In the "Do Most Atheists know that Science..." thread I mentioned Norman Geisler and Frank Turek's book called "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" a few times because of its clear explanations of scientific theories. But, yes, they did talk about more than science.
In chapter 11 of their book they give the top 10 reasons we know the New Testament writers told the truth.
Told what
they thought was the truth, at best.
And more likely, the writers weren't disciples at all, but just people who re-edited writings they came across, finding them useful to gain donations to buy things.
Seriously.
I'll mention some of those reasons and maybe expound on them as time permits.
We have all the time in the world. People have been expounding for over 2000 years now. Please expound away!
And thanks to Wayback Machines, your words will be recorded for all eternity! Think how awesome that is!
Reason #1
The New Testament Writers Included Embarrassing Details About Themselves.
For example some passages portray the disciples as dim-witted, uncaring, and cowards.
But the alternate theory, that the writers weren't the disciples, also explains this. Which is more likely, that a real disciple of a real, magical being, existed, or some writer stumbled across earlier writings and verbal traditions and re-cast it with his own embellishments.
Reason #2
The New Testament Writers Included Embarrassing Details and Difficult Sayings of Jesus.
For example in one passage someone call Jesus a drunkard, and in another He was called demon-possessed, another a deceiver.
Well, let's accept this at face value. Doesn't that they include apparently ludicrous things like raising the dead and walking on water suggest the story is fictional
by this very standard?
And did the
writer call Jesus those things, portraying him as such, or did the writer merely report that someone else, mistakenly, called Jesus as such?
You want to expound, please list the passages.
Reason #3
The NT Writers Left in Very Demanding Sayings of Jesus.
For example: (Matthew 5:28) "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart".
I find that a God who's such a busybody as to want to throw someone into Hell because he or she cranked one off to Lindsay or Refurbished Britney or one of our fine, local skepchicks, to be quite the oddball.
Don't you?
You really propose a God who doesn't want you to...enjoy physical attraction and sexual activity in a consentual context?
And, if so, is that a desired situation? Personally, if God existed and is as you suggest, I'd go looking for a wishing fish or ring or genii to make Yahweh disappear and replace Him with a party animal.
And (Matt. 5:44-45) "I tell you Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
I.e. let them steamroller you so you can be their servants, and, if you're lucky, you'll ingratiate yourself enough you can work in the house. WTF ever, Jesus.
As the book says "They certainly didn't make up a story that made life easier for themselves."
Ironic, given these stories
did make life easier for themselves as they stood atop a growing empire of donations. Oh, sure, some got the axe as their groups slammed into other political and religious groups and they fought for dominance.
Nothing unusual there.
Reason #9
The New Testament Writers Describe Miracles Like Other Historical Events: With Simple, Unembellished Accounts.
If they made them up it would be likely that they would have used grandiose and extravagant images. The book says the gospels talk about the Resurrection in a matter of fact almost bland way.
How does this compare to other ancient writings from other,
false, religions?
I'll hold my breath waiting for the answer. No cherry picking!
Reason #10
The New Testament Writers Abandoned Their Long Held Sacred Beliefs and Practices, Adopted New Ones, And Did Not Deny Their Testimony Under Persecution Or Threat Of Death
They were power hungry wannabees who found an alternative to gain money and control, and switched to it. Thousands, if not millions, had done that over the preceeding millenia.
That's kind of how "memes" work -- they evolve and become more seductive, "reproducing" by spreading to more people. They get altered to become even more seductive, avoiding philosophical difficulties that might cause them to lose ground.
A modern example is the concept that Hell, as traditionally described, a lake of lava where you are thrown and float around in indescribable agony for all eternity, wailing and gnashing your teeth, began to be considered completely nasty for relatively minor crimes like refusing to believe in Jesus, God, The Holy Spirit, swiping a gumball, or taking a weiner up the butt.
Who wants to worship such a God? Nobody. So the meme started altering itself. Now "Hell" is just "being cut off from God for all eternity".
So, have at it.
