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Jesus.doc Is the New Testament reliable? Are the New Testament accounts of Jesus the true story of his life, miracles, death, and resurrection? Christians are quick to defend them as the eyewitness reports of the apostles. Skeptics are just as quick to attack them as forgeries. But what is the truth? Is it possible, 2,000 years after the fact, to really know? Like in any cold case, we need to examine the evidence. But first, let's hear from some who are skeptical. In July 2000 ABC News anchor Peter Jennings was in Israel broadcasting a television special on Jesus Christ. His program, "The Search for Jesus," explored the question of whether the Jesus of the New Testament was historically accurate. Jennings featured opinions on the Gospel accounts from DePaul professor John Dominic Crossan, three of Crossan's colleagues from the Jesus Seminar, and two other Bible scholars.1 Some of the comments were stunning. There on national TV Dr. Crossan not only cast doubt on more than 80 percent of Jesus' sayings but also denied Jesus' claims to divinity, his miracles, and his resurrection. Jennings clearly was intrigued by the image of Jesus presented by Crossan. Searching for true Bible history is always news, which is why every year Time and Newsweek go on a cover story quest for Mary, Jesus, Moses, or Abraham. Or-who knows?-maybe this year it will be "Bob: The Untold Story of the Missing 13th Disciple." (Next) |