Jesus and the Reliability of the New Testament Template
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Instructions for this submission
The purpose of the activity is to provide you with an opportunity to construct a short argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus while anticipating possible objections to that argument and then sharing that argument “in the field.” In the sections provided below, you will insert your constructed argument and possible objections; you will enter the date, time, setting, and short description of the person with whom you share the argument; and a short reflection on the sharing experience.
Construct a short argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus while anticipating possible objections.
Type below the list, the type of argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus that you will be constructing (limit yourself to one of argument):
Jesus and the Eyewitnesses (Gould, p. 71-81; See also for topics in this section Sweis, p. 288-294)
The NT Claims to Be Eyewitness Testimony (Gould, p. 72-73)
It’s Early, REALLY Early (Gould, p. 73-74)
Dating the New Testament (Gould, p. 74-76)
Paul (Gould, p. 76-77)
Creeds (Gould, p. 77-78)
Marks of Authenticity (Gould, p. 78-80)
The Value of Eyewitnesses (Gould, p. 80-81)
The Preservation of the New Testament (Gould, p. 81-88)
The New Testament Manuscript Tradition (Gould, p. 82-84)
How Early? (Gould, p. 84)
Manuscript Variant (Gould, p. 84-86)
So What? (Gould, p. 86-88)
Did Jesus Exist? (Gould, p. 93-101)
Did Jesus Claim to Be God? (Gould, p. 101-103)
Was Jesus God? (Gould, 103-106; Sweis 239-270 may be helpful, depending on your approach)
Lay out your argument as you plan to use it in the conversation you will be having.
Anticipate two to three possible objections to your argument and how you would address those objections in a short conversation.
Sharing your argument for the reliability of the New Testament account of Jesus.
Identify the time and place in which you had the conversation.
Identify the setting (coffeeshop, online, text, etc. It must, however, be a conversation and not a monologue):
Identify your conversation partner (no names please): unbeliever, believer; uncertain; knowledge level, attitude of partner (antagonistic, interested, doubtful, devil’s advocate).
Reflection (two-four paragraphs; a paragraph will have at least three complete sentences) in which you describe how the conversation went, the reaction of your conversation partner both during and after the presentation of the argument, what you might have done differently, and how you feel after presentation about the strength of the argument.
