As I investigated the claims of the Bible concerning Abram leaving Ur of the Chaldees, traveling to ancient Haran, then on to Canaan, I came across many archaeological discoveries that supported the dating of the story in Genesis about his life and journey. I had been told for a long time that the stories in the Bible were fairy tales without any possible connection to real … [Read more...]
Christmas Notes, Part 3: Joseph’s Narrative
It is often truly remarked that our classic Christmas story—the one we celebrate in pageants every December and teach to our children—blends elements from two quite distinct narratives, one found in the first two chapters of Matthew and the other in the first two chapters of Luke. In both accounts, Jesus is born in Bethlehem to Joseph and Mary during the reign of Herod the … [Read more...]
Paul – Apostle or Fraud (Part 5)
We’re continuing an investigation into whether Paul was a true apostle of Jesus Christ or a fraud. A surprising number of people who call themselves Christians believe Paul was a fraud. They say that doesn’t affect their faith in Christ at all and even makes it stronger because they are following Christ and not “Paul.” Paul wrote almost half of the New Testament, so people … [Read more...]
Ancient and Modern Historiography: What Are The Gospels?
Introduction Over the years, I have had my share of discussions about the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). There is still an overall skepticism towards them that permeates the culture and college campuses. I have found that many skeptics have never stopped and asked the question, “What Are The Gospels?” What Are The Gospels? When we discuss the Gospels with others I … [Read more...]
Are There Two Different Creation Stories in Genesis?
A Tale of Two Stories Ever met someone who said you shouldn’t trust the Bible because of contradictions in the text? I remember talking with a skeptic I’ll call “Julie” while travelling to Northern California from down south. I don’t remember how the conversation began, but I do remember that she was pretty sure that we couldn’t trust anything written in the Bible. Why? She … [Read more...]
Convince Me There’s A God – Archaeology 7
The Hebrew Bible records the history of the world in some detail, but the history of Israel in great detail. Rather than a book of myth and legend, the Hebrew Bible was written as an historical narrative of a people and their God. That means their existence, both people and God, can be investigated according to historical detail. When I was looking into the claims of … [Read more...]
Paul – Apostle or Fraud (Part 4)
We are laying an historical foundation for answering questions about the involvement of Saul of Tarsus in the growing movement of Jews who followed the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. There are many people today who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ who believe Paul was a fraud and not a true apostle of Jesus Christ. Because of that they do not subscribe to … [Read more...]
Testing the Gospels From John to Hippolytus
I am confident the Gospels were written early and were not corrupted or altered over time. As a new investigator of the claims of Christianity, I examined the case for early dating and became convinced the Gospels were written within the generation of the eyewitnesses. But how do we know whether or not the early accounts were corrupted over the years? One way to test the … [Read more...]
Christmas Notes, Part 1: Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
There is perhaps no story so well beloved as the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. But every year we are told on television or in news magazines that we cannot believe the nativity story, that Matthew and Luke contradict each other, and that “scientific” criticism has dissolved the story of the virgin birth into a pious myth. Why do they say this? Could a story of a virgin birth … [Read more...]
Outing fundamentalists
As a Christian I risk being labeled a fundamentalist. I risk having my honest reasoned opinions summarily dismissed as fundamentalism. Fortunately in my case this has been rare, perhaps only because I’ve kept my mouth shut for the most part. Nevertheless, certain authors and thinkers who I respect have been so labeled. But what does it mean? What is fundamentalism? Should … [Read more...]