Henry Morris - Many Infallible Proofs: Evidence for the Christian Faith

First printing, 1974

First printing, November 2021, revised and

expanded edition

Copyright 1974, 1996, 2021 by Henry M. Morris and Master Books. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, broadcast, stored, or shared in any form whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. For information write:

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ISBN: 978-1-68344-293-6

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The first edition of Many Infallible Proofs was published in 1974, and has been widely used as both a textbook and reference book, and also for general devotional study. Since the book still seems to be in much demand, I finally decided it should be updated and then augmented with short chapters on the cults and the so-called New Age movement, both of which have greatly expanded their influence in the past two decades or more.

Most of the great evidences of the truth of Christianity are timeless. Such topics as the evidence for inspiration of the Bible, the evidence for the deity of Christ, the testimony of fulfilled prophecy, the argument for the existence of the God of the Bible, and other such evidences are much the same as always, so chapters in the book on topics such as these have required little change.

However, since "science" is very ephemeral in its argu- ments and pronouncements, those chapters dealing with creation and earth history did need updating. Actually, the evidence for special creation and the worldwide Flood seems to become stronger every year, with each new scientific discovery. The same is true with the latter-day prophecies of the Bible. Changes in this second edition, therefore, apply primarily to those chapters dealing with these great themes. In addition, as noted above, two new chapters have been added.

The manuscript for the first edition had been reviewed and improved by two long-time friends and distinguished theologians, Dr. John Whitcomb and Dr. Charles Ryrie. This new edition has been reviewed with all its changes by my son and co-author, Dr. Henry Morris III, who has both the D.Min. degree and an MBA, as well as much experience in the pastorate and college teaching, and also in the business world. In addition, he has been the primary author of the two new chapters on the pseudo-Christian and New Age cults. He also has taught a number of courses on Christian evidences and has authored two Bible study books of his own.

It is our prayer that the Lord will use this new edition of Many Infallible Proofs not only to strengthen the faith and testimony of Christians, but also to help many sincere searchers to come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian faith is under tremendous attack in these latter days, and people need the Lord more urgently than ever before. We trust that God will use this book to answer their questions and bring solid Christian love and stability to their lives.

I wish also to thank my daughter, Mrs. Mary Ruth Smith, B.S., for her very efficient work in typing and editing the entire revised manuscript.

Henry M. Morris (19182006)

Institute for Creation Research

Chapter I

Why Study Christian
Evidences?

Introduction

The purpose of this book is to survey in systematic and comprehensive fashion the "many infallible proofs" of the unique truth and authority of biblical Christianity, together with a refutation of its alleged fallacies and a reconciliation of its alleged discrepancies. It will be seen that, not only is there no mistake or contradiction in the Bible, but also there are innumerable evidences of its divine inspiration and authority. Not only are there no legitimate objections to a true Christian theology, but rather there are overwhelming evidences that Christianity is uniquely and completely true.

As a matter of fact, the entire subject of evidences is almost exclusively the domain of Christian evidences. Other religions depend on subjective experience and blind faith, tradition and opinion. Christianity stands or falls upon the objective reality of gigantic supernatural events in history and the evidences that they really happened. This fact in itself is an evidence of its truth.

Definitions

The terms "apologetics" and "evidences," as they relate to the Christian faith, are often used more or less interchangeably. In the formal sense, however, the first is the broader of the two terms as understood by theologians. Apologetics involves the systematic scientific defense of the Christian faith in all its aspects against the intellectual attacks of its adversaries. There are various philosophical systems of apologetics, each attempting to build a logical defense of Christianity upon its own specific or implied presuppositions.

That aspect of apologetics which is more positive and objective, setting forth concrete reasons for accepting the Bible as God's word and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is what is commonly understood as the field of Christian evidences.

This book does not deal with the various systems of philosophical apologetics. These are important in theological studies, especially at the seminary level, but our concern here is with practical and factual evidences supporting the Bible and the Christian faith. This approach should produce at least three very important and practical results.

1.It will confirm and solidify the faith of those who read it, enabling them to withstand the attacks of both rationalistic and irrationalistic unbelief.

2.It should prepare them to witness more knowledgeably and effectively to people of the present generation, influenced as they have been with the pervasive at- titudes of skepticism and unbelief that are so char- acteristic today.

3.It will equip them to maintain a clear and uncom- promising stand on the full integrity of God and His Word under all circumstances, despite the pressures of modern life.

Reasons for Studying Christian Evidences

Many people in professedly Christian circles today advocate an almost completely subjective approach to the discovery of Christian truth. Believing that the Bible is not really reliable in its traditional literal and historical sense, they feel the religious experience must be realized either through some sort of subjective "encounter" with Christ or else through involvement in social action movements. The emphasis is on "relevance" and "fulfillment," rather than truth.

Nevertheless, paraphrasing C.S. Lewis, the only really important question is not whether it works, but whether it's true! The criteria of feeling and personal satisfaction are highly unreliable as indices of truth. There are many false systems of belief (e.g., Christian Science, Spiritism, Buddhism, etc. even Communism!) whose adherents often profess to have found real peace and satisfaction through submission to them, but this fact hardly proves that all such diverse and contradictory systems are therefore true!