Dethroning Jesus: What Popular Culture Says About Jesus – Part 5

[This material is excerpted from our television series, “The Battle to Dethrone Jesus,” with Dr. Darrell Bock and Dr. Daniel Wallace. The entire series is available in our online store.]

How Early Were the New Testament Books Written, and Why Is That Important?

Distinguishing Christianity from "Jesusanity"

Dr. John Ankerberg: We have been asking how we meet the challenges of "Jesusanity"—where Jesus is a special teacher but not God, does not forgive sins, and does not perform miracles—versus Christianity, where He claims to be God, pays for our sins, and offers eternal life. We argue that the factual, historical roots go back to Christianity, not Jesusanity.^[1]

When the first churches were planted, living apostles were walking around to clarify what was orthodox. We have the traditional teaching in creedal statements, theologically rich hymns, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. But then the apostles’ letters began to emerge in the 40s AD—only 10–15 years after Jesus’ death. The information they gave us centered on their claim to be communicating the word of God.

The Apostolic Succession and Witness

Dr. John Ankerberg: The apostles’ students—Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Ignatius, Papias, and later Irenaeus—attested to these writings. Darrell, what did these students say about the writings of the apostles and how the message came down?

Dr. Darrell Bock: In the earliest writings outside the apostolic period, we see a recognition that that era was unique. Clement of Rome writes in First Clement, chapter 42: “The apostles received the gospels for us from the Lord Jesus Christ... Having received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection... they went forth with the glad tidings.” There is a recognition that the apostles are a unique group because of their direct exposure to Jesus Christ.

Dr. John Ankerberg: Clement was appointed by Peter to be the Bishop at Rome. In terms of historical literature, this is very solid evidence.

Dr. Daniel Wallace: Exactly. When Eusebius began to think about the canon, he traced the homologoumena—the core books accepted by the end of the second century—through the annals of major Mediterranean churches, tracing them back from bishop to bishop to the apostles.

Irenaeus and the Origins of the Gospels

Dr. Darrell Bock: Irenaeus, a student of Polycarp (who was a student of the apostle John), provides an outline of where the Gospels come from in Against Heresies (3.1.1). He notes that Matthew published his Gospel among the Jews while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome. Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, handed down Peter’s preaching in writing. Luke, the follower of Paul, set down the Gospel preached by his teacher. Finally, John produced his Gospel while living at Ephesus.

Dr. John Ankerberg: Why is it significant that students were so close to these original authors?

Dr. Darrell Bock: It roots the material in the apostles or their direct associates. If the church were simply "making up the rules" as it went along to create an untouchable apologetic, they would likely have picked four apostles to write the Gospels. Instead, they included Mark and Luke, who were associates. If you were grabbing names out of a hat, you would not pick Luke, who is a relatively minor figure compared to others like Timothy or Titus. The tradition is consistent because it is rooted in historical reality.

Next up: Part 6 – Do the Gnostic Gospels give a more accurate account of Christianity?

Endnotes

1. Dr. Bock differentiates Christianity—where the person of Jesus is at the center of the story, it’s His work as well as His message that’s important—from Jesusanity, which refers to Jesus of Nazareth, and there it is His teaching that is important, but His person is not.↑