Greater Works Discipleship Ministries

Can we actually trust the New Testament as historical evidence? In Week 3 of Counterfeit, Copycat, or Christ?, we examine the case from the ground up—starting with some of Christianity’s earliest creedal traditions, which preserve testimony about Jesus that circulated before the New Testament books themselves were written.

We then tackle the manuscript evidence, the famous claim of “400,000 textual variants,” and the accusation that the Gospels were originally anonymous. From there, we examine the internal and external evidence for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, including manuscript attribution and testimony from early Christian writers such as Papias, Irenaeus, Clement, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius, and others.

The question isn’t whether Christians simply believe the traditional authorship of the Gospels. The question is: What does the historical evidence actually say?

📜 Don’t just read the New Testament—learn why you can trust it.

#CounterfeitCopycatOrChrist #NewTestament #ChristianApologetics #UrbanApologetics #BibleEvidence #GospelAuthorship #HistoricalJesus #DefendingTheFaith #BibleStudy

Thanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentional education, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ. You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms. 

 Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

 For more information visit:

- Website: www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

- Discipleship Training: ⁠https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/⁠- Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

All My Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

Is Jesus really just a copycat of pagan religions? In Week 4 of Counterfeit, Copycat, or Christ?, we put some of the most popular claims under the historical microscope—examining alleged parallels between Jesus and figures such as Mithras, Zoroaster, Buddha, Krishna, Horus, and Serapis. The problem? Many of the supposed similarities are exaggerated, taken out of context, unsupported by ancient sources, or come from traditions that post-date Christianity by centuries.

This session is about more than saying, “That’s false.” We go back to the sources, examine the dates, compare what the ancient traditions actually say, and ask the question every copycat claim must answer: Where is the evidence that Christianity borrowed it? Because Googling a claim isn’t the same thing as researching it.

The similarities sound impressive—until you check the receipts. 📜🔥✝️

Thanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentional education, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ. You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms. 

 Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

 For more information visit:

- Website: www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

- Discipleship Training: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/- Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

All My Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

In Night Two of Counterfeit, Copycat, or Christ?, we examine Gnostic and archaeological sources that contribute to the historical case for Jesus of Nazareth. We explore writings such as the Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Truth, Apocryphon of John, Treatise on the Resurrection, Gospel of Peter, and Papyrus Egerton 2—asking what these noncanonical sources reveal about the historical memory of Jesus, his teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection claims.

We also evaluate archaeological evidence connected to the New Testament world, including the Nazareth Inscription, the James Ossuary, and the Shroud of Turin. While these sources differ in reliability and interpretation, together they demonstrate that the debate in antiquity was not primarily about whether Jesus existed, but about who he was and what his life, death, and resurrection meant.

Ultimately, the evidence brings us back to the most important question: “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” — Matthew 16:15 CSB

Thanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentionaleducation, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ.

You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms. 

Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

For more information visit:

-       Website:www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

-       DiscipleshipTraining: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/-      

Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

All My Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

Before we can answer the theological question of whether Jesus is the Christ, we must first answer the historical question: Was Jesus a real person?

In this opening session of Counterfeit, Copycat, or Christ, we begin laying the foundation by examining the evidence for Jesus through the lens of history—not simply faith. We explore why virtually every major religion and worldview has an opinion about Jesus, why His identity remains the most important question in history, and why Christianity invites investigation rather than blind belief.

In this session we discuss:

• Why the question of Jesus matters to every worldview
• How historians investigate ancient figures through historiography
• The difference between historical and theological claims
• The criteria historians use to determine whether someone from antiquity actually existed
• Why the historical existence of Jesus is accepted by the overwhelming majority of scholars—even many who are not Christians

Coming Next Week:
We will continue the investigation by examining:

• The Gnostic writings and why they are not considered reliable historical sources
• The archaeological evidence surrounding Jesus and first-century Judea
• Ancient non-Christian sources that testify to Jesus' life and crucifixion
• Why the cumulative historical evidence points to Jesus as a real historical person

Whether you're a believer, skeptic, or simply curious, this series is designed to help you understand not only what Christians believe, but why they believe it, and how the historical evidence supports the case for Jesus.

Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentional education, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ. Youcan follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms. 

 Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!  

For more information visit:

-       Website: www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

-       Discipleship Training: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/

-       Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

-       AllMy Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

Is the Book of Enoch supposed to be in our Bible? And is the Ethiopian Bible really the oldest and most complete Bible in the world? In this teaching, we separate fact from internet fiction by looking at the Book of Enoch, its connection to Genesis 6 and Jude, why it is accepted in some Ethiopian traditions, and why most Christians do not recognize it as inspired Scripture. We also unpack the difference between the ancient Garima Gospels and the broader Ethiopian Orthodox canon so we can honor Ethiopian Christian history without repeating bad claims.

The question isn’t “Is Enoch interesting?” It is. The question is: “Is it Scripture?”

Thanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentionaleducation, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ.

You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms.  Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

For more information visit:

-       Website:www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

-       DiscipleshipTraining: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/-       Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

-       AllMy Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

On a recent episode of the Dr. Daf show a young Muslim woman named Korra makes the claim: "The Crucifixion Is Not A Well Established Event." In this video I will present empirical evidence that demonstrates that the crucifixion of Jesus is one of the most well-established historical events in history!
Thanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentionaleducation, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ.

You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms. 

 Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

For more information visit:

-       Website:www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

-       DiscipleshipTraining: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/

-       Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

-       AllMy Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

In this episode of the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast we interview two amazing female Christians and apologist, Kaleea Honey and Chinasa Emeneha, also known as "Just Two Girls." They have an amazing new podcast that you can catch here:    / @just-two-girls-pod  In this interview we'll discuss their approach to contending for the faith as they are often seen doing on the Dr. Daf show. We'll also discuss strategies on how to have live conversations with non-christians and they're upcoming "Debate League."

Long before colonial powers ever touched African soil, African Christians were preaching, writing, translating, and theologizing in their own indigenous languages. From Ethiopia to Egypt, believers were preserving the Gospel within their own cultures — not adopting someone else’s.

In this conversation with Dr. Vince Bantu, we confront the myth that Christianity in Africa was merely imported or colonized. What we uncover instead is something deeper — a faith already planted, already flourishing, already African. Not secondhand. Not foreign. Rooted.

Thanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentionaleducation, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ. You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms. 

 Please don’t forget to share thisbroadcast, rate us and please give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

 For more information visit:

-       Website:www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

-       DiscipleshipTraining: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/-       Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

- All My Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

Is Christianity a “white man’s religion”? What role did Africa play in the formation of the Christian faith? In this powerful teaching, The Black Presence In The Bible explores the undeniable biblical and historical evidence of Africa and people of African descent throughout Scripture and early church history. From Hagar and Moses to Simon of Cyrene and the Ethiopian eunuch, this presentation highlights the rich, often overlooked contributions of Africa to Christianity. Discover how the gospel has always been global—and how God’s redemptive story has included every nation, tribe, and people from the very beginning.To receive a copy of this presentation visit www.greaterworksstore.comThanks for listening to the Greater Works Discipleship Ministries broadcast. Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentional education, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of Jesus the Christ. For more information visit: - Website: www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com - Discipleship Training: https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship- All My Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell

On today's episode of the Greater Works podcast, weinterviewed Michael Pagano about his newest book, "Life In The Light: A Study Companion to 1 John."  Life in the Light takes readers through every verse of 1 John, unpackingthe Apostle’s message with theological depth and approachable clarity. Michael Pagano equips believers to grow in knowledge, confront doubts, and strengthentheir faith, offering guidance that leads to assurance in salvation and confidence in daily life.

To purchase his book visit: ⁠https://a.co/d/6qWA09k⁠

Thanks for listening to the Greater Works DiscipleshipMinistries podcast.  Our mission at Greater Works is to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37) through the intentional education, equipping, and empowering of healthy disciples of  Jesus the Christ. You can follow us on Spotify, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, or any other major podcast platforms.  

Please don’t forget to share this broadcast, rate us andplease give us 5 stars…if you give us 4 stars I am inclined to believe that you are a hater and the altar is open for you!

For more information visit:

-   Website: www.greaterworksdiscipleship.com

-  Discipleship Training:  https://greaterworksdiscipleship.thinkific.com/⁠

- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/greaterworksdiscipleship

- All My Socials: greaterworks.poplme.co/kevinlurrell