Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Prophecies in the Bible don't prove that it is correct

Most creationists use the supposed fulfilled prophecies in the Bible to "prove" that it is the Word of God. Here is a sample. I will add comments.

“Professor Peter W. Stoner who authored ‘Science Speaks’ stated that the probability of just eight particular prophecies being fulfilled in one person is 1 in 1017, i.e. 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000). The eight prophecies used in the calculation were:

1. Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; fulfilled in Matt. 2:1-7; John 7:42; Luke 2:47).

This is most certainly unfulfilled. Matthew and Luke contain unreconcilable chronological problems.

2. Messiah is to be preceded by a Messenger (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; fulfilled in Matthew 3:1-3; 11:10; John 1:23; Luke 1:17).

Fulfilled only in the Bible. There is no independent confirmation.

3. Messiah is to enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; fulfilled in Luke 35-37; Matthew 21:6-11).

This prophecy is self-fulfilling. If Jesus or the disciples knew about this prophecy the odds of it being fulfilled are 100%.

4. Messiah is to be betrayed by a friend (Psalms 41:9; 55:12-14; fulfilled in Matthew 10:4; 26:49-50; John 13:21).

Not confirmed outside of the Bible. This could also be considered a self-fulfilling prophecy. The non-canonical Book of Judas basically gives the story that Judas was asked by Jesus to betray him.

5. Messiah is to be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; fulfilled in Matthew 26:15; 27:3).

Not c0nfirmed outside of the Bible.

6. The money for which Messiah is sold is to be thrown “to the potter” in God’s house (Zechariah 11:13; fulfilled in Matthew 27:5-7).

Not confirmed outside of the Bible.

7. Messiah is to be silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; fulfilled in Matthew 27:12).

Self-fulfilling. If Jesus knew about this prophecy it would be a certainty that he would not say anything.

8. Messiah is to be executed by crucifixion as a thief (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 53:5,12; fulfilled in Luke 23:33; John 20:25; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27,28).

This is the single prophecy most likely to be true, but it is still not confirmed outside of the Bible. It could even be the case, though a bit unlikely, that Jesus did things that insured that he would be crucified.

In summary: the odds of these "proohecies" being fulfilled are close to 100%.

No comments:

Post a Comment