Is the New Testament Reliable? (Second Edition)
Overview
The historical claims of the New Testament—that Jesus performed miracles, fulfilled prophecy, died and rose again, and ascended into heaven—come to us as received tradition, and we receive them in faith, trusting that the New Testament is indeed an inspired collection of writings, that it indeed tells us the truth. Increasingly, the reliability of not just the New Testament but really any document of history is called into question. If everyone writes from a point of view and with an agenda, can we reasonably expect any historical account to be objective—to tell us the truth?
In this newly revised edition of Is the New Testament Reliable? Paul Barnett defends the task of the historian and the concept of history. He then addresses questions about the New Testament of importance to people of faith and skeptics alike:
- How close in time are the New Testament documents to the life of Jesus?
- Why should we believe the writings of ‘biased’ early Christians?
- Were any of the writers of the New Testament books eyewitnesses to the events it records?
- How can we know that what was originally written has not been altered through the centuries?
It is no small thing to trust ancient claims, but Barnett shows that we can take confidence in the New Testament, for it tells us the truth.
If you like this resource be sure to check out IVP New Testament Studies Collection (14 vols.).
- Defends the concept of history
- Addresses questions about the New Testament
- Explores the reliability of ancient claims
Top Highlights
“Third, it will be helpful if we also keep in mind the fact that what is now called the New Testament originally consisted of twenty-seven separate scrolls of varying length.” (Page 19)
“It is fortunate for the study of Christian origins that Jesus was born in such a literate, well-documented period” (Page 20)
“The preoccupation with ‘important’ people is one reason ‘world history’ has so little to say about Jesus” (Page 15)
“Without knowing it, Pliny confirms as historically accurate some details found in the New Testament” (Page 24)
“By the third and fourth centuries the New Testament was being translated into Coptic and Syriac” (Page 44)
It is good news that Dr. Barnett’s book is available. He shows how perfectly the account of Jesus and his followers fits into history.
—F.F. Bruce, author of The Canon of Scripture
I know of no other book which in short compass does such an excellent job.
—James W. Sire, author of Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All?
- Title: Is the New Testament Reliable? (Second Edition)
- Author: Paul W. Barnett
- Publisher: IVP
- Print Publication Date: 2003
- Logos Release Date: 2011
- Pages: 197
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. › Evidences, authority, etc; Bible. N.T. › History of Biblical events
- ISBNs: 9780830894680, 9780830827688, 0830894683, 0830827684
- Resource ID: LLS:ISNTRELIABLE
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-08T16:28:00Z