The Humble Skeptic

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 NOTES

BooksCan 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. Lightfoot

ArticlesQuestions 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 Rosenthal

Video & 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 Farley

The 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.

Are miracles possible, or should they be seen as violations of natural laws that all scientifically minded people should reject? Is it true that most scientists reject God? What about faith? Should it be dismissed as a kind of of irrational leap that is essentially the opposite of critical thinking? Shane discusses these questions and more with MIT professor Ian Hutchinson, author of Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?

SHOW NOTES

BooksCan A Scientist Believe in Miracles?, Ian HutchinsonMonopolizing Knowledge, Ian HutchinsonCan Science Explain Everything? John LennoxFinding Ultimate Reality John LennoxThe Return of the God Hypothesis, Stephen MeyerThe Case Against Accident & Self Organization, Dean Overman

ArticlesScience & Faith: Allies or Enemies? John LennoxWhat is Faith? Shane RosenthalSignature in the Cell, Stephen MeyerIs Science Incompatible with Christianity? Derek RishmawyTaking Science on Faith, Paul DaviesSupersymmetry & The Crisis in Physics, Scientific AmericanHas Belief in God Harmed the Advancement of Science? Craig Parton

VideosThe “Science Refutes God” Debate, Hutchinson, Krauss & ShermerCan A Scientist Believe in Miracles? Ian Hutchinson (Veritas Forum)Is There Knowledge Outside of Science? Ian Hutchinson (Veritas Forum)By Design, Lennox, Behe & Meyer (Uncommon Knowledge)Stephen C. Meyer, The Joe Rogan ExperienceHas Science Buried God? John Lennox (Socrates in the City)Does the Biblical Story of Creation Fit with Science? John LennoxAgainst the Tide, A documentary film featuring John Lennox

AudioReturn of the God Hypothesis,  Shane Rosenthal & Stephen MeyerThe Multiverse & the Mystery of Life’s Origin, Shane Rosenthal & Stephen MeyerJohn Lennox on Faith & Science, Humble Skeptic #41John Lennon on The Problem of Evil, Humble Skeptic #42A Conversation About God, Jordan Peterson & John LennoxCan a Scientist Believe in the Resurrection? R. McLaughlin & Ian Hutchinson

WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEWIf you’re a fan of the show, consider writing a quick note about what you like about the show (preferably via the Apple Podcast app since their reviews are visible in many other podcast portals). The more positive reviews we get, the more exposure we get! 

SUPPORT THIS PODCASTDonations 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 this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible.

For two years, Steven Flo was filled with fear and despair. He retreated from the world and even began to hide from sunlight. In vampire-like fashion, he closed all his curtains and lived in what felt like a tomb. Even though he was a Lutheran pastor who often counseled others, during this period he was inconsolable, and began to despair about his own eternal state. If the Gospel was true, it was true for others, but not for him. On this episode, Shane talks with pastor Flo about his descent into darkness.

SHOW NOTES

Related ArticlesAn Overview of TMS, Mayo ClinicWhat is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?, Cleveland ClinicLife & Death, Simonetta CarFaith & Mental Illness, Michael HortonWilliam Cowper: Depression & The Art of Hymn Writing, Barb Duguid

Related BooksThe Unseen Realm | Demons, Michael HeiserPrincipalities & Powers, John W. MontgomeryThe Proof of the Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaThe Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas KuhnThe Care of Souls, Harold Senkbeil

Related AudioFaith & Mental Illness, White Horse Inn #1213 Darkness My Only Companion, White Horse Inn #1214Death, Ghosts & Views of the Afterlife, Humble Skeptic #31

UPCOMING EVENTS Troy, IllinoisOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: “Is Faith Blind?” and “Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?” For more information about this youth event, send a text to 618-820-4908.

Houston, TexasOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be speaking with Gary Habermas and others at the Lanier Theological Library. The discussion will be centered on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection as part of the 4th Annual John Warwick Montgomery Lecture in Evidential Apologetics. For more information about this event, click here.

St. Charles, MissouriOn Sunday, Dec. 8th at 6 pm, Shane will discuss some of the challenges related to Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. Some believe that the account of the census that took place in the days of Quirinius (Luke 2) is at odds with other known historical facts. Did Luke make a mistake or can the apparent contradiction be resolved? This discussion will take place at Christ Presbyterian Church (cpcopc.org).

If you would like to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

SUPPORT THIS PODCASTDonations 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 this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible.

The Humble Skeptic is a listener-supported podcast. To support this work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

Jeremy Smith, founder of ReThink315, recently invited Shane to join him for a conversation at a fundraising dinner that took place here in the St. Louis area. During their conversation, Jeremy asked Shane to discuss his conversion to Christianity from a secular Jewish background, along with many other subjects that he frequently covers on The Humble Skeptic podcast. Later in the program, the two take a variety of questions from the audience.

SHOW NOTES

Recommended BooksDefending The Faith, Michael Horton, Shane Rosenthal & OthersThe Jewish Gospels, Daniel BoyarinThe Proof of the Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaThe Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, Rydelnik & BlumThe Gospel According to Isaiah 53, Bock & GlaserRevisiting the Corruption of The New Testament, Daniel Wallace

Related ArticlesUnity & Diversity in the New Testament, Shane RosenthalMicah 5:2 & The Bethlehem Prophecy, Shane RosenthalIt’s Time to Forget “Faith,” Greg KouklFaith Is Not Wishing, Greg KouklWhat is Faith? Shane RosenthalOn Faith & Doubt, Shane RosenthalIs Faith a Feeling? Shane Rosenthal

Related AudioRethinking Apologetics, Humble Skeptic #23 with Jeremy Smith The Pilot (Billy Joel Episode), Humble Skeptic #01New Evidence for The Executive Room, Humble Skeptic #55Evidential Reasoning, Humble Skeptic #56 with Craig PartonDealing with Discrepancies, Humble Skeptic #57 with J. Warner WallaceGreg Koukl on Blind Faith, Humble Skeptic #18Dealing with Doubt, Humble Skeptic #19

UPCOMING EVENTS Troy, IllinoisOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: “Is Faith Blind?” and “Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?” For more information about this event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

Houston, TexasOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be speaking with Gary Habermas and others at the Lanier Theological Library. The discussion will be centered on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection as part of the 4th Annual John Warwick Montgomery Lecture in Evidential Apologetics. For more information about this event, click here.

St. Charles, MissouriOn Sunday, Dec. 8th at 6 pm, Shane will discuss some of the challenges related to Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. Some believe that the account of the census that took place in the days of Quirinius (Luke 2) is at odds with other known historical facts. Did Luke make a mistake or can the apparent contradiction be resolved? This discussion will take place at Christ Presbyterian Church (cpcopc.org).

If you would like to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

SUPPORT THIS PODCASTDonations 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 this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible.

How should we deal with discrepancies as we piece together evidence on important matters of interest? On this episode Shane talks with retired cold-case detective, J. Warner Wallace about following the evidence wherever it leads, whether in attempting to solve murder cases, resolving disputed claims about the past, or even when it comes to challenging our beliefs about the nature of reality itself. J. Warner Wallace is the author of Cold-Case Christianity, Forensic Faith, and most recently, The Truth in True Crime.

SHOW NOTES

Recommended BooksCold Case Christianity, J. Warner WallaceThe Truth in True Crime, J. Warner WallaceGod’s Crime Scene, J. Warner WallacePerson of Interest, J. Warner WallaceForensic Faith, J. Warner WallaceReligion on Trial, Craig PartonTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrew

Related ArticlesThe 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 RosenthalConsidering Alternatives to the Resurrection, Shane RosenthalJoanna: Obscure Disciple or Luke’s Key Witness?, Shane RosenthalCan We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement? Shane RosenthalHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalThe Virtue of Doubt, Shane RosenthalHumble Apologetics, Shane Rosenthal

Related AudioThe Pilot Episode, Humble Skeptic #01New Evidence for The Executive Room, Humble Skeptic #55Evidential Reasoning, Humble Skeptic #56Death, Ghosts & Views of the Afterlife, Humble Skeptic #31The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony, Humble Skeptic #48Faith Founded on Facts, Humble Skeptic #15Are the Gospels History? Humble Skeptic #52Questioning Conventional Wisdom, Humble Skeptic #13

UPCOMING EVENTS Milan, ItalyOn Sunday, Oct. 13th, Shane will discuss “The Thing of First Importance” at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia which is located on the northwest side of Milan. For more info or directions, click here.

St. Louis, MissouriOn Friday, Oct. 18th, Jeremy Smith will talk with Shane about why he lost faith in atheism, along with what it means to be a “humble skeptic” at this year’s ReThink315 fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. To purchase tickets for this event or for more info, click here.

Troy, IllinoisOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: “Is Faith Blind?” and “Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?” For more information about this event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

Houston, TexasOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane has been invited to participate in a panel discussion with Gary Habermas and others on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection. This event will take place at the Lanier Theological Library.

St. Charles, MissouriOn Sunday, Dec. 8th at 6pm, Shane will discuss some of the challenges related to Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. Some believe that the account of the census that took place in the days of Quirinius (Luke 2) is at odds with other known historical facts. Did Luke make a mistake or can the apparent contradiction be resolved? This discussion will take place at Christ Presbyterian Church (cpcopc.org).

If you would like to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

SUPPORT THIS PODCASTDonations 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 this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible.

On this program Shane talks with trial attorney Craig Parton about evidential reasoning, which is an outlook that seeks to impartially examine the facts of any particular controversy in order to find the best explanation of those facts. The two apply this type of reasoning to the facts uncovered on last week’s episode about the location of The Executive Room, as well as to the field of Christian apologetics as a whole. Craig Parton is the author of Religion on Trial, The Defense Never Rests, and more recently, The Art of Christian Advocacy.

SHOW NOTES

Recommended BooksThe Art of Christian Advocacy, Craig Parton & John W. MontgomeryReligion on Trial, Craig PartonThe Defense Never Rests, Craig PartonA Treatise on the Law of Evidence, Simon Greenleaf—FREEThe Testimony of The Four Evangelists, Simon Greenleaf—FREEFaith Founded on Fact, John W. MontgomeryJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamHidden in Plain View, Lydia McGrewTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewChristianity on Trial, Mark LanierAtheism on Trial, Mark Lanier

Related ArticlesIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian? Sir William RamsayCan We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement? Shane RosenthalConsidering Alternatives to the Resurrection, Shane RosenthalAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalOutside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus? Shane RosenthalSimon of Cyrene: An Archaeological Discovery, Shane RosenthalWho is Sergius Paulus? Shane RosenthalHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalThe Virtue of Doubt, Shane RosenthalOn Faith & Doubt, Shane Rosenthal

Related AudioIs Faith A Feeling? Shane Rosenthal & Craig PartonReligion on Trial, Shane Rosenthal & Craig PartonThe Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony, Shane Rosenthal & Richard BauckhamThe Four Gospels: History or Fan Fiction? Shane Rosenthal & Lydia McGrewAtheism on Trial, Shane Rosenthal & Mark LanierFaith Founded on Facts, Shane Rosenthal & John Lennox & OthersAre the Gospels History? Shane Rosenthal & John DicksonQuestioning Conventional Wisdom, Shane Rosenthal & David RohlThe Jesus of History, Shane Rosenthal

UPCOMING EVENTS Milan, ItalyOn Sunday, Oct. 13th, Shane will be speaking at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia on the northwest side of Milan. For more info or directions, click here.

St. Louis, MissouriOn Friday, Oct. 18th, Shane will be the keynote speaker at the ReThink315 fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. To purchase tickets for this event or for more info, click here.

Troy, IllinoisOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: Is Faith Blind?, and Are There Contradictions in the Gospels? For more information about this youth event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

Houston, TexasOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be participating in a panel discussion on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection, featuring Gary Habermas and others. This event will take place at the Lanier Theological Library.

If you would like to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

SUPPORT THIS PODCASTDonations 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 this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible.

The Pilot Episode of The Humble Skeptic podcast was launched in October of 2022, and on that program, Shane told his Dad’s story of seeing Billy Joel perform at a piano bar in Los Angeles. If you’ve had a chance to listen to that episode, you know the story (if not, you should listen to that show first). On this program, Shane discusses some of the new evidence that has recently come to light about the location of The Executive Room, and talks with John Gibson about his memories of the famous piano bar.

SHOW NOTES

Related ResourcesThe Pilot Episode, Humble Skeptic Ep. #1 Is My Dad One of the Characters in Billy Joel’s Piano Man? Shane RosenthalThe Life & Times of an Angry Young Man, Hank BordowitzHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalThe Virtue of Doubt, Shane RosenthalOn Faith & Doubt, Shane Rosenthal

Related LinksThe Executive Room According to PopSpots, Bob EganThe Legacy of the O.J. Simpson Murder Trial, John GibsonJohn & Sandy Gibson’s role in the Billy Joel story, Hank BordowitzPiano Man—Billy Joel, Hank BordowitzABC’s 20/20 Segment on Billy JoelLiam Cooper’s Interview with a former owner of The Executive RoomLiam Cooper’s King of the Keys TrailerBilly Joel’s Piano Man (sign at the very end says: “Bill Martin at the piano”)An Interview with Billy Joel, The Library of Congress

MusicThe song that appears at the very end of the podcast (in the additional material that appears after the close of the program) is “Along the Way,” by The Hunts.

According to the Library of Congress (see link above), Billy Joel stated that The Executive Room is now “a bank or an insurance building.” The image above is of The Pierce National Life building, which is an insurance company, and according to the replica also shown above, at one time it also happened to be a bank building. This also matches one of the statements that Shane’s dad mentioned on the Pilot Episode. And when Shane sent a picture of this building to John Gibson (after he volunteered the information about it being located in the lobby of a large office building), he wrote back saying, “Oh, that looks like the building!”

UPCOMING EVENTS MILAN, ITALYOn Sunday, Oct. 13th, Shane will be speaking at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia on the northwest side of Milan. For more info or directions, click here.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURIOn Friday, Oct. 18th, Shane will be the keynote speaker at the ReThink315 fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. To purchase tickets for this event or for more info, click here.

TROY, ILLINOISOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: Is Faith Blind?, and Are There Contradictions in the Gospels? For more information about this youth event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

HOUSTON, TEXASOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be participating in a panel discussion on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection, featuring Gary Habermas and others. This event will take place at the Lanier Theological Library.

If you would like to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORTDonations to The Humble Skeptic podcast are tax-deductible. To make a one-time donation or set up recurring monthly gifts, click here or use the QR code below. Another way to support this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible. Thanks for your support!

According to Rebecca McLaughlin, many of the beliefs of our contemporary culture can be summarized into a kind of “secular creed.” Though Christians will agree with some parts of this creed and disagree with others, it’s important to note that many of the assumptions underlying this “statement of faith” are rooted in Christian soil. So how did Jesus completely reshape the moral imagination of Western culture? Shane discusses this with Dr. McLaughlin, who is the author of numerous books including Confronting Christianity, and The Secular Creed.

SHOW NOTES

Related BooksThe Secular Creed & Confronting Christianity, Rebecca McLaughlinDominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, Tom HollandThe Righteous Mind & The Anxious Generation, Jonathan HaidtChristianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham MachenThe Secularist Heresy, Harry BlamiresEarly Christian Writings, The Apostolic Fathers

Related ArticlesHow Christianity Killed Infanticide, Rebecca McLaughlinAn Ancient Letter from a Soldier to His Wife (scroll to bottom right)The Epistle to Diognetus (see chapters 5 & 9).Why I Was Wrong About Christianity, Tom HollandPentecost Skewers Racism, Rebecca McLaughlinCan We Trust the Gospels: A Review, Rebecca McLaughlinLiberalism or Christianity?, J. Gresham MachenThe Tower of Babel & The Virtue of Doubt, Shane Rosenthal

Related VideosThe Secular Creed, Rebecca McLaughlinChristianity is Returning, Tom Holland & Justin BrierleyHow St. Paul Changed the World, Tom Holland & N.T. WrightJesus Through the Eyes of Witnesses, Rebecca McLaughlinSexuality & Identity, Rebecca McLaughlin & Sam AllberryRelated PodcastsThe Gospel Creed, Humble Skeptic #9On Persuasion, John Dickson on the research of Jonathan HaidtSame-Sex Attraction, Sam Allberry & Michael HortonIdentity in a Post-Christian Culture, Humble Skeptic #33The Woke Revolution, Humble Skeptic #34Navigating the Currents of Aggressive Secularism, Humble Skeptic #36Is Faith Irrational? & Is Faith Blind? Humble Skeptic #2 and #3Is Faith a Feeling? Humble Skeptic #4

UPCOMING EVENTS MILAN, ITALYOn Sunday, Oct. 13th, Shane will be speaking at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia on the northwest side of Milan. For more info or directions, click here.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURIOn Friday, Oct. 18th, Shane will be the keynote speaker at the ReThink315 fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. To purchase tickets for this event or for more info, click here.

TROY, ILLINOISOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: Is Faith Blind?, and Are There Contradictions in the Gospels? For more information about this youth event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

HOUSTON, TEXASOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be participating in a panel discussion on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection, featuring Gary Habermas and others. This event will take place at the Lanier Theological Library.

If you would like to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

Support This Podcast!Donations to The Humble Skeptic podcast are tax-deductible. To make a one-time donation or set up recurring monthly gifts, click here or use the QR code below. Another way to support this podcast is by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack. Subscriptions begin at $5.95 per month or $59 per year, however, this option is not tax-deductible. Thanks for your support!

If you haven’t heard The Pilot Episode yet, be sure to fix that before Sept 3rd! Featuring an interview with a special guest whose name you just might recognize, this episode will revisit questions related to the location of The Executive Room.

Some Christians in our day push back against the idea of “the separation of church and state,” but David VanDrunen argues that, in reality, this is a crucial distinction taught throughout the Bible. So what is the proper view of government from a Christian perspective and how should we think about the relationship between theology and politics? Shane talks with Dr. VanDrunen about these and other issues he addresses in his book Politics After Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured World.

SHOW NOTES

Recommended BooksPolitics After Christendom, David VanDrunenLiving in God’s Two Kingdoms, David VanDrunenNatural Law: A Short Companion, David VanDrunenDivine Covenants & Moral Order, David VanDrunenNatural Law & The Two Kingdoms, David VanDrunen

Recommended ArticlesParadise Lost, David VanDrunenThe Tower of Babel, Shane RosenthalChristianity & Politics, William Bennet, Os Guinness & Others

Recommended AudioA Biblical Theology of Civil Government, David VanDrunenThe Rise & Fall of Christendom, David VanDrunenTheocracy or Liberalism? David VanDrunenResponsible Citizens, Patient Sojourners, David VanDrunenThe Political Implications of Original Sin, WHI #1597 with M. McClymondThe Woke Revolution, Humble Skeptic #34 with Os GuinnessLive Not By Lies, Humble Skeptic #35 with Rod Dreher

UPCOMING EVENTS MILAN, ITALYOn Sunday, Oct. 13th, Shane will be speaking at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia on the northwest side of Milan. For more info or directions, click here.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURIOn Friday, Oct. 18th, Shane will be the keynote speaker at the ReThink315 fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. To purchase tickets for this event or for more info, click here.

TROY, ILLINOISOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: Is Faith Blind?, and Are There Contradictions in the Gospels? For more information about this youth event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

HOUSTON, TEXASOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be participating in a panel discussion on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection, featuring Gary Habermas and others. This event will take place at the Lanier Theological Library.

For more information, or to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your next event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

SUPPORT THIS PODCASTConsider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Click here for more information about giving options.

According to John Dickson, “Christianity is unlike other religions in that it gambles its plausibility on supposed historical events. Christians,” he writes, “don’t merely say otherworldly things like ‘Heaven is open to all,’ but they also say things like, ‘Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate,’ and statements of this kind aren’t immune from historical scrutiny.” So, what are the considerations involved in assessing the historical value of the Gospels? How can we be sure these ancient texts really are what they claim to be? On this episode, Shane talks with Undeceptions host, John Dickson, who received a PhD in the field of ancient history, and who is the author of Is Jesus History?

• The clip in which John Dickson mentioned his openness to an earlier date for the Fourth Gospel appeared on Episode 126 of his Undeceptions podcast.

• The quote from Princeton scholar, James Charlesworth was taken from his book, Jesus As Mirrored in John. You can find additional quotes by Charlesworth and other advocates of an earlier date for John here.

• To read Shane’s recent article mentioned at the end of this episode featuring an archaeological discovery related to Joanna & Theophilus, click here.

SHOW NOTES

Related BooksIs Jesus History? John DicksonA Doubters Guide to Jesus, John DicksonA Doubters Guide to the Bible, John DicksonCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsRedating the New Testament, John A.T. RobinsonRethinking the Dates of the New Testament, Jonathan BernierJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewThe Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt

Related ArticlesJoanna: An Obscure Disciple, or Luke’s Key Witness? Shane RosenthalJohn 5:2 “There is in Jerusalem…”, Shane Rosenthal & othersThe Authenticity & Genuineness of the Fourth Gospel, J.B. LightfootIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian, Sir William RamsayAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalOutside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus? Shane RosenthalWater Into Wine? Shane RosenthalOn Faith & History, Shane RosenthalScribes of the New Covenant, Shane RosenthalThe Identity of the Beloved Disciple, Shane RosenthalCan We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement? Shane RosenthalSimon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery, Shane RosenthalThe Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane Rosenthal

Other Related ResourcesIs John’s Gospel Late & Unreliable? Humble Skeptic #51The Jesus of History, Humble Skeptic #12The Gospel Creed, Humble Skeptic # 9The Gospels As Eyewitness Testimony, Humble Skeptic #48Questioning The Fourth Gospel, Humble Skeptic #49Faith Founded on Facts (1), Humble Skeptic #15Faith Founded on Facts (2), Humble Skeptic. #16Authenticating The Book of Acts, Humble Skeptic #24New Evidence for the Gospels, Peter J. Williams (video)

UPCOMING EVENTS Milan, ItalyOn Sunday, Oct. 13th, Shane will be speaking at Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia on the northwest side of Milan. For more info or directions, click here.

St. Louis, MissouriOn Friday, Oct. 18th, Shane will be the keynote speaker at the ReThink315 fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. To purchase tickets for this event or for more info, click here.

Troy, IllinoisOn Sunday, Nov. 3rd, Shane will be speaking at a youth event from 3:30 to 7:00 pm at Providence Presbyterian Church. Shane will be addressing the topics: Is Faith Blind?, and Are There Contradictions in the Gospels? For more information about this youth event, send a text to 619-820-4908.

Houston, TexasOn Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8-9, Shane will be participating in a panel discussion on the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection, featuring Gary Habermas and others. This event will take place at the Lanier Theological Library.

For more information, or to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your next event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. 

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NOTE: Some clips from this interview with John Dickson were previously featured on episodes 2, 15 & 16 of The Humble Skeptic podcast.