Can we trust the Gospels ? by Peter J Williams Crossway, 2018 £5.99 153 pages
ISBN 978 1 433 552 953 Available on Kindle
The reliability of the Bible as we know it is often attacked as being untrustworthy, its text corrupted over the ages since it was originally set down in writing, so it is claimed.
The Koran may have similar problems but that is not readily acknowledged.
The gospels, in particular, are berated because of their focus on Jesus Christ and, for some, the miracles are unbelievable.
In this short book, Peter Williams (Principal of Tyndale House in Cambridge, a leading institute for Biblical research) offers a detailed examination of some aspects of the gospel records.
Should we accept them as historically accurate ?
What evidence is there that the recorded events actually happened ?
Evidence from non-Biblical sources is examined – Tacitus, Pliny the Younger and Josephus.
How accurately do the four Biblical accounts reflect the cultural context of their day ?
Dr Williams compares differing accounts of the same events (contradictions) and looks at the transmission of the records over time.
As may be expected from a New Testament scholar, the thrust of the case presented is in favour of the gospels being reliable with evidence being piled up cumulatively.
The arguments are detailed, powerful and compelling.
A doughty defence of the basic sources for our knowledge of Jesus.