Given the time gap before gospels were written, uncertainty about their sources and authorship etc, can we trust them to be accurate?

Question 1

NO: Not accurate: 1)

Answer 1

• There are many different theories that can undermine each other e.g. 4 source theory, where there is actually no evidence for Q, VS. Griesbechs theory that Matthew wrote first, as he was an apostle and therefore would not have used an non-apostolic source. Therefore can’t trust to be accurate due to uncertainty of sources.
• Problem od differences: e.g. Time of Jesus’ trial. Luke’s = at night. Matthews = In day. Contradict each other, questioning accuracy and reliability.
• Evangelists redacted their gospels, supposedly to express their theological views and purpose. This could make them unreliable as bias could occur, not writing about Jesus’ true life and teachings accurately, but adapting them the express their theological views. “Only unbiased people can tell the truth so there gospels cannot be true”

Question 2

YES: Accurate 2)

Answer 2

• Jewish Culture: Deuteronomy 4:9 ‘Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.’ – Therefore, evangelists were Jews, would have been careful to convey Word of God accurately.

Question 3

No: Not accurate 3)

Answer 3

• Oral period: oral tradition was flexible thereby facilitating room for warping original text.
• Fallibility of human memory; 40 years oral period - plenty of time to forget details. HOWEVER ………

Question 4

Yes: Accurate 4)

Answer 4

• Dr Darrel Bock would argue against this – argues that people of that time were illiterate, so specialized in rote memorization. Jesus made is teachings so memorable and significant that they would have been hard to change, and also many included poetic elements, making them even easier to remember. Therefore accurate.