The Cambridge Debating Union, the Oxford Christian Union and now Premier Radio. This refusal sparked accusations of cowardice in a letter from Oxford philosophy professor (and atheist) Dr. Daniel Came, urging Dr. Dawkins to reconsider debating. This in turn led to an embarrassing article in the UK Telegraph and this viral YouTube video.

Dr. Craig will show up to the October 25 debate in the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford. If Dr. Dawkins does not, then Dr. Craig will give a critique of Dawkins’ The God Delusion. There will be a table and chair set up for Dr. Dawkins to the last minute.

Richard Dawkins’ events page shows that he is free in October.

Sign the petition for Dawkins and Craig to debate. It’s an old petition rejuvenated by the potential for an October 25th engagement.

Posted in Richard Dawkins, William Lane Craig | Leave a comment

Questions Jesus Asked

In preparing for an upcoming apologetics workshop I came across some discussion of the questioning style of Jesus.  I love how Jesus used questions to get people to think for themselves.  I sent out a request on Facebook for a list of all the questions he asked, and Linwood Kemp delivered!  Thankyou!  He would like to give credit to godnix.wordpress.com, as he started with their lists.  This is his compilation of the questions Jesus asked, reprinted with permission:

Questions Jesus Asked

(Quotations are from the NRSV, with emphasis added to highlight just the questions.  Arranged in chronological order, based on the chronology at http://www.lifeofchrist.com/life/harmony.)

Luke 2:49: He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must *be in my Father’s house?” *Or, be about my Father’s interests?

John 1:38a When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

John 1:50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”

John 2:4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”

John 3:10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

John 3:12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting.

Matthew 9:4: But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil thoughts in your hearts?

Matthew 9:5: “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?”

Mark 2:8-9: At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?

Luke 5:22-23: When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?

Matthew 9:15: And Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?”

Mark 2:19: Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”

Luke 5:34: Jesus said to them, ”You cannot make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you?

John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?

John 5:44 How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?

John 5:46-47 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?

Matthew 12:3: He said to them, ”Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

Mark 2:25: And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food?”

Luke 6:3-4: Jesus answered, ”Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry. He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?“

Matthew 12:5: Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless?

Mark 3:4: Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.

Luke 6:9: Then Jesus said to them, ”I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?

Matthew 12:11: He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out?”

Luke 6:32: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Luke 6:33: If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Luke 6:34: If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Luke 6:39: He also told them a parable: ”Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?

Luke 6:41: Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?

Luke 6:42: Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

Luke 6:46: Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?

Luke 7:24: When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?

Luke 7:25: What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces.

Luke 7:26: What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Luke 7:31: To what shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?

Luke 7:44: Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, ”Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.“

Matthew 12:26-27: If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Bē·el´ze·bul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

Mark 3:23: And he called to them, and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?”

Matthew 12:29: Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered.

Matthew 12:34: You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:48: But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”

Mark 3:33-35: And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ”Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.“

Mark 4:13: And he said to them, ”Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

Mark 4:21: He said to them, ”Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand?

Mark 4:30: He also said, ”With what can we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?

Matthew 13:51: “Have you understood all this?” they answered, “Yes.”

Mark 4:40: He said to them, ”Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?

Luke 8:25: He said to them, ”Where is your faith?“ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ”Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?“

Mark 5:9: Then Jesus asked him, ”What is your name?“ He replied, ”My name is Legion; for we are many.“

Luke 8:30: Jesus asked him, ”What is your name?“ He said, ”Legion“; for many demons had entered him.

Mark 5:30: Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ”Who touched my clothes?

Luke 8:45: Then Jesus asked, ”Who touched me?“ When all denied it, Peter said, ”Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.“

John 6:5-6 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

Mark 6:38: And he said to them, ”How many loaves have you? Go and see.“ When they had found out, they said, ”Five, and two fish.“

Matthew 14:31: Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?

John 6:61-62 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

John 6:67 So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.”

Matthew 15:3: He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

Matthew 15:16: Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding?

Mark 7:18-19: He said to them, ”Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?“ (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

Matthew 15:34: Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, Seven, and a few small fish.“

Mark 8:5: He asked them, ”How many loaves do you have?“ They said, ”Seven.“

Mark 8:12: And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ”Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.“

Matthew 16:8-11: And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, ”You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pha´ri·sees and Sad´dū·cees!“

Mark 8:17-21: And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, ”Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?“ They said to him, ”Twelve.“ ”And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?“ And they said to him, ”Seven.“ Then he said to them, ”Do you not yet understand?“

Mark 8:23: He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, ”Can you see anything?

Matthew 16:13: Now when Jesus came into the district of Caes·a·rē´a Phi·llip´pī, he asked his disciples, ”Who do people say that the Son of Man is?“

Mark 8:27: Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caes·a·rē´a Phi·llip´pī; and on the way he asked his disciples, ”Who do people say that I am?

Luke 9:18: Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ”Who do the crowds say that I am?

Matthew 16:15: He said to them, ”But who do you say that I am?“

Mark 8:29: He asked them, ”But who do you say that I am?“ Peter answered him, ”You are the Messiah.“

Luke 9:20: He said to them, ”But who do you say that I am?“ Peter answered, ”The Messiah of God.“

Matthew 16:26: For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

Mark 8:36-37: For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?

Luke 9:25: What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

Mark 9:12-13: He said to them, ”E·lī´jah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that E·lī´jah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.“

Mark 9:16: He asked them, ”What are you arguing about with them?

Matthew 17:17: Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.”

Mark 9:19: He answered them, ”You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.“

Mark 9:21: Jesus asked the father, ”How long has this been happening to him?“ And he said, ”From childhood.“

Matthew 17:25: He [Peter] said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?“

Mark 9:33: Then they came to Ca·per´na·um; and when he was in the house he asked them, ”What were you arguing about on the way?

Matthew 18:12: What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?

John 7:23 If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man’s whole body on the sabbath?

John 8:10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?

John 8:25 Jesus said to them, “Why do I speak to you at all?

John 8:43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.

John 8:46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

John 9:45 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?

Luke 10:15: And you, Ca·per´na·um, will you be exalted to heaven? No you will be brought down to Hades.

Luke 10:26: He said to him, ”What is written in the law? What do you read there?

Luke 10:36: Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

Luke 11:11: Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish?

Luke 11:12: Or if the child asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

Luke 11:13: If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Luke 11:18: If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Bē·el´ze·bul.

Luke 11:19: Now if I cast out the demons by Bē·el´ze·bul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

Luke 11:40: You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

Luke 12:6: Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.

Luke 12:14: But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?

Luke 12:25: And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

Luke 12:26: If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?

Luke 12:42: And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?

Luke 12:56: You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Luke 12:27: And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Luke 13:2: He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?

Luke 13:4: Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Si·lō´am fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?

Luke 13:15: but the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water?

Luke 13:16: And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?

Luke 13:18: He said therefore, ”What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it?
Luke 13:20: And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God?

John 10:32 Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?

John 10:34-36 Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?

Luke 14:3: And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pha´ri·sees, ”Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?

Luke 14:5: Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?

Luke 14:28: For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?

Luke 14:31: Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?

Luke 14:34: Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?

Luke 16:11: If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

Luke 16:12: And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?

Luke 17:7: Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’?

Luke 17:8: Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you amy eat and drink’?

Luke 17:9: Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?

John 11:9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, ”I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

John 11:34 He said, ”Where have you laid him?“ They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”

John 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?

Luke 17:17: Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?

 Luke 17:18: Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

Luke 18:7: And will not God grand justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?

Luke 18:8: I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

Mark 10:3: He answered them, ”What did Moses command you?

Matthew 19:4: He answered, ”Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?“

Matthew 19:17: And he said to him, ”Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.“

Mark 10:17: Jesus said to him, ”Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.“

Matthew 20:21a: And he said to her, ”What do you want?

Mark 10:36: And he said to them, ”What is it you want me to do for you?

Matthew 20:22a: But Jesus answered, ”You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?“

Mark 10:38: But Jesus said to them, ”You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

Matthew 20:32: Jesus stood still and called them, saying, ”What do you want me to do for you?

Mark 10:51: Then Jesus said to him, ”What do you want me to do for you?“ The blind man said to him, ”My teacher, let me see again.“

Matthew 26:10: But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ”Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me.“

Mark 11:17: He was teaching and saying, ”Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.“

Matthew 21:16b: Jesus said to them, ”Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?

Matthew 21:25a: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?

Mark 11:29-30: Jesus said to them, ”I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.“

Matthew 21:28-31a: What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?

Matthew 21:40: Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?

Mark 12:9: What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.

Matthew 21:42: Jesus said to them, ”Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?

Mark 12:10-11: Have you not read this scripture: ”The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes“?

Luke 20:17: But he looked at them and said, ”What then does this text mean: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?

Matthew 22:18: But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?”

Mark12:15b: But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ”Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.“

Matthew 22:20: Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?”

Mark 12:16: And they brought one. Then he said to them, ”Whose head is this, and whose title?“ They answered, ”The emperor’s.“

Luke 20:24: “Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?” They said, “The emperor’s.”

Mark 12:24: Jesus said to them, ”Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God?“

Matthew 22:31-32: And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob“? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.

Mark 12:26: And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how god said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

Matthew 22:42-45: ”What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?“ They said to him, ”The son of David.“ He said to them, ”How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, ”Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet: ‘? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?

Luke 20:41: Then he said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is David’s son?
Luke 20:44: David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?

Matthew 23:19: How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Matthew 23:33: You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?

John 12:27-28 Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—’Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.

Matthew 24:2: Then he asked them, ”You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.“

Mark 13:2: Then Jesus asked him, ”Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.“

Luke 22:27: For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

John 13:38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.”

Luke 22:35: He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.”

John 14:2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

John 16:19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and ou will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?

Matthew 26:40: Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ”So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?“

Mark 14:37: He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ”Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour?

Matthew 26:45: Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ”Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.“

Mark 14:41: He came a third time and said to them, ”Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.“

Luke 22:48: But Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”

John 18:4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ”Whom are you looking for?

John 18:7 Again he asked them, ”Whom are you looking for?“

Matthew 26:53-54: Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?

John 18:11 Jesus said to Peter, ”Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?

Matthew 26:55: At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me.”

Mark 14:48: Then Jesus said to them, ”Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit?

John 18:21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.

John 18:34 Jesus answered, ”Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?

Matthew 27:46: And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Ē´lī, Ē´lī, le·ma´ sa·bach´tha·nī?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Mark 15:34: At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ”Ē´lō·ī, Ē´lō·ī, le·ma´ sa·bach´tha·nī?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

John 20:15 Jesus said to her, ”Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?“ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ”Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.“

Luke 24:17-19a: And he said to them, ”What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?“ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Clē´o·pas, answered him, ”Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?“ He asked them, ”What things?

Luke 24:26: Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?

Luke 24:38: He said to them, ”Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Luke 24:41: While in their joy they were disbelieving and wondering, he said to them, ”Have you anything here to eat?

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, ”Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.“

John 21:5 Jesus said to them, ”Children, you have no fish, have you?“ They answered him, ”No.“

John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ”Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?“ He said to him, ”Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.“ Jesus said to him, ”Feed my lambs.“

John 21:16 A second time he said to him, ”Simon son of John, do you love me?“ He said to him, ”Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.“ Jesus said to him, ”Tend my sheep.“

John 21:17 He said to him the third time, ”Simon son of John, do you love me?“ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ”Do you love me?“ And he said to him, ”Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.“ Jesus said to him, ”Feed my sheep.“

John 21:22 Jesus said to him, ”If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!“

Acts 9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ”Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?“
Posted in Apologetics | 2 Comments

Peter Williams on how the Gospels get people, places and plants right

A very lively lecture including statistical analysis of the people, place and plant names used in the Gospels and the undesigned coincidences surrounding the feeding of the 5,000.  I like how Dr. Williams points out that the authors of the Gospels, rather than being either bumbling idiots or clever conspirators, more likely were just telling things the way they actually happened.

Posted in Apologetics, Apologetics Toolbox | Leave a comment

Undesigned Coincidences in the Bible by Tim McGrew

(Last published 9/23/11. Added 4/10/13: Video.  Also see Audio Resources by Tim McGrew and Internal Evidence for the Gospels by Tim McGrew on Apologetics315.)

A few months back I heard an April 24, 2011 radio interview on this topic, by fellow Christian Apologetics Alliance member Tim McGrew, and have been interested ever since.  I really, really hope Tim writes a book of all these undesigned coincidences.

An undesigned coincidence happens when one part of the Bible is missing a detail that makes us ask a question, and another part of the Bible (a part authored by someone else), or a text external to the Bible, without collusion, supplies that missing detail.  It is a test for historical authenticity.

Here is one talk at First Baptist Church of Kenner, LA (New Orleans area) in January (also available here).

Check out the July 30 and August 11 (both in 2011) podcasts on Frank Turek’s “Cross Examined” radio show.

Examples from here:

#1:  Matthew 26:67-68  Why ask him to tell them who slapped him?  Luke 22:64  They blindfolded him.

#2:  Mark 6:31  Why are many coming and going?  John 6:4  The Passover pilgrimage.

#3:  Matthew 8:14-16  Why in the evening?  Mark 1:21  Sabbath over at evening (cannot bear burden).

#4:  Luke 9:36  Why did they keep silent?  Mark 9:9  Jesus told them to tell no one (most consistently disobeyed command, lol).

#5:  John 6:5  Why pick Philip?  Luke 9:10  The setting of the miracle is Bethsaida, Philip’s “hometown” (John 1:44).  (And see #17.)

#6:  Bauckham:  Names in NT are independently, statistically shown to be in very good accord w/ the frequency w/ which Jews named their children these names in Palestine.  Most common male name:  Simon.  Second most common:  Some variant on Joshua/Jesus.  In Alexandria, most common name:  Sabbatheus—no such character in NT.

#7:  John 21:15  Why ask “…more than these?”  Matthew 26:33 “Though they all fall away…I will never fall away.”  In John 21:16 Peter is done boasting and just says “Lord, you know that I love you.”  Beautiful!

#8:  Luke 23:1-4  Why Pilate find no guilt in Jesus?  John 18:36  “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Also, John never mentions the charge against him, but Luke fills in the detail.

#9:  Matthew 2:22  Why does Archelaus’s reign spook Joseph?  Why Galilee?  Josephus’ Antiquities, Book 17:  Archelaus sends troops into the temple and kills 3,000 Jews…Passover cancelled.  The Jews Joseph meets in Matthew 2 are fleeing this.  Galilee under control of Herod Antipas.

From here

#1, #3, #4, #5, #7, #8

From here

#4, #3, #5, #7, #8, #2, #9

#10:  Matthew 14:1-2 Why is Herod speaking about this to his servants?  Luke 8:3  Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager/steward.  Herod knows that if he’s got questions about Jesus, talk to his Christian servants.  Acts 13:1 Manaen had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch.

From here:

#11:  Mark 14:57-58 Mark 15:29  People mock him for saying he would destroy the temple.  He never says that in Mark.  John 2:18-19 Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

#9

#12  Luke 3:14  Why active-duty soldiers in a time of peace?  Josephus:  Herod Antipas got in trouble with his wife’s father when he fooled around with his brother’s wife, so he had a border war on the southeastern flank of his territory.  Jordan river runs southward.

#13  Luke 3:2  Two high priests?  Josephus:  Book 18, Chapter 2 of Antiquities … one high priest by right (ruling through his sons), one high priest by Roman appointment.  The Jewish War Book 2 Chapter 12 Section 6 “both” Jonathan and Ananias.

#14  Luke’s census.  Two problems:  1) No record Caesar Augustus taxed whole Roman empire.  2) Quirinius was governor in 6 a.d., not 6 b.c..  Answer:  “all the world” is Judea (same idea in Acts 11:28…Greek word means “the region in interest”…there is no word “Roman” in the Greek).  The taxation is a registration or enrollment, not an actual taxation.  “This was made” means “set in motion”.  Read this way:  “This first tax was put in use a dozen years later.”  Also possible Quirinius had two stints as a governor.  (See also Cheney’s comment here, section 10.)

#15  Luke 20:24-25 “Show me a denarius.  Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”  Look at Roman denarius.  Not only does it have Tiberius Caesar’s face, but the inscription promotes worship of the previous Caesar.  Jesus says “Render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s.  Render to God that which is God’s.”  In other words, the previous Caesar is not God, and this coinage with a ‘graven image’ is not ‘of God’.

#16  John 5:2  Are the 5 porches a literary device?  Archaeology says no—it’s real.  Also, John says “Now, there IS…” which means he must be writing pre-75 A.D. (before the destruction).

Via email 9/23/11:

#17 “This one just occurred to me:  Matthew 11:21 — ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.’  What mighty works in Bethsaida? Matthew gives us no clue; this is the only time he ever mentions Bethsaida. Nor can Mark help us here, nor John. But turn to Luke 9:10 — On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida.    … and then comes the feeding of the 5000.” (See #5.)

Tim mentions these books, most/all available at historicalapologetics.org:

John James Blunt’s “Undesigned Coincidences”
William Paley’s “Horae Paulinae” (part 2) and “A view of the evidences of Christianity”
Edmund Hatch Bennett’s “The Four Gospels from a Lawyers’ Standpoint

Nathaniel Lardner “Credibility of the Gospel history” (17 volumes—have at it!)

Post a comment here or discuss at the following forums:
http://www.ilovephilosophy.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=176514
http://iloveopinions.com/index.php/topic,4373.0.html
http://www.sciencechatforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=19845
http://www.rationalskepticism.org/post985708.html#p985708
http://www.project-reason.org/forum/viewthread/22069

***

This post also appeared on Examiner.com.

Posted in Apologetics, Apologetics Toolbox, Examiner.com Articles, Tim McGrew, Undesigned Coincidences | 12 Comments