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.

All Articles

This is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Clothed with Christ written by Brian W. Thomas (1517 Publishing, 2024). Now available!
What a small thing in the big picture to give his head for the Head of the Church who would give his life for John and all sinners.
It is the story of a God who is not distant, not indifferent, not doing anything in half-measures, but who is here, now.
What the gospel does is take people who were enemies of God and transform them into lovers of God
God can never really be said to be ignoring us, even if our experience with God at any given moment is that he is.
The point of Revelation is to reveal consolation in Jesus, not to revel in chaos and confusion.
When the historical importance of revivalism is understood, one can appreciate that the question, “Could America experience another revival?” is also a question about the fate of Christianity in America.
God’s words do things. When God blesses you, you are blessed.
The Lion of Judah, Christ the King, Jesus of Nazareth, will not be away from us for one night.
Erasmus and the Unintended Reformation
It is Jesus himself who is the ladder by which sinners get to God, not by them climbing up but by God climbing down.
It is your privilege—we may even say “right”—to call upon this Father and to call him Father.