Evidence for the life of Jesus of Nazareth is presented in the Gospels: the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. How reliable are these written records? When we read them, are we getting an accurate account of what Jesus actually said and did?
These questions are important because the gospels are the main source of information about the earthly life of Jesus Christ. If they are unreliable or undependable, then our knowledge of Him is greatly limited. If they are precise historical records, then they serve a valuable purpose in educating us about the most incredible person in history.
It should be noted that historical evidence is sufficient in itself to prove something as fact. Empirical evidence (evidence based on experimentation) is only rarely available to those studying ancient historical facts. To illustrate, the life of Genghis Khan cannot be established in the laboratory.
Historians collect data on people and events based on eyewitness accounts, written documents, public records, or archaeological finds. Using the material available, one could determine the facts about persons such as George Washington or Julius Caesar, or find out what happened at the Battle of Waterloo. Public records are commonly used to prove when a person lived or died, or to verify that he graduated from a certain school, or to show that he was married. Some historical events are known only by eyewitness account, such as in courtroom cases when a person testifies to what he has personally seen in the past. Written testimony is admissible in a court of law.
The gospels present us with the testimony of many eyewitnesses to Jesus Christ. These witnesses lived in the same generation as Jesus with the opportunity to observe Him very closely:
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These men understood that their historical record serves an important purpose in revealing to mankind the miraculous deeds of Jesus:
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)
Based on their testimony, we have more information about Jesus Christ than any other person in ancient history. That eidence tells us Jesus was more than just a man; He is the Son of God.
– by Tom Rainwater
