Maybe the Nativity doesn't look quite like we think it does
We can trace the origins of many of the traditions found in nativity plays to what are known as the Infancy Gospels, pseudepigraphal works written much later than the canonical gospels, and falsely attributed to biblical authors, characters, or themes. Sadly, Read More …
El Brocense defended his critique in writing, which became a part of the official Inquisition records. As a result, the files of the Spanish Inquisition contain one of the earliest historical/exegetical arguments contradicting the traditional nativity story. Read More …
This past week I recorded a podcast for Time Ends Radio. The host of TER is an old friend, Maxx Navas—he and I worked together at Guitar Center in Stevenson Ranch, California. Some quick comments about this interview: Although predominantly Read More …
I had the privilege of meeting J. Warner (Jim) Wallace at NRB 2020 last week in Nashville. Jim is a former atheist who is now an apologist for Christianity. He used his skills as a cold case detective to investigate Read More …
The “taxation” or “census” mentioned in Luke 2:1 provides a huge key that unlocks certain portions of the mystery surrounding the birth of Jesus—in particular, the correct date when he was born. But there are also some common misconceptions regarding this verse, usually based on a muddled translation. Read More …
Marco Polo was an Italian merchant, explorer, and writer born in the Republic of Venice in 1254. In 1269 he traveled with his father Niccolo and uncle Maffeo to China on a series of adventures. They returned wealthy men in Read More …
During the filming for God Save the King, one of the crew members and I were having a conversation. He remarked, “Okay, you’ve completely re-educated me about the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, especially the correct date—so tell me something—is the Read More …
When the Roman General Pompey annexed Syria, the Romans entirely redesigned Damascus as a Roman city. Still today, “Old Town” Damascus retains its rectangular Roman design and seven extant ancient gates. The name “Ester Gate” predates the Romans, so it Read More …
The apostle Luke often gets a bad rap as a poor historian. The details of this accusation are discussed in detail in my essay But to Fulfill: The Events of the Nativity from Jesus’ Birth until the Arrival of the Read More …
Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, April 5, 1810–March 5, 1895; was a pioneer in Mesopotamian archaeology. He was the first to decipher the Assyrian language, now properly known as Akkadian, and was instrumental in deciphering the Behistun inscription, commissioned by Read More …