Were the Gospels Written by Eyewitnesses?
- Krista Bontrager
- Apr 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 3
*EASTER EPISODE!* Former cold case detective, Jim Wallace walks us through the evidence for the New Testament being written by eyewitnesses and how to think about apparent contradictions. (Programming note: This is a rebroadcast from 2020.)
Tonight’s episode features a rebroadcast of a conversation with cold case detective J. Warner Wallace, discussing the reliability of the Gospels as eyewitness accounts and the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jim Wallace, a former atheist turned Christian, applies his expertise in forensic analysis to evaluate the historical claims of Christianity. The discussion focuses on foundational apologetics, addressing the authenticity of the Gospel accounts, the significance of the resurrection, and practical advice for engaging others in evidence-based discussions about faith.
Q. Tell us about yourself and your journey to Christianity.
Jim shares that he was raised in a non-Christian household with minimal exposure to the Bible. As an atheist and detective, he dismissed Christianity as unthoughtful until his wife encouraged him to attend church at age 35. A pastor’s claim that Jesus was the wisest person ever provoked him to investigate the Gospels using his cold case investigation skills, leading to his conversion. His background as a detective shaped his evidential approach to faith.
Q. How did your work as a cold case detective connect with apologetics?
Jim explains that his work analyzing eyewitness statements in cold cases paralleled his examination of the Gospels. He applied forensic statement analysis, looking for deception indicators like pronoun use, time compression, and optional words. The Gospels’ narrative style resembled authentic eyewitness accounts, prompting him to test their reliability using his detective skills, which he found engaging and applicable to apologetics.
Q. What features in the Gospels tipped you off that they were actual eyewitness accounts, not cleverly invented tales?
Jim notes that the variations among the Gospel accounts mirror the discrepancies typical in genuine eyewitness testimonies, which he sees as a sign of authenticity rather than fabrication. He highlights four categories for testing eyewitness reliability, emphasizing the early dating of the Gospels (within the lifetime of eyewitnesses) as critical. For example, Paul’s claim in 1 Corinthians 15 about 500 witnesses to the resurrected Christ, written in the early 50s, suggests the accounts were verifiable. He also points out that memorable events, like the resurrection, are reliably recalled even years later, similar to significant events in cold cases.
Q. How do you address apparent contradictions, like one angel versus two at the tomb in the resurrection accounts?
Jim argues that differences in Gospel accounts reflect varied perspectives, not contradictions. For instance, one Gospel may focus on the speaking angel while another notes the presence of two, aligning with how eyewitnesses emphasize different details based on their focus (e.g., a gun or clothing in a crime scene). He suggests that if the Gospels were identical, skepticism would increase, as identical accounts suggest collusion. The early church preserved these variations, recognizing them as authentic, unlike later attempts to harmonize accounts.
Q. Why does it matter that Jesus rose from the dead bodily?
Jim emphasizes the resurrection as the foundational claim of Christianity, demonstrating Jesus’ deity and distinguishing him from other religious figures. He explains that Christianity’s dualistic view of humans (body and soul) underscores the importance of bodily resurrection, as believers will be reunited with transformed bodies. Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15 links Jesus’ resurrection to believers’ hope, making it central to the faith. Jim also connects this to modern loneliness, suggesting that physical presence matters because humans are created as embodied beings.
Q. What would you say to Christians who think looking for evidence goes against faith?
Jim counters that Christian faith is not blind but rooted in evidence, as seen in the Old Testament (e.g., God’s miracles in the Exodus) and Jesus’ miracles, which attested to his deity. He argues that faith involves trusting God based on past demonstrations, like the resurrection, which provides a reason to trust for the future. This evidential approach aligns with how God calls people to trust him based on what he has done.
Q. How can Christians engage others when they’re told evidence-based discussions are too deep or uninteresting?
Jim observes that Christians often resist apologetics more than skeptics, who may be open to evidence-based discussions. He advises focusing on the specific questions or doubts people have, rather than overwhelming them with technical arguments. For example, asking skeptics what prevents them from believing allows for tailored responses. He encourages incremental progress, building trust over time, and suggests starting with youth ministry to introduce apologetics subtly by addressing felt needs, like keeping kids in faith.
Q. Were you convinced by studying the original languages of the Bible, English, or both?
Jim notes that he initially used English translations and tools like PC Study Bible for concordance searches, later upgrading to Logos software. He also studied lexicons and church history to understand the context of ancient texts, similar to investigating historical dialects in cold cases. He emphasizes the importance of the chain of custody—tracing the transmission of Gospel accounts through early church fathers to ensure their reliability.
Q. How do you address the choice of unlikely eyewitnesses, like women, in the resurrection accounts?
Jim argues that using women as the first witnesses enhances the accounts’ credibility, as their testimony was less valued in the first century. If the Gospels were fabricated, more authoritative figures like Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus would have been chosen. Similarly, the Gospel authors (e.g., Mark, Luke) were not prominent figures, which supports authenticity, as fabricators would likely attribute accounts to more credible names.
Q. How can Christians introduce apologetics in churches where it’s not prioritized?
Jim suggests serving humbly in church, particularly in youth ministry, to build trust with leaders before introducing apologetics. He recommends framing apologetics as addressing “big questions” or cultural issues rather than using the term “apologetics,” which may deter people. He shares his experience teaching small groups, learning from mistakes, and gradually improving, encouraging persistence and faithfulness in small settings.
Resources:
Be sure to check out J. Warner Wallace's brand new graphic novel, written with his son, Jimmy Wallace: Case Files Vol 1: Murder and Meaning: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Files-Vol-Murder-Meaning/dp/0830785884/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title
Cold Case Christianity: https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Case-Christianity-Updated-Expanded-Investigates/dp/0830785302/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image
Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Thy-Body-Answering-Questions/dp/0801075971/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image
Connect with the Guest:
Check out the MANY resources and books available from J. Warner Wallace at his website: https://coldcasechristianity.com/
Sponsor:
Tonight's show is brought to you by the Center for Biblical Unity and Theology Mom podcast.
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