Can You Trust the Gospels? Evidence an Investor Would Respect

Faith without evidence can feel like bad investing. We would never close a deal without running the numbers, checking comps, and verifying documents. Why should faith be any different?

For centuries, skeptics have claimed the Gospels are little more than myth — biased accounts written long after the fact. But when we look at the data, the Gospels stand on firmer historical ground than the biographies of Caesar, Alexander the Great, or other ancient figures we trust without question.

The evidence comes from multiple angles: eyewitness testimony, early creeds, external sources, manuscript credibility, and even the unity of Scripture across centuries. Taken together, these create a strong case for trusting the Gospel accounts — not as blind leaps of faith, but as well-documented truth.

Eyewitness Accounts: 500 Still Alive (1 Corinthians 15:6)

One of the strongest pieces of evidence is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:

“Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”
(1 Corinthians 15:6, ESV)

Paul doesn’t just tell people to “believe.” He points to over 500 eyewitnesses, most of whom were alive when he wrote these words. His invitation is clear: if you don’t believe me, go ask them yourself.

Luke, another Gospel writer, anchors his narrative in real history, naming rulers like Tiberius, Pilate, and Herod Antipas. This isn’t mythology. It’s timestamped testimony, verifiable in the records of the time.

For investors, this matters. When we review a deal, we don’t just take someone’s word — we check the paper trail. The resurrection account carries its own receipts.

They Didn’t Just See — They Suffered for It

Eyewitness claims mean little if they collapse under pressure. But the first witnesses didn’t just say they saw Jesus alive — they were willing to suffer and die for it.

James, the brother of Jesus, didn’t believe until after the resurrection. Yet he went on to lead the Jerusalem church and was executed for his faith. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, encountered the risen Christ and lost everything — status, safety, comfort. He endured prison, betrayal, and death because he refused to deny what he saw.

As Nabeel Qureshi (citing Gary Habermas) put it: “You don’t die for what you know is a lie.”

No one willingly faces torture for a hoax. The disciples’ endurance speaks to the authenticity of their testimony.

And consider this: if the Gospels were fabricated, why include embarrassing failures? Peter’s denial, the disciples’ cowardice, and women — whose testimony carried little legal weight in that culture — listed as the first witnesses to the resurrection. These details weaken a fabricated story but strengthen an authentic one.

For anyone who has lost money in a bad deal, you know this truth: when the story looks too clean, it usually isn’t real. Messy details are often signs of authenticity.

The Earliest Creed Timeline (AD 33–36)

Some skeptics argue that Jesus became a legend over time, as stories evolved. But Paul quotes an early Christian creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7 that most scholars date to AD 33–36 — just a few years after the crucifixion.

This creed summarizes the heart of the Gospel:

• Christ died for our sins.
  
  

• He was buried.
  
  

• He rose on the third day.
  
  

• He appeared to many witnesses.
  
  

Legends take generations to form. Here, the message was already circulating within years — in a hostile environment where opponents could have easily disproved it if false.

For investors, this is like finding records dated right at the close of a deal. It’s not hearsay from decades later; it’s fresh evidence from those who were present.

External Historical Sources Beyond the Bible

Some argue that only Christians wrote about Jesus, so the evidence is biased. But even non-Christian and hostile sources reference Him.

• Tacitus, a Roman historian, confirmed that Jesus was executed under Pontius Pilate during Tiberius’s reign.
  
  

• Josephus, a Jewish historian, mentioned Jesus as a wise man and documented claims of His resurrection.
  
  

• Suetonius, a biographer of Caesars, noted disturbances caused by early Christians.
  
  

• Mara Bar-Serapion, a Syrian philosopher, compared Jesus to Socrates and Pythagoras, calling Him the “wise king of the Jews.”
  
  

• The Babylonian Talmud — hostile to Christianity — still acknowledges Jesus, even while attempting to discredit Him.
  
  

Even enemies couldn’t erase Him. As investors know, when outside voices — even hostile ones — confirm a story, credibility grows.

Why the Gospels Have More Evidence Than Alexander the Great

If you trust that Alexander the Great lived and conquered — based on a handful of manuscripts written centuries after his death — then you should trust the Gospels even more.

The New Testament is supported by thousands of manuscripts, some dating to within decades of the originals. By comparison, the works of Herodotus or Caesar have only a few surviving copies, preserved with much larger gaps of time.

This is essentially a data integrity argument. Investors check title history, comps, and terms before closing a deal. The Gospels have a far stronger paper trail than most ancient texts we accept without question.

The Bible’s Unity Over 1,500 Years

Finally, the unity of Scripture itself is evidence. Seventy-three books, written by over forty authors, across three continents, in three languages, over fifteen centuries — yet carrying a unified message.

No other collection of writings carries that level of coherence across time and culture. For real estate investors, that’s like seeing a system scale consistently over centuries. If God can govern that level of unity, He can govern your next season.

Conclusion

The Gospels are not blind leaps into myth. They’re historically grounded, eyewitness-supported, externally confirmed, and manuscript-verified.

If we trust ancient records to shape history and markets, why not trust the Gospels to shape our lives? If Jesus lived, died, and rose as they testify, then His Kingdom isn’t optional. It’s the framework for every decision we make — in business, family, and purpose.

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