The last test used by scholars is the External Evidence Test. Are references to historic events verifiable by outside sources? Despite numerous claims of factual errors through the years, time and time again these allegations have been disproved. Extra-biblical written records and archaeological discoveries have demonstrated the reliability of details. The next post will discuss … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document – The External Evidence Test
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document – The Internal Evidence Test
The Bibliographic Test only determines to what extent the original writing was accurately copied down through the centuries. The Internal Test moves to the next level to determine to what extent the original writings are credible documents. The bulk of the New Testament was written by eye-witnesses or their close associates who would have heard … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document – The Internal Evidence Test
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Record – the Bibliographic Test
Have you ever heard anyone say: "You can't trust the Bible because all we have are copies from hundreds of years after the events"? In response, I'd ask another question: "How does the reliability of existing copies of the New Testament stack up in comparison with other ancient documents?" You may find the answer surprising: … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Record – the Bibliographic Test
But what about all those contradictions?
As a trial lawyer, I actually find these apparent inconsistencies among the Four Gospels to be a good indicator that the accounts are reliable. Why? If four witnesses to an event tell you the exact same story in all its details, you know they are collaborating to falsify their stories and are not trustworthy. People … Continue reading But what about all those contradictions?
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: John
The writer of the fourth gospel is very clear about the source of his information -- himself! The Apostle John testifies that he witnessed the events and is writing from personal knowledge, with the purpose of providing sufficient evidence that his readers would believe in Jesus: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: John
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: Luke
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: Luke
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: Mark
The book starts with the phrase "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." It's purpose, therefore, was to present an account of the good news about Jesus. This gospel takes a more action-packed, no-nonsense approach to the facts, which are probably not in chronological order. While the gospel does not … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: Mark
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: Matthew
The primary reports of the resurrection are contained in the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. References to the events are also made in some of the letters in the New Testament. Are these documents reliable evidence? First let's look at the Gospels. The word Gospel means 'good news.' These books were written within … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — The Gospel Writers: Matthew
The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — Courtroom Testimony
When you look to the Bible for evidence, aren't you just using circular reasoning? --The Bible is true because Jesus said so, and Jesus is God because the Bible says so. How does this make the Bible different from any other ancient religious text or mythical account? Some of the writings in the New Testament … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document — Courtroom Testimony
Skeptics Seek the Truth About the Resurrection
Has any skeptic actually investigated the facts in order to disprove the Resurrection? What happened? Consider what crime reporter Lee Strobel wrote: For much of my life I was a skeptic. In fact, I considered myself an atheist. To me, there was far too much evidence that God was merely a product of wishful thinking, … Continue reading Skeptics Seek the Truth About the Resurrection
Lines from Lynn 