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07. Dating the Gospels: Acts Part 2 – Romans Neutrality
1,235 wordsVerse: John 18: 38 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.”… Summary/ TL;DR Luke’s portrayal of Rome being protective and neutral of Christianity throughout Acts appears as a contradiction to the objectively brutal history of Nero’s persecution. This portrait Luke is painting therefore seems to imply an earlier dating before 64 AD. Introduction “05. Dating the Gospels: Acts Part I – Silence” focused on the “Silence Argument”, which focused on events that occurred between the ending of…
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06. Was Jesus Baptised? A historical analysis
1,078 wordsVerse: Matthew 3:14 NASB 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?” Summary/ TL;DR Using internal textual analysis and external evidence, we can confidently conclude that Jesus of Nazareth was baptised by John the Baptist, in the Jordan river. Introduction There are many things that critical scholars deem as highly likely to have occurred regarding the “historical Jesus”. Some of these include the crucifixion, serving as a teacher, amassing a following, and another being the baptism by John the Baptist. It is written that…
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05. Dating the Gospels: Acts Part I – Silence
2,758 wordsVerse: Acts 28:30-31 NASB 30 Now Paul stayed two full years in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. Summary/ TL;DR Modern critical scholars date the Book of Acts to 80 – 85 AD, however internal evidence suggests an earlier publication to around 62 AD. The argument stems from the “silent events” that occurred between 62 and 70 AD, including the martyrdoms of James, Peter, and Paul, Nero’s brutal persecution of Christians, and the destruction of the Second…
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04. Dating the Gospels: Late First Century
2,266 wordsVerse: Matthew 24:1-2 NASB 1995 “24 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” Summary/ TL;DR Jesus predicts the destruction of the second temple, found in the synoptic gospels, which occurred in 70 AD. From a naturalistic perspective, this would have meant that the writers had prior knowledge of this event. Then…
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03. What is the Bible?
574 wordsVerse: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB “16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. Summary/ TL;DR An ancient collection of books, divided into the Old and New Testament, beginning with the creation of mankind and finalizing with its judgement. Christians use the unity of the Old and New for scripture. Introduction What is the Bible? A commonly asked question, with varying answers due to differing perspectives. The “Historian” may use the Bible…
About: Two Foundations
Matthew 7:24-27 NASB 1995
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”
Jesus taught us that those who act in accordance with his teachings, when tested, would remain triumphant in the face of opposition. Similarly, this blog serves to deliver a foundation built-on-rock rooted in historical and biblical reliability that, when tested, will persevere unlike those who built-on-sand. Therefore this blog serves to stress test the reliability of the Bible. Evidence will be supplied, proof will be determined, ultimately requiring a leap of faith.