This article is the first in a series of articles that present the ideas of my print-on-demand book, “The Fourth Day: Why the Bible is Historically Accurate”.

When I was college student, I was introduced to the concept of biblical inerrancy. My pastor, Al Jackson of Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama, drove the point home that the Word of God, the Bible, was “God-breathed”. He explained that since the Bible was “God-breathed” it was created in the same manner as Adam when God breathed life into man in the book of Genesis. The Bible was designed, just like man was at creation, when God instructed over forty authors exactly what to write. The Bible was designed in the sense that the whole book’s purpose is the revelation of the messiah of mankind, Jesus Christ. The Bible points to Christ in very direct ways by giving the specific characteristics of his human life. The prophecies of the Old Testament indicated he would be born in Bethlehem, through the line of Jesse, and by a virgin. The spiritual aspects of Christ are alluded to in the symbols of the atonement sacrifices where animals were put on an altar and then sprinkled with salt, a symbol of eternity, to represent the once-and-for-all sacrifice that the Son of God would make on a cross one day. God coordinated all this information to point to Christ, God’s plan for man’s salvation.

Since the time that my pastor explained these things to me I have taken them to heart and I have studied the Bible with the attitude that the Bible is historically correct as well as spiritually correct. Conservative Christians have adopted this philosophy in every subject covered in the Bible except for one, chronology. Chronology, the study of the historical timeline, has been a subject where it seems the Christian community has conceded defeat. For whatever reason, Christians in the modern era have sought compromise with scholars, many of whom are downright antagonistic to Christian beliefs, so that the timeline of the Bible would have the stamp of authenticity from historians.

An article in Biblical Archaelogy Review effectively demonstrates the level of Biblical antagonism that archeological community can exhibit. Consider an excerpt from the opening paragraph of an article entitled Minimalists on Parade (Biblical Archaeology Review, Jan/Feb 2005, Vol 31, No. 1, Page 16-17): “At a recent conference on reconstructing Israelite history held in Rome, the so-called Biblical minimalist position was upheld by a number of prominent scholars. This position is not monolithic, however, and different minimalist scholars stressed different arguments. Among them:

* The Bible cannot be used as a historical source. [The position that defines a Biblical minimalist.]

* Neither can archaeology, which can only tell us whether ancient Israelites ate from a bowl 20 or 30 centimeters wide. A history of Israel based on archaeology is useless.

* There was no Exodus.

* The famous Tel Dan inscription mentioning David, excavated by Israeli archaeologist Avraham Biran, is probably a forgery; and the Hebrew words in the inscription that read “House [Dynasty] of David” probably mean something else.

* David and Solomon are only symbolic characters, not real characters.

* The Biblical accounts of the United Kingdom of Judah and Israel under David and Solomon are simply later projections into a distant mythic past.

* Judah did not even become a state until about a hundred years after David-if he lived.” One scholar mentioned in this article, Giovanni Garbini of the Universita’ di Roma La Sapienza, makes a particularly provocative comment in this article: “The name Jacob “is clearly an artificial creation of post-exilic age [after the Babylonian Exile]. It was not Jacob who became Israel, but Israel who became Jacob…”. These minimalists, who appear to represent the majority of the archaeological community, don’t regard the Bible as historically accurate. Among their objections: they don’t believe that David, Solomon or Jacob existed and don’t believe the Exodus ever occurred. These positions are as idealogically opposed to the conservative Christian view of the Bible as one can image. So why should we (Christians) seek the counsel of this group in the understanding of such a precious concept as the historical timeline of the Bible? Yet this is what has happened.

Here’s another problem with relying on the scientific community to authenticate the Bible: they have “rational” blinders on. Scientists that have no faith in Christ are limited in their ability to investigate because they assume that certain phenomena are impossible even before the investigation has begun. Since they consider themselves to be “rational” scientists the assumption that an “irrational” event has occurred is implausible. The scientific method basically allows anyone to make an assumption (any assumption), conduct research of known facts or run an experiment and use the research and/or the experiment to validate the assumption. These “rational” scientists when confronted with an “irrational” assumption simply leap over the research and experimental process and declare that the assumption in invalid because they have assumed the “irrational” assumption is just not possible. So why do these “rational” scientists behave this way? Well, consider the following possibility. Let’s say that an “irrational” event is assumed and information is collected or an experiment is performed to confirm its validity. Let’s say that the irrational event has been validated. What would be the response of the “rational” scientist? More than likely, complete denial. Such an outcome would create complete chaos in his philosophy since his “rational” method of investigation, the scientific method, would have been used to prove that an “irrational” event was possible. So what is an “irrational” event? It is just another way of saying a supernatural event, one that is beyond our understanding. Can the scientific process be used to validate an “irrational” event? Jesus Christ thought so. Jesus was explaining this idea of being “born again” to a Pharisee named Nicodemus in the New Testament (John 3:8): “The wind blows where it wishes, and you here its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus was clearly confused by this concept of being “born again” but Jesus was saying that even if you didn’t comprehend or believe this supernatural phenomenon could occur, just like something as intangible as the wind, there would be tangible evidence of it.

Certainly not all scientists believe in this manner, but the great majority of them do. How many of these scientists will view the Bible with no preconceived notions? When these scientists read in the Bible that the Earth was created in seven days they will not consider this as true because they have been trained that the universe is billions of years old. When these scientists read that a man lived to be 969 years old in the Bible they dismiss it as myth or fairy tale because men don’t currently live to be that old. They will not consider the possibility that at one time in history men did live that long. When these men read the account of Noah and a worldwide flood they have always attributed it to “local” flooding. This may have some ring of truth to it since until that time, according to the Bible, the world was one big land mass (the world was all in one place, i.e., local). According to the Bible the continents didn’t divide until the life of Peleg, a descendant of Noah. Again, the scientists certainly are not going to agree with this theory of the land mass shift because they will insist that this geological process needed millions of years to accommodate the movement of the continental land masses. Since these archeologists disagree with Christians in so many fundamental matters described in the Bible how will we ever reach an agreement on a historical timeline?

The present chronological model of the Bible is
based on a mixture of Biblical truth and theoretical historical models. I believe it is time that we consider a new approach to Biblical chronology. The model I propose is based solely on the information in the Bible. If the Bible is true then historians will confirm the result of the theologians (assuming the theologians have interpreted the Bible correctly). Why should God’s Word have to be authenticated by men? If the Bible is truly trustworthy the truth of the Bible should be laid out for men to see and respond to its truth. In 1995 David Rohl, an Egyptologist, wrote his book A Test in Time to propose a radically different theory in chronology. He proposed a timeline that was based on some Biblical evidence. In fact, Rohl’s proposed date of Solomon’s reign is consistent with the timeline developed from my literal interpretation of the Bible. What is even more amazing about David Rohl is that he is described among archaeologists as a maximalist, someone who believes the Bible is historically accurate, yet he characterizes himself as a spiritual “agnostic”. If David Rohl is a maximalist then I am a “maximum” maximalist, someone significantly to the right of David Rohl’s view since I believe that the Bible is historically accurate and indeed the very word of God as it claims to be. Therefore I believe my perspective on the chronology of the Bible is unlike anything you have ever heard before.

The purpose of my book, “The Fourth Day: Why the Bible is Historically Accurate”, was to prove a biblical concept that I believe will synchronize the events recorded in the Bible with Egyptian history, Babylonian history, Persian history and Archaeology. The recognition of this concept will allow the reader to tie together all these areas of study in one neat package so that when viewed together there is no discrepancy between the Bible and these other elements of ancient history. The recognition of this concept will also illustrate that the Bible is not only a trustworthy religious document but a trustworthy historical document because of its chronological precision. First, assume that from the beginning of creation to the end of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ is a period of 7000 years; a time period analogous to the 7 day period of creation of the world mentioned in the book of Genesis. Next, recognize that the sacrifice of the Passover lamb in the Old Testament is symbolic of the fact that Jesus Christ was crucified exactly 4000 years after the creation of the world. According to the Mosaic Law each family that observed Passover was to purchase a lamb 4 days prior to the day of Passover and that lamb was to live in that household until the late afternoon of the day when the Israelite priest had to sacrifice the lamb and it was to be accomplished by nightfall. I believe these 4 days were God’s way of illustrating that the lamb of God, Jesus Christ, would be sacrificed on a cross 4000 years after the creation of the world. Therefore, symbolically and in actuality, Jesus Christ was sacrificed on the fourth day.

When you recognize this concept to be true, several significant conclusions regarding history become evident. The Israelite Monarchies of David and Solomon occurred about 180 years later than held by historians. The period of the Persian Empire from Cyrus the Great’s announcement of the rebuilding of Jerusalem until Alexander the Great’s invasion lasted only 21 years (not the approximately 200 year period currently held by historians). Egypt did not have a king (a Pharaoh) for 300 years between the 20th and 21st dynasties. I support these conclusions using the Bible, Astronomy, Archaeology, the writings of ancient historians and the monuments of ancient kings.

In the next installment of this series of articles I will address one of the most provocative discoveries of this approach to history; the discovery that the Persian Empire described in the book of Daniel only lasted for 21 years and not the 200 years claimed by historians.

Often, many of us face trials and tribulations in life that we do not deal with in a positive light. The stress of our jobs, various family issues, personal relationships, and of course, today’s economy, are all critical issues that makes it difficult in overcoming adversity that so many of us are fighting with to resolve our life’s battles.

Recently, Regal Magazine had the opportunity to speak with a young man who has dealt fearlessly with overcoming adversity, and transforming his life by becoming a teacher of the Christian faith.

William Fitten, who calls himself, “Street Preacher,” preaches the Gospel in the ghettos of Cleveland to sick people in the hospitals, at all the major sporting events, concerts, clubs, bars, and as he says, “Anywhere the Lord sends him.”

Fitten went through some serious critical issues in his life. However, due to his strength, along with his faith and trust in God, he prevailed in overcoming adversity in his life.

Fitten was raised in a well-known Baptist church in the Cleveland area. Unfortunately, during the late 1980s until 1993, he was an alcoholic and a drug addict, and was faced with the serious possibility of losing his wife and his children. He found himself having to choose between his addictions and/or his family. He feels that he was like the Apostle Paul, whom indicated in the Bible, in II Timothy 3:5 – “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.”

He had to allow God to come into his life and help him in overcoming adversity, and transform him to remove the alcohol, the drugs, and other negative issues from his life. Fitten indicated that in order for him to do this, he had to acknowledge, confess and repent his sins before God. He did just that, and asked Jesus Christ to save him and through His power, He was able to do for him what Fitten could not do for himself. He has been following Christ ever since. That’s truly overcoming adversity!

Fitten experienced various obstacles in overcoming adversity in his life. First, he lived in an urban area of the city, where drug dealers were prevalent. Every time he went to the corner store, he had to pass by the alcohol and beer coolers. These are the types of things that he feared, as it brought about certain temptations that he knew would hinder him in overcoming adversity, and falling back into the trap of alcohol and drugs.

In his fight in overcoming adversity, Fitten also separated himself from his siblings, various relatives and so-called friends, until the Lord gave him the strength, the courage, and the wisdom that he needed, so these issues would no longer be a problem for him.

In his conversation with Regal Magazine, he reflected on a scripture that keeps him from falling and helps him in overcoming adversity, which is: Ephesians 3:20 – “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Fitten says that power is the Holy Spirit, and it will help every one in their plight toward overcoming adversity and fighting the battles in their lives.

The “Street Preacher” believes that today’s economy is a serious critical issue, and many people fall weak to the problems that they are faced with. But, he indicated that we must understand that relying on our own flesh is not the answer in overcoming adversity. In the midst of all of our problems, we should focus on Jesus Christ and trust and believe in Him completely, as this will keep us in perfect peace.

Fitten reflected on two scriptures, spoken by Jesus Christ, which would help to keep those that are Christians strong in overcoming adversity. These scriptures are: St. John 16:33 – “In the world ye shall have tribulation: But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world;” and Matthew 6:33 – “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” In other words, God will supply all of our needs, as long as we trust and believe in Him.

Throughout the years, there continues to be a decline of the stability of the African American family. It is of utmost importance that African Americans maintain their families in a strong, stable and consistent manner, as this is conducive to our re-establishing and re-developing of our communities.

In overcoming adversity in our families, Fitten advises that the key for Christian homes is for the head of the household to lead by example, and not to be a dictator. This will allow the rest of the family to see Christ in him. He further indicates that it is vitally important to have family devotion and Bible study, which is the key to opening up avenues for communication, for discussing any issues that have occurred during the day, or that are present in any family member’s life. This also gives an opportunity for family members to discuss such life differences and how they relate to the Bible.

Additionally, much of the decline in the stability of the African American family is due to the lack of understanding and/or willingness of the husband and wife to actively deal with the problems that exist. It is more than evident that in a considerable amount of marital relationships, the parties get caught up in their own specific individual issues, instead of working together to address and overcome the adversity in their relationship. It is the responsibility of married couples to maintain the stability and structure in their families.

Marriage is a sacred and holy commitment, which must not be taken lightly. With statistics indicating that over half of all marriages in the United States today last less than ten years, African American couples must look to more than the physical and material aspects to keep their marriages intact. Fitten advises that Christian couples should read, study, and apply the following scriptures to their everyday lives, in order for their marriages to be successful: Ephesians 5:22-23 – “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: And He is the Saviour of the body;” and Ephesians 5: 25-28 – “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”

For African American men to overcome the adversity in their lives, Fitten indicates that such is definitely not an easy task, but that it comes from strength and the changing of one’s mindset. He advised that one must keep the faith, and always read, study and reflect on the word of God. The Bible states in Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Fitten acknowledges that the way to do this is to abide in Jesus Christ, by letting go of the things of the world and to lay down one’s life, one’s dreams, and one’s lustful pleasures, and to follow Him.

According to Fitten, in order for any of us to accomplish the goal of overcoming adversity, we must accept Christ in our lives, as our personal savior, in order for us to maintain the divine spirituality that He wants us to have. We must “Let go and let God.”

Church – this is something old. PowerPoint – this is something new. You and I have eyed the new presentation app powering the old spirit of All Mighty God with its incredible Hi-tech engine. As a pastor in the 21st century, you may be apt to make sermons with dynamic PowerPoint, video recorder, DVD burner, anything digital that helps convey your message across. And here, I would give a word on the combination of PowerPoint and TV, i.e., showing your church presentation on a huge TV screen.

You may wonder, why should I bother to a TV for delivering my sermon slideshow? Why not take a projector that fits to my church PowerPoint instead? If only there is a projector! The fact is, many small churches cannot afford a projector, which costs not a small buck, often at hundreds or thousands of dollars. But the messages on PowerPoint need to be sent out there, to those God’s followers in their popedoms. You can’t let the sermon presentation be a single PC. You ought to share the spirit, spread it across. Then comes TV, a cheap alternative to expensive projectors for displaying sermon PowerPoint slideshows.

Another question follows: How can a sermon PowerPoint presentation on a PC be playback on a TV? That’s a good inquiry. A MS PowerPoint file cannot be displayed as it is on a TV set. We need to march around the bush. We can keep the full essence of the sermon PPT by burning it to DVD, a nimbler file format that can be played by a DVD player attached to TV. Then, how to burn the sermon PowerPoint presentations to DVD? Janice McCabe, a priest from Parker Memorial Baptist Church, takes Moyea PPT to DVD Burner, for presenting his slideshow on a wide 42″ screen TV. So do Rev. Janet F. Grisset, a small church host, and Joel Young, a church administrator.

So what is Moyea PPT to DVD Burner? It is a Windows conversion program that can help burn a PowerPoint presentation straight to a blank DVD disk, with all the dynamic subtleties (e.g. animations, embedded music, flash, movie clips, etc.) retained, and at an affordable price of only $99.95, right for small churches to deliver sermons via a homely kit of DVD player and TV. For more info about the burning program, go to the product page at http://www.dvd-ppt-slideshow.com/ppt_to_dvd/



Clear? I guess you are at somewhere now. OK. Let’s dig deeper with a comparison of the actual cost for delivering a PowerPoint sermon.

Epson PowerLite S4 3LCD Projector, $420 at Amazon, InFocus Work Big IN2102EP Projector, $599.00 at Amazon

While

Moyea PPT to DVD Burner, $99.95

You can count the price gap. That is the truth, to save more in the crisis. Sermon PowerPoint show on TV. Why small churches have it? You know the secret.