1. Luke 1:1-4

2. Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

3. The Big Question Is this true!? Can we rely on this gospel account? Two options—this story is true or this story is false If false then there are two options Intentionally lying (Conspiracy theory) Unintentionally lying (Legendary theory)

4. 5 Reasons Conspiracy Theory doesn’t make sense No Evidence No Evidence No Motive No Motive No Deserters No Deserters Counter Cultural Dimension of the Gospel Counter Cultural Dimension of the Gospel Message could be easily falsified Message could be easily falsified

5. Legendary Theory The disciples genuinely believed what they were preaching, but they were just wrong. The story they were preaching about Jesus had grown into a legend, and what they were preaching really didn’t happen the way the Gospels portray things to happen. The disciples genuinely believed what they were preaching, but they were just wrong. The story they were preaching about Jesus had grown into a legend, and what they were preaching really didn’t happen the way the Gospels portray things to happen.

6. 4 Reasons and 2 questions Culture was not a culture conducive to legends Culture was not a culture conducive to legends Doesn’t read as legends from that time period Doesn’t read as legends from that time period There isn’t enough time There isn’t enough time Counter cultural dimensions—women Counter cultural dimensions—women 2 questions: 1. Why don’t other historians mention Jesus? 2. Wouldn’t historians of that time have noticed all these things Jesus was doing and recorded it in their history?

7. Not conducive to legends 1 st century Palestine was not a culture in which they would easily believe a legend about a man claiming to be God 1 st century Palestine was not a culture in which they would easily believe a legend about a man claiming to be God They were deeply rooted in the OT— monotheistic They were deeply rooted in the OT— monotheistic Looked down on the countries around them that worshipped a pantheon of gods Looked down on the countries around them that worshipped a pantheon of gods

8. Doesn’t read as legend Luke claims to be writing history and the Gospels reads like eyewitness history Luke claims to be writing history and the Gospels reads like eyewitness history The disciples are not very smart The disciples are not very smart There are “experiential” passages that don’t seem to add to the story There are “experiential” passages that don’t seem to add to the story Jesus’ family is embarrassed of him Jesus’ family is embarrassed of him

9. There isn’t enough time Legends take a long time to develop Legends take a long time to develop Buddha Buddha Christian story doesn’t have that long between oral tradition and written tradition Christian story doesn’t have that long between oral tradition and written tradition Story of Paul in Acts Story of Paul in Acts Conversion most likely took place within a few years of execution Conversion most likely took place within a few years of execution Seemed his biggest problem was people of the “Way” having a high reverence for Jesus Seemed his biggest problem was people of the “Way” having a high reverence for Jesus

10. Counter Cultural Context Portrayal of women isn’t something you would find in a legend from this time period Portrayal of women isn’t something you would find in a legend from this time period 1 st century Palestine was very sexist 1 st century Palestine was very sexist Women looked upon as liars Women looked upon as liars Needed a man to validate their story Needed a man to validate their story Yet we see women play a prominent role as witnesses to the resurrection Yet we see women play a prominent role as witnesses to the resurrection

11. Why don’t other historians mention Jesus? They actually do mention Jesus: They actually do mention Jesus: Josephus Josephus Tacitus Tacitus Suetonius Suetonius Pliny the Younger Pliny the Younger Thallus Thallus Celsus Celsus Lucian of Samosata Lucian of Samosata Mara bar Serpaion Mara bar Serpaion Jewish rabbinic traditions Jewish rabbinic traditions

12. Tacitus writes: “Therefore, to stop the rumor [that the burning of Rome had taken place by order], Nero substituted as culprits, and punished in the utmost refinements of cruelty, a class of men, loathed for their vices, whom the crowd styled Christians. CHRISTUS, the founder of the name, had undergone the death penalty in the reign of Tiberius, by sentence of prcurator Pontius Pilatus, and the perncisous superstition was checked for a moment, only to break out once more, not merely in Judea, the home of the disease, but in the capital itself…” “Therefore, to stop the rumor [that the burning of Rome had taken place by order], Nero substituted as culprits, and punished in the utmost refinements of cruelty, a class of men, loathed for their vices, whom the crowd styled Christians. CHRISTUS, the founder of the name, had undergone the death penalty in the reign of Tiberius, by sentence of prcurator Pontius Pilatus, and the perncisous superstition was checked for a moment, only to break out once more, not merely in Judea, the home of the disease, but in the capital itself…” --Tacitus, Annals, trans C.H. Moore and Jackson, LCL, reprint ed. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, reprint ed. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1962), 283 1962), 283

13. Josephus writes: “When, therefore, Ananus [the high priest] was of this [angry] disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road. So he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus,who was called the Christ, whose name was James” “When, therefore, Ananus [the high priest] was of this [angry] disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road. So he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus,who was called the Christ, whose name was James” --The works of Josephus, trans. W. Whiston --The works of Josephus, trans. W. Whiston (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1987), 537-38 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1987), 537-38

14. Why don’t historians report miracles like the Gospel? “Jesus was a marginal Jew leading a marginal movement in a marginal province of a vast Roman empire” –John Meir There were other cults during the time of the Roman empire claiming to follow a man who did miracles, healing people, raised from the dead, etc.. There were other cults during the time of the Roman empire claiming to follow a man who did miracles, healing people, raised from the dead, etc..

15. The Big Question We all base our life on faith, are you going to base your life on the probability that this story about Jesus is made up? We all base our life on faith, are you going to base your life on the probability that this story about Jesus is made up?