1. The accounts are early. As ancient records go,
the narratives were written very close to the events
they report.
2. Multiple, independent, primary source
documents verify each other. In addition to the
works of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the
writings of Peter and Paul, 17 secular references
along with prodigious archaeological evidence
further corroborate the canonical accounts.
3. The New Testament documents include details
of eyewitness testimony: times of day, weather
conditions, local customs, names of provincial
rulers, and other minutia characteristic of
authentic accounts.
4. The Gospels include embarrassing details. Jesus’
disciples are petty, slow to understand, arrogant,
and unfaithful. Peter denies Christ; the rest flee.
Women, disrespected in the ancient world, are
the first to witness the risen Christ.Why include
these unflattering details if the Gospels are works
of fiction?
5. There was no motivation for the writers to
deceive.Those who lie, do so out of self-interest.
A testimony that brings torment, torture, and
execution is not likely to be fabricated.The earliest
disciples—those who were in a position to know
the truth—signed their testimonies in blood.
Peter wrote,“We did not follow cleverly devised
tales when we made known to you the power
and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were
eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). His
claim fits all the facts.
Resource: Stand To Reason September/October 2011 Issue of Enhanced Solid Ground
they report.
2. Multiple, independent, primary source
documents verify each other. In addition to the
works of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the
writings of Peter and Paul, 17 secular references
along with prodigious archaeological evidence
further corroborate the canonical accounts.
3. The New Testament documents include details
of eyewitness testimony: times of day, weather
conditions, local customs, names of provincial
rulers, and other minutia characteristic of
authentic accounts.
4. The Gospels include embarrassing details. Jesus’
disciples are petty, slow to understand, arrogant,
and unfaithful. Peter denies Christ; the rest flee.
Women, disrespected in the ancient world, are
the first to witness the risen Christ.Why include
these unflattering details if the Gospels are works
of fiction?
5. There was no motivation for the writers to
deceive.Those who lie, do so out of self-interest.
A testimony that brings torment, torture, and
execution is not likely to be fabricated.The earliest
disciples—those who were in a position to know
the truth—signed their testimonies in blood.
Peter wrote,“We did not follow cleverly devised
tales when we made known to you the power
and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were
eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16). His
claim fits all the facts.
Resource: Stand To Reason September/October 2011 Issue of Enhanced Solid Ground
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