Phil Patalano

Bible Final Exam: Scenario 1: First off to answer that question, I would say it is definitely a matter of faith for me. I mean as much as evidence can prove, you have to make a choice in whether or not you trust the evidence put in front of you. Secondly I would definitely recommend reading the book case for Christ, it thoroughly answers that question with solid facts that you can chose from. And it shows both sides to the argument. For me though the reason I can believe it is so real is from my faith and the evidence I can see. The New Testament of the Bible is starts with the 4 gospels. When the resurrection is spoken of you see that Jesus is dead and buried in his tomb, but within 3 days he is risen and seen by many witnesses. That part I think is a little skeptical for many, how can a man raise himself from the dead and leave the tomb empty and not opened at all. The tomb was sealed from the inside, it was guarded and no one could bribe or defeat them without a fight. That is some evidence for that. Also after Jesus died the disciples were sad and down and many of them left their lives as being disciples. Basically leaving their faith, not believe that Jesus was God. It would not make sense for them to have some miraculous courageous feeling all of a sudden and preach the good news all over the world in Jesus name. Only because of Jesus resurrecting that they did this. I know that probably isnt sound but hopefully it helps.

Scenario 2: So I understand that this time must be difficult, I cannot say I know exactly what you are going through but I have an idea. God brings pain and suffering for a reason, not always will we know that reason but he does, its part of his will, his plan, we never know how a loss of a loved one can impact our lives. A close family friend of ours had cancer, he was a father of 3 and a husband. We prayed for months that God would heal him. He died, and many of us were left wondering why, how could God let such an honoring, God fearing man die like that. It wasnt until a year later that I realized part of the reason was for a testimony, his wifes. For the people he impacted to see God shine through his death. For my family it definitely impacted the way we loved each other, we appreciated each other more knowing that anytime it could change. His death was his passage to heaven, we knew he was in a better place, just like your child is, but above all we knew that his legacy here was tremendous. Now I know that might not answer exactly why we have death, loss, pain, suffering, but I can tell you this, God uses that in his plan, his story that he wants everyone to see. Your childs death impacted someone for good, whether it be you, your wife or whoever; God used it for his perfect will. Your daughter is in a better place now because of it.

Phil Patalano

Scenario 3 I agree with you completely that Jesus was a good teacher and moral teacher, and that he did not want them to worship him but rather he led them to God. Yes he did that all, but he was also God. At the time the Jews held God in high reverence, as someone who would kill them all if he could in one strong swoop, no matter what they had respect for him. They believed in his prophets, the miracles that they would perform and the various miracles God performed himself such as in Egypt where he freed the Israelites by parting the sea. If Jesus was to claim he was God it meant some serious implications. One that he could forgive, Jesus said you are forgiven, as if he was God himself. Another implication that he made by that is that he had the power to cast demons out, something of which we see in the bible where Jesus cast demons out of a man and into pigs. Lastly it would be crazy for Jesus to claim to be God and die on the cross for no reason. He must have either thought he was God and was really insane or he really was God. If he was a great teacher and moral teacher he would not have lied and I sincerely doubt he would die for no reason on the cross. Or even claim he was God. Though I put some facts for you Check out the bible man I have one in the car you can have. Scenario 4 First off I would love for you to point out scientifically the errors of the bible. I am not trying to argue with you hear about it but just trying to get you to think about what you are saying. There is more evidence about the events in the bible than for anything in the Quran. The New Testament is more than 99% accurate compared to manuscripts of the Iliad, the Quran even, the Mahabharata and more. Secondly how can the Bible be corrupted over the course of history? I mean it does not seem to make sense. In order for something to change, obviously it must be different than the first. All the manuscripts we have for the New testament say exactly the same thing. Nothing changed. Many say that is because it was unreliable from the start, it is full of lies. Every time I seem to check online I only see more archeological evidence to some event or place in the Bible. While for the Quran their isnt much to base on. Yes some of the events intertwine or the same places are mentioned. But there is not much credibility when compared to real evidence I find. I am not trying to argue my friend just put the facts. Science cannot prove the Bible wrong. I have not heard of any legitimate argument in saying that the information in the Bible is inaccurate or a lie. In fact many historians are starting to see the evidence there is supporting the Bible. Such as the recent discovery of a shrine of a sort that shows evidence of King Davids reign. You have the wellknown King Solomons tomb. As well as many records of the New testament murders of the disciples. To say that the Bible is a lie, in a why is almost the same as saying God never existed. Even that goes against what you believe in. I pray that you learn from these facts.

Phil Patalano

Scenario 5: Dude, I know where you are coming from. I am a pastors kid myself. I can understand the whole not living up to the expectations put on you. I was involved in many things that the church discouraged, much to say if you want I can talk about it later. But that is not the point, as a missionary kid now, I look at the things I did, and my label and see that it was for a purpose that I was rejected by the leaders, and put down for my mistakes. It was for my testimony. You see the hypocrisy that exists today in the church in my opinion is because we have lost vision of what is right. We are preoccupied with how to look good, or be the perfect Christian rather than asking how we can love, include the dirty like me. You see we learn from our predecessors, the leaders that taught us before. Our youth learns from the youth pastor who learned from his mentor or professor. But that generation had it messed up, they did not see the true way. Love. Jesus didnt go after the smarty pants, the good ones or the people who gave big amounts of money. No Jesus went after the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the sick. Thats what the church should look like today, going after those in need, the dirty ones. A church that does that will have little hypocrisy. You might say I am a joke to be a Christian but tell you what, in the end the joke will be on you when judgment comes. You know the story hell and heaven. I cant speak for the whole church but I can tell you that I try my best to not be a hypocrite, God will be my judge. But see for yourself in the legitimate Christian lives if you see even a little bit of hypocrisy, I doubt you will find any. Praying for you man.