Archaeology has also shown the New Testament to be historically exact and true! It was once thought that the Luke, the writer of the most historically detailed Gospel (the Gospel of Luke) and of the book of Acts, had made up all the stories and accounts from his imagination, because he gave odd titles to authorities and mentioned governors that no one knew. Evidence now points in the other direction. In all, Luke names 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands without error!
In Acts 19:22, Erastus is named as a Corinthian who becomes a co-worker of Paul. An inscription was found near the theater while excavating Corinth which reads, "Erastus in return for his aedelship laid the pavement at his own expense." Luke included the detail that a prominent and welathy citizen of Corinth had been converted and had given his life to the ministry.
Another person named was Lysanias, Tetrarch of Abilene. Lysanias was unkown to modern historians until an inscription was found recording the temple dedication which mentions the name, the title, and is in the right place. The inscription is dated between A.D. 14 and 29, easily compatible with the beginnings of John's ministry, which Luke dates by Lysanias regn (Luke 3:1).
Still another is Gallio, Proconsul of Achaia. This title, found in Acts 18:12-17, was thought to be impossible. But an inscription at Delphi notes this exact title for the man and dates him to the time at which Paul was in Corinth (A.D. 51). In addition to these, Luke gives correct titles for the following officials: in Cyprus, proconsul; in Thessalonica, politarchs; in Ephesus, temple wardens; and in Malta, the first man of the island. And this is just between the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts!
The dating of the New Testament is a significant issue in determining its historical accuracy. It all depends on whether they were written during the lifetime of eyewitnesses and contemporaries to the events described. If this is true, then any eyewitness could have come forward and denied any of the writings of the New Testament. But none did! Why? Because they knew it all that was written was true and could not be denied or challenged! Critics have claimed that the writers created the events, rather than simply reporting them. They claim that the New Testament, especially the Gospels, contain mythology. In order for a legend or myth to begin to take effect, there has to be a significant amount of time passed. None of this is possible with the New Testament. The New Testament books appeared withing the lifetime of witnesses and contemporaries. Luke was written by about 60, only 27 years after Jesus' death, before Acts in 60-62. First Corinthians was written by 55-56, only 22 or 23 years after Jesus' death. It is generally believed that the entire New Testament was probably written sometime around 45 A.D. and completed before 70 A.D.
There are many more examples of the historicity and accuracy of the New Testament available, but for the sake of time and space, I will stop here for now.
To be continued.....
1/27/2008
James
Information compiled from:
Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics
by: Norman L. Geisler
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