Letters From Grandpa #75

LETTERS FROM GRANDPA

• 75

Dearest Grandchild,

Today’s letter will be about a man who lived and died many years before you were born. His name was Sir William Ramsay (15 March 1851 – 20 April 1939). Ramsay was originally an atheist and the son of atheists. As a wealthy graduate of the prestigious Oxford University, he chose to make his mark in history by proving the Bible wrong. Influenced by unbelieving college professors in Germany, he began his archaeological career with a bias against the Bible and the desire to "once and for all" discredit Christianity.

He chose the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts as two of the most vulnerable books in the Bible. Liars dare not be specific, for by doing so they risk exposure. Please consider how specific Luke was: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar — when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert." (Luke 3:1-2)

Both Luke and Acts are filled with similar specific statements.. That’s why Ramsay chose to focus on these two books to prove the Bible wrong. After many years of investigation, however, Ramsay never found one mistake. When Ramsay finally began writing about his discoveries, he praised Luke as being "the greatest of historians". He added: "Luke’s history is unsurpassed in respect of its trustworthiness". He further shocked the "intellectual" world by announcing that he had become a Christian. Other skeptics have also been convinced and converted by the historical evidence recorded in the Scriptures.

Ramsay confirmed that Luke demonstrated complete accuracy by naming key historical figures in the correct time sequence, including accurate titles for government officials. In all, Luke named thirty-two countries, fifty-four cities, and nine islands without error. A few quotes from Luke once questioned include "Thessalonica and politarchs";" Ephesus and temple wardens"; "Cyprus and proconsul"; and "Malta and the first man of the island". Ramsay proved conclusively that Luke was right in every instance and that his critics were wrong. Ramsay verified that the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, remain reliable and accurate documents of history. He then added that: "Luke should be placed along with the very greatest of historians."

Ramsay’s scholarship has been recognized Christians and non-Christians alike. He was honored with doctorates from nine universities and was eventually knighted for his contributions to modern scholarship. Several of his works on New Testament history are considered classics. When confronted with the evidence of years of travel and study, Sir William Ramsay learned what many others before him and since have been forced to acknowledge: "When we objectively examine the evidence for the Bible’s accuracy and veracity, the only conclusion we can reach is that the Bible is true". His prolific writings include at least 24 volumes, all of which confirm that he never found the Bible to be in error.

It would be easy to make a long list of atheists who have changed their minds and become believers. Matt Nelson has studied converted unbelievers and listed 8 common factors involved in helping them change their minds:

1. GOOD LITERATURE AND REASONABLE WRITING.

2. "EXPERIMENTATION" WITH PRAYER AND THE WORD OF GOD.

3. HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE GOSPELS.

4. HONEST PHILOSOPHICAL REASONING.

5. REASONABLE BELIEVERS.

6. MODERN ADVANCES AND LIMITATIONS IN SCIENCE.

7. EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION.

8. BEAUTY.

This brief testimony is typical of scientists who have come to Christ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04V5PA5h2j0

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce