There is a chorus of people who claim to have found joy, tranquility and a host of other benefits—attributing their life change to a variety of sources or activities. Are any of these claims valid? How can we know? It is true that our experiences are considered anecdotal or “soft” evidence. Is it so subjective that it doesn’t prove anything? Consider the following illustration from Josh McDowell, as discussed in Evidence that Demands a Verdict (San Bernardino: Here’s Life, 1979), pp. 327-328: [Read more…]

To address this question, we ask you to consider the following excerpt from author David A. Noebel’s Understanding the Times (Harvest House Publishers, 1991), pp.764-766: [Read more…]

If a person is inclined to “want” an error to be found in the Gospel accounts, in order to justify their unbelief, they will find opportunities to claim such exist. In this case they are usually not interested in hearing logical and reasonable explanations which could resolve the difficulty. Their position is, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!”

There are apparent difficulties, as seen in variations among the eyewitness accounts. However, the writers of the New Testament, with their solid record of integrity and historical reliability, deserve enough respect to give them the benefit of the doubt when information to resolve every difficulty is lacking. This is especially true in view of the fact that many apparent contradictions which were claimed by critics 100 years ago, have since been resolved or eliminated by new understanding as a result of the discovery of external evidence, such as ancient manuscripts and archaeological artifacts. [Read more…]

Which books should be included in the New Testament is the question of canonicity. The test of canonicity is the test of divine inspiration. Some books were regarded by the early church as inspired by one and the same Spirit, thereby giving them authority. These were included in the canon (authoritative list) of the New Testament.

What is the test of inspiration? That is, how did the early church know which books were inspired? The Lord Himself established that apostolicity determines inspiration, that is, authorship by an apostle or men commissioned by the apostles. The following points summarize the development of the Canon. [Read more…]

There are numerous ways to determine the date of a manuscript. A common indicator is the style of writing used by the copyist. There was a period of time where copying was done in all capital letters; another time when they used only small letters; and still other times when copying was done in a cursive style. A general date would be indicated by the style. The absence or degree of punctuation also indicates different time periods. [Read more…]