Why Deeper?
37.3 (71%) million state their religion as Christian in England and Wales.
(2001 Census)
Church of England attendance falls for fifth year in row. 3% of those claiming to be Christian.
(Guardian Friday 22 January 2010 )
Why Deeper?
1 Peter 3:15 … Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect We will never argue people into the Kingdom, but we need to have an answer for those who believe inaccurate information peddled as fact, by the like of Dawkins.
Ground Rules
1. Do you own research, don’t trust me.
1. Sources and theology language not included for sake of easy reading. Please request my essay entitled ‘Can The Gospels Be Trusted As Evidence For Jesus” for that information.
2. Just because I am the author of the following does not mean I believe all that I am about to describe. This is an attempt to be prepared with an answer.
Colour Code
1. Blue: Anything someone trying to prove the gospels as historic fact might say. May or may not be accepted by most theologians as true.
1. Red: Anything someone trying to disprove the gospels as historic fact might say. May or may not be accepted by most theologians as true.
2. Black: Neutral can be used as background information for either side. Probably accepted by most (but not necessarily all) theologians.
Method
Proving the Gospels are historically accurate and hence Jesus is who he says he is.
1. Primary – How close it the source to the original material (time & generation).
1. Agreement - Multiple sources with a consistent message.
2. Motivation – Authors bias or desires.
Primary1.Written Within
Decades of Jesus Death
2.Close sources3.Oral tradition
accurate4.More accurate
then Socrates & Alexander The Great
1.No writings during Jesus life or by Jesus himself
2.None of the Gospel writers were eye witnesses
3.Chinese whispers create errors
4.Multiple errors
Agreement1.Jesus of Nazareth
existed2.Socrates writers
didn’t agree3.Historians
accepted legends do not start within two generations
4.MML Agree on much
1.Jesus just a teacher2.The Gospels
disagree on details3.Legends explain
any agreement within the Gospels
4.Using 3 criterion we find we know nothing of Jesus
Motivation1.Embarrassments
within the Gospels show their lack of biases
2.Bias doesn’t mean falsehood
3.Christian martyrdom
4.Luke considered a historian
1.Gospels writers have a biases
2.Enough said!
In Conclusion
The Gospels can be trusted as historical fact for Jesus
The Gospels can not be trusted as historical fact for Jesus
