Moses & History (part 1)

Ryan Cox • April 17, 2025

Moses & History (part 1)

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4

We recently received an email from a student who heard us teach at a camp and is now attending college. The camper wrote:

We have been talking about Genesis and the birth of Moses, and my professor has mentioned several times that those pieces of the Bible may not be historically accurate, but are just told to depict a characteristic of God. I know you mentioned that the Bible is one of the most historically accurate books we have, and that is not lining up with this new content I am being told. Do you view the story of creation and for example the birth of Moses to be completely written as it happened or not? I am very confused how we believe the Bible is infallible while still believing content like that is not true, but more of a literary element. I know this is a deep question and you are very busy, but if you get a chance and could give me some guidance I would greatly appreciate it.

The following is part 1 of our response:

The first thing that comes to mind is Jesus’ words in John 5:46, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.” In that chapter, Jesus confirms the Jewish belief that Moses, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, composed the Torah/Pentateuch. Moses is mentioned by name 79 times in the New Testament as a real person in real history who truly wrote Genesis–Deuteronomy.

Regarding Jesus, here is what He said about Moses’ authorship:

Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14 – Jesus said Moses wrote the Torah, specifically the leprosy laws in Leviticus 14.
Matthew 19:7-8 & Mark 10:3-5 – Jesus confirmed that Moses wrote the Torah, specifically marriage laws in Deuteronomy 24.
Matthew 22:24-32, Mark 12:19-27, Luke 20:28-38 – Jesus confirmed that Moses wrote the Torah, as He specifically declared the writings of Moses are “Scripture” (Matt. 22:29 & Mark 12:24). He also confirmed Moses recorded the inheritance laws in Deuteronomy 25 and quoted Exodus 3:6 as real history and Scripture written by Moses.
Mark 7:10 – Jesus specifically said Moses wrote down in the Torah the Ten Commandments as well as the passages of Exodus 21 and Leviticus 20.
John 3:14 – Jesus confirmed the historicity of Numbers 21, including Moses and the bronze serpent.
John 6:31-32 – Jesus confirmed the historicity of Exodus 16, including Moses and the provision of manna.
John 7:19-24 – Jesus confirmed that Moses wrote the entire Torah (verse 19) and specifically the Sabbath and circumcision laws.

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 22:29 and Mark 12:24 that Moses' five books are Scripture is highly significant. The Greek word for "Scripture" (graphé) is used 51 times, including II Timothy 3:16, which says, “All Scripture is God-breathed”. The New Testament is adamant that the Old Testament, in particularly the first 5 books, are directly inspired by God. They were regarded by Jesus, the Apostles, and all Jewish people of that time as genuine, factual history.

Here is what I never hear professors who deny the historicity of Genesis, Exodus, etc., address: Was Jesus wrong when He taught that Genesis through Exodus is real history? If so, what does that do to His credibility and deity?

In Matthew 19:4-5, Jesus specifically quoted Genesis 1:27, 2:24, and 5:2 as real history; Jesus taught the Creation account was real history. He referred to Abel (Matthew 23:35) as the first prophet, a real person in history, confirming the historicity of Genesis 4. In Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke 17:26-27, Jesus confirmed the historicity of Noah and the global flood (Genesis 6-9). And in Luke 17:28-32, Jesus confirmed the historicity of Lot and Sodom & Gomorrah, including his wife turning into salt (Genesis 19).

Jesus made it very clear that everything in Genesis is real history. For someone to deny that is to say Jesus was wrong or that someone knows more than Jesus. The rest of the inspired New Testament authors all agree with Jesus with numerous references to Genesis, Exodus, etc. as real history with real people.

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June 2025 Printed Newsletter

June 18, 2025

Moses & History (part 3)

By Ryan Cox • June 18, 2025

Moses & History (part 3)

Dr. G. Thomas Sharp Library

By Matt Miles • June 18, 2025

Over the course of time a person can accumulate many things. Most of the stuff we collect is meaningless to most everyone else, but when a person collects books, they can be treasured for a lifetime and even beyond. In this age of digital media, physical books seem to be less important to many people. Digital books are searchable, and copy/paste functions make it easy to use those great quotes. Yet, there is still something great about a physical book, things you can’t get digitally: the turning of pages, the feel of it in your hand, and the “book” smell. For our founder Dr. Sharp, physical books could never be replaced by digital. While my collection of books is growing each year, it is dwarfed by Dr. Sharp’s collection. Over the years he collected thousands of titles for research and enjoyment. Through the course of his ministry he had to sell his book collection a couple of different times to support his family, only to start collecting again when he was able to do so. When Doc passed his office full of packed bookshelves to me and said he would clear the shelves, I laughed out loud at the prospect of having loads of empty bookshelves. So I urged him to instead leave his books for my, and anyone else’s, use. Little did I understand that the four bookcases in my office were only a fraction of his entire collection. A couple of years back when Doc moved from his house, it was decided that his book collection would be stored at the office. Our thought was to establish a library, yet none of us had time to plan, organize and catalog all 79 boxes of books. They sat piled in his office until last year when my daughter Megan joined our ministry. She has a love of books, both reading and writing. So we offered her the task of cataloging and establishing Doc’s library. Can you picture me, a bbq lover, being offered a table full of succulent smoked offerings - brisket, sausage, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey and all sides? Yep, that was Megan’s response to the library. For over four months she cataloged and organized the entire collection. The Dr. G. Thomas Sharp Library was completed earlier this year in his old office space, with overflow into my office. The entire 2700+ volume agglomeration is digitally cataloged for searching and locating. As you might expect, there is an extensive collection of creation and evolution subject matter, yet the library is full of many different categories. It very much reflects Doc’s love of gaining knowledge and research. An extensive commentary collection and multiple Biblical reference sections are invaluable to our ministry. There is even a whole bookcase housing books that are over 100 years old. Our desire was not to just house books but to also make a place of honor and inspiration. One wall exhibits Doc’s many diplomas, and throughout the library we have placed personal memorabilia of the mission trips he took over the years. Come, grab a book, relax in the sitting area and allow Doc’s handwritten notes from the margins or post-it notes bring a smile to your face. For those who may be more ambitious, Doc's office chair resides at the credenza for anyone to sit and be inspired to study. This is a place to honor Doc’s life and love for books. We at CTF have already utilized this great resource for further study, and we are so thankful to Diane and their family for donating these books for continued Kingdom growth. Blessings.