Do the Gospels Contain Eyewitness Testimony? An Overlooked Aspect of the Debate
Since the Gospels are Greco-Roman biographies, we should not be surprised that their authors would want to include eyewitness testimony. After all, the principle that historical accounts should be based on eyewitness reports (either directly indirectly) was an established value among all the ancient historians ranging from Herodotus to Thucydides to Polybius and even to Josephus.
But the issue isn’t just whether they would have wanted to include such testimony, but whether reliable eyewitness testimony was readily available. Put in the form of a question, were there named individuals in the early Christian movement who were understood to have witnessed the events related to Jesus of Nazareth and were actively … Continue reading...
Can You Have Christian Ethics without Christianity? A Response to Bart Ehrman
As you might have noticed, Bart Ehrman has been making the rounds again this recent Easter season regarding his new book, Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West. Most notable was his appearance on the podcast of New York Time’s columnist, Ross Douthat.
In this new book, Ehrman argues that Christian teachings about helping others in need—especially those we don’t know—was genuinely distinctive in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Altruism was not a value of the polytheistic religions nor the philosophical systems of the time. It was ultimately the influence of Christianity that led to the building of hospitals and orphanages and systems … Continue reading...
What’s the Best Argument for the Resurrection?
Well, soon it will be Easter. That wonderful time of the year when we remember (and celebrate) the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
But, not all will be celebrating. There are many that find Easter to be a senseless holiday—apart from, perhaps, the joys of Sunday brunch or chocolate eggs. After all, it is argued, we all know that people don’t rise from the dead. And there are no reasons to think it happened in the case of Jesus of Nazareth.
In response to such skepticism, apologists have been making their best arguments for the resurrection. There’s the empty tomb. There’s the fact that women were the first eyewitnesses … Continue reading...
What’s the Earliest New Testament Evidence for the Divinity of Jesus?
In the first century, we learn of one of the most remarkable men that has ever lived.
Before he was born, his mother was told he would not be like other men, but would be divine. As an adult, he traveled around delivering his message and performing miracles. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and even raised the dead.
He had a band of disciples around him who regarded him as the son of God. Eventually, his activity caught the attention of the governing authorities who arrested him, put him on trial, and executed him. Later, his followers said that he was alive and seated in the heavenly places.
What I’ll Be Up to at The Gospel Coalition National Conference
This week I am headed to Indianapolis for The Gospel Coalition National Conference. Looks to be a fun week with a great lineup of speakers and a wonderful theme: “Alive Together: Faithful Living in a Faithless Age” (a study of the book of Ephesians).
In addition to catching up with friends over coffee and meals, my schedule is filled with a number of breakout sessions and panel discussions. Here are the highlights over a very busy two days on Tuesday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 23:
1. TGC Breakout Sessions. I am part of two different TGC-sponsored breakout sessions, and also one for RTS (see #2 below):
Tuesday, 3:30PM.… Continue reading...