Abstracts for Computer Presentation Talks

by
   
Dr. Robert C. Newman
RCNewman@ibri.org

Revision of 03 Jun 08



Dr. Robert C. Newman is Professor Emeritus at Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia), and is Director of the Interdisciplinary Biblical Research Institute.  He is a frequent speaker at churches and colleges on evidences for the truth of Christianity and on the interaction between science and the Bible. Dr. Newman earned a doctorate from Cornell University in theoretical astrophysics, and the Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees from Biblical Theological Seminary. He is past President of the Evangelical Theological Society, author or co-author of five books, and has also published over a hundred articles in Christian magazines, scientific and theological journals. 

Both Microsoft Powerpoint and Adobe Acrobat readers are available for free download if your computer does not have the software.

 

Talks are arranged alphabetically by title with topic noted in left column:

B: Bible; E: Evidences/Education; G: Government/Geography; H: History; I: Intelligent Design;

O: Origins; R: Responses; S: Science/Science & Christianity; T: Theology

 

Download by double-clicking on the appropriate link. Approximate file size (Kb = thousands of bytes; Mb = millions of bytes) is shown.

Web pages require Javascript, and download slides individually as requested. The slides vary in size.

 

Topic

Title/Abstract

Web Page

Powerpoint

Acrobat

Audio

B, T
Angels and Demons.  A tour of what the Bible has to say about the unseen world and its inhabitants, the angels, demons and Satan.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
356Kb

 Download-pdf
680Kb

 Download-mp3
6.7Mb







E, I

The Anthropic Phenomena:  Design or Chance?  Some examples are given of phenomena that have come to be explained under the anthropic principle, and why these seem most strongly to point to a Designer.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
312Kb

 Download-pdf
3.1Mb

 Download-mp3
3.3Mb


         

B, H, R

Apocalyptic Genre.  A look at the features which are usually present in works described as apocalyptic, together with a listing of such works as they appear in the Old Testament, New Testament and extra-biblical sources.  Some important qualifications need to be made in lumping these works together.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
140Kb  

 Download-pdf
188Kb

 Download-mp3
4Mb


         

R

Astrology: Is Your Destiny in the Stars?  Astrology, the attempt to predict one's future from the stars, is popular today.  In spite of attempts to make it look scientific, it is really a technique from ancient paganism.  Here we sketch the history of astrology from Babylon to modern times, some scientific problems facing astrology, and what the Bible has to say about it.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
6.4Mb

 Download-pdf
1.9Mb

 Download-mp3
7.7Mb

         

B, S

Astronomy and the Bible.  Though the Bible is often dismissed as a book of ancient superstitions, it provides us with evidence that its author is the Creator of the universe.  One area of such evidence is its pre-knowledge of astronomy, particularly its avoidance of ancient errors in this area.  We look here at the size of the universe, the number of stars, the support of the earth, and the shape of the earth.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.1Mb

 Download-pdf
1.3Mb

 Download-mp3
5.1Mb


         

E, H

Authorship & Date of the Synoptic Gospels.  Sketches the historical evidence regarding the author and date of writing of each of the three so-called "synoptic" Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke.  Also included is a brief sketch of some of the distinctive features of each.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
968Kb

 Download-pdf
482Kb

 Download-mp3
9.7Mb


         

S

Beliefs and Physics.  A sketch of ancient Greek physics from Thales to Aristotle reveals a strong interaction between metaphysical beliefs and the practice of physics, an interaction working in both directions.  Metaphysical views suggested and inhibited questions and approaches to the physical realm, and physical observations and experiments favored or disfavored various metaphysical views.  Some lessons are suggest re/ how we should view current theories in modern physics.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
608Kb

 Download-pdf
1Mb

 Download-mp3
7.4Mb


         

B

The Bible:  Its Transmission and Value.  A series of PowerPoint talks. Beginning with a discussion of modern Bible translations into English, why they differ and what difference it makes, the first talk ends with some suggested tests for a theologically sound translation.  The second talk discusses the problems of hand-copying manuscripts, various sources of error, and how these may be detected and corrected.  The third talk provides a brief survey of our earliest Bible manuscripts and how these compare with the manuscripts of other ancient works.  The fourth talk answers the question: given that we have reliable copies of the originals of the various books of the Bible, what are these originals really worth?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
3.6Mb

 Download-pdf
12.3Mb

 Download-mp3
10.3Mb


         

B, R

The Biblical Firmament: Vault or Vapor?  Modern liberal claims are examined that the Bible teaches the sky is a hard, solid dome.  The biblical data are sketched, including the word translated "firmament" and its related verb, the "pillars" of heaven, the "heavy metal mirror," and other passages.  It is suggested that these are mistranslations, and that the biblical data actually points to the "firmament" as being our atmosphere.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.1Mb

 Download-pdf
1.5Mb

 Download-mp3
6.8Mb


         

B, T

Biblical Pictures of Salvation.  The Bible provides a number of word-pictures to help us understand salvation better.  Here we sketch several:  salvation, redemption, pardon, justification, cleansing, healing, reconciliation, adoption, regeneration, resurrection, and creation.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
604Kb

 Download-pdf
1.2Mb

 Download-mp3
5.7Mb

         

B, T

Biblical Theology of the Synoptics.  What is Biblical theology?  What are some unifying themes in the Synoptic Gospels?  A tour and commentary on Ridderbos' book The Coming of the Kingdom.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
312Kb

 Download-pdf
240Kb

(no audio available)

         

B, S

The Biblical View of Nature.  Various features of the biblical view of nature are compared and contrasted with those of other worldviews.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
180Kb

 Download-pdf
164Kb

 Download-mp3
3.1Mb


         

B, T

The Birth Pains of the Messiah.  Explores the concept of "birth pains" in connection with the end of the age.  Asks whether these birth pains have started yet, and looks at evidence from false religions, wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, moral decay, and the spread of the Gospel.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.4Mb

 Download-pdf
3.2Mb

 Download-mp3
4.7Mb


         

B

The Book of Daniel.  An overview of its contents, including a sketch of its major prophecies, and some practical values for daily Christian living.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.1Mb

 Download-pdf
440Kb

 Download-mp3
2.5Mb


         

B, T

The Book of Job:  Understanding Suffering.  The book of Job is helpful for understanding cases of apparently inexplicable suffering.  Here we look at the plot of the book, and draw a number of lessons from it.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
276Kb

 Download-pdf
1.9Mb

 Download-mp3
4.3Mb

 

 

 

 

 

 

E

Can We Really Know God?  To answer this important question, we suggest the following.  We can know God exists.  He does not guarantee us special appearances.  We cannot know God as our friend if we remain his enemies.  We can know God personally (though not exhaustively) through the provisions He has made.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
168Kb

 Download-pdf
632Kb

 Download-mp3
3.4Mb


         

B, H, T

The Canon of the New Testament.  How we can be sure that the right books are in the Bible?  Here we look at some general principles regarding this matter, and then specific evidence regarding the books of the New Testament.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
756Kb

 Download-pdf
532Kb

 Download-mp3
9.8Mb


         

R

Chariots of the Gods: Fact or Fiction?  Erich von DŠniken's book (and its sequels) have created quite a stir.  Almost 40 years later, there are still numerous websites devoted to the idea that extraterrestrials have not only visited earth, but are responsible for the most impressive structures of antiquity as well as the miracles of the Bible.  Here we examine a sample of the evidence that von DŠniken puts forth.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
6.6Mb

 Download-pdf
4.0Mb

 Download-mp3
6.3Mb


         

B, S

Christianity and Science.  What is Christianity?  What is science?  Are Christianity and science compatible?  Some areas in which Christianity speaks on matters relating to science are sketched.  Several areas are noted in which science or nature impacts on the claims of Christianity.  A tour of Genesis 1 is provided, noting correlations between planetary astronomy and the Bible.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.1Mb

 Download-pdf
4.8Mb

 Download-mp3
3.8Mb


         

B, G, T

Christians & the State.  Some tensions between Christianity and various secular governments today are sketched, followed by a detailed discussion of the Biblical teaching on government.  The Old Testament background is surveyed, then several major New Testament passages, and lastly, a number of NT examples of the interaction of believers with government.  Some suggestions are made for how Christians today should interact with their governments.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
396Kb

 Download-pdf
3.4Mb

 Download-mp3
10.4Mb

         

I, O

Computer Simulations of Evolution.  A discussion of three computer programs which simulate certain features of evolution.  Two of these are similar to programs devised by Richard Dawkins and discussed in his book The Blind Watchmaker: one of these (BIOMORPH) exploring relationships between the genetics and morphology of an organism, the other (SHAKES) demonstrating how selection can speed a process that would be very slow if left to pure chance.  The third program (MUNSEL) explores the capabilities of mutation and natural selection in constructing organisms that consist of letters organized into English words and phrases.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
356Kb

 Download-pdf
400Kb

 Download-mp3
4.2Mb


         

I, O

Computer Viruses, Artificial Life and the Origin of Life.  Recent work in computers has allowed us to understand much about life that was mysterious before.  Here we examine computer viruses and attempts to produce artificial life.  These all point strongly to a designer behind living things rather than their being a product of blind forces.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.4Mb

 Download-pdf
704Kb

 Download-mp3
13.3Mb


         

S

Conflict between Christianity and Science.  We discuss this commonly-envisioned conflict, with a sketch of alternative scenarios.  Some reasons for such conflict are considered, together with a response to the claim that Christianity has always opposed science.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.9Mb

 Download-pdf
524Kb

 Download-mp3
3.9Mb


         

B, O, S

The Cosmos and the Bible: Looking at Modern Cosmologies.  A walking tour of the data of cosmology and how it constrains our theory-making regarding the origin and nature of the universe.  Both Christian and secular models are surveyed and a suggestion is made for a best model.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
2.7Mb

 Download-pdf
1.2Mb

 Download-mp3
9.4Mb


         

E, I

Cosmos and Contact: Evidence of Design in the Universe.  Playing off of Carl Sagan's dictum "the cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be," and his interest in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence as depicted in the science fiction film Contact, we note that the universe actually contains at least three messages indicating a super-intellect has put it all together: (1) the design of the universe itself; (2) the striking nature of our place in it; and (3) the existence and nature of living things.

Available in Russian.

<> Download-htm


Russian

 Download-ppt
1.2Mb

Russian
1.8Mb

 Download-pdf
1.1Mb
Russian
12.8Mb

 Download-mp3
8.8Mb



         

R

Cracking the Bible Code.  A response to the claim that God has hidden messages about the future in a letter-skipping code in the text of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).  We suggest that the phenomena discovered, as exemplified in Drosnin's Bible Code, is actually the result of a combination of chance and human manipulation.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
820Kb

 Download-pdf
528Kb

 Download-mp3
5.7Mb


         

O, S

Creation-Evolution Debate: Recent Developments.  After sketching some favorable evidence for evolution, we ask, "Could so many scientists be wrong?"  We note that science finally depends on evidence, not opinion.  We provide a look at some serious scientific problems for evolution.  Several of these relate to problems generating the order known to exist in living things with no other mechanism than random phenomena selected for survival: the origin of life, of specific biochemicals, of chemical processes and organs.  We then turn to problems with the fossil record: the relative lack of transitional fossils, the shape of the fossil record, the capabilities of small populations to produce large changes, the phenomena of punctuation and stasis, and the problem of islands of function.

 Download-htm



French-htm

 Download-ppt
3.0Mb


French-ppt
3.1Mb

 Download-pdf
2.0Mb


French-pdf
980k

 Download-mp3
8.6Mb


         

B, O, S

Creation, Science & the Bible.  Don't the teachings of science contradict those of the Bible?  It is true that many scientists have interpreted nature in ways that contradict the Bible, and that many Bible believers have interpreted the Bible in ways that contradict nature.  But we suggest that there is no real contradiction when we look at what the Bible and nature really say.  We consider the origin of the universe, fine-tuning in its basic forces, the origin of the earth, of life and its diversity, and the origin of humans.  Following this we provide a tour of Genesis chapter one and show how its details and those of the current model for the origin and early history of the earth fit together.  It appears that the Author of nature and the Author of Scripture are one and the same.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
5.1Mb

 Download-pdf
5.7Mb

 Download-mp3
2.4Mb


         

R

The Da Vinci Code and the NT Canon.  Responds to the particular claims of Dan Brown's mystery-thriller The Da Vinci Code regarding how the Gospels of the NT came to be accepted.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
3.8Mb

 Download-pdf
1.4Mb

 Download-mp3
3.6Mb


         

R

The Da Vinci Code and OT Messianic Prophecy.  The OT prophecies regarding the coming Messiah are fulfilled in history in such a way as to show that the canonical Gospels of the NT are historical and the reconstruction of Jesus in The Da Vinci Code is not.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.7Mb

 Download-pdf
1.8Mb

 Download-mp3
3.3Mb


         

H, O, R

The Darwin Conversion Story.  Since 1915, a story has been circulating that Charles Darwin apparently became a Christian near the end of his life.  What are the details of this story?  Is there reason to believe that it is true?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
512Kb

 Download-pdf
556Kb

 Download-mp3
2.4Mb


         

B, T

Describing God in Gender Terms.  In the midst of the feminist controversy of recent times, some are advocating elimination of the masculine flavor of God in Christianity, or at least balancing it with a feminine flavor.  What does the Bible have to say about the nature of God in this respect?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
232Kb

 Download-pdf
148Kb

 Download-mp3
3.2Mb


         

B, H

Diatribe Genre.  A sketch of this quasi-genre, a teaching and exhortation technique that was developed by the Greeks and found considerable use in early Christian writings, especially those of Paul and James.  Here we illustrate this method from the Letter of James.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.8Mb

 Download-pdf
1.1Mb

 Download-mp3
4.6Mb


         

B, H, R

Did Moses Write the Torah?  What is the JEDP Theory?  What sort of evidence is put forward for it?  How may we respond to it?  A concise summary of the lectures of Allan A. MacRae.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
4.4Mb

 Download-pdf
2.5Mb

 Download-mp3
5.6Mb


         
B, E, T
 Disaster: What to Make of It?  A talk given at Muhlenberg College just three days after the 9-11 disaster.  Jesus’ interaction with the crowd in Luke 13 gives us some insight into some of the points of significance of disasters, whether those caused by wicked humans, or those that insurance companies used to call “acts of God.”

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
360Kb

 Download-pdf
172Kb

 Download-mp3
1.8Mb







E

Discovering God's Fingerprints: Why the Christian Faith Makes Sense.  God exists, and he has actually provided quite adequate evidence of this for those who really want to know.  We look at the existence of the universe, problems with atheistic evolution, evidence of design in inanimate nature, fulfilled prophecy in the Bible, Jesus of Nazareth, changed lives and changed societies.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
2.0Mb

 Download-pdf
848Kb

 Download-mp3
7.1Mb


         

S

Doing Science in a Theistic Universe.  What is science?  What should we expect nature to be like?  Some atheistic and theistic expectations are discussed.  If our universe is theistic, what difference will this make on how we do science?  Some candidates for supernatural causation are proposed in cosmology, planetary astronomy, biology, and anthropology.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.1Mb

 Download-pdf
1.1Mb

 Download-mp3
5.2Mb


         

S

Ecological Disaster: What Does the Future Hold?  A sketch of some potential disasters that may occur in the near future: nuclear war, ozone depletion, global warming, AIDS, earthquakes, pollution/toxins.

 Download-htm


French-htm

 Download-ppt
164Kb
French-ppt

 Download-pdf
432Kb
French-pdf

 Download-mp3
3.3Mb


         

B, G, T

The Ethics of War.  Can Christians, who are concerned about the sanctity of life, hold any other position than pacifism?  To answer this, we consider:  Where does sanctity of life come from?  Does God place any bounds on this sanctity?  Has God delegated his authority for putting people to death to humans?  Is this authority restricted to OT Israel?  Does this God-given authority extend beyond the bounds of police action in one's own country?  Does this authority extend to offensive warfare?  What is the responsibility of Christian individuals to their government in regard to warfare?  What is a "just war"?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
272Kb

 Download-pdf
932Kb

 Download-mp3
4.3Mb


         

B, E, H

Evidence for the Resurrection.  The resurrection of Jesus is enormously important to the truth of Christianity, yet many have sought to substitute various alternatives for it.  Here we look at the stolen body theory, the coma theory and the hallucination theory, and the various problems these views face.  We then sketch the evidence from history and prophecy for a real, physical resurrection of Jesus.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
2.8Mb

 Download-pdf
2.8Mb

 Download-mp3
5.8Mb


         

B, S, T

Evidence of Angels? Angels and similar spirit beings have been banished from the physical world for some centuries now.  Is this attitude warranted?  How might the existence and activity of such beings be detected scientifically?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
8.3Mb

 Download-pdf
4.1Mb

 Download-mp3
7.3Mb


         

E

Evidence of God in Cosmos and Conscience.  The Bible claims God's invisible qualities – his power and divine nature – are clearly seen in what he has made.  This is supported by a tour of nature.  In the cosmos, this includes evidence of a beginning and of a designed universe.  In human nature, we see a number of items which are not well-explained by a mindless evolution: a high level of order, initiative, a level of intellect far beyond what is necessary, an unusual match between human rationality and the structure of the universe, the presence of moral, logical and esthetic standards, the existence of unnecessarily large amounts and varieties of pleasure, and the existence of futility.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
184Kb

 Download-pdf
2.1Mb

 Download-mp3
3.9Mb


         

B

Exegeting Controvery Passages.  Here we look at those narratives or discourses which can be categorized as controversies.  What are we to look for in such passages?  We work through a few samples:  the calling of Matthew, paying taxes to Caesar, the debate over resurrection, the dispute between Mary and Martha.

Download-htm

Download-ppt
280Kb

Download-pdf
224Kb

Download-mp3
4.5Mb


         

B

Exegeting Jesus' Parables.  What are parables and how do they work?  Parables are brief stories that are also analogies.  Here we work through one of Jesus' parables and give a list of the various parable categories in the Gospels.

Download-htm

Download-ppt
456Kb

Download-pdf
396Kb

Download-mp3
4.4Mb


         

B

Exegeting a Miracle Account.  An examination of the genre "miracle story" in the Gospels.  How miracles function in the ministry of Jesus.  The miracles are listed, together with a quick tour of a few of them.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
532Kb

 Download-pdf
480Kb

 Download-mp3
5.4Mb







B, T
Facing Old Age.  Why do people grow old and begin to go downhill?  This is a result of mankind’s fall in Eden, a reminder of death, and the last lap of a long life.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
128Kb

 Download-pdf
320Kb

 Download-mp3
2.9Mb


         

B, T

The Fifth Commandment.  An exposition of the biblical commandment to honor one's parents; its application and limitations today.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
164Kb

 Download-pdf
140Kb

 Download-mp3
2.2Mb


         

B

Foot Racing Image.  A tour of athletics and especially foot racing in the ancient Greco-Roman world, as a background to various NT references, especially Hebrews 12.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
884Kb

 Download-pdf
2.6Mb

 Download-mp3
2.9Mb


         

B, H

Form Criticism and Redaction Criticism.  An examination of two methods often used to try to "get behind" the message of the Gospels to find out what "really happened."  We examine the methods and suggest that their proponents are far too optimistic about their own abilities and far too skeptical about the reliability of the information we have in the New Testament documents.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
248Kb

 Download-pdf
132Kb

Form Criticism

(Slides 1-11)
Download-mp3
9.1Mb
Redaction Criticism (12ff)
Download-mp3
5.4Mb


         

B, H, R

Fulfilled Prophecy: Nostradamus and the Bible.  Nostradamus is considered a true prophet by many today, particularly by those into the occult or the new age movement.  Here four prophecies of Nostradamus are compared with four from the Bible.  We suggest there is a real difference between the two sources.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
192Kb

 Download-pdf
256Kb

 Download-mp3
3.7Mb


         

B, T

A Future for National Israel?  Christians have disagreed for centuries on whether or not God still has a future for the nation Israel, or whether His promises to them have been transferred to the Church.  Arguments for both sides are discussed.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
148Kb

 Download-pdf
132Kb

 Download-mp3
2.4Mb


         

B, O, S

Genesis One and the Origin of the Earth.  A proposed model for harmonizing the biblical and scientific data regarding the origin and early history of the earth, as sketched in my book Genesis One & the Origin of the Earth.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.3Mb

 Download-pdf
2.2Mb

 Download-mp3
6.4Mb


         

S

Genetic Engineering and Cloning.  What is genetic engineering?  Where did it come from and what is it doing?  We discuss transgenic plants and animals, what has been accomplished so far, some advantages and concerns.  What is cloning?  We discuss the history of cloning before and after Dolly the sheep, and its advantages and concerns.  How should Christians react to all of this?  What are God's commandments in this area?   What should we expect to happen in the future and what should we do?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
704Kb

 Download-pdf
1.9Mb

 Download-mp3
4.6Mb


         

B, G

The Geography of Jerusalem.  An introduction to the geography of the city of Jerusalem¾its hills and valleys, walls and city sections, buildings and sites ¾as the city existed at the time of Jesus.  Features photos of the sites as they look today, or as reconstructed in the model city at the Holy Land Hotel in Jerusalem.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
5.4Mb

 Download-pdf
6.4Mb

 Download-mp3
3.3.Mb


         

B, G

The Geography of Palestine.  An introduction to the geography of the Holy Land, its major physical features, and the political divisions, cities, roads, and fortifications at the time of Jesus.  Features photos of the sites as they look today.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
3.2Mb

 Download-pdf
6.9Mb

 Download-mp3
8.3Mb







B, T
A Glimpse Beyond This Life.  Among the various views of what happens when one dies, Jesus (who came from beyond, who is God and cannot lie) gives us a glimpse in Luke 16.  Here we look at this parable story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, and see what it has to tell us about life beyond the grave.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
424Kb

 Download-pdf
272Kb

 Download-mp3
4.1Mb







B, T
God and the Nations.  In the midst of globalization and growing ethnic diversity in the US and throughout the world, how should Christians respond?  A look at spiritual warfare on the level of nations, God’s mercy in the history of nations, righteousness and national prosperity, obedience to God and national testimony, and the church as a ‘nation’ scattered among the nations.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
508Kb

 Download-pdf
2.0Mb

 Download-mp3
2.8Mb







B
God and Reward:  Parable of the Vineyard Workers.  In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the story of the day-laborers in a vineyard and the unusual way in which the vineyard owner paid them.  Here we look at some of the features of this parable and suggest some lessons on how God will reward those who serve Him.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
152Kb

 Download-pdf
236Kb

 Download-mp3
3.0Mb







B, E, T
God in Action.  A series of six talks on God’s work in creation, providence and revelation:  evidence of God in creation; creation and evolution; history as God’s story; guidance and prayer; general and special revelation; can we expect revelation today as in Bible times?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.0Mb

 Download-pdf
5.4Mb

 Download-mp3
9.5Mb


         

R

The God of the Bible on Trial.  Answers are given to a number of common objections to the real existence of the God of the Bible.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
336Kb

 Download-pdf
12.6Mb

 Download-mp3
6.9Mb


         

E, I

God's Faithfulness as Seen in Our Universe.  A tour of some of the major ways in which our Earth is especially favorable to the existence and continuation of life, as seen in our galaxy, our sun, our solar system, our moon, and a number of features of the Earth itself.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
12.5Mb

 Download-pdf
1.5Mb

 Download-mp3
4.6Mb

 

 

 

 

 

 

B,G
God’s Image and the Sanctity of Human Life.  A study of Genesis 9:1-6 in the context of other biblical passages on humans as made in God’s image.  To take a human life (other than under the penal conditions specified in Scripture) is to attack the image of God.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
608Kb

 Download-pdf
276Kb

 Download-mp3
2.0Mb







B, T

God's Self-Portraits.  Though God has forbidden us to make pictures of Himself, He has provided us with word-pictures to help us understand Him better.  We examine some of these here:  God as potter, farmer, shepherd, king, master, father, and husband.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
520Kb

 Download-pdf
556Kb

 Download-mp3
4.4Mb


         

B

Gospel Genres. A survey of the common literary genres in the Gospels and how each is characterized.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.8Mb

 Download-pdf
1.6Mb

 Download-mp3
5.4Mb


         

B

The Gospels as Literary Works.  A consideration of the NT Gospels from the perspective of how the function as literature.  To what genre do the Gospels belong?  What techniques are employed by the Gospel writers to connect most strongly with their readers?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
988Kb

 Download-pdf
444Kb

 Download-mp3
7.6Mb


         

B, R

Gospel of John.  A sketch of the authorship and date of the fourth Gospel, with responses to alternative claims.  Some of the literary features of the Gospel, as well as its theological emphases.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
365Kb

 Download-pdf
2.4Mb

 Download-mp3
8.9Mb


         

B, H

Greco-Roman Symbolism in the Book of Revelation.  A survey of the symbolic materials in Revelation suggests that at least a small part of this is drawn from the Greco-Roman culture of the time rather than the Old Testament or Jewish culture.  Here we look at some of these in detail and suggest that God has put these in Revelation to communicate with its early Gentile readers.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.6Mb

 Download-pdf
1.0Mb

 Download-mp3
6.6Mb


         

B, T

Heaven and Hell.  Here we look at the biblical descriptions of the future of the righteous and the wicked.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
376Kb

 Download-pdf
260Kb

 Download-mp3
5.6Mb


         

B

Hebrews.  A look at the Letter to the Hebrews: its author, date, recipients, background, outline, and a condensed paraphrase.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
484Kb

 Download-pdf
1.1Mb

 Download-mp3
7.0Mb


         

B, E, H, R

The Historical Jesus.  We can divide the various pictures moderns have of Jesus into two broad categories: basically religious views, and allegedly historical views.  Here we sketch these briefly, look at some recent developments (including the Jesus Seminar), and respond to their basic arguments.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.5Mb

 Download-pdf
1.2Mb

 Download-mp3
8.3Mb


         
B,T
Historic Premillennialism.  An overview of this eschatological view, distinguishing it from Amillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Dispensational Premillennialism.  Some of the evidences in favor of the view, and a sketch of what the church is called to do in the interim between Jesus’ first and second comings.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
196Kb

 Download-pdf
184Kb

 Download-mp3
5.8Mb







B, T

How Near is the End?  There are many out there ready to set dates for the second coming of Christ, and others who think he will never return, or at least not visibly or for hundreds of years.  Does the Bible give us any information on this question?  Here we attempt some sort of answer.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
196Kb

 Download-pdf
276Kb

 Download-mp3
4.7Mb


         

E, R

If God Exists, Why So Many Atheists?  Responding to a common objection.  From a biblical perspective, there are good reasons why we should expect many atheists.  What does the evidence for the God of the Bible really look like?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
2.7Mb

 Download-pdf
1.5Mb

 Download-mp3
3.8Mb







B, E
The Incarnation and the Text of the Septuagint.  When Heb 10:5 quotes Ps 40:6, it says “a body you have prepared me” instead of “my ears you have pierced.”  Why is this?  We suggest that this is neither a mistranslation, nor a copying error, nor an intentional change by the author of Hebrews.  Instead we propose that the translator of Psalm 40 in the LXX paraphrased the passage in order to preserve an ambiguity in the text that is significant for Messianic prophecy.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
228Kb

 Download-pdf
2.0Mb

 Download-mp3
2.4Mb


         

I

Intelligent Design.  A sketch of the intelligent design controversy, giving a little of its historical background.  A number of arguments for intelligent design are given, citing various authors and books for further reading.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
2.9Mb

 Download-pdf
1.1Mb

 Download-mp3
5.8Mb


         

B, S

Interpreting Biblical Descriptions of Nature.  Starting with Bernard Ramm's characterization of Biblical language, we consider whether the Bible gives us scientific information, and how we are to distinguish literal and figurative usage therein.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
204Kb

 Download-pdf
948Kb

 Download-mp3
4.3Mb


         

B

Introduction to Exegesis & Narrative Genre.  A brief sketch of the competencies we need to develop in preparing to do responsible exegesis of the Bible.  A list of the genres we cover in our Synoptic Gospels course, and an introduction to the narrative genre.

Download-htm

Download-ppt
528Kb

Download-pdf
192Kb

Download-mp3
4.3Mb


         

E, H

Israel:  Evidence of God in History.  A tour of the history of Israel, from ancient times to the present, sketching how the biblical prophecies about the nation have been fulfilled.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
18.9Mb

 Download-pdf
5.5Mb

 Download-mp3
7.0Mb







B, E, H
Jesus Lives!  Convincing Evidence.  The Bible presents a number of features regarding Jesus’ resurrection that are convincing:  many post-resurrection appearances; appearances to many people at once; multiple-sense appearances; lengthy appearances; appearances which convey teaching.  We suggest that these indicate that Jesus really did rise from the dead.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.8Mb

 Download-pdf
5.5Mb

 Download-mp3
3.3Mb


         

E, H

Jesus: The Testimony of Prophecy and History.  The Jewish Scriptures we call the Old Testament point to a promised individual, called the Messiah, who is to come and rescue his people from oppression, bring in a Golden age, make Israel the chief nation, rule humanity with justice for all, ensuring that all may live safely on their own property and enjoy the fruits of their labor.  Christians think he has already come and he is Jesus.  Jews believe he hasn't come, but he will; he is certainly not Jesus!  Secularists think the whole idea is wishful thinking.  Who is right?  We suggest that the evidence of biblical text and human history supports two propositions: (1) If the Messiah has come, he is Jesus.  (2) The Messiah has come.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
496Kb

 Download-pdf
524Kb

 Download-mp3
5.0Mb


         

R, T

Jesus and the New Age.  The New Age Movement, prominent since the 1960s, has sought to reconfigure the picture of Jesus given in the Bible to fit its own worldview.  Here we look at the views of two prominent New Age figures, Edgar Cayce and Benjamin Creme.  We make some suggestions on how we can respond biblically to such views.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.1Mb

 Download-pdf
768Kb

 Download-mp3
4.8Mb


         

B

Jesus' Ministry.  An outline of Jesus' earthly ministry, fitting the various incidents into a chronological structure.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
3.7Mb

 Download-pdf
1.5Mb

 Download-mp3
3.6Mb


         

B, H

Jewish Background to the New Testament.  A tour of the Intertestament (or Second Temple) Period, sketching sources and major events, from Persian rule (539 BC) to Roman rule, ending shortly after the Bar Kochba Revolt in AD 135.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
2.2Mb

 Download-pdf
800Kb

 Download-mp3
1.5Mb


         

R

Joshua's Long Day and the NASA Computers.  A story that has excited many Christians for the past generation claims that NASA's electronic computers discovered evidence of Joshua's long day back in the 1960s.  Here we evaluate this claim and look at its historical antecedents.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
844Kb

 Download-pdf
468Kb

 Download-mp3
3.1Mb


         
B,T
Laying Up Treasure.  Jesus commands us to lay up treasure in heaven?  How can we tell (down here) how we’re doing up there?  We consider the contrast between the world’s system of rewards and God’s system.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
152Kb

 Download-pdf
636Kb

 Download-mp3
2.4Mb







B, R

Letter of James.  The authorship of the letter, the author's life and relationship to Jesus, the letter's recipients, its claimed contradiction with Paul, its content.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.6MB

 Download-pdf
816Kb

 Download-mp3
4.5Mb


         

B, R

Letter of Jude.  The author of Jude, its connection with 2 Peter, with extra-biblical works, its occasion and content.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
780Kb

 Download-pdf
548Kb

 Download-mp3
5.2Mb


         

B

Letters of John.  The authorship and date of the letters 1, 2, and 3 John, with a sketch of their background and contents.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
236Kb

 Download-pdf
168Kb

 Download-mp3
5.7Mb


         

B, R

Letters of Peter.  The authenticity of 1 and 2 Peter, their dates, their background, and their content.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
588Kb

 Download-pdf
268Kb

 Download-mp3
5.2Mb


         

B

Living as Christians.  A talk for believers on how to live in our secular world, directed especially toward college students and those working in secular, especially scientific fields.  Using Micah 6:8 and Jeremiah 9:23-24, we consider how these passages are exemplified in the careers of Joseph, Moses and Daniel, drawing out lessons for today.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
236Kb

 Download-pdf
572Kb

 Download-mp3
1.8Mb


         

B, T

The Lord's Supper.  A sketch is given of the multiple meanings of this major ceremony which characterizes the Christian church.  How does it fit in with other liturgical actions depicted in the Bible?  What is its significance for today?

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
412Kb

 Download-pdf
248Kb

 Download-mp3
3.4Mb







B, T, S
Maker of Heaven and Earth.  Starting from the first clause of the Apostles’ Creed, we suggest several reasons for believing in God the Maker of heaven and earth.  We believe in this God because his existence explains the nature of the universe, the nature of living things, and the nature of the Bible.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
336Kb

 Download-pdf
268Kb

 Download-mp3
3.0Mb


         

B, H, R

Mary Magdalene: History and Hype.  As a result of Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code, there has been considerable interest recently in Mary Magdalene.  Was she really married to Jesus?  Did they have a child who united the two royal houses of Israel?  What do we really know about Mary Magdalene?  Here we survey and evaluate our ancient sources.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
1.7Mb

 Download-pdf
568Kb

 Download-mp3
4.3Mb


         

S, O

Meteors, Mars, and Extraterrestrial Life.  A consideration of how the so-called Mars Rock, ALH 84001, might bear on the question of life beyond Earth, and how Christians ought to deal with the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
328Kb

 Download-pdf
604Kb

 Download-mp3
2.8Mb


         

B, T

The Millennial Question.  A sketch of the three major views, Pre-Mill, Post-Mill, A-Mill, and the arguments pro and con.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
200Kb

 Download-pdf
292Kb

 Download-mp3
1.6Mb


         
B, R, T
The Millennial Question: An Attempt at a Solution.  A sequel to the PowerPoint talk “The Millennial Question.”  Here we propose two lines of argument for a pre-millennial solution, based on the continuities between Revelation 19 and 20, and the OT allusions in Revelation 19.

 Download-htm

 Download-ppt
360Kb

 Download-pdf
264Kb

 Download-mp3