"Which God?"
What are the four attributes the "Beginner" must have if the universe had a beginning?
The Beginner must:
How does the chapter distinguish between a miracle and an extraordinary event?
A miracle is a supernatural act of God that overrides natural laws, while an extraordinary event still occurs through natural causes.
What four questions does the author ask to evaluate whether the New Testament is trustworthy?
Which non-Christian historians are used in this chapter, and what do they contribute to the case for Christianity?
Josephus, Tacitus, and others confirm Jesus' existence, crucifixion, and the beliefs of His followers.
Why isn't claiming to be God enough to prove someone is God?
Many people have claimed to be God; the claim must be supported by evidence.
Why can't the Beginner have a cause?
If the Beginner had a cause, then something else would have created it, meaning it wouldn't truly be the first cause. This would create an infinite chain of causes, so there must be one uncaused First Cause.
Why does the chapter argue that miracles do not violate the laws of nature?
Because God temporarily supersedes natural laws without destroying them, similar to a magnet overcoming gravity.
Why is the timing of the New Testament's writing so important when evaluating its reliability?
Earlier writings leave little time for myths to develop and allow eyewitnesses to challenge false accounts.
How does archaeology strengthen the historical reliability of the New Testament?
Archaeological discoveries confirm biblical people, places, buildings, and events.
How does the virgin birth serve as evidence for Jesus' divine identity?
It is a supernatural event demonstrating that Jesus' birth was uniquely an act of God.
How does objective morality support belief in the biblical God?
Objective moral laws require a Moral Lawgiver. Since moral laws apply to everyone and are not based on opinions, they point to a personal God who defines right and wrong, matching the God of the Bible.
According to the author, what was the primary purpose of miracles recorded in the Bible?
To confirm that God's messengers, especially Jesus, were truly sent by God.
How does the destruction of Jerusalem help scholars estimate when the Gospels were written?
Since the Gospels never mention the destruction of Jerusalem, many scholars conclude they were written before AD 70.
What twelve facts do non-Christian historians collectively confirm about Jesus and His followers?
They confirm Jesus lived, taught, performed remarkable deeds, was crucified, His followers believed He rose, worshipped Him, spread His teachings, and more.
How does the comparison between God's attributes and Jesus' attributes support the conclusion that Jesus is God?
Jesus possesses attributes that belong only to God, including eternity, omniscience, omnipresence, and being the Creator.
Why does the author conclude that the Creator must exist outside of time?
Since time began with the universe, the Creator must have existed before time and therefore cannot be limited by it.
Why is the "Miracle on the Hudson" used in this chapter, and what point does it illustrate?
It demonstrates that not every amazing event is a miracle because no natural laws were overridden.
Why do thousands of New Testament manuscripts strengthen confidence in the Bible's accuracy?
Comparing many manuscripts allows scholars to identify copying errors and reconstruct the original text with high confidence.
Why is evidence from non-Christian sources especially valuable when discussing the New Testament?
Because it independently supports biblical claims without relying on Christian writers.
Besides Jesus Himself, who recognized or declared His divine identity, and why is their testimony significant?
God the Father, angels, demons, and the disciples all identified Jesus as God's Son, providing multiple independent testimonies.
Explain how the evidence presented in this chapter connects the "Beginner" discovered through reason to the God of the Bible.
The logical attributes of the Beginner match the biblical descriptions of God: eternal, uncaused, all-powerful, intelligent, and the source of morality.
How does belief in a Creator make belief in miracles logically reasonable?
If God created nature, He has authority to act within or above the natural laws He established.
If someone claimed the New Testament is only mythology, what evidence from this chapter would challenge that conclusion?
It was written close to the events, preserved through numerous manuscripts, and supported by eyewitness testimony.
Compare the historical evidence and archaeological evidence presented in this chapter. Which provides the stronger argument for the New Testament's reliability, and why?
Either can be defended. Historical evidence confirms people and events, while archaeology confirms physical locations and artifacts. Together they strongly reinforce the Bible's historical accuracy.
Imagine someone argues that Jesus was only a good moral teacher. Using the evidence from this chapter, explain why the author believes that conclusion is insufficient.
The chapter argues Jesus didn't merely teach morality. His virgin birth, divine attributes, miracles, and the testimony of God the Father, angels, demons, and His disciples all support His claim to be God rather than simply a moral teacher.