Uploaded: 29 Nov 2016 (10 years ago) · Shared: 25 Jun 2019
Duration: 2:17:47
Video Description
Is the Old Testament a reliable account of early history or a collection of ancient myths? In this compelling debate at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, prominent atheist Dan Barker faces Independent Baptist seminary professor Thomas Ross to address whether the foundational Hebrew scriptures represent fact or fiction. Exploring deep questions of faith, historical context, and divine inspiration, both speakers present rigorous arguments regarding biblical truth, theology, and the reliability of ancient religious texts.
Professor Thomas Ross affirms the historical accuracy of the Bible, pointing to fulfilled prophecy and archaeological evidence to validate the sacred text as the Word of God. Meanwhile, Dan Barker challenges these claims, offering a critical secular perspective on scripture and theology. Whether you are exploring Christian apologetics, studying ancient Jewish history, or seeking thoughtful spiritual discourse, this debate provides valuable insights for believers and skeptics alike. Discover detailed transcripts, argument analyses, and related resources to deepen your understanding of these scriptural debates.
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What is Old Testament?The Old Testament (OT) is the first part of Christian Bibles. This is based primarily upon the Hebrew Bible (or Tanakh), a collection of ancient religious writings by the Israelites believed by most Christians and religious Jews to be the sacred Word of God. The second part of the Christian Bible is the New Testament. The books that comprise the Old Testament canon, as well as their order and names, differ between Christian denominations. The Catholic canon comprises 46 books, and the canons of the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches comprise up to 51 books and the most common Protestant canon comprises 39 books.
Who is Dan Barker?Daniel Edwin Barker (born 1949) is an American atheist activist who served as an evangelical Christian preacher and musician for 19 years but left Christianity in 1984. Barker received a degree in Religion from Azusa Pacific University and was ordained to the ministry by the Standard Community Church, California, in 1975. He served as associate pastor at a Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) church, a church in the Assemblies of God fellowship, and an independent Charismatic church. In 1984 he announced to his friends, family, and co-ministers that he became an atheist.
