{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Answer - Week 19: Are the Gospels Believable?","description":"Today\u2019s question is one that Pastor has heard most often from young people.  The questioning of the Gospels seems to center around miracles, especially the resurrection. Atheistic Materialism Worldview     \u2043    No God - universe is by chance      \u2043    Matter only - Life came from non-life     \u2043    No Miracles - Life is meaningless Bible\u2019s Worldview     \u2043    There is a Creator     \u2043    He created life     \u2043    Life has a purpose These two worldviews are in conflict with each other but careful analysis of the Bible shows the Biblical worldview to be trustworthy. No matter your worldview - there is evidence of the Biblical worldview. THE FOUR GOSPELS:     \u2043    The Gospels are Jewish in both their content, background and details     \u2043    Matthew - Genealogy + 55 quotations     \u2043    Mark begins with Old Testament quote     \u2043    John: \u201cIn the beginning\u2026\u201d just like Genesis starts     \u2043    Luke: Priesthood + \u201cdeathbed prayer\u201d Luke 23:46 + Psalm 31:5 (Jesus spoke this prayer \u201cinto your hands\u2026\u201d)      \u2043    Geographical knowledge - written by people familiar with the territory     \u2043    26 different towns; Sea of Galilee, etc.     \u2043    Up to\/Down from Jerusalem     \u2043    John: 2 pools - Bethesda + Siloam (archeological proof has been found)     \u2043    2 Gardens - Gethsemane + Golgotha     \u2043    Details      \u2043    Common Jewish names in Israel      \u2043    Clarification: e.g. frequently used names: Simon\u2026Mary\u2026 thus the need for the clarity given in the Gospel around common names     \u2043    Dill and cumin dispute (Mt 23:23) things known at only a specific time in history     \u2043    Tax Collectors in Capernaum\/Jericho     \u2043    Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic languages     \u2043    Identity - not the most likely candidates to have written the Gospels     \u2043    Interesting names of Gospel authors     \u2043    Matthew = former tax collector     \u2043    Mark = not one of the original 12     \u2043    Luke = physician, Gentile(?)     \u2043    John = Jesus\u2019 closest friend     \u2043    Dating - when were they written? Everything that we have suggests that these books were written early and are accurate     \u2043    The Gospels reflect the \u201cearly days\u201d of the Jesus movement. Jesus is Jewish, the 12 disciples were Jewish, the early believers were Jewish - The Gospels speak from a Jewish view     \u2043    Passover within Jerusalem\u2019s walls     \u2043    Best documented texts from antiquity     \u2043    Paul quotes Luke\u2019s Gospel (1 Tim 5:18 from Lk 10:7 and 1 Cor 11:24-25 from Lk 22:19-20)      \u2043    But this verse is a stumbling block for acceptance to the gospels because it is \u201cproductive prophecy\u201d: Jesus said, \u201cJerusalem will be destroyed\u2026\u201d And that brings us back around to the word: MIRACLES. If your worldview is that of atheistic materialism, a miracle \/ predictive prophecy would seem impossible. But if you believe there is a God and that He is the Creator then He does these things. If Jesus is\u2026.     who He claimed to be\u2026     who the Gospels declare Him to be\u2026.     who the Old Testament said He would be\u2026 Then        that Good News in the Gospels changes everything     the Gospels deserve to be observed     they call us to believe     it is not irrational     it is not foolish     the Gospels make perfect sense      it is rational     it is reasonable      and Jesus alone offers life forever and He invites you and me to receive what He freely gives. May we each respond to His Word of truth as we see it proclaimed by those early eye witnesses.    Pick up a Bible and read it today!   Now What? Learn about God at https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/sunday-service ","author_name":"Awake Us Now","author_url":"https:\/\/www.awakeusnow.com\/","html":"