Synopsis "Virgil Illuminates the Bible"
This book will use ancient literature, especially Virgil's Aeneid, to illuminate passages in the Bible. In addition, responses to criticisms of God's Holy Word will be offered. This book should encourage Christians who are disturbed by liberalism and skepticism-those longing to see the Bible silence its critics. Recent historical findings and opinions will not be dismissed as the work of Satan. In fact, these findings and opinions, when interpreted properly, vindicate the Bible rather than discredit it.Part I begins with a description of the story of The Aeneid, which will be referenced throughout the book. Other Greek and Roman writings will be mentioned. Then the possible effects these ancient works had on Catholicism and the Protestant doctrine of predestination will be explored.Part II includes responses to scholarly criticisms of Scripture-that the Old Testament was composed much later than it really was or that its historical accounts are fictional expressions of Jewish nationalism. A much maligned Book-the Book of Daniel-will be carefully analyzed. Scholarly criticisms are frequently built upon opinions rather than facts. Multiple, concurring opinions cannot substitute for facts. Historical information, when properly interpreted, is consistent with the Biblical accounts. Present day commentaries and sermons treat the New Testament era as if it were the modern era. In Part III I will use examples from The Aeneid to portray the times more realistically so passages of the Gospels can be better understood. Romans were obsessed with spirit beings, and their literature led them to believe they were pawns of the gods. A sign to them was not a miraculous healing; it was a bird flying overhead or a snake crawling along. Prophecy was not words from the Old Testament; it was a message from the god Jupiter. Jesus had to re-educate the Roman Empire, and He did.Ancient literature includes what is sometimes called extra-Biblical writings. The reader will be introduced to apocalyptic works and the psuedepigrapha and the apocrypha. Part IV will give a detailed description of the apocrypha including explanations of how those works were exploited by Catholics and Protestants.Throughout this book, I will make comparisons between ancient literature and books of the Bible. Comparisons will be made with Joshua, Esther, Proverbs, and Daniel. The Books of John and Revelation will be given special attention. Many other passages will be referenced, especially those in the Gospels.Skeptics and freethinkers were energized by the theory of evolution. Oftentimes we think their criticisms of the Bible are of recent origin and are somehow based on the latest technology. I would guess that the majority of criticisms of the Bible were concocted by heretics who lived within three hundred years of Jesus. These tired, old heresies are merely restated by skeptics and freethinkers who consider themselves enlightened. Throughout the book, I will identify numerous antiquated criticisms of Christianity and refute them anew.The Bible is an incredible book. Efforts to discredit it are only as good as Christians are lazy. When I read the work of skeptical intellectuals who sound objective, I become more convinced that Fundamentalism is right in standing firmly on God's word and only God's word. Man can try to replace the Bible with his wisdom, but he does so by sacrificing truth.
