The Book of Daniel: Introduction

In this lesson we see the reliability and theme of the Book of Daniel.

A. The Assault on the Book of Daniel

1. Critics generally say that Daniel was not written in the 7th century BC, during the time of the exile, but much later, probably during the time of the Maccabees in 2nd century BC.

2. Modern critics follow the lead of Porphyry, a man who lived around AD 233.

3. Porphyry claimed that the book was really written around 165 BC during the Maccabean period, and that all the events which the book of Daniel "prophesied" had come to pass before the book was written.

B. The Defense of the Book of Daniel

1. Biblical Evidence

2. Current Evidence

3. The Lord Jesus Christ's Evidence

C. The Theme of the Book of Daniel

The clear theme of Daniel is the universal sovereignty of God.

(2:18,19,28,37, 44-45; 4:25 and 37 all state this theme, while 1:1-2; 2:20, 37; 4:17 and 5:18 illustrate it.