Do apparent contradictions in the gospels mean we can’t trust them as reliable sources of information about the person and life of Christ? Dr. Mike Licona tackles this important question by examining ancient Greco-Roman biography, the genre to which the gospels belong, and the conventions used by authors of the time when writing them. He explains that what modern readers might be tempted to call errors are actually the result of legitimate compositional devices,  methods of story-telling, common to that era that were accepted as truthful and trustworthy.

In this episode, the final part in an 8 part series, Dr. Licona reviews and summarizes the problems with Lydia McGrew’s methodological interpretation of the Gospels. Then he argues that compositional devices is compatible with the biblical doctrine of inspiration. Finally, he pastorally guides us to consider whether it’s our view of history that needs reconsideration. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, part 7 in an 8 part series, Dr. Licona reviews several events in the Gospels to demonstrate how compositional devices are more plausible explanations than the explanations embraced by Lydia Mcgrew: forced harmonizations, or worse, that errors had occurred. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, Dr. Licona walks us through more missteps by Lydia Mcgrew, including false dichotomies on the issues of chronological narration, and between compositional devices and Undesigned Coincidences This is part 6 in a series of 8. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, part 5 in an 8 part series, Dr. Licona patiently deconstructs Lydia McGrew’s contrived flow chart for determining when it is safe to consider if a compositional device has been employed. He also shows how she approaches ancient historical sources with her own pre-conceived views, and how this results in erroneous conclusions. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, part 4 in an 8 part series, Dr. Licona demonstrates Lydia McGrew’s rigid approach that’s founded upon her presumptions pertaining to ancient historical reporting. Her black and white thinking leads to an all-or-nothing approach, exaggerated opinions, and inaccurate conclusions about how the ancients reported the past. Moreover, she often interprets those she criticizes in a manner that’s both inaccurate and uncharitable. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, Dr. Licona gives attention to Lydia McGrew's contentions that historians in antiquity would not have employed the literary exercises taught in the compositional textbooks by Theon, Quintilian, and others. This is part 3 in a series of 8. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, part 2 of 8 in a series, Dr. Licona answers Lydia McGrew's contention that the Gospels are not affiliated with Greco-Roman biography. He demonstrates that she misinterprets ancient writers on the subject, fails to consider the degree of literacy required for composition, and misinterprets other scholars on the subject. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, part 1 of 8 in a series, Dr. Licona describes his research on Gospel differences and introduces us to a critical assessment of his work by Lydia McGrew, a Christian apologist. These audio clips are taken from Dr. Licona’s YouTube channel, originally published in 2020.

In this episode, Dr. Licona discusses his process for finding the validity of the resurrection while writing his book, “The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach.” This interview was conducted by Wintery Knight and Desert Rose on March 23rd, 2024.