The Internal Evidence Test

• This test examines a document's internal evidences supporting its reliability.
• Are there any claims of the document itself supporting its authenticity?

• Aristotle's dictum is a ground rule for this test.
• This means a document is not assumed fraudulent unless it disqualifies itself.
• Contradictions & factual inaccuracies are the basis for disqualification.

• Radical critics see the Bible as fraudulent due to its supernatural claims.
• This position holds that the universe as a closed natural system.
• In a closed natural system there can be no interference from a god.
• Anti-supernaturalism, however, has closed itself to the possibility of a god.
• Figure: "Open & Closed Belief Systems."
• This study began with an assumed openness to the possibility of a god.
• With our open assumption, we will proceed with Aristotle's dictum.

• In the legal system, the credibility of witnesses depends on five factors.
• These same five factors can be utilized to examine authors of the Bible.
• Central to Christianity are the gospel writers who record the life of Jesus.
• Matthew, Mark, Luke & John will be the focus for the internal evidence test.
• The claims about Jesus & His life are dependent on NT authors.

• Were the authors sincere, did they believe they were telling the truth?
• In this case, honesty deals with sincerity not the correctness of the message.
• Character & motive are considered in evaluating honesty.
• Regarding character, were the authors good or bad people?
• Their character is evidenced by their lack of hostility toward Judas & Pilot.
• It is improbable that corrupt individuals could have created a perfect Jesus.
• Regarding motive, what would be their earthly or heavenly incentive?
• Failure would result from opposition to pagan, religious & political powers.
• No heavenly reward could be expected by promoting a false message.
• Good character & lack of motive testify to the authors sincerity.

• This criteria first examines the witness' power of observation & memory.
• As Hebrews writing in Greek, the authors were above average in intelligence.
• A tax collector (Matthew) & physician (Luke) required above average minds.
• Their dignity & coverage of the ugly facts do not portray undue fanaticism.
• The authors preached & later documented the message between 50-90 A.D.
• Their message was common knowledge among others (Acts 2:22, 1 Cor 15:6).
• Continued preaching acted as a corrective to inaccuracies (Act 18:24-26).
• The message was not forgotten in this context but rather solidified.
• The ability of the witness also considers their opportunity to observe.
• An author's errors are lessened the closer they are to the actual events.
• Matthew & John were disciples of Jesus (Mk 3:13-19).
• Luke drew from eyewitness accounts (Lk 1:1-3).
• History holds that the Apostle Peter dictated to Mark his gospel.
• The gospel writers are intelligent, sound witnesses of the life of Jesus.
• As witnesses, they had outstanding ability & occasion to recall the facts.

• The gospels differ in style, level of detail & the quantity of events reported.
• Variation of this sort is typical of authentic parallel historical accounts.
• This type of variation in reporting testifies against conspiracy.
• The four gospels have been paralleled along with the rest of the Bible.
• Comparison of parallel accounts demonstrates outstanding consistency.
• Information from parallel texts typically clarifies & completes the record.
• The credibility of the witnesses is supported by their number & consistency.

• In general, the gospels record the ordinary events of life.
• The texts do not describe imaginative things like ancient undersea kingdoms.
• Miracles are the only major objection to the anti-supernaturalist.
• Prophecy regarding Jesus & His resurrection are clear evidences of miracles.
• Other miracles can be accepted based on the truth of these verifiable miracles.
• Miracles in the context of ordinary history can therefore be accepted.
• Author credibility is therefore not diminished by the inclusion of miracles.

• Each event is intimately related to preceding, surrounding & following events.
• False witnesses, therefore, tend to focus on a single fact.
• They are not free to discuss other facts because lack of supporting events.
• While false witnesses are restrained, truthful witnesses are candid & natural.
• True witnesses are able to answer all the questions.
• The authors fit the portrait of true witnesses candidly detailing events.
• In addition, the gospel accounts are supported by external sources in history.
• This is true of the New Testament & the Bible as a whole.
• This will be demonstrated in the following section on external evidences.

• The honesty of the witnesses is evidenced by good character & lack of motive.
• As witnesses, the authors had outstanding ability & occasion to recall the facts.
• The credibility of the witnesses is supported by their number & consistency.
• The gospels record the ordinary events of life relating to human experience.
• The gospels relate to concurrent circumstances in detailed accounts & in history.
• The internal evidence of the gospels supports their authenticity.
• The gospel's internal evidence substantiates the claims about Jesus & His life.