![]() ![]() There is lots more evidence for Jesus in Paul’s writings, which are even earlier than some of the Gospels (or at least he records things that predate the Gospels, such as the creed in 1 Corinthians 15.) Secondly, Tacitus’ writing IS evidence Jesus existed, even if you doubt Christianity. Second, this is a continuation of the bait and switch. Her next target is the works of Josephus and Tacitus, historians who wrote in the late 1 st and early 2 nd Centuries, under the heading “The Gospels are not corroborated by outside historians.” First, let me observe that “historical event X was not written about by people who didn’t care” is not evidence that event X didn’t happen. From this, we are to infer Jesus never existed? That kind of “all-or-nothing” thinking is common among fundamentalists (in the negative sense) both of the Christian variety as well as the skeptic variety. She leads off questioning the evidence for Jesus’ existence, and then just casts doubt about the accuracy of the Gospel accounts. Notice, by the way, the “bait and switch” that has happened here. Anybody see a problem there? Anyone? Bueller?… People who lived within living memory of the events affirm the traditional authorship. Now, I can’t find any evidence from the early 19 th century that Lincoln existed.”įollowing this, she raises the “We don’t know who wrote the Gospels, but they weren’t eyewitnesses” objection. “I’m going to ignore all the biographies of Lincoln that mention his concern for America. These quests were done with enlightenment thinking, so once you dismiss much of the record in advance, then yes, it is very hard to get at who Jesus was. Next, after citing the work of world-renown biblical scholar Thomas Jefferson for his redaction of all things miraculous from the Bible (a product of his enlightenment,) she cites the failure of the various “quest(s) for the historical Jesus” as casting doubt on the record of the Gospels. (Never mind that the view itself is not true by definition, nor can it be tested scientifically.) So, from the start, the argument is “The Gospels claim things that are not true by definition, and cannot be tested scientifically, therefore they can’t be evidence that Jesus existed.” The idea was that the only facts that can be known were those scientifically testable or true by definition. It was the birth of the “fact/value” split. Rationalism is the idea that only that which can be arrived at by human reasoning ought to be considered rational. ![]() She only mentions the rise of particular scientific disciplines (conveniently overlooking the fact that the modern scientific revolution was grounded in the Christian worldview.) What did the “enlightenment” bring us? Rationalism. The author, Valerie Tarico, credits the “enlightenment” as furnishing grounds for doubting the content of the Gospels. In this case in point, we have a post titled “ Evidence Jesus Existed Weaker Than We Might Think” published at. It’s Easter time, and like clockwork, as surely as those who attend church twice a year show up (and we’re glad you do, we miss you the rest of the year,) the skeptics pop up with their attacks on Christian beliefs. This book is a must read for parents, pastors, and youth leaders. Personally, I find this book immensely helpful in how to be ready to “give an answer” to the next generation. As a result, I do feel a distance that can make interaction a little awkward. However, now that my children are grown, and I haven’t had the blessing of grandchildren yet, I haven’t been involved much with children. I spent a good amount of time training as an apologist. ![]() The second section offers a framework for how to reach them. It begins with a section about us and why it is so important to reach the next generation. ![]() McDowell and Wallace make their case by showing how to love this next generation well, and without compromise. In So the Next Generation Will Know, we are shown not only that the case must still be made, but what sort of challenges we are likely to encounter in doing so to the emerging generation.Īs their book is laid out, they begin by noting that for all the unique aspects of this upcoming generation, they need love, just like the rest of us. Both have written prolifically and spoken in countless venues on the subject, and I have certainly benefitted from their work. Apologetics is the art and science of making a rational case for the Christian worldview, and McDowell and Wallace are rock stars in that field. ![]()
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