And, as everyone knows the Jews were scrupulous record keepers.
In consideration of the spectacular nature of the events.......there were undoubtedly MASSIVE amounts of first-hand accounts which were duly recorded by people who's primary task was to write things down in a historically accurate manner.
Which Luke used in his writings no doubt.
Act 10:37
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
I would assume that these events did not pass without many many written records to be filed by many many persons, some of which were undoubtedly civil and religious leaders.
Historic Christianity - relying on evidence rather than speculation... even when speculation is well-intended:
1.) Historic Christianity is based on historical evidence, historical facts, and eyewitness accounts... not speculation.
(The apostles never spoke of what they "thought", or "assumed", or "imagined"... they spoke of what they actually SAW.)
2.) If, as Christians, we want to defend the faith, and have historical debate, it doesn't help our case if we resort to speculations rather than evidence... regardless of our good intentions. The apostles never resorted to speculation... they gave us facts.
3.) There is enough historical evidence, genuine evidence, that we CAN successfully defend the faith, and debate the unbelievers, without resorting to speculation.
Areas of Concern from above posts:
1.) "And, as everyone knows the Jews were scrupulous record keepers.
In consideration of the spectacular nature of the events.......there were undoubtedly MASSIVE amounts of first-hand accounts which were duly recorded by people who's primary task was to write things down in a historically accurate manner."
We should be very careful speculating about things for which we have no actual evidence.
a.) We have absolutely no ability to presume there were "massive amounts" of first-hand accounts which were "duly recorded" unless we can show some evidence such written accounts existed.
b.) People did not keep historical records in antiquity in the same ways we do in the modern age... that is why the gospels, written several decades after the events, were considered "current" by standards of antiquity. Things were done differently back then.
c.) If we make claims based on mere speculation, without evidence... well... that is not historic Christianity. Christianity is based on historical facts, and eyewitness accounts... not speculation.
2.) Act 10:37 "That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;"
"I would assume that these events did not pass without many many written records to be filed by many many persons, some of which were undoubtedly civil and religious leaders."
Again, we should be very careful basing our arguments on speculation, or misunderstandings of the text, rather than historical evidence.
a.) The word "published" in Acts 10:37, from the KJV, does not mean "published" in the modern sense... it has nothing to do with WRITTEN records. It does not mean to be printed, or written, or copied... that isn't what it means. It simply means "proclaimed."
b.) Again, we are standing on sand the moment we even use words like "assume" in an historical discussion, or historical debate... historic christianity is not based in assumptions, but in historical evidence.
c.) Historic Christianity is based in evidences... not assumptions.
CONCLUSION:
a.) Sometimes very good people can have very good intentions... and then present a weakly designed argument based in assumptions.
b.) Presenting a weakly designed argument (using speculation rather than evidence) doesn't necessarily mean we're wrong... but it does mean we can't back up our claims... and we can't win the argument.
c.) Since Christianity is based in history, with historical facts and evidence... we'd do well to trust that God has left us with adequate evidence... and then we should use that evidence God has left us.
d.) In all fairness, I realize not everyone is trained in formal debate, nor does everyone need to be... but Historic Christianity is based in Historical Facts and Historical Evidence... therefore, we will always do best if we stick to the facts and evidence... God has left us with plenty.
.
.
1
How very sanctimonious.
