We talked about how the writer connects the word substance directly with the word evidence. We learned that substance is that which a thing consists of; it is real and it is factual. The evidence that God wants to present to the world is threefold.
• His work in Creation
• His work in human history
• His Work in the lives of His people
The historicity of the Biblical record is what sets it apart from other religions. In other words, Christianity is not based on the philosophical. It is rooted in reality.
What is Evidence
Evidence is defined in the Oxford American Dictionary as, “1) anything that establishes a fact or gives reason for believing something, 2) statements made or objects produced in a law court as proof or to support a case.”
Google search defines evidence as: the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
As you can see the idea is that evidence is based on facts that are:
• Objective
• Quantifiable
• Can be inspected
As Apostle John said “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” John 1:1
History is replete with men and women have doubted the reliability of the scriptures. I have heard stories and have even met those who wanted to disprove the Bible. Their intent was to affirm that the Bible was nothing more than myths and fables. They came with a presupposition that the evidence would validate their position.
Famed archaeologist, Sir William Ramsey is such a person. Ramsey received his education at Oxford and was a professor at both Oxford and Cambridge. As a skeptic, he believed that the bible was nothing more than fables. As an archaeologist he felt that the Apostle Paul’s journeys were the most dubious part of the New Testament. These travels had never been tested and inspected. Ramsey traveled to Asia Minor to examine the evidence on the spot. Ramsey spent 15 years literally digging and combing through the evidence. He published his findings a book entitled Saint Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen.
He discovered that the minuteness of the accuracy of the New Testament was beyond reproach and doubt. Here is what he had to say regarding Saint Luke; Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness” and that “Luke is a historian of the first rank…. In short, this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians". [1]
The substance and evidence of the scriptures has been tested and inspected by the archaeologist; spade and it has stood the test of time.
"For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16
Footnotes
[1] The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament pages 85-89
Our base scripture is Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
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