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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Aug 215 min read

Why Can We Trust the New Testament?

The Canonization of the New Testament


The process of recognizing the books of the New Testament was a meticulous and careful one that spanned several centuries, from the first to the fourth century C.E. This process was driven by the practical needs of the early church, such as the use of Scripture in worship, the rise of false teachings, and periods of persecution that necessitated identifying and preserving authentic works.


The criteria for including a book in the New Testament canon were rigorous. One key question was whether the book was associated with an apostle, as apostolic authority was crucial for establishing credibility. For example, the Gospel of John was accepted due to its apostolic origin, being written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples (John 21:24). Additionally, books had to align with other authentic biblical texts, ensuring doctrinal consistency. Finally, the widespread use and acceptance of the books in early Christian communities were critical factors. This careful sifting process led to the recognition of the 27 books that comprise the New Testament today.



Reliability of New Testament Sources


The New Testament writers used reliable sources, which were carefully handled and faithfully transmitted. Luke, for instance, explicitly states his method in Luke 1:1-4, where he mentions his use of eyewitness accounts and thorough investigation to compile his Gospel. This reliance on firsthand testimony is a common feature of the New Testament texts.


Jesus assured His apostles that the Holy Spirit would help them recall His teachings accurately (John 14:25-26). This divine assistance, coupled with the cultural emphasis on oral tradition and memory in Jewish society, ensured the faithful transmission of Jesus' words and deeds. The New Testament documents were written within a relatively short time after the events they describe, often within a single lifetime, which is considered very close by ancient historical standards.


For example, the earliest extant manuscripts of the Gospel of John, such as the Rylands Library Papyrus P52, date to around 125 C.E., only a few decades after the original composition. This proximity in time significantly reduces the likelihood of substantial alterations or legendary developments. In contrast, other ancient historical works, like those of Livy and Herodotus, often exist in manuscripts copied centuries after the original compositions, yet they are still regarded as credible sources.



Manuscript Evidence for the New Testament


The New Testament boasts far superior manuscript evidence compared to other ancient documents. With approximately 5,898 Greek manuscripts and over 8,000 Latin manuscripts, scholars can cross-reference these texts to determine the original wording with high accuracy. In contrast, works by classical authors like Plato or Herodotus typically survive in far fewer manuscripts, often fewer than 20.


This vast number of manuscripts enables textual critics to reconstruct the original texts with remarkable precision. Variants that do exist among the manuscripts are generally minor and do not affect core doctrinal teachings. This high degree of manuscript evidence supports the reliability of the New Testament as a faithful record of the original writings.



The Complexity of Historical Accounts


Understanding the trustworthiness of the New Testament involves recognizing the complexity of historical accounts. Differences in the Gospels, for instance, do not necessarily indicate contradictions but can reflect different perspectives on the same events. Each Gospel writer provides a unique viewpoint, enriching our understanding of Jesus' life and ministry.


For example, the accounts of the resurrection appearances vary among the Gospels, yet they all consistently affirm the central truth of Jesus' resurrection. Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-18 each offer distinct details, yet together they provide a comprehensive and harmonious testimony to this pivotal event.


Historical writing often involves reflecting on events to understand their significance. The Gospel writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, not only recorded what happened but also interpreted the events in light of their theological importance. This reflective nature does not undermine the historicity of the accounts but enhances our appreciation of their depth and meaning.



Adequate Knowledge for Trustworthiness


Trustworthiness in historical accounts does not require exhaustive knowledge but rather adequate and accurate representation of the events. John acknowledges the selectivity of his Gospel in John 21:25: "There are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."


The purpose of the New Testament writings is not to provide an exhaustive account of every detail of Jesus' life but to offer a sufficient and reliable testimony to His identity and work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 underscores the sufficiency of Scripture: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." The New Testament provides all that is necessary for understanding God's revelation in Jesus Christ and for living a life of faith and obedience.



Archaeology and the New Testament


Archaeology plays a significant role in corroborating the historical reliability of the New Testament. While archaeology cannot prove every event, it often confirms the cultural and geographical details mentioned in the texts. Discoveries like the Pool of Bethesda, described in John 5:2, validate the accuracy of the New Testament's descriptions.


For many years, scholars doubted the existence of the Pool of Bethesda because no archaeological evidence had been found. However, excavations in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries revealed a pool with five porticoes, consistent with John's description. This discovery illustrates how archaeological findings can support the historical reliability of the New Testament.


Other archaeological findings, such as the inscription bearing the name of Pontius Pilate found in Caesarea Maritima, further confirm the historical context of the New Testament. These discoveries demonstrate that the New Testament writers were accurately reporting details of their time, lending credibility to their overall accounts.



The Certainty of Miracles


The New Testament's accounts of miracles, including the resurrection, are often viewed skeptically by modern readers. However, the historical context and the reactions of those who witnessed these events provide strong evidence for their certainty. The Gospels and Acts were written within the lifetime of eyewitnesses, many of whom endured persecution and martyrdom for their testimony.


The transformation of the disciples is one of the most compelling pieces of evidence for the resurrection. Before Jesus' resurrection, they were often fearful and lacked understanding (Mark 14:50). However, after witnessing the risen Christ, they became bold proclaimers of the gospel, even in the face of severe opposition and death (Acts 4:13).


Paul's conversion is another powerful testimony. As a former persecutor of Christians, his radical change after encountering the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) is best explained by the reality of the resurrection. Paul's subsequent ministry and writings had a profound impact on the early church and provide a strong witness to the truth of the resurrection.


Historical Complexity and Reflection


Assessing the trustworthiness of the New Testament involves understanding the complexity of historical narratives. Different perspectives and subsequent reflections on events do not negate their historicity. Instead, they provide a fuller understanding of their significance.


The four Gospels offer distinct yet complementary portraits of Jesus. Each writer emphasizes different aspects of His ministry and teachings, contributing to a richer and more nuanced understanding of His life. Matthew's focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Matthew 1:22-23), Mark's emphasis on Jesus as the suffering servant (Mark 10:45), Luke's portrayal of Jesus as the Savior of all people (Luke 2:10-11), and John's depiction of Jesus as the eternal Word (John 1:1-3) together provide a comprehensive picture of who Jesus is.


This multifaceted portrayal is not a contradiction but an enrichment, allowing believers to see Jesus from various angles and appreciate the depth of His person and work. Reflecting on the significance of events, as the Gospel writers did, helps us understand their impact and theological implications more profoundly.


Selectivity and Sufficiency of the New Testament


The selectivity of the New Testament writings does not undermine their trustworthiness. Instead, it highlights their sufficiency for conveying the essential truths of the Christian faith. John 21:25 acknowledges that not every detail of Jesus' life is recorded, but what is written is sufficient for faith and practice.


Paul emphasizes the purpose and sufficiency of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, stating that it is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The New Testament provides a comprehensive and reliable guide for understanding God's revelation and living a life that honors Him.


The selectivity of the New Testament also reflects the focus on the most important aspects of Jesus' ministry and teachings. By concentrating on key events and messages, the writers ensure that readers have a clear and compelling understanding of Jesus' identity and mission.



Archaeological Corroboration


The Pilate Inscription: One of the most significant archaeological finds corroborating the New Testament is the Pilate Inscription. Discovered in 1961 in Caesarea Maritima, this stone inscription bears the name of Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect who presided over the trial of Jesus. This find provides direct evidence of Pilate's historical existence and his role in Judea, affirming the Gospel accounts that mention him.


The Pool of Bethesda: The Gospel of John describes the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where Jesus healed a paralyzed man. For many years, skeptics doubted the existence of this pool. However, in the late 19th century, archaeologists discovered the remains of a pool with five porticoes, matching the description in John 5:2. This discovery supports the historical accuracy of John's account.


The Nazareth House: Skeptics have long questioned the existence of Nazareth during the time of Jesus. However, in 2009, archaeologists uncovered a first-century house in Nazareth, providing evidence that the town did indeed exist during Jesus' lifetime. This find corroborates the Gospel accounts that describe Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth.


The Ossuary of James: In 2002, an ossuary (a bone box) was discovered with an Aramaic inscription reading, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." While there has been some debate over the authenticity of the inscription, many scholars believe it to be genuine. If authentic, this ossuary provides archaeological evidence for the existence of James, the brother of Jesus, mentioned in the New Testament.


The Erastus Inscription: In Romans 16:23, Paul mentions a man named Erastus, who was the city treasurer of Corinth. In 1929, archaeologists discovered a pavement stone in Corinth with an inscription that reads, "Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid this pavement at his own expense." This find supports the New Testament's mention of Erastus and his role in Corinth.


The John Rylands Papyrus (P52): The John Rylands Papyrus mentioned above, discovered in Egypt in 1920, contains a fragment of the Gospel of John and is dated to around 100-150 C.E. This early manuscript fragment provides evidence for the early circulation and textual integrity of the New Testament writings.


The Response to Miracles and the Resurrection


The New Testament's accounts of miracles, especially the resurrection, are central to the Christian faith. The disciples' transformation and willingness to suffer and die for their testimony provide strong evidence for the resurrection's reality.


Peter, who denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:69-75), became a bold leader in the early church after the resurrection. He proclaimed the risen Christ to thousands, leading to the conversion of many (Acts 2:14-41). This dramatic change in Peter and the other disciples is best explained by their genuine encounters with the risen Jesus.


Paul's conversion and subsequent ministry further attest to the resurrection's reality. As a former persecutor of Christians, his radical transformation after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) is compelling evidence of the resurrection's truth. Paul's writings, which form a significant portion of the New Testament, consistently affirm the centrality of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).


The Fourfold Witness of the Gospels


The four Gospels provide a comprehensive and multi-dimensional witness to Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Each Gospel offers a unique perspective, contributing to a fuller understanding of who Jesus is and what He accomplished.


Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing His role as the promised Messiah (Matthew 1:22-23). Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering servant who came to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Luke highlights Jesus' compassion and outreach to all people, including Gentiles, women, and the marginalized (Luke 4:18-19). John focuses on the divine nature of Jesus, presenting Him as the eternal Word who became flesh (John 1:1-14).


This fourfold witness provides a robust and well-rounded portrayal of Jesus, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the Gospel accounts. The variations in perspective and emphasis among the Gospels enrich our understanding and strengthen the credibility of the New Testament.



The Sufficiency of New Testament Witness


The New Testament's selective recording of events and teachings does not diminish its reliability but underscores its sufficiency for conveying the essential truths of the Christian faith. John 21:25 acknowledges that not every detail of Jesus' life is recorded, but what is included is sufficient for faith and practice.


Paul emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, stating that it is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The New Testament provides a comprehensive and reliable guide for understanding God's revelation and living a life that honors Him.


The selective nature of the New Testament writings ensures that readers receive a clear and focused presentation of Jesus' identity and mission. By concentrating on key events and teachings, the writers provide a compelling and coherent narrative that supports the Christian faith.



More Archaeological Evidence and the New Testament


The Synagogue at Capernaum: The Gospels frequently mention Jesus teaching in synagogues, including one in Capernaum. Archaeological excavations in Capernaum have uncovered the remains of a first-century synagogue, providing a tangible connection to the Gospel narratives.


The Pool of Siloam: In 2004, workers repairing a sewage pipe in Jerusalem uncovered the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed a blind man as described in John 9:1-11. This discovery aligns with the Gospel account and provides further archaeological corroboration of the New Testament.


The House of Peter: Excavations in Capernaum have revealed a house that dates back to the first century and is believed to be the home of the Apostle Peter. This site has been venerated since ancient times and aligns with the New Testament accounts of Peter's residence in Capernaum.


The Gallio Inscription: The Gallio Inscription, discovered at Delphi, dates to around 52 AD and mentions Lucius Junius Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia. This inscription provides a precise historical marker that aligns with the account in Acts 18:12-17, where Paul is brought before Gallio in Corinth.


Archaeological discoveries provide substantial corroboration for various details and narratives found in the New Testament. These findings support the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts and the broader New Testament narrative, reinforcing the certainty of its events.



The Certainty of Miracles a Deeper Look


Historical Context and Eyewitness Testimony: The New Testament (NT) accounts of miracles are deeply rooted in historical context and are often supported by eyewitness testimony. The Gospels, for instance, were written by individuals who either witnessed the events themselves or recorded the testimonies of those who did. This lends a significant degree of credibility to the accounts. As noted by apologists like William Lane Craig, the historical criteria applied to these texts often support their reliability.


Philosophical Arguments Against Naturalism: One of the primary objections to the certainty of miracles comes from a naturalistic worldview, which denies the possibility of supernatural events. However, this perspective is not universally accepted. The philosopher David Hume's argument against miracles, which posits that natural laws are inviolable, has been critiqued extensively. Modern apologists argue that if an omnipotent God exists, then miracles are not only possible but plausible. The existence of God provides a framework within which miracles can occur without violating natural laws


The Role of Certainty Structures: Our belief systems, or certainty structures, play a crucial role in how we perceive the certainty of miracles. For those who hold a theistic worldview, the existence of an omnipotent God makes the occurrence of miracles not only plausible but expected. This contrasts with a naturalistic worldview, which filters out the possibility of supernatural events. Apologists argue that the NT miracles should be evaluated within the context of a theistic framework, where they are entirely reasonable. Many modern day Bible scholars have adopted higher criticism mentalities. If you are not skeptical, uncertain, and ambiguous over everything, you are nothing but a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal. Think of the number of times I have used the word "certainty" in this article (13 times). These modern-day skeptical Bible scholars would water it down to "plausibility."


Fulfillment of Prophecies: The NT miracles are often seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, which adds another layer of credibility. Apologists like Josh McDowell have documented numerous prophecies that were fulfilled by Christ, including his miracles, death, and resurrection. This prophetic fulfillment provides a coherent narrative that supports the certainty of the NT miracles.


Theological Significance: From a theological perspective, miracles in the NT are not random acts but are deeply significant, serving to authenticate Jesus' divine mission and message. They are seen as signs pointing to the reality of God's kingdom and his intervention in human history. This theological context provides a meaningful framework for understanding the purpose and certainty of miracles.


The certainty of miracles in the NT can be defended on historical, philosophical, and theological grounds. By considering the reliability of eyewitness testimony, critiquing naturalistic assumptions, understanding the role of certainty structures, recognizing prophetic fulfillment, and appreciating the theological significance, one can make a compelling case for the credibility of NT miracles.



Historical Reflection and Interpretation


The New Testament writers not only recorded historical events but also reflected on their significance. This reflection does not undermine the historicity of the events but rather enhances our understanding of their theological implications.


For example, the Gospel of John presents a deeply theological interpretation of Jesus' life and ministry. John 20:30-31 states, "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John's purpose is to lead readers to faith in Jesus through a selective yet profound presentation of His signs and teachings.


This reflective approach is consistent with the nature of historical writing, which often involves interpreting events to understand their broader significance. The New Testament's combination of historical narrative and theological reflection provides a comprehensive and trustworthy account of Jesus' life and mission.



The Importance of Adequate Knowledge


Trustworthiness in historical accounts does not require exhaustive knowledge but rather adequate and accurate representation of the events. John 21:25 acknowledges the selectivity of his Gospel, highlighting that the recorded events are sufficient for understanding Jesus' identity and mission.


Paul emphasizes the purpose and sufficiency of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, stating that it is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The New Testament provides a comprehensive and reliable guide for understanding God's revelation and living a life that honors Him.


By focusing on key events and teachings, the New Testament writers ensure that readers receive a clear and compelling presentation of Jesus' identity and mission. This selective approach supports the reliability and sufficiency of the New Testament for conveying the essential truths of the Christian faith.



The Bible is absolutely inerrant in the Originals and Good Literal Translations


The doctrine of inerrancy asserts that the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is without error or fault in all its teachings. This belief is founded on the understanding that Scripture is divinely inspired, and therefore, God’s Word, which cannot be erroneous. As Psalm 12:6 declares, “The words of Jehovah are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.” This verse highlights the perfection and purity of God’s words. Furthermore, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." The emphasis here is on the divine origin and purpose of Scripture, underscoring its reliability and authority. Good literal translations strive to faithfully convey the original text’s meaning, maintaining the integrity and accuracy essential for understanding God’s revealed truth. This commitment to literal translation ensures that believers can trust the Bible they read today as a reliable representation of God’s inerrant Word.



The Bible Authors Were Moved Along by the Holy Spirit


The process of divine inspiration is articulated in 2 Peter 1:21, which states, “For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This verse explains that the human authors of the Bible were not merely expressing their own thoughts but were guided by the Holy Spirit. The term "moved by" can be understood as being carried along or directed, indicating that while the human authors used their own language, style, and personality, the Holy Spirit ensured that what they wrote was exactly what God intended to communicate. This divine-human synergy is further illustrated in 1 Corinthians 2:13, where Paul describes his teaching: "which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." Here, Paul acknowledges that his words are taught by the Spirit, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in the transmission of God’s message. This doctrine assures us that the Scriptures are trustworthy and authoritative, not because of the human authors' skills or insights but because of the Holy Spirit's guidance and oversight.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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