The Unmatched Reliability of the New Testament | David Thompson

Bryan and David Thompson explore the unparalleled reliability of the New Testament compared to other ancient texts. They discuss the massive number of manuscripts, the minimal time gap between the original writings and the surviving copies, and the accuracy of these texts. Unlike other works of antiquity, the New Testament documents are supported by overwhelming evidence, making them the most reliable ancient writings in history. The two also address common misconceptions, such as the "telephone game" effect on biblical texts, and demonstrate how the Gospels stand up to historical scrutiny.

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0:06 - Introduction: Uniqueness of the New Testament manuscripts.
0:22 - Comparison with other ancient texts: Homer, Plato, and more.
0:47 - Manuscript counts: New Testament vs. other works of antiquity.
1:07 - The significance of the time gap between original writings and copies.
1:20 - Specific data on Homer's Iliad and Plato's writings.
1:55 - The New Testament’s unmatched manuscript evidence.
2:13 - Addressing doubts: The reliability of the New Testament.
2:47 - Misconceptions: The "telephone game" analogy debunked.
3:35 - Examining the types of errors found in biblical manuscripts.
4:00 - The accuracy of the New Testament: 99.5% reliable.
4:42 - Historical critics’ confirmation of the Bible’s textual reliability.
5:50 - The historical nature of the Gospels: Not myths or legends.
6:40 - Specific examples of historical details within the Gospels.
7:25 - The reliability of the New Testament in the context of historical records.
7:45 - Conclusion: The New Testament’s credibility as a historical document.

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What is the point? Apologetics may have had some impact at one time among people who were already steeped in Christian faith because it was in the air. And because they knew how to reason. Today no one knows who to reason. They hold untenable constructs that become cultural dogma. If you want to convert someone you're wasting your time. The Holy Spirit knows how to do this, and perhaps when we get out of his way, he will do it.