The Apologetics Study Bible, Digital Edition based on The Apologetics Study Bible Copyright © 2007 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All Rights Reserved. Holman Christian Standard Bible® Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. The text of the Holman Christian Standard Bible may be quoted in any form (written, visual, electronic, or audio) up to and inclusive of two hundred fifty (250) verses without the written permission of the publisher, provided that the verses quoted do not account for more than 20 percent of the work in which they are quoted, and provided that a complete book of the Bible is not quoted. When the Holman Christian Standard Bible is quoted, one of the following credit lines must appear on the copyright page or title page of the work: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Produced with the assistance of The Livingstone Corporation (www.Livingstonecorp.com). Copyedited by Richard Leonard and Eric Stanford. Project staff includes Linda Taylor, Bruce Barton, Jonathan Ziman, Andy Culbertson, Ashley Taylor, Mary Horner Collins, Will Reaves, Jake Barton, and Don Jones. Interior design by Larry Taylor. Typeset by Red Wing Typesetting. Proofreading by Peachtree Editorial and Proofreading Service. Charts by Doug Powell. P REFACE The editors of the work in your hands are aware of the rich resources of the Christian faith. All too often, though, believers feel battered and helpless to answer skeptics and critics. Ironically, the Lord has been pleased to entrust the scholars of the church in our generation with the greatest wealth of biblical, theological, philosophical, historical, and scientific knowledge in history. Christian conviction, defense of the faith, and evangelization of unbelievers would profit vastly through exposure to this confirmation of biblical truth. Yet sadly, the church has had precious little contact with this treasure trove. In response to this situation, The Apologetics Study Bible brings together in one resource the work of biblically faithful exegetes, historians, archaeologists, theologians, philosophers, and scientists—and all this work is wedded to the Bible. “Apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, meaning “defense” or “answer.” Accordingly, Christian apologetics is the practice of giving reasons that support the Christian faith and responding to objections raised against it. Apologetics contributes to the restoration of a view of the Bible as a source of knowledge of its subject matter as opposed to a source of true belief to be accepted by a blind act of the will. Christian apologetics strengthens the church by answering the critics of biblical doctrines and by encouraging the believer’s faith. The Apologetics Study Bible is designed to advance these ends by apologetics rooted in Holy Scripture. The distinctiveness of The Apologetics Study Bible is its notes and articles appended to the biblical text at relevant points. Notes consist of commentary written by biblical scholars that relate specifically to apologetic issues raised by scriptural texts. Also related to specific biblical texts are over 50 examples of “Twisted Scripture.” These explanations treat those instances where portions of the Bible have been misused by various religious movements such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. You will find 12 profiles of notable Christian apologists in history. In addition, over 125 articles treat broader apologetic matters such as “How should we handle unresolved questions about the Bible?” and “Evolution: fact or fantasy?” Though the notes and articles are not written for academicians, you can be confident they distill and present the very best of current Christian scholarship. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, our apologetic must be prayerfully presented, having set Christ apart as Lord in our hearts. Also, we must present our reasons for belief with gentleness and respect. So, to be most fruitful, our defense of the Christian faith must be offered under Christ’s Lordship, in humble dependence upon His Spirit, and in the context of loving and respectful personal relationships. May it please the Lord, then, to exploit The Apologetics Study Bible in the service of His people’s promotion and confirmation of the truth of His Word. The Editors B B C OOKS OF THE IBLE AND ONTRIBUTORS Old Testament Genesis Introduction: Kenneth A. Mathews Notes: Chapters 1–11: Kenneth A. Mathews Chapters 12–50: A. Boyd Luter Jr. Exodus Introduction and Notes: Robert D. Bergen Leviticus Introduction and Notes: Mark F. Rooker Numbers Introduction and Notes: R. Dennis Cole Deuteronomy Introduction and Notes: Eugene H. Merrill Joshua Introduction and Notes: Ken Fentress Judges Introduction and Notes: Barry C. Davis Ruth Introduction and Notes: Barry C. Davis 1 Samuel Introduction and Notes: Robert D. Bergen 2 Samuel Introduction and Notes: Robert D. Bergen 1 Kings Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery 2 Kings Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery 1 Chronicles Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery 2 Chronicles Introduction and Notes: Kirk E. Lowery Ezra Introduction and Notes: Barrett Duke Nehemiah Introduction and Notes: Barrett Duke Esther Introduction and Notes: Barrett Duke Job Introduction and Notes: Richard D. Patterson Psalms (s) Introduction and Notes: Allen P. Ross Proverbs Introduction and Notes: Edward M. Curtis Ecclesiastes Introduction and Notes: Duane A. Garrett Song of Songs Introduction and Notes: Sheri L. Klouda Isaiah Introduction and Notes: Gary Smith Jeremiah Introduction and Notes: David K. Stabnow Lamentations Introduction and Notes: David K. Stabnow Ezekiel Introduction and Notes: Lamar E. Cooper, Sr. Daniel Introduction and Notes: Stephen R. Miller Hosea Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Joel Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Amos Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Obadiah Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Jonah Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Micah Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Nahum Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Habakkuk Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Zephaniah Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Haggai Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Zechariah Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley Malachi Introduction and Notes: Thomas J. Finley New Testament Matthew Introduction and Notes: Alan Hultberg Mark Introduction and Notes: Alan Hultberg Luke Introduction and Notes: Alan Hultberg John Introduction and Notes: Craig L. Blomberg Acts Introduction and Notes: Stanley E. Porter Romans Introduction and Notes: William W. Klein 1 Corinthians Introduction and Notes: Paul W. Barnett 2 Corinthians Introduction and Notes: Paul W. Barnett Galatians Introduction and Notes: Walter Russell Ephesians Introduction and Notes: William W. Klein Philippians Introduction and Notes: Richard R. Melick Colossians Introduction and Notes: Clinton E. Arnold 1 Thessalonians Introduction and Notes: Michael W. Holmes 2 Thessalonians Introduction and Notes: Michael W. Holmes 1 Timothy Introduction and Notes: Charles L. Quarles 2 Timothy Introduction and Notes: Charles L. Quarles Titus Introduction and Notes: Charles L. Quarles Philemon Introduction and Notes: Clinton E. Arnold Hebrews Introduction and Notes: Terry L. Wilder James Introduction and Notes: Terry L. Wilder 1 Peter Introduction and Notes: Thomas R. Schreiner 2 Peter Introduction and Notes: Thomas R. Schreiner 1 John Introduction and Notes: Daniel L. Akin 2 John Introduction and Notes: Daniel L. Akin 3 John Introduction and Notes: Daniel L. Akin Jude Introduction and Notes: Thomas R. Schreiner Revelation Introduction and Notes: A. Boyd Luter Jr. ADDITIONAL FEATURES Articles Contributors Introduction to the Holman Christian Standard Bible Commonly Used Abbreviations in the HCSB HCSB Bullet Notes Charts and Maps Plan of Salvation What Is Apologetics? How Apologetics Changed My Life Christ: The Fulfillment of Prophecy Writing History—Then and Now Numbers in the Bible The Chronology of the Kings of Judah and Israel Annotated Bibliography In Apologetics, Religious Pluralism, And New Religious Movements C ONTRIBUTORS † Deceased Daniel L. Akin, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Introduction and Notes: 1, 2, 3 John Clinton E. Arnold, Talbot School of Theology, “Can We Still Believe in Demons Today?”, Introductions and Notes: Colossians, Philemon Paul W. Barnett, Macquarie University, Introduction and Notes: 1, 2 Corinthians Robert D. Bergen, Hannibal LaGrange College, Introduction and Notes: Exodus, 1, 2 Samuel Daniel I. Block, Wheaton College, “Who Wrote the Pentateuch and When Was It Written?” Craig L. Blomberg, Denver Seminary, Introduction and Notes: Gospel of John John A. Bloom, Biola University, “How Can Modern Medicine Relate to the Old Testament?” Douglas K. Blount, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, “The Trinity: Is It Possible That God Be Both One and Three?” Kenneth D. Boa, Reflections Ministries, “What Is Apologetics?” Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary, “Is the New Testament Trustworthy?” Robert M. Bowman Jr., North American Mission Board, SBC, “Are the Teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses Compatible with the Bible?” Walter L. Bradley, Baylor University, “Does Science Support the Bible?” Chad Owen Brand, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Can a Christian Have Assurance of Salvation?” “Does the Bible Teach That There Is a Purgatory?” “How Can Jesus’ Death Bring Forgiveness?” “Intellectuals Who Found God,” “Is God a Male?” “Is Mormonism Compatible with the Bible?” “What About Those Who Have Never Heard About Christ?” Comparison of New Religious Movements Chart, Comparison of World Religions Chart Ted Cabal, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Are the Days of Genesis to Be Interpreted Literally?” “How Should a Christian Relate to the New Age Movement?” “How Should a Christian Understand the Age of the Earth Controversy?” Biographical Sketches Notable Christian Apologists: Anselm, Athanasius, Augustine, Joseph Butler, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, C. S. Lewis, Origen, William Paley, and Blaise Pascal. Nigel Cameron, The Wilberforce Forum, “What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?” “What Does the Bible Say About Euthanasia?” Ergun Mehmet Caner, Liberty Theological Seminary, “How Is Jihad Understood in Islam?” “Is Allah Identical to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ?” David K. Clark, Bethel Theological Seminary, “Is Logic Arbitrary?” E. Ray Clendenen, B&H Publishing Group, “Can Biblical Chronology Be Trusted?” “Did Those Places Really Exist?” “Does the Old Testament Teach Salvation by Works?” “The Uniqueness of Israel’s Religion” John Coe, Talbot School of Theology, “Is Psychology Biblical?” R. Dennis Cole, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Introduction and Notes: Numbers C. John Collins, Covenant Theological Seminary, “Can God’s Actions Be Detected Scientifically?” Charles Colson, Prison Fellowship, “How Should a Christian Relate to Culture?” “How Should a Christian Understand the Role of Government?” Lamar E. Cooper, Sr., The Criswell College, Introduction and Notes: Ezekiel Paul Copan, Palm Beach Atlantic University, “Can Something Be True for You and Not for Me?” “Does the Bible Teach Reincarnation?” “Does the Moral Argument Show There Is a God?” “Does the New Testament Misquote the Old Testament?” “Don’t Religious Beliefs Just Reflect Where One Was Raised?” “How Should We Handle Unresolved Questions About the Bible?” “If God Made the Universe, Who Made God?” “Isn’t Christianity Intolerant?” “Isn’t That Just Your Interpretation?” “What Is Natural Law?” “Who Are You to Judge Others?” “Why Would a Good God Send People to an Everlasting Hell?”, Chart comparing Naturalism vs. Theism Winfried Corduan, Taylor University, “How Does Christianity Relate to Other Eastern Religions?” William Lane Craig, Talbot School of Theology, “Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?” “How Can the Bible Affirm Both Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom?” “What About Those Who Have Never Heard About Christ?” Edward M. Curtis, Talbot School of Theology, Introduction and Notes: Proverbs Barry C. Davis, Multnomah Biblical Seminary, Introduction and Notes: Judges, Ruth William A. Dembski, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Does the Design Argument Show There Is a God?” Garrett DeWeese, Talbot School of Theology, “How Can We Know Anything at All?” Charles Draper, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Why So Many Denominations?” Barrett Duke, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, SBC, Introductions and Notes: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Mark Durie, University of Melbourne, “What Did Jesus Have to Do with Violence?” Paul D. Feinberg †, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, “Does the Bible Contain Errors?” Ken Fentress, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Introduction and Notes: Joshua Thomas J. Finley, Talbot School of Theology, Introductions and Notes: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi John M. Frame, Reformed Theological Seminary, “Does the Bible Affirm Open Theism?” Biographical Sketches Notable Christian Apologist: Cornelius Van Til Gregory E. Ganssle, Yale University, “How Can God Have All Power and Be Loving and Yet There Be Evil?” Duane A. Garrett, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Introduction and Notes: Ecclesiastes Norman L. Geisler, Southern Evangelical Seminary, “Does the Bible Support a Just War?” “Has the Bible Been Accurately Copied Through the Centuries?” “How Can We Know the Bible Includes the Correct Books?” R. Douglas Geivett, Talbot School of Theology, “Can Religious Experience Show That There Is a God?” Alan W. Gomes, Talbot School of Theology, “How Should a Christian Relate to Those in Non-Christian Movements and Religions?” Leonard G. Goss, B&H Publishing Group, “What Are Common Characteristics of the New Religious Movements?” “What Is the Occult?” Douglas R. Groothuis, Denver Seminary, “How Does Christianity Relate to the Baha’i Faith?” “How Should a Christian Understand Postmodernism?”, Annotated Bibliography Gary R. Habermas, Liberty University, “Are Biblical Miracles Imitations of Pagan Myths?” “Are Jesus’ Claims Unique Among the Religions of the World?” “Can Naturalistic Theories Account for the Resurrection?” “Does the Disciples’ Conviction That They Saw the Risen Jesus Establish the Truth of the Resurrection?” “How Does the Holy Spirit Relate to Evidence for Christianity?” “How Is the Transformation of Jesus’ Disciples Different from Other Religious Transformations?” “How Should a Christian Deal with Doubt?” “How Should We Treat New Challenges to the Christian Faith?” “What Should a Christian Think About Near-death Experiences?” Hank Hanegraaff, Christian Research Institute, “Is There Evidence for Life After Death?” Craig J. Hazen, Biola University, “Aren’t All Religions Basically the Same?” Larry R. Helyer, Taylor University, “How Does the Bible Relate to Judaism?” Michael W. Holmes, Bethel University, Introduction and Notes: 1, 2 Thessalonians David A. Horner, Talbot School of Theology, “Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder?” Biographical Sketch Article Notable Christian Apologist: Thomas Aquinas Jeremy Royal Howard, B & H Publishing Group, “Does the ‘New Physics’ Conflict with Christianity?” Alan Hultberg, Talbot School of Theology, Introductions and Notes: Matthew, Mark, Luke Sharon James, Author, “Does the Bible Demean Women?” Phillip E. Johnson, The University of California, Berkeley, “Evolution: Fact or Fantasy?” Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, “How Has Archaeology Corroborated the Bible?” “Is the Old Testament Trustworthy?” Mark A. Kalthoff, Hillsdale College, “Didn’t the Church Oppose Galileo?” D. James Kennedy, Coral Ridge Ministries, “Christ: The Fulfillment of Prophecy” William W. Klein, Denver Seminary, Introduction and Notes: Romans, Ephesians Sheri L. Klouda, Taylor University, Introduction and Notes: Song of Songs Steve W. Lemke, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, “Does the Bible Affirm That Animals Have Rights?” “Does the Bible Teach the Abuse of Nature?” Gordon R. Lewis, Denver Seminary, “What Does It Mean That God Inspired the Bible?” “What Is Divine Revelation?” Kirk E. Lowery, Westminster Theological Seminary, “The Chronology of the Kings of Israel and Judah”, “Numbers in the Bible”, “Writing History—Then and Now”, Introductions and Notes: 1, 2 Kings and 1, 2 Chronicles A. Boyd Luter Jr., Liberty Theological Seminary, Notes: Genesis 12–50, Introduction and Notes: Revelation