Josephus does not tell us that Christianity is true, and Christians do not need Josephus to tell them that Christ is risen. But Christianity makes claims about things that happened in public history under identifiable rulers, priests, and governors. For that reason, testimony from outside the church matters.
Today, the longing for cultural Christianity on both the left and the right hearkens back to an older version of Christendom that was a mixed blessing for the church in the western world. The cultural mediation of Christian views on created order has certainly benefitted the civilization we’ve inherited. But the gospel itself isn’t something that can be reduced to cultural mediation either. Instead, the gospel as a message stands apart from all human accomplishments and achievements, no matter how beneficial they might be.
The student of Scripture should always have a map open next to their Bible as they read. If possible, they should also travel to Israel, not to make a pilgrimage, but to see the context of the land in which these stories took place. These are not fairy tales made up about fictional fantasy lands; these are stories about real people in real places interacting with a real God.

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The death and resurrection did indeed really happen. They are accomplished historical facts, and by them, so too is the forgiveness of our sins and justification before God.
This day and its meaning provided the opportunity for an anonymous author to write a poem for Sheer Thursday about Judas' betrayal of Jesus.
This article is written by guest contributor, Christopher J. Richmann.
He represents our likeness, fulfills it, and so has the prerogative to reproduce his likeness in us.
This article is written by guest contributor, Aaron Boerst
The relationship with God through Christ and renewal in his image in Christ cannot be taken away or compromised through suffering.
St. Patrick was great but only because he was a slave to Christ.
Are you on the receiving end of freedom? Or are you trying to make yourself free?
Sin is a heavy thing to bear. Its jacket is shame, its medals are guilt.
The opponents of Father Brown thought that debunking the fake resurrection of Father Brown would discredit the good news of Christ's resurrection. The truth, however, is the other way around.
Jesus has gone ahead of you on the road, and promises to be with you still.
This is the sound of freedom. The Eternal One died so that we who are dying might live eternally with him.