Question
Weren’t the Gospels written too late to be reliable?
They sit inside a generation of the events, and the creed in 1 Corinthians 15 is earlier still—within a few years of the cross.
Even on skeptical datings, Mark is within the lifetime of witnesses. Luke claims method. John claims sight. Paul, writing in the 50s, hands on a creed he received: died, buried, raised, appeared.
That creed in 1 Corinthians 15 is dated by a wide range of scholars to three to five years after the crucifixion. Skeptics call the resurrection a legend that grew over generations. There was not enough time.
Legend needs time, distance, and a lack of hostile memory. Jerusalem in the 30s and 40s had none of those.
See it
Shorts, slide decks, and infographics that belong with this page.
Slide deck · 12 slidesThe historical bedrock
Slide deck · 14 slidesThe historical reliability of the biblical record
ShortWhy the New Testament survives historical scrutiny
ShortHow historians verify the New Testament
InfographicNew Testament reliability
InfographicThe historical bedrock
InfographicThe witness of historyTalking points
- Ancient biography is not a modern newspaper, but it is not myth either.
- Named officials, places, and customs in the Gospels keep matching what we know of the period.
- Three to five years is not a myth-making window. Core Christian beliefs were established immediately.
Say this
A story can grow in the dark over centuries. It cannot easily grow in the city where the tomb could still be visited and the witnesses could still be named.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received…”