The Reliability of the Gospels

• 💡 The reliability and authorship of the Gospels were not questioned in Thomas Aquinas's time, as they were considered ancient biographies by eyewitnesses or their companions.
• 🧐 Skepticism about the Gospels emerged after the Enlightenment, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, questioning miracles and divine claims.
• 📜 Scholars like Bart Ehrman argue the Gospels were originally anonymous, with titles added later for authority, leading to doubts about their historical accuracy.
• ❌ However, the theory of anonymous Gospels lacks evidence; all early manuscripts and external historical sources unanimously attribute the Gospels to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• 🏛️ The Gospels are better attested with manuscript evidence than any other ancient document, with hundreds of copies from early centuries compared to a handful for other classical works.

Jesus's Claims to Divinity

• 🤫 Jesus's claims to divinity are often subtle in the Synoptic Gospels, using Jewish idioms, parables, and riddles to avoid immediate execution and to invite deeper reflection.
• 🎯 In Mark 2, Jesus's statement, "Your sins are forgiven," is recognized by Jewish listeners as blasphemy, as only God can forgive sins, a claim Jesus validates by performing a visible miracle.
• 👑 Jesus's self-designation as the "Son of Man" alludes to the divine figure in Daniel, implying both humanity and divinity, especially when he claims authority over the temple and is accused of blasphemy.
• 🗣️ At his trial, Jesus's affirmative response to being the "Christ, the Son of the Blessed" and the "Son of Man" leads the High Priest to tear his garments and declare it blasphemy, indicating Jesus claimed divinity.
• 🚶‍♂️ In Mark 6, Jesus's statement "I am" while walking on water, using the divine name revealed to Moses, signifies his divine power and identity, a concept echoed in Job where only God walks on waves.

Understanding Gospel Differences and Scripture

• ✍️ While the Gospels are biographies based on eyewitness testimony, they are not verbatim transcripts but aim for substantial historical truth and accuracy, reflecting the genre of ancient biography.
• 🔄 Differences in wording, like at the Last Supper, do not negate reliability; the core message and historical substance remain consistent across accounts.
• 📖 To love Scripture more, immerse yourself in it daily, treating it as God's Word, not just human words, to nourish your spiritual life.
• 🌐 Dr. Brant Pitre's resources, including books like "The Case for Jesus" and various Bible studies, are available on his website, BrantPitre.com.