In their book titled Science Speaks: An Evaluation of Certain Christian Evidences (Chicago: Moody Press, 1958), Peter W. Stoner and Robert C. Newman explore the science of probability with regard to the accuracy of prophecy within the Bible.
Some Christian apologists claim there are literally hundreds of prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament. In this particular book, the authors settle on only eight of these prophecies which were filled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Their conclusion is that the probability that the fulfillment of these eight prophecies in the life of one man alone, that of Jesus Christ, would be mind-boggling!
Multiplying all these probabilities together produces a number (rounded off) of 1 in 10 to the 28th power. Dividing this number by an estimate of the number of people who have lived since the time of these prophecies (88 billion) produces a probability of all 8 prophecies being fulfilled accidentally in the life of one person. That immense probability is 1 in 10 to the 17th power or else 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. That is one in one hundred quadrillion!
The authors then use an illustration that has since been used by many others over the years to help us grasp this astronomical figure. The reader is asked to imagine filling the State of Texas knee deep in silver dollars. Include in this huge number one silver dollar with a black check mark on it. Then, turn a blindfolded person loose in this sea of silver dollars. The odds that the first coin he would pick up would be the one with the black check mark are the same as 8 prophecies being fulfilled accidentally in the life of Jesus.
The authors point is that the fulfillment of prophecy in the life of Jesus was in no way accidental. As proof, they further point out that Jesus did not fulfill just 8 prophecies; He fulfilled 108. The chances of fulfilling 16 such prophecies are 1 in 1,045. When you get to a total of 48, the odds increase to 1 in 10,157. One quickly gets the point. Accidental fulfillment of these prophecies is simply beyond the realm of possibility!
The bottom line is that the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the life of Jesus argues conclusively that He truly was God in the flesh. It also substantiates that the Bible is supernatural in origin.
United States Senate Chaplain Richard Halverson is reputed to have once written:
“The fact is, the birth, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are celebrated worldwide by folk of every race, language, and color, every year. And believing in Jesus, they have been delivered from the most evil, disastrous, frustrating, debilitating habits and life forms possible. The real problem with Jesus Christ is not that folk can't believe in Him—but that they won't believe in Him.”
For my part, I have no problem embracing Jesus Christ as God’s Son and my savior. Do you?
I leave you with what is perhaps the most significant question ever asked. In the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (chapter 16, verse 15 BSB), the Bible records the following: “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
BOOK SOURCE:
AVAILABLE ONLINE: The entire book is posted online at: http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/index.html#c0. This is the fifth revised edition, posted online by one of the original authors' grandson, Don W. Stoner.
The section dealing specifically with the odds of prophetic fulfillment in Christ is here: http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/Christ_of_Prophecy.html#c9.
PRINTED VERSION: Stoner, Peter W. and Robert C. Newman Science Speaks: An Evaluation of Certain Christian Evidences (Chicago: Moody Press, 1958). Note: this book has gone through at least four print editions: 1958, 1963, 1969, and 1976. The title was subsequently changed to: Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible.
NOTE: According to Dr. David R. Reagan, “Peter Stoner was chairman of the mathematics and astronomy departments at Pasadena City College until 1953 when he moved to Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. There he served as chairman of the science division. At the time he wrote this book, he was professor emeritus of science at Westmont.
In the edition I purchased, there was a foreword by Dr. Harold Hartzler, an officer of the American Scientific Affiliation. He wrote that the manuscript had been carefully reviewed by a committee of his organization and that ‘the mathematical analysis included is based upon principles of probability which are thoroughly sound.’ He further stated that in the opinion of the Affiliation, Professor Stoner ‘has applied these principles in a proper and convincing way.’”
SEE ALSO: http://christinprophecy.org/articles/applying-the-science-of-probability-to-the-scriptures/.
AS WELL AS: https://www.christianforums.com/threads/does-science-agree-with-the-bible.7925530/page-68#post-69207518.
The particular article drawn upon by the latter can be found online at: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/jesus-odds.html.
BIBLE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/matthew/16-15.htm.
Some Christian apologists claim there are literally hundreds of prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament. In this particular book, the authors settle on only eight of these prophecies which were filled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Their conclusion is that the probability that the fulfillment of these eight prophecies in the life of one man alone, that of Jesus Christ, would be mind-boggling!
Multiplying all these probabilities together produces a number (rounded off) of 1 in 10 to the 28th power. Dividing this number by an estimate of the number of people who have lived since the time of these prophecies (88 billion) produces a probability of all 8 prophecies being fulfilled accidentally in the life of one person. That immense probability is 1 in 10 to the 17th power or else 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. That is one in one hundred quadrillion!
The authors then use an illustration that has since been used by many others over the years to help us grasp this astronomical figure. The reader is asked to imagine filling the State of Texas knee deep in silver dollars. Include in this huge number one silver dollar with a black check mark on it. Then, turn a blindfolded person loose in this sea of silver dollars. The odds that the first coin he would pick up would be the one with the black check mark are the same as 8 prophecies being fulfilled accidentally in the life of Jesus.
The authors point is that the fulfillment of prophecy in the life of Jesus was in no way accidental. As proof, they further point out that Jesus did not fulfill just 8 prophecies; He fulfilled 108. The chances of fulfilling 16 such prophecies are 1 in 1,045. When you get to a total of 48, the odds increase to 1 in 10,157. One quickly gets the point. Accidental fulfillment of these prophecies is simply beyond the realm of possibility!
The bottom line is that the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the life of Jesus argues conclusively that He truly was God in the flesh. It also substantiates that the Bible is supernatural in origin.
United States Senate Chaplain Richard Halverson is reputed to have once written:
“The fact is, the birth, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are celebrated worldwide by folk of every race, language, and color, every year. And believing in Jesus, they have been delivered from the most evil, disastrous, frustrating, debilitating habits and life forms possible. The real problem with Jesus Christ is not that folk can't believe in Him—but that they won't believe in Him.”
For my part, I have no problem embracing Jesus Christ as God’s Son and my savior. Do you?
I leave you with what is perhaps the most significant question ever asked. In the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (chapter 16, verse 15 BSB), the Bible records the following: “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
BOOK SOURCE:
AVAILABLE ONLINE: The entire book is posted online at: http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/index.html#c0. This is the fifth revised edition, posted online by one of the original authors' grandson, Don W. Stoner.
The section dealing specifically with the odds of prophetic fulfillment in Christ is here: http://sciencespeaks.dstoner.net/Christ_of_Prophecy.html#c9.
PRINTED VERSION: Stoner, Peter W. and Robert C. Newman Science Speaks: An Evaluation of Certain Christian Evidences (Chicago: Moody Press, 1958). Note: this book has gone through at least four print editions: 1958, 1963, 1969, and 1976. The title was subsequently changed to: Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible.
NOTE: According to Dr. David R. Reagan, “Peter Stoner was chairman of the mathematics and astronomy departments at Pasadena City College until 1953 when he moved to Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. There he served as chairman of the science division. At the time he wrote this book, he was professor emeritus of science at Westmont.
In the edition I purchased, there was a foreword by Dr. Harold Hartzler, an officer of the American Scientific Affiliation. He wrote that the manuscript had been carefully reviewed by a committee of his organization and that ‘the mathematical analysis included is based upon principles of probability which are thoroughly sound.’ He further stated that in the opinion of the Affiliation, Professor Stoner ‘has applied these principles in a proper and convincing way.’”
SEE ALSO: http://christinprophecy.org/articles/applying-the-science-of-probability-to-the-scriptures/.
AS WELL AS: https://www.christianforums.com/threads/does-science-agree-with-the-bible.7925530/page-68#post-69207518.
The particular article drawn upon by the latter can be found online at: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/jesus-odds.html.
BIBLE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/matthew/16-15.htm.