Many claim that the birth narratives in the Gospels–here the third Gospel–were merely reshaped copies of Greco-Roman myths. True?
Luke’s Birth Narrative: Pagan Myth or Sacred Story?
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Category Archives: Gospels
Quick Reference to Jewish Groups in Gospels and Acts
This is quick reference guide to religious and political Jewish groups who appear in the Gospels and the Book of Acts.
John 14 Does Not Teach Second Coming or Separate Rapture
Many interpreters believe that John 14:2-3 teaches the Second Coming or rapture before the Second Coming, but 14:23 decisively argues against this interpretation.
Luke 21:5-33 Predicts Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
By far, Luke 21:5-33 clearly demonstrate that these verses, which parallel Matt. 24:4-35 and Mark 13:5-31, are an extended prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and not the Second Coming. It is best to read those verses in their own context and in light of Old Testament apocalyptic passages. Then we can have clarity. Please view the photos of the Arch of Titus and the Jewish Menorah, at the end.
Why Didn’t Jesus Know the Day or the Hour of His Return?
Why did Jesus say that not even the Son knows the day or the hour of the Second Coming? Puzzling.
Reconciling Matthew’s and Luke’s Genealogies: Mission: Impossible?
Some scholars have said they are irreconcilable, while others say reconciling them is not so difficult. I favor plausible harmonization, since the scholars in this post seem to have cracked the “codes.”
Rich Man and Lazarus: True Events or Just a Parable?
Here is a compendium of various commentators, who tend to reach one conclusion.
Parable of the Sower: Eternal Security or Possible Apostasy?
The parable may not cover the titled theological dispute in detail, but many interpreters believe it does. So let’s explore.
Luke 17:22-37: Taken Away = Secret Rapture?
What do those verses about being taken away and left behind really teach? The answer may shock many people who have been taught only one viewpoint. I also briefly look at Matthew’s version.
What Is a Parable?
It is the major technique of Jesus’s teaching, right up there with his direct teaching. So how do we define it?
What Is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
A small percentage of people are anxious about this, but what does the Bible say? Can people commit this sin today?
The Meaning of the Names of the Twelve Apostles
Welcome to the readers at my older website Live as Free People! That article has moved here! What do their names mean? Why do the lists of the twelve in the New Testament have a slight variation? Can it be resolved?
1. Church Fathers and Matthew’s Gospel
The Church fathers quoted here lived in the first to third centuries. They are unanimous that Matthew wrote the first Gospel, and it was authoritative for them–so it should be for us too.
2. Church Fathers and Mark’s Gospel
The Fathers quoted here lived in the first to third centuries. They are unanimous that Mark wrote the second Gospel, and it was authoritative for them–so it should be for us too.
3. Church Fathers and Luke’s Gospel
The Fathers quoted here lived in the first to third centuries. They are unanimous that Luke wrote the third Gospel, and it was authoritative for them–so it should be for us too.
4. Church Fathers and John’s Gospel
The Fathers quoted here lived in the first to third centuries. They are unanimous that John wrote the fourth Gospel, and it was authoritative for them–so it should be for us too.
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
So begins a fifteen-part series on the historical reliability of the four Gospels.
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
The Synoptics are Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Archaeology affirms their reliability. This post lists some discoveries.
3. Archaeology and John’s Gospel
Part 3 in the series that explains why the Gospels are reliable and lists some discoveries.
4. Did Jesus Even Exist?
The answer is of course yes. Now find out the historical evidence. If you have a son or daughter or a co-worker or husband who challenges you, send him or her to this link.
5. The Gospel Traditions
With this article (Part Five) we turn a corner away from archaeology and non-Christian written references to Gospel persons (the last three articles). Now we discuss the preservation of Jesus’ ministry — his words and activity — after his crucifixion (and resurrection) and up to the time when the Gospels were written.
6. Reliable Gospel Transmissions
We continue the series, and this post is about how the stories and teachings and memories of the deeds of Jesus were transmitted before the first three Gospels were written down.
7. What Is the Q ‘Gospel’?
No need to be afraid of this document. If it existed, Matthew and Luke used it. If they weren’t afraid, why should you be?
8. Did Some Disciples Take Notes During Jesus’ Ministry?
This is a question that must be explored. A Yes to the question would give a huge boost to the reliability of the Gospels.
9. Authoritative Testimony in Matthew’s Gospel
This article rounds a corner from the traditions transmitted before the Gospels were written to the Gospels themselves, as we have them now. Do they enjoy eyewitness testimony at their foundation?
10. Eyewitness Testimony in Mark’s Gospel
The evidence suggests that Peter was indeed a portrait painter, but he used words alone. Jesus was his subject.
11. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel
Luke researched those who knew Jesus from the “beginning,” his key criterion.
12. Eyewitness Testimony in John’s Gospel
The author of this Gospel made sure he used eyewitness testimony; indeed he was an eyewitness!
13. Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?
When you read the first three Gospels, you are likely to observe countless similarities. And that is the dominant picture: the places, the names, the crowds, the rural setting, busy Jerusalem. However, some skeptics see insurmountable problems.
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
The number of similarities, even between the Gospel of John on the one side and Matthew, Mark, and Luke on the other, is remarkable.
15. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Conclusion
We come at last to the end of the series. Part Fifteen here, summarizing the previous fourteen articles, can serve as a guide for which article the reader may need in the future. The series has always been about having confidence in the four Gospels so the gospel of the kingdom can go forth.
1. New Testament Manuscripts: Preliminary Questions and Answers
This article is the first in a four-part series on New Testament textual criticism. It provides the basics on this science and art. It also answers the question, How do I grow closer to God?
2. Basic Facts On Producing New Testament Manuscripts
This article comes second in a four-part series on New Testament textual criticism. It answers questions about the material and process of making the pages of a document, along with the scribal art of writing. It also answers the question: How does this post help me grow closer to God?
3. Discovering And Classifying New Testament Manuscripts
This article provides basic facts on how some of the New Testament manuscripts were discovered and how they are classified. The post answers this important question: How does this post help me grow closer to God?
4. The Manuscripts Tell The Story: The New Testament Is Reliable
This article, the last one in the four-part series, has a focused goal. It provides evidence from the best New Testament textual critics that it is possible to reach back to the original (autograph) books and letters of the New Testament, though the originals no longer physically exist. This post also answers the question: How do I grow closer to God?
Works Cited
Here is a list of the principal works referenced or used at this site. More will be added as time goes on, so please check back.
