Bibliology Session 11-Complexity of the Bible

Defending Inspiration Unique Structure of the Biblical Text Evidence of the Supernatural Many elements about the Bible evidence that it is not merely a human book, but that it is of divine origin. 1. Advanced Knowledge of Medicine 2. Advanced Knowledge of Science 3. Advanced Knowledge of History (a.k.a. Prophecy) 4. Advanced Intricacy of Design in the Original Texts 5. Evidence from Personal Testimonies of Transformation • Tonight we will examine three features that demonstrate the advanced intricacy of design in the Bible. 1. Unique Composition & Continuity 2. Phenomenon of ELS Bible Codes 3. Phenomenon of Heptatic Structure of Bible The Bible is Unique in its Composition & Continuity - The Bible has 40 different human authors, from various walks of life including kings, peasants, philosophers, prophets, military leaders, and shepherds. - The Bible was written over a span of about 1,600 years. - The Bible was written across a multitude of different geographical locations including 3 continents. Unique in its Composition & Continuity - The Bible was originally written in three distinct languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, & Greek. - The Bible includes writing from every literary genre such as Prophecy, Poetry, Law, Song, Satire, Biography, Epistle, Apocalyptic etc. - Yet the Bible completely agrees with itself in spite of these seemingly insurmountable barriers. No other book in all of history can claim this level of uniqueness. ELS Bible Codes Matt. 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come 18 to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Discovery of Bible Codes Rabbi Weissmandl was a brilliant Czechoslovakian Jewish scholar in astronomy, mathematics, and Judaic studies. In the years just before WW1, he found an obscure but intriguing reference to the "skipping of letters” in a rare book written by a 14th century Rabbi known as Rabbenu Bachya. The book described a curious pattern of letters encoded within the Torah by skipping an equal number of letters. Discovery of Bible Codes This strange reference gave Weissmandl an incredible curiosity, and led to the discovery of a strange phenomenon now called ELS (equidistant letter sequences). Many fascination examples of ELS exist within the Hebrew O.T. leading many to the conclusion that the Hebrew Scriptures are far from manmade, but must be supernatural in origin. ‫ ‪“Torah” in Genesis‬‬‫‪Deuteronomy.‬‬ ‫‪One of the earliest examples of ELS discovered is the‬‬ ‫‪word “Torah” spelled out every 49 letters in Genesis 1:1-5.‬‬ ‫‪ּ 1 1‬בְֵראשִׁ֖ית ּבָָר֣א אֱֹלהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאֶָֽרץ׃‬ ‫‪ 2‬וְהָאֶָ֗רץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הּו֙ וָבֹ֔הּו וְחֹ֖שְֶׁ עַל־ּפְנֵ֣י תְהֹ֑ום וְרּ֣וחַ אֱֹלהִ֔ים‬ ‫מְַרחֶ֖פֶת עַל־ּפְנֵ֥י הַּמָּיִם׃‬ ‫‪ 3‬וַּיֹּאמֶר אֱֹלהִ֖ים יְהִ֣י אֹ֑ור וַֽיְהִי־אֹֽור׃‬ ‫‪ 4‬וַיְַּ֧רא אֱֹלהִ֛ים אֶת־הָאֹ֖ור ּכִי־טֹ֑וב וַיַּבְֵדּ֣ל אֱֹלהִ֔ים ּבֵּין הָאֹ֖ור ּובֵ֥ין‬ ‫הַחֹֽשְֶׁ׃‬ ‫‪ 5‬וַיְִּקָר֨א אֱֹלהִ֤ים׀ לָאֹור֙ יֹ֔ום וְלַחֹ֖שְֶׁ ָקָ֣רא לָ֑יְלָה וַֽיְהִי־עֶֶ֥רב וַֽיְהִי־בֶֹ֖קר‬ ‫יֹ֥ום אֶחָֽד׃ פ‬ ‫ ‪“Torah” in Genesis‬‬‫‪Deuteronomy.‬‬ ‫‪This sequence of letters may be mere coincidence.‬‬ ‫‪However, the same thing was discovered in Exodus‬‬ ‫‪1:1-6.‬‬ ‫‪ 1 1‬וְאֵּ֗לֶה שְׁמֹות֙ ּבְנֵ֣י יִשְָׂראֵ֔ל הַּבָאִ֖ים מִצְָר֑יְמָה אֵ֣ת יַעֲֹק֔ב אִ֥יׁש‬ ‫ּובֵיתֹ֖ו ּבָּאּו׃‬ ‫‪ְ 2‬ראּובֵ֣ן שִׁמְעֹ֔ון לֵוִ֖י וִיהּוָדֽה׃‬ ‫‪ 3‬יִשָּׂשכָ֥ר זְבּולֻ֖ן ּובְנְיָמִֽן׃‬ ‫‪ָ 4‬דּ֥ן וְנַפְתָּלִ֖י ּגָּד וְאָשֵֽׁר׃‬ ‫‪ 5‬וַֽיְהִ֗י ּכָל־נֶ֛פֶׁש יֹצְאֵ֥י יֶֶֽרְ־יַעֲֹק֖ב שִׁבְעִ֣ים נָ֑פֶׁש וְיֹוסֵ֖ף הָיָ֥ה בְמִצְָרֽיִם׃‬ ‫‪ 6‬וַיָּ֤מָת יֹוסֵף֙ וְכָל־אֶחָ֔יו וְכֹ֖ל הַּדֹ֥ור הַהּֽוא׃‬ “Torah” in Genesis Deuteronomy. The chances of this happening by accident are about 1 in 3 million, but we aren’t done yet. It was also discovered that though this pattern did not appear in Leviticus, a similar pattern appeared in reverse in Numbers 1 & Deuteronomy 1. That is, the word “Torah” appears, but spelled backwards. Deuteronomy also spells “Torah” at the interval of 48 letters. “Torah” in Genesis Deuteronomy. With these discoveries, another look at Leviticus was in order. Upon further examination the word “Torah” did not appear, but the sacred name “YHWH” appears at an interval of 7 letters. ‫וַיְִּקָר֖א אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיְַדּבֵּר יְהוָה֙ אֵלָ֔יו מֵאֹ֥הֶל מֹועֵ֖ד לֵאמֹֽר׃‬ Hebrew University Dr Weissmandl shared this discovery, and others, to his students in Israel. These students began to search for themselves, and upon the advent of high-speed computers, this research was investigated by Hebrew University & Jerusalem College of Technology. Their findings were published in a paper called “Equidistant Letter Sequences in the Book of Genesis” August 1994, in the scholarly journal “Statistical Science.” Design “Statistical Science” reviewed the article for 6 years before admitting they were unable to refute the evidence, and so published it. Any large literary piece will statistically have some level of ELS occurring randomly within it. Some such codes have actually been found in “Moby Dick,” merely because of its length. However, the Bible is unique in both the frequency of ELS, as well as the appearance of ELS within a pertinent surface text. Design Searches of Hebrew documents other than the Bible have not had the same results. Hebrew apocryphal books, as well as Tolstoy’s “War & Peace” have been searched without finding any significant ELS codes. Again the Bible stands unique… “This scientific discovery of the ELS code phenomenon is earthshaking in its potential consequences because it reveals a staggering level of mathematical design and intelligence that could only have been produced by a supernatural mind. This discovery provides compelling mathematical proof that the Bible was inspired by God.” –Grant Jeffrey Other Examples of ELS In Genesis 38 the names “Boaz, Ruth, Obed, Jesse, & David” were discovered in that order at an interval of 49 letters between. The appearance of the ancestors of Israel’s greatest king discovered in order, several centuries before they were born is stunning enough. Yet in addition to this, these names are encoded in Genesis 38, which records the history of David’s progenitor Judah, and his son Pharez, who turns out to be the ancestor of Boaz. The “Yeshua" Codes Another fascinating discovery of ELS involves the name “Yeshua,” which is merely the Hebrew spelling for “Jesus.” Many major Messianic prophecies in the O.T. contain the name “Yeshua” encoded within the Hebrew text. Examples include Zechariah 9:9 (riding upon a donkey), Psalm 22:15-17 (sufferings of Messiah), Daniel 9:25-26 (70 weeks prophecy), Isaiah 7:14-15 (virgin birth), Isaiah 53:10 (the trial of Messiah), Psalm 41:7-10 (betrayal by a friend), Psalm 72:13-15 (the kingship of Messiah). Isaiah 53 Codes The fourth “Servant Song” in the book of Isaiah (52:13-53:12) has long been recognized as one of the most significant prophecies in the O.T. concerning the climactic event of the crucifixion of Messiah. Yet the discovery of the Bible Codes has launched an exciting search for ELS codes in this fabulous passage. The discoveries are astounding. Many fascinating details concerning the disciples of Christ and the crucifixion of Christ appear encoded within this section of Isaiah. Some of these include “Nazarene” (47), “Messiah” (-42), “Passover” (-62), “Herod” (-29), “Caesar” (-194), “Caiaphas-High Priest” (41), “Annas-High Priest” (-45), the names of eleven disciples appear in this passage, while the only one missing is “Judas.” “Mary” appears 3 times, perhaps because 3 different Marys were at the foot of the cross. Phrases also appear; “Let Him be crucified” (15), “Jesus is my name” (-20), & “from the atonement Lamb” (-19). Prophetic Codes Several of the codes discovered have been predictive of events that have occurred outside the pages of the Bible, yet have had significant impact of Jewish history. The so called “Hitler codes,” are over a dozen ELS key words that appear throughout Deuteronomy with key words such as “Hitler,” “Auschwitz,” “Holocaust,” “Genocide,” & "Mein Kampf.” Prophetic Codes Many other significant codes have been discovered relating to either world history in general, or Jewish history in particular. Some of these events include the assassinations of Anwar Sadat (1981), or the discovery of the names of every major Jewish sage throughout history including the dates of their deaths… This final discovery prompted intense investigation by former NSA analyst Harold Gans, who afterward became convinced and began teaching the Torah in synagogues across the globe. The Dark Side Some enthusiasts have gone too far with the Bible codes, in that they have attempted to tell the future by finding codes. Not only is this impractical, in that you need a key word to search before you make a discovery, but this practice also borders on the occult, which is specifically commanded against within the Bible (Deut. 18). These codes ought be viewed as a means of authentication, not a means of divination. Heptatic Structure of the Bible 1. Obvious Sevens 2. Subtle Sevens 3. Hidden Sevens Obvious Sevens 7 Days of Creation 7 Days until rain when Noah enters Ark 7 Days between the doves Noah sends out 7 years Jacob serves for his two wives 7 Days of pursuit of Jacob by Laban Jacob bows down 7 times before Esau 7 years of plenty & 7 years of famine 7 lamps of Menorah 7 Days the waters of 7 days for the feast of Egypt were blood Tabernacles 7 elements of furniture 7 weeks for the feast in the Tabernacle of weeks 7 feasts of Israel, 7 years for every which span 7 months sabbatical year of the year 7 x 7 for a Jubilee year 7 Days of feast of Multiple 7’s in Jericho unleavened bread narrative… Subtle Sevens 7 “better” things in Hebrews 7 Titles for Christ in Hebrews 7 “once for all”s in Hebrews 7 “Let us” exhortations in Hebrews 7 “eternal” things in Hebrews 7 Letters to 7 Churches in Revelation 7 Lampstands in Revelation 7 Spirits before the throne in Revelation 7 promises to the Overcomer in Revelation 7 seals of Revelation 7 trumpets of Revelation. 7 bowls of Revelation. 7 “new things” in Revelation. 7 Beatitudes in Revelation. 7 Praises in Revelation Chap. 4-5 7 utterances of Christ from the Cross 7 Steps of Christ’s Humility in Phil. 2 7 Steps of Christ’s assent in Phil. 2 Enoch was the 7th from Adam 7 “I Am” Statements of Christ 7 blessings for obedience (Dt. 7:13) 7 punishments for disobedience (Dt. 28:22) 7 things that defile a man (Matt. 15:19) 7 “walks” of the believer in Ephesians 7 statements of Christ’s “coming” in 1-2 Thessalonians 7 “Precious” things in 1-2 Peter 7 Promises to Abraham in Genesis 12 7 Promises to Isaac Genesis 26 7 Promises to Jacob in Genesis 28 7 false gods in Judges 7 utterances of God in Eden after the fall Joseph weeps 7 times 7 cycles of judgment and deliverance in the book of Judges 7 miracles performed by Elijah (14 by Elisha) 7 trials of Job 7 descriptions of wisdom in James 3 7 prayers of Jesus in the book of Luke 7 miracles of Christ performed on Sabbath 7 “mysteries” revealed in the N.T. Hidden Sevens • Hebrew & Greek are both Alfa-Numeric languages, where the letters of the alphabet double as numbers • in their numeric system. Therefore every word, sentence, and paragraph can be changed into numbers. Ivan Panin Ivan Panin, often called the ‘father of Bible numerics’ was born in Russia, December 12, 1855. He had an incredible appetite for knowledge, especially in the areas of literature and linguistics. At 22 he emigrated to the United States and entered Harvard University, where he picked up Greek and Hebrew, and graduated in 1882 with a Master of Literary Criticism. He converted to Christianity based upon His study of John 1:1. Ivan Panin He applied his brilliance to the painstaking analysis of the Biblical text in both Hebrew & Greek. In 1891 he published “The Structure of the Bible: A Proof of the Verbal Inspiration of Scripture.” He then dedicated the next 50 years of his life compiling 43,000 hand-written pages of discoveries of 7’s in the numeric structure of the Bible. Ivan Panin While the discoveries of Ivan Panin are indeed incredible, other competent scholars such as Henry Morris, urge caution and exhort further study be done in the area of Bible numerics. Therefore be informed, but not infatuated. Complexity of Genesis 1:1 7 total words in Hebrew 28 total letters in Hebrew The subject & predicate of the sentence equally divides into 14 letters each Three nouns in the verse are a total of 14 letters Two objects of the verse are also a total of 14 letters Many other features… Genealogy of Matthew 1 The Following elements in the Passage are all divisible by 7… Number of words Number of letters Words that occur more than once Words that occur in more than one form Number of vowels Words that occur in only one form Number of consonants Number of nouns Number of words beginning with a Number of names vowel Number of words beginning with a consonant Number of Male names Probability of Accident? To have 1 element of a verse be divisible by 7, there exists a 1 in 7 chance of it accidentally occurring. Meeting 2 of these criteria is a 1 in 49 chance. Meeting 3 criteria is a 1 in a 343 chance. Meeting 24 criteria is a 1 in 191 (quintillion), 581 (quadrillion), 231 (trillion), 380 (billion), 560 (million), 414 (thousand), 401. Yet most of the passages in the Bible contain this complexity, some passages having between 70 & 100 numeric features. Perspective Lets assume that you wanted to devote your life to the attempt of creating a genealogy that follows only 9 of these criteria. If you could devote 8 hours a day, 50 weeks a year, (a.k.a. 2,000 hours of labor), and assuming you could attempt a genealogy every 10 minutes, it would still take you over 3,300 years to write one. Implications of ELS & Heptatic Structure… 1. Evidence of Supernatural Design. 2. Inspiration of even Jots & Tittles. 3. Incredible Accuracy of Transmission of Original Texts.