Apologetics Field-based Activity Jesus and the Reliability of the New Testament Smith
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Liberty University *
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500
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Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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4
Uploaded by PresidentWalrus3462
A
POLOGETICS
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Jeffery D. Smith
Instructions for this submission The purpose of the activity is to provide you with an opportunity to construct a short argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus while anticipating possible objections to that argument and then sharing that argument “in the field
.” In the sections provided below, you will insert your constructed argument and possible objections; you will enter the date, time, setting, and short description of the person with whom you share the argument; and a short reflection on the sharing experience.
1.
Construct a short argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus while anticipating possible objections.
a.
Type below the list, the type of argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus that you will be constructing (limit yourself to one of
argument): The NT Claims to Be Eyewitness Testimony (Gould, p. 72-73)
b.
Lay out your argument as you plan to use it in the conversation you will be having.
One of the main reasons to trust the New Testament as a reliable source of historical information is that it claims to be based on eyewitness testimony. The authors of the four Gospels and the book of Acts explicitly state that they either witnessed the events they narrate or consulted with those who did. For example, Luke begins his Gospel by saying that he "carefully investigated everything from the beginning" and that he wrote an "orderly account" for his readers (Luke 1:3).
John ends his Gospel by affirming that he is "the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down" and that he knows that "his testimony is true" (John 21:24). Moreover, the epistles of Paul, Peter, James and Jude also attest to their personal involvement in the life and ministry of Jesus and the early church. These writers had nothing to gain and everything to lose by fabricating their stories, as they faced persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom for their faith. Therefore, their testimony is credible and trustworthy, and it supports the historical accuracy of the New Testament.
c.
Anticipate and state in complete sentences two to three possible objections. Page 1 of 4
One possible objection to the claim that the New Testament (NT) is based on eyewitness testimony is that the authors of the gospels are anonymous, and their identities are uncertain. Some scholars have argued that the traditional attributions of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are
not reliable and that the gospels were written by later Christians who did not witness the events they describe. Another possible objection is that the NT contains contradictions and discrepancies that undermine its credibility as eyewitness testimony. For example, the accounts of the resurrection in the four gospels differ in many details, such as who visited the tomb, what they saw there, and how they reacted. A third possible objection is that the NT is influenced by theological biases and agendas that distort the historical facts. Some critics have suggested that the NT authors embellished or invented stories to support their beliefs about Jesus' divinity, miracles, fulfillment of prophecies, and so on.
d.
Explain how you would address those objections in a short conversation. - First, acknowledge that the NT documents are not strictly eyewitness accounts, but rather testimonies of faith that include eyewitness elements. Explain that this does not mean they are unreliable or inaccurate, but rather that they have a purpose and a message beyond simply reporting facts.
- Second, point out that the NT documents were written within the lifetime of the eyewitnesses, and that they were based on oral traditions that were carefully preserved and transmitted by the early Christian communities. Provide some examples of how the NT authors used sources, such as Mark's use of Peter's preaching, Luke's use of eyewitness interviews, and John's use of his own personal experience.
- Third, challenge the assumption that eyewitness testimony is always unreliable or biased. Explain that while eyewitnesses can make mistakes or have different perspectives, they can also provide valuable and trustworthy information, especially when they are honest, consistent, and corroborated by other sources. Provide some examples of how the NT authors showed honesty, consistency, and corroboration in their testimonies.
- Finally, invite the person to consider the NT documents not only as historical sources, but also as spiritual witnesses that invite a response of faith. Explain that the NT authors did not write to convince skeptics, but to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who were willing to listen and believe.
2.
Sharing your argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus.
a.
Identify the time and place in which you had the conversation.
I had this same conversation during my Introduction to New Testament class during my undergraduate work. b.
Identify the setting (coffeeshop, online, text, etc. It must, however, be a conversation and not a monologue): Page 2 of 4
It was during our weekly class session, in person prior to the pandemic. c.
Identify your conversation partner (no names please): unbeliever, believer; uncertain; knowledge level, attitude of partner (antagonistic, interested, doubtful, devil’s advocate). My conversation partner was my professor. He is a Baptist pastor who has a master’s degree in Theology and a doctorate in psychology. He began course topics by playing devil’s advocate.
3.
Reflection in which you describe how the conversation went, the reaction of your conversation partner both during and after the presentation of the argument, what you might have done differently, and how you feel after presentation about the strength of the argument.
a.
Describe details about how the conversation went.
During the first few weeks of class, my professor posed the question of how could the New Testament be an eyewitness account all were written over half a century after Jesus’ crucifixion. Many younger students, new to college and new to the faith, were unable to offer valid arguments. My professor, who was also my former pastor, asked me for my opinion. I likened the Gospels and the New Testament to the oral history of African Americans. During a time where reading and writing were illegal, we passed down our heritage and our history by telling stories. People and events were just as true and just as real. Minute points may have been altered depending on the storyteller, but the story always held more facts than fiction. b.
Describe the reaction of your conversation partner both during and after the presentation of the argument.
My professor was pleased at the response, and didn’t offer a rebuttal. My fellow students were shocked and hadn’t thought about the New Testament in that way. They were focused on how to validate the whole of the Scriptures, rather than understanding the big picture of the story and purpose of the New Testament. c.
Describe what you might have done differently. I wouldn’t have changed this conversation. I feel like my method and point of view allowed my fellow students to view the New Testament in a different light, but still upheld the belief in the Scriptures. Page 3 of 4
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d.
Describe what you feel after the presentation about the strength of the argument.
I feel like my argument was a strong one. Not in facts and figures, but more in thought and reflection. My argument allowed an open space for people to believe in the Scriptures without necessarily needing hard facts in order to do so. Page 4 of 4