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by eye-witnesses or their close associates who would have heard … Continue reading The New Testament is a Reliable Historical Document – The Internal Evidence Test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?
Resurrection: Miracle or Myth? Legal-historical method
Definition of the Legal-Historical Method -- showing something is true (according to some legal standard, e.g. preponderance of the evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, etc.) by offering available data as evidence. Three types of data are used in the courtroom: Oral Testimony includes eyewitness accounts of the event and other personal testimony bearing on the … Continue reading Resurrection: Miracle or Myth? Legal-historical method
Resurrection: Miracle or Myth? Operational Science
What type of evidence should be presented or admitted? People often comment that one cannot prove biblical events scientifically. But that is not the only kind of evidence to be presented. Operational Scientific Method and Legal-historical Method. Geisler and Brooks[1] discuss two methods of proof commonly used today to establish truth. Failure to understand the … Continue reading Resurrection: Miracle or Myth? Operational Science
Resurrection: Miracle or Myth? The Burden of Proof
What is the proper burden of proof? What should be the burden of proof when evaluating the evidence? Legal standards vary with the seriousness of the issue: preponderance of the evidence, clear and convincing evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, or as some would like it – beyond even a shadow of a doubt. A few … Continue reading Resurrection: Miracle or Myth? The Burden of Proof
Resurrection– Miracle or Myth?
You have read the tabloid headlines . . . .Seen the books on bestseller lists . . . .Watched ‘documentary’ TV shows . . . .Enjoyed The DaVinci Code movie . . . .Listened to your pastor preach that the resurrection of Jesus is a figurative, mystical experience . . . . Issue: Did Jesus … Continue reading Resurrection– Miracle or Myth?
Lines from Lynn 