Lecture - Dr Peter Williams - New Evidences the Gospels were Based on Eyewitness Accounts

This is from The Lanier Library Lecture Series titled New Evidences the Gospels were Based on Eyewitness Accounts by Dr Peter Williams given March 5, 2011

The authorship of the first four books of the New Testament has fascinated scholars for centuries. If the authors were eyewitnesses, one could assume greater reliability. If not, then questions are naturally raised about the historicity of details in the writings. Because the first three Gospels are so similar, many theories have been proposed and argued to explain the sources of verbatim sections, as well as the unique material. Did Mark rely on Peter for eyewitness details? Luke admits his use of other sources, but did he use Mark or Matthew or both? What about Matthew and John? New evidence in the discussion of these questions and more will be the focus of this lecture.

Dr. Peter Williams. is a biblical scholar and also the Director of Tyndale House, Cambridge.


The Lanier Theological Library is an exciting new resource for all students and scholars of the Bible. The LTL is a research library and is open to everyone who will use it responsibly. Within the library, you will find a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, historical documents and artifacts with topics ranging from Church History and Biblical Studies to Egyptology and Linguistics. The LTL regularly hosts events with noted authors, guest lecturers, and researchers who will challenge you both academically and spiritually. Come to the Lanier Theological Library and find serious tools for serious study.

For more info on this: http://www.laniertheologicallibrary.org/

For those interested in Dr Peter Williams and the translation work he is involved in here is a YouTube clip from those proceedings here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=Mx06mtApu8k#!

This summer the Translation Oversight Committee of the English Standard Version (ESV) met at Tyndale House in Cambridge, England to consider improvements in certain specific English word choices. For example, should the Hebrew word 'ebed and the Greek word doulos be translated "slave," "bondservant" or "servant"? The question involved lexicography, biblical theology, and both ancient and modern culture.

During deliberations, the BBC stopped by and filmed a segment, which they reduced to a four-minute clip--reflecting hours of discussion based on hundreds of hours of scholarly research. Speaking in the video are C. John Collins (Covenant Theological Seminary), Peter Williams (Senior Warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge, and a past and future presenter in the Lanier Theological Library Lecture Series), Gordon Wenham (Trinity College, Bristol; son of the late John Wenham of Oxford, who contributed the Foreword to the second edition of The Fire That Consumes), Paul House (Beeson Divinity School), Wayne Grudem (Phoenix Seminary), and Lane Dennis (Crossway Books & Bibles).

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Dr Peter Williams
• Tyndale House
• Fleetwd1
• Mark Lanier
• Lanier Library Lecture
• Eyewitnesses
• Gospels
• New Evidence

[LifeIsSoAwesome]

This is an excellent presentation, but in my opinion it only reinforces one's trust in the Gospels if they already believe, rather than being a convincing argument intended for unbelievers. As a Christian, I believe that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God", and not through argument, but I worry that others might watch this and think "man, those liberals won't be able to answer THIS!"

[fleetwd1]

@LifeIsSoAwesome Furthermore at 51:20-53 Peter says, "Can I prove it? No I can't!" There is an answer to all of this. Someone can push back and say. "there is a weak point to your argument here, here and here." "I am not going to deny that."

[LifeIsSoAwesome]

@fleetwd1 That's exactly it! It wasn't meant to be irrefutable proof, but people can still misunderstand it as irrefutable proof, which could be dangerous.

It really is a good presentation, the whole way through.

[fleetwd1]

@LifeIsSoAwesome I stand by what I wrote. You implied Peter was somehow thinking he was giving irrefutable evidence to unbelievers and that the message would only confirm what believers already believe and would not convince unbelievers.

God can and will use whatever means he wishes to reach whomever He wills.

He is not bound by your agenda.

[LifeIsSoAwesome]

@fleetwd1 Any such implication was my mistake. I agree with everything you've said up until this point, and I apologize for any ambiguity or unclear statement that suggested that I thought that Peter thought he was giving irrefutable evidence to unbelievers. I have no agenda, nor do I want to limit God's sovereignty in saving whom he wills.

Again, sorry.

[fleetwd1]

@LifeIsSoAwesome Accepted. I thought you were much older or I would not have been as critical myself. Peace

[TestAmenT12341]

This is a very powerful argument and very creative. He knows what hes talking about! Thanks for uploading!

[fleetwd1]

@TestAmenT12341 you are more than welcome. the real credit goes to Mark Lanier who invites a variety of lecturers to come speak at his new Theological Library. I am thankful for his support of my sharing them on the YouTube format.

[alexanderbrooksify]

@LifeIsSoAwesome I do not disagree. However, arguments showing the strength of the Christian position can be used to impact the heart. That is how my girlfriend came to Christ from Atheism--logical arguments, like the ones used by Dr. Williams, given by people obeying 1 Peter 3:15, which commands us to have evidence for our hope.

I have told Dr. Williams' argument to a many agnostic and Atheistic friends, who have been intrigued by it.

[jerico641]

@Yesica1993

Most of it, until my ears started to bleed from the stupid. Then I had to turn it off.

[jerico641]

@TheSnarkyApologist

Thank you

[Yesica1993]

@jerico641 Did you even bother to watch the video?

[TheSnarkyApologist]

@jerico641 FORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol... ; )

[jerico641]

@TheSnarkyApologist

I think I'll try to slice it into the woods...here we go again with the bible quotations; did it ever occur to you that simply because something is written in a book, doesn't automatically mean it's true? And what you write there at the end is pretty telling too; you assumed I could easily kick all this nonsense to the curb, because, I believe, somewhere inside you know it's all fantasy. Oh, and I love the part of the verse describing "invisible" qualities; that's great...

[TheSnarkyApologist]

@jerico641

Romans 1:10

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

You can kick this to the curb as well. We simply put it on a tee for you, where you whack it is up to you my friend.

[jerico641]

@Yesica1993

What evidence? I haven't seen any my whole life (for ANY gods). 

[jerico641]

@TheSnarkyApologist

Yeah, Jesus was right, alright. No one in his right mind would believe that the dead rise up from graves (except in zombie movies). So, it's free will, then, huh? He's there, but he just allows us to do as we please. The invisible and the nonexistent bear a striking resemblance to each other. And you think that these evangelicals are providing answers?? If a person doesn't believe, and your god won't show him, what good are answers from people going to do?

[Yesica1993]

Fascinating information, some of which I'd not heard or thought about before!