1. SKEPTICISM

2. Skepticism: “1. the philosophical doctrine that truth of all knowledge must always be in question and that inquiry must be a process of doubting. 2. a skeptical or doubting attitude or state of mind. 3. doubt or disbelief with regard to the doctrines of Christianity.” (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, p. 1700) Skepticism: “1. the philosophical doctrine that truth of all knowledge must always be in question and that inquiry must be a process of doubting. 2. a skeptical or doubting attitude or state of mind. 3. doubt or disbelief with regard to the doctrines of Christianity.” (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, p. 1700)

3. Skeptic: “1. a member of any of the ancient Greek philosophical schools which denied the possibility of real knowledge of any kind. 2. a person who believes in or practices philosophical skepticism. 3. a person who habitually doubts, questions, or suspends judgement upon matters generally accepted. 4. a person who doubts religious doctrines, especially those of Christianity.” (Webster, p. 1700) “1. a member of any of the ancient Greek philosophical schools which denied the possibility of real knowledge of any kind. 2. a person who believes in or practices philosophical skepticism. 3. a person who habitually doubts, questions, or suspends judgement upon matters generally accepted. 4. a person who doubts religious doctrines, especially those of Christianity.” (Webster, p. 1700)

4. Examples of skepticism Skeptics have tried to explain away the miraculous in Bible accounts of -- The parting of the Red Sea The parting of the Red Sea The long day of Josh. 10:12 The long day of Josh. 10:12 Jonah in the belly of the fish Jonah in the belly of the fish The miracles of Christ and his disciples The miracles of Christ and his disciples The resurrection of Christ, etc. The resurrection of Christ, etc. The parting of the Red Sea The parting of the Red Sea The long day of Josh. 10:12 The long day of Josh. 10:12 Jonah in the belly of the fish Jonah in the belly of the fish The miracles of Christ and his disciples The miracles of Christ and his disciples The resurrection of Christ, etc. The resurrection of Christ, etc.

5. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34 A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34 “1. the philosophical doctrine that truth of all knowledge must always be in question and that inquiry must be a process of doubting. 2. a skeptical or doubting attitude or state of mind. 3. doubt or disbelief with regard to the doctrines of Christianity.” (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, p. 1700) “1. the philosophical doctrine that truth of all knowledge must always be in question and that inquiry must be a process of doubting. 2. a skeptical or doubting attitude or state of mind. 3. doubt or disbelief with regard to the doctrines of Christianity.” (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, p. 1700)

6. “In the 1940s, designers of the early mainframe computer insisted that there would never be a market for the device among consumers, because computers were too large and complicated to be operated by the average person. They predicted that 5 or 10 computers easily could meet the country ’s needs for the foreseeable future. It took young visionaries like Steve Jobs, Steve Woz- niak, and Bill Gates to see beyond this and make the changes that have put personal computers in virtually every home and office.” (Christine Cos- grove and Phyllis Orrick, “The Future that Never Was,” TR News, 235, Nov.-Dec. 2004, http://trb.org/ publications/trnews/trnews235future.pdf)

7. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34 A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34

8. LAWS HOLD THE PLANETS IN ORBIT LAW EVIDENCES A LAWGIVER A LAWGIVER MUST BE EXISTING

9. Some Comments on the Creation: "Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance. The motions of the planets require a divine arm to impress them." (Isaac Newton) Some Comments on the Creation: "Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance. The motions of the planets require a divine arm to impress them." (Isaac Newton) "A pair of pliers, a chain saw or even a missile guidance system doesn't approach the lowliest parasitic worm in internal complexities. The human-made world is not nearly as intricate as the natural world." (Science Digest, April, 1981, p.18, via W.Jackson, Christian Courier, v. 17, #1, p. 3)

10. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 “to set one’s heart upon, to have a desire for, long for; to lust after, covet” (Thayer, p. 238) Lust: “to set one’s heart upon, to have a desire for, long for; to lust after, covet” (Thayer, p. 238)

11. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. 5:11-12 5:11-12 C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. 5:11-12 5:11-12 D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7).

12. The Writings of Moses “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

13. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

14. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

15. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites Sargon The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites Sargon “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

16. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

17. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The House of David The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The House of David “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

18. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The House of David Politarchs The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The House of David Politarchs “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

19. The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The House of David Politarchs The Gospel of John The Writings of Moses Sodom and Gomorrah The Hittites SargonBelshazzar The House of David Politarchs The Gospel of John “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7) “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7)

20. The Skeptic’s Approach: “When an inscription follows a known structure or linguistic usage, it is said to be a forgery; when it deviates from the know structure or linguistic usage, by the same token, it is said to be forgery. When an inscrip- tion parallels a Biblical passage, it is said to be forgery; when it deviates, the forger is said to have made an error, thus unmasking his forgery. Either way, it’s a forgery.” (Hershel Shanks, Biblical Archaeology Review, vol. 30, #5, pp. 10- 11) 2 Thes. 3:2

21. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. 5:11-12 5:11-12 C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. 5:11-12 5:11-12 D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS

22. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS A. That life came from non-life A. That life came from non-life B. In uniformitarianism B. In uniformitarianism C. In higher criticism of the Bible C. In higher criticism of the Bible D. In human authority in religion D. In human authority in religion A. That life came from non-life A. That life came from non-life B. In uniformitarianism B. In uniformitarianism C. In higher criticism of the Bible C. In higher criticism of the Bible D. In human authority in religion D. In human authority in religion

23. “The miracles are divided into the following classes: exorcisms, cures of diseases, nature miracles. The last-named are the most difficult to explain, and the modernist sometimes finds that ‘it is necessary to question the literal accuracy of the narrative.’ But we ask, if ‘the literal accuracy,’ or as it is also stated, ‘the historicity of these narratives,’ is ‘questioned,’ which means denied, what have we left? Only what the questioner may offer us. What the inspired writer recorded is taken from us, what the ‘modern mind’ thinks is substituted.” (R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel, p. 381, emphasis in original)

24. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS A. That life came from non-life A. That life came from non-life B. In uniformitarianism B. In uniformitarianism C. In higher criticism of the Bible C. In higher criticism of the Bible D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 A. That life came from non-life A. That life came from non-life B. In uniformitarianism B. In uniformitarianism C. In higher criticism of the Bible C. In higher criticism of the Bible D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23

25. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS III. OUR REACTION TO SKEPTICISM A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough

26. Recognizing when I have said enough: When inquirer asks foolish, pointless questions, 2 Tim. 2:23 When inquirer asks foolish, pointless questions, 2 Tim. 2:23 When the inquirer is not interested in my well-being, 2 Tim. 3:1-5 When the inquirer is not interested in my well-being, 2 Tim. 3:1-5 When he has nothing of a constructive or positive nature to offer, Lk. 11:53-54 When he has nothing of a constructive or positive nature to offer, Lk. 11:53-54 When his past fruits show it is pointless to answer him, Matt. 7:6 When his past fruits show it is pointless to answer him, Matt. 7:6 When inquirer asks foolish, pointless questions, 2 Tim. 2:23 When inquirer asks foolish, pointless questions, 2 Tim. 2:23 When the inquirer is not interested in my well-being, 2 Tim. 3:1-5 When the inquirer is not interested in my well-being, 2 Tim. 3:1-5 When he has nothing of a constructive or positive nature to offer, Lk. 11:53-54 When he has nothing of a constructive or positive nature to offer, Lk. 11:53-54 When his past fruits show it is pointless to answer him, Matt. 7:6 When his past fruits show it is pointless to answer him, Matt. 7:6

27. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS III. OUR REACTION TO SKEPTICISM A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14 D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14 D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14

28. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 A. Intellectual doubt, Ex. 3:11; 1 Cor. 15:35; Rom. 11:33-34; Rom. 1:20 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 B. Moral doubt, 2 Pet. 3:3; Matt. 5:28; Rom. 7:7 C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. 5:11-12 5:11-12 C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. C. Doubt based on pride, Ps. 10:4,11,13; 2 Kgs. 5:11-12 5:11-12 D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the D. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7).

29. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS A. That life came from non-life A. That life came from non-life B. In uniformitarianism B. In uniformitarianism C. In higher criticism of the Bible C. In higher criticism of the Bible D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 A. That life came from non-life A. That life came from non-life B. In uniformitarianism B. In uniformitarianism C. In higher criticism of the Bible C. In higher criticism of the Bible D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23 D. In human authority in religion, Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23

30. SKEPTICISM I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY IS BEHIND SKEPTICISM? II. THE “FAITH” OF MANY SKEPTICS III. OUR REACTION TO SKEPTICISM A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14 D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 A. Arm ourselves with evidences, Rom. 1:20; Ps. 19:1 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 B. “Without faith it impossible to be well-pleasing unto him,” Heb. 11:6; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. C. Recognizing when I’ve said enough. D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14 D. Maintain faith in the midst of doubt, Acts 27:20- 25; Rom. 4:18; Matt. 7:13,14