The Humble Skeptic

This special Christmas edition of the podcast features Shane’s man-on-the-street interviews that he recorded at a local Christmas festival. In particular, he asked whether the holiday, with all its memorable characters, is rooted in mythology, history, or a little of both. In the second half of the program, Shane reads selections from Justin Martyr’s First Apology, which provides insight into the compelling nature of early Christian proclamation. SHOW NOTESArticlesProof of the Gospel (PDF), selections from Justin Martyr, Eusebius & AugustineIsaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth, Shane RosenthalThe Bethlehem Prophecy: An Exploration of Micah 5:2, Shane RosenthalSprinkled Nations & Speechless Kings, Shane RosenthalFinding Christ in All of Scripture (PDF), Shane RosenthalA New Way of Reading Scripture, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe The Bible? (PDF), Shane RosenthalFirst Apology of Justin Martyr, online text versionBooksThe Writings of Justin Martyr, hardback editionProof of the Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaThe Jewish Gospels, Daniel BoyarinA Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, Craig EvansA Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Gospels, Craig EvansThe Angel of the Lord, Doug Van Dorn & Matt ForemanThe Gospel According to Isaiah 53, Darrell Bock & othersThe Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, Rydelnik & BlumSoul Searching, Christian SmithAudioThe First Apology of Justin Martyr, FREE AudiobookWhat Child Is This? A Christmas Message by Shane RosenthalJewish Views of the Messiah, Humble Skeptic #38 with Daniel BoyarinWere Jews Expecting a Divine Messiah? WHI 1243 with Craig EvansA Suffering Messiah? WHI-1564 with Craig EvansThe Angel of the Lord (Pt 1), WHI 1566 with Foreman & Van DornThe Angel of the Lord (Pt 2), WHI-1567 with Foreman & Van DornJacob’s Ladder, Humble Skeptic #63Youth Ministry in Crisis, Christian Smith, J.I. Packer, Michael Horton & othersMusicCarol of the Bells, The Whiskey WaspsFor Unto Us, A Child Is Born, from Handel’s MessiahSurely, He Hath Born Our Sins, from Handel’s MessiahO Come, O Come Emmanuel, Ardie’s Son Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

On this episode, Shane weaves together a variety of interviews he’s recorded over the years related to Genesis 28 and the story of Jacob’s ladder. In particular, the conversations focus on the way the narrative has been completely inverted to become another Tower of Babel tale of our ascent to God, rather than a prophecy of Christ’s descent to us in mercy and grace.For a gift of any amount to help support the work of The Humble Skeptic podcast, we’ll send you a 12-page PDF resource by Shane Rosenthal titled, “Finding Christ in All of Scripture.” For a preview of this helpful resource, click here. SHOW NOTESRelated BooksJesus in the Old Testament, Iain DuguidJourneys with Jesus, Dennis JohnsonWho is God? Richard BauckhamPutting Amazing Back Into Grace, Michael HortonJustification, Vo1. 1, Vol. 2, Michael HortonThe Angel of the Lord, Doug Van Dorn & Matt ForemanGenesis: Interpretation, Walter BrueggemannGod Dwells Among Us, G.K. Beale & Mitchell KimRelated ArticlesFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalThe Tower of Babel, Shane RosenthalIsaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth, Shane RosenthalThe Bethlehem Prophecy, Shane RosenthalBlessed Are the Pure in Heart? Shane RosenthalThe Story of Us, Shane RosenthalWhat’s the Most Important Thing Taught in the Bible? • Shane RosenthalA New Way of Reading Scripture, Shane RosenthalThe Application of Messianic Prophecy, Richard BauckhamAudio & VideoJacob’s Ladder, R.C. Sproul (video)The Gospel Creed, Humble Skeptic #09Jewish Views of the Messiah, Humble Skeptic #38 with Daniel Boyarin Were Jews Expecting a Divine Messiah?, WHI-1243 with Craig EvansHow to Read & Apply the Old Testament, WHI-1568 with Iain DuguidJacob’s Ladder, WHI-207 with Michael HortonClimbing Jacob’s Ladder, WHI-1454 with Sam Allberry & Caleb BassettThe Angel of the Lord (Pt 1), WHI-1566 with Foreman & Van DornThe Angel of the Lord (Pt 2), WHI-1567 with Foreman & Van DornStairway to Heaven, WHI-1578 with Michael HortonWe Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Tax-deductible giving options are also available. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

On this episode, Shane talks with Peter J. Williams about his book, The Surprising Genius of Jesus, which primarily focuses on the parables of Luke 15. Shane discussed some of these parables on episode 43 earlier this year, but the insights provided by Williams merit a brand new investigation. In short, the more we notice Jesus’ subtle allusions to the Old Testament, the more we’ll understand his teaching and begin to appreciate the depth of his genius. Toward the end of the conversation, the two also discuss questions related to the date of John’s Gospel in light of recent trends among New Testament scholars who are currently reassessing the late date hypothesis.SHOW NOTESBooksThe Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter J. WilliamsCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsEchoes of Exodus: Tracing the Theme of Redemption, Roberts & WilsonJoseph: A Story of Love, Hate, Slavery, Power & Forgiveness, John LennoxRedating the New Testament, John A.T. RobinsonThe Priority of John, John A.T. RobinsonRethinking the Dates of the New Testament, Jonathan BernierRedating Matthew, Mark & Luke, John WenhamJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamThe Testimony of the Beloved Disciple, Richard BauckhamArticlesWas Jesus a Genius? Peter J. WilliamsFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalParadigm Shift on The Date of John’s Gospel? Shane RosenthalJohn 5:2 “There is in Jerusalem…”, Shane RosenthalWas John The First Gospel? Ian PaulWhy Are The Birth Stories of Jesus Different? Peter J. WilliamsAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalWater Into Wine? Shane RosenthalScribes of the New Covenant, Shane RosenthalThe Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus, Shane RosenthalVideo & AudioThe Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter Williams (video)Do The Gospels Tell the Same Story?, Peter Williams (video)Can the Old Testament Be Trusted Historically? Peter Williams (video)How to Read & Apply the Old Testament, WHI #1568 with Ian DuguidThe Gospel in Genesis, a WHI series hosted by Shane RosenthalRethinking Jesus’ Parables, Humble Skeptic #43 with Scott ChurnockIs John Late & Unreliable? Humble Skeptic #51 with Daniel WallaceFor More Info About Peter Williams & Tyndale HousePeter Williams is the principal of Tyndale House, which is a Cambridge-based research institute housing one of the world’s most advanced libraries for biblical scholarship. You can find them online at tyndalehouse.com.We Need Your Help!Donations to The Humble Skeptic podcast are tax-deductible. To make a one-time donation or set up recurring monthly gifts, click here. Another way to support us is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year (this option is not tax-deductible). Another way to help is to spread the word about The Humble Skeptic podcast! Thanks for your help, and Happy Thanksgiving! Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

What are we to make of the stories of Jesus recorded in the New Testament Gospels? Are they authentic accounts of his life and teaching, or collections of myths and legends that evolved over time? Shane discusses this with Cambridge New Testament scholar Peter J. Williams, principal of Tyndale House and author of Can We Trust the Gospels?SHOW NOTESBooksCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsThe Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter J. WilliamsIs Jesus History? John DicksonJesus: A Very Short Introduction, Richard BauckhamJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamA Doubter’s Guide To Jesus, John DicksonRevisiting the Corruption of the New Testament, Daniel WallaceRedating the New Testament, John A.T. RobinsonThe Gospel of John: A Newly Discovered Commentary, J.B. LightfootArticlesQuestions About New Testament Manuscripts, Peter J. WilliamsWhy Are The Birth Stories of Jesus Different? Peter J. WilliamsThe Gospels as Authentic Testimony, Richard BauckhamThe Authenticity & Genuineness of the Fourth Gospel, J.B. LightfootIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian? Sir William RamsayOutside the Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus? Shane Rosenthal?Scribes of the New Covenant, Shane RosenthalAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe The Bible? Shane RosenthalSimon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery, Shane RosenthalVideo & AudioCan We Trust the Gospels? Peter J. Williams (video)New Evidence for the Gospels, Peter J. Williams (video)Evidence for the Resurrection, Peter J. Williams (video)Are the Gospels Reliable?, Peter J. Williams & Bart Ehrman (video)Has the Bible Been Miscopied or Mistranslated? WHI #1377 with Daniel WallaceIs John Late & Unreliable? Humble Skeptic #51 with Daniel WallaceAre the Gospels History or Fiction? Humble Skeptic #52 with John DicksonThe Gospels As Eyewitness Testimony, Humble Skeptic #48 with Richard BauckhamFake or Authentic? Humble Skeptic #10 with Lydia McGrewFaith & Proof, Humble Skeptic 7 with Mike FarleyThe Tools & Rules of HistoryOn Friday, November 8th, the Lanier Theological Library hosted a panel discussion at The Stone Chapel on The Tools and Rules of History: How Do We Know What Really Happened? This 90-minute session featured Gary Habermas, Shane Rosenthal, and David McIlroy and was moderated by Mark Lanier. This conversation was live-streamed and you can find the video here.For More Info About Peter Williams & Tyndale HousePeter Williams is the principal of Tyndale House, which is a Cambridge-based research institute housing one of the world’s most advanced libraries for biblical scholarship. You can find them online at tyndalehouse.com.We Need Your Help!Help spread the word about The Humble Skeptic podcast by sending a link to your favorite episode to a friend or relative. Also, donations to The Humble Skeptic podcast are tax-deductible. To make a one-time donation or set up recurring monthly gifts, click here. Another way to support us is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year. FYI, this option is not tax-deductible. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe