YES! The Bible is Reliable. Here's Why.

Matt chats with Dr. Bergsma about the why the Bible is reliable.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
0:20 Why Gethsemane is Beautiful
3:24 Skepticism & the Faith
5:07 Emmaus Academy
10:45 Why Believe the Bible?
13:13 Credibility of the New Testament
31:47 Anonymous Gospels?
39:02 Pseudo-Apocryphal Gospels
44:20 Destruction of the Jewish Temple
52:25 Timeline of Gospel Authorship
55:22 The Authoship of John
1:00:04 The Gospel's View on the Christ
1:07:50 Converting Ben Shapiro
1:12:10 Closing

[@PintsWithAquinas]

Who wants a longer discussion with Dr Bergsma? What would you like us to discuss next time?

[@nathanp.claiborne8276]

Order some pizza and challenge him to beat Seamus' record

[@jake6132]

Penal substitution and how it behaves with St Thomas Aquinas's view of atonement.

[@glennlanham6309]

oh yeah stay with solid stuff like Steubenville teachers and forget ragging the biggest appariton in modern history

[@Tybourne1991]

Yes please! I eagerly look forward to your next discussion, especially delving into the fascinating areas where Catholics align with and diverge from the teachings of Scripture. There's so much to explore, and I can't wait to hear Dr Bergsma's insightful perspectives on the matter!

[@SurrenderNovena]

Continuing with what he ended today would be great!

[@DWWest]

Having studied religion at a liberal state university, I can’t even begin to articulate the damage it had done to my belief in the Bible. I read Dr. Brant Pitre’s over Easter this year, and this discussion has really helped me to solidify my Catholic faith. Thank you!

[@MrSeedi76]

Yes, studying theology is kind of dangerous 😂. So before I even started, I read a ton of books to be able to address the issues that might come up. So I was able to avert the damage it might have done. Became a huge fan of Carsten Peter Thiede (R. I. P.) in the process. Highly recommended. A lot of his work has been translated into English.

[@Emily-me]

I took a religion course at a catholic university and the first thing they did was take scriptures out of context to accuse the Bible of endorsing slavery. I used references to the jubilee laws to support my response, but the next time they restricted the passages we could use as evidence for our responses. Honestly I don’t know where someone can get a good faith biblical education.

[@JohnSmith-ie7hp]

The best thing to do is to make sure your rooted in your relationship with Christ as your Lord and Savior vs good in your religion…. That’s what gets shaken a religious aspect of faith. The Bible teaches a relationship with the Father

[@tomasrocha6139]

@@Emily-me The Jubilee laws only released male Israelite slaves that did not want to stay with their families according to Exodus 21:7 and Leviticus 25:46

[@Pjs-kl1op]

Because you are worshiping priests and everything besides Jesus.

[@mariemorrison6278]

He and Dr Brant Pitre transfomed my Catholic understanding of the Bible.

[@jamesflynn4741]

Becoming 'skeptical of my skepticism' was a key feature of my transition from atheism to devotion

[@zairaa677]

Beautiful!

[@lbfather]

I feel like I catch myself every time I doubt with this kinda logic. I’ll think “this seems false/untrustworthy” and immediately go to the alternative and think how much more absurd that is

[@lbfather]

@weaponofchoice-tc7qs depends on the subject. It ranges from the nature and cause of the universe to the accounts of the gospel writers.

[@lbfather]

@weaponofchoice-tc7qs I don’t like to bet my odds on my life being finite, if that’s what you’re asking of me

[@spmcg_]

Dr. Pitre needs to be interviewed

[@thisisit2878]

He has been. He's been on Pints With Aquinas.

[@zakkonieczka6811]

This is great. As someone who once believed that Jesus was a myth and the scriptures were a grand ancient conspiracy, learning about the reliability and authenticity of the gospels and the old testament was central to my conversion.

[@TheSulross]

let me introduce you to the myriad of youtube videos that summarize the latest science on the Shroud of Turin - where the most important point to get right off is that the carbon 12 dating has been scientifically soundly discredited (thanks to a victorious lawsuit against the British Museum of History that has kept an embargo on the raw data for several decades, and that has also now exposed a highly likely scandal perpetrated by the museum and other parties) All the other scientific evidence builds a super solid case that the shroud is the authentic burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth. The scientific findings on the nature of the image in the shroud is such that we today do not possess the technology to replicate the effect of what would be required to cause such an image in the linen cloth But with modern technology, computer processing methods are able to generate high quality visuals of the appearance of Jesus. These are much superior than the the image we can directly perceive on the cloth because they use 3D topological information inherent in the image (comparable to satellite imagery of the Earth) where distortions can be corrected and proper 3D fidelity achieved. We have the physical evidence of the resurrection event and we can look upon the face of Jesus. We (our generation) are in close proximity to those that lived then and walked by His side in respect to having such access to these realities.

[@hankcicalese9693]

Bart Ehrman is very likely the top ATHEISTIC biblical scholar in the world right now. Meaning, he has a deep scholarly understanding of the bible the important biblical sources. Yet he remains an ATHEIST (someone who don't believe in the existence of God or that Jesus was God.) Here's what Dr. Erhman says about the idea of the person of Jesus being a myth: "The idea that Jesus did not exist is a modern notion. It has no ancient precedents. It was made up in the eighteenth century. One might as well call it a modern myth, the myth of the mythical Jesus". I've heard Dr. Ehrman otherwise state that if someone begins a theological analysis or argument that Jesus the person didn't exist, but was a myth, then you're wasting your time arguing with that person about important theological topics relating to Jesus (I'm paraphrasing.) Jesus is likely the most thoroughly documented person that has ever lived.

[@lumenaperpetua]

Matt, you could interview Dr. Bergsma DAILY and no one would be upset about it. Just sayin. 😁

[@isabelgranados296]

Oh... I was hoping for a longer discussion... We definitely need him back in show🙏 He's such a good teacher.

[@TheSulross]

to be young again and attend a semester or two of lectures on the New Testament that dives into all this additional fine detail of the Gospels...

[@ConnorPatrickNolan003]

Had him as a professor. One of the greatest men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing

[@glennlanham6309]

prayers, I will have my MATS in December, God willing...but I didn't have him, as I have previous Theology credits

[@TheDjcarter1966]

Study hard, I just got my MA in Theology from Franciscan...for the comps you need to pass 3 out of 4. I passed (3 out of 4) but ironically enough Bergsma failed me, I actually thought it was one of my better answers and really nailed the question. Thing is you don't get any feedback at all it's just pass fail so I'll never know why. I still really enjoyed his class and the opportunity to get a world class education online...Good Luck and God Bless.

[@glennlanham6309]

@@TheDjcarter1966 ouch. Well you passed. I placed out of all the classes I had in seminary so I will be studying solely from the videos for 8 of those classes

[@glennlanham6309]

@@TheDjcarter1966 Then it will be on to finding a job in the deep South solely in Catholicism!

[@zairaa677]

Awesome!

[@gabriela6584]

I wish this could have gone on for 3 hours! What a great conversation

[@sw6155]

This needed to be a record 5h conversation… between kids, husband, house, full time job… I don’t have time sit down with a book anymore, but I can attentively listen to convos like this while doing chores and stuff…

[@EnjoyTheShoah]

You realize you can listen to audio books, too, right?

[@hopefulforhumanity5625]

"People want to want to love the Bible."😂 This is how I pray! "Lord help me to want to be sorry. Lord help me to want to be zealous for you!"

[@popebenedict7615]

That kind of phraseology is akin to The Litany of Humility. A beautiful way of acknowledging our abject deficiency.

[@kellyvardakas2628]

This man changed my life! My favorite FUS professor ever. Holy, humble, brilliant. Such a witness!

[@johnbrion4565]

Dr. Bergsma has helped me better understand the Catholic faith. His video on the genealogies of Jesus in the Gospels is the best on the topic that I’ve seen.

[@fabianapimentel6114]

I've been reading the Bible since i was 13 years old, now i am almost 50 and this book still amazes me and make me cry and you see everything different as you maturw and learn some about the culturw and language it was written. Just love it ❤

[@saraahb123]

Dr Bergsma is the great ever, I could listen to him forever!!

[@theguyver4934]

Just like biblical and historical evidence proves that jesus and his apostles were vegatarians biblical and historical evidence also proves that the trinity, atonement, original sin and hell are very late misinterpretations and are not supported by the early creed hence its not a part of Christianity I pray that Allah swt revives Christianity both inside and out preserves and protects it and makes its massage be witnessed by all people but at the right moment, place and time The secred text of the Bible says ye shall know them by their fruits So too that I say to my christian brothers and sisters be fruitful and multiply Best regards from a Muslim ( line of ismail )

[@Anonymousduck161]

@@theguyver4934cite some sources.

[@ignatiusjackson235]

I've just discovered him today, and I couldn't agree more! He's right up there with Brandt Pitre and Scott Hahn.

[@DebraR35789]

Dr Bergsma along with Dr Hahn are the reason I came back home to the Catholic faith! Dr Bergsma is my favorite author/speaker on the faith! With Dr Pitre second on my list.

[@thankfullyforgiven9611]

This was fascinating! I could have listened to this guy all day long! Thanks Matt for an excellent interview!

[@SurrenderNovena]

Wow, what a great lesson in the historical accuracy of the Bible. These FACTS are amazing! Thank you, Dr. Bergsma, for your clear, simple, and engaging teaching of what can be a dry, academic subject incomprehensible to us non-theologians and non-biblical scholars. Thank you, Matt, for all the great guests and talks you have! Yes, please have Dr. Bergsma back! In the Hearts of Jesus, Mary & Joseph ❤❤❤

[@rosiegirl2485]

Well said! ⚘️

[@grantstevens8099]

An hour and 12 minutes? You know that's not long enough, Matt! Great discussion.

[@FrJames-ro4de]

Absolutely fantastic content!!! Bring back Bergsma for more!

[@AmberFaganello]

Yes! More videos with Dr. Bergsma!

[@cristiancaiola9588]

I was just thinking last week how I was hoping Dr. Bergsma would be on soon. I would LOVE to see some sort of round table of 'bible dudes' just talking about anything and everything.

[@jessya.955]

'Bible dudes"😄

[@allisoncarley2964]

They say "You don't know what you don't know" and all videos I've seen with Dr. Bergsma help me realize that more and more. I have really enjoyed him since finding his conversion story online a few years ago. Please have him back regularly!! Also, his voice is very "listenable."

[@housecry]

I love Dr. Bergsma. I'd love for him to discuss the Old Testament with a Jewish Catholic who is well studied in the Torah.

[@jarikrawczyk]

Why not the rabbi Tovia Singer!? He knows Torah and Tanakh indsie out.

[@housecry]

@@jarikrawczyk I want to hear the perspective of a Jewish believer who accepts Yeshua, specifically a Catholic Jew. I know of a few, but I want to hear a dialogue with someone who loves Scripture like Dr. Bergsma and is of the same faith.

[@jarikrawczyk]

@@housecry So on other words, you want to hear two people that can support each other's confirmation bias, so that it can reinforce your confirmation bias? Did I got it right?

[@johnbrion4565]

@@jarikrawczykmost likely they want to listen to a Jewish Catholic to help them better understand the Jewish roots of their faith.

[@housecry]

​@@jarikrawczykYou're assuming a lot. I've heard debates with Orthodox Jews before, including ones with Dr. Michael Brown, who I imagine knows the Tanakh better than Dr. Bergsma. Dr. Brown is not a Catholic Jew as I'm sure you know. I've heard Messianic and Protestant Jews. I want to hear a Catholic Jewish perspective with someone who knows the Hebrew Scriptures. I made it clear in my first reply, one who "accepts" Yeshua.

[@m.d.d.k.7136]

Awesome! Great interview!

[@angrypotato_fz]

Very cool! I wish it was longer :) It's interesting to listen to Dr. Bergsma go into details of the Bible fragments.

[@nico0826]

You should get Brant Pitre and Edward Feser on the show

[@gracielaprovost6072]

I never comment but this was amazing!! Please more!!! God bless the work you are doing!! 🙏🏼

[@Psyrus88]

I had the honor of taking Dr. Bergsma's "Faith and Reason" course in 2014. A great professor, and a holy man.

[@davidorozco6918]

What a show!!! Great show!!!!

[@laurants]

The entire discussion is great. But the beginning about watching non-religious stuff, I don't apologize for that. I think it is good to get away from the stress of always being reminded that either something is wrong in the world or that you are not yet a good enough Catholic. Sometimes I just need to rest and be entertained.

[@katiem3184]

So much love for Dr. Bergsma!!

[@ChristLovesu-dp9ub]

Beautiful work.Thank you Holy Spirit .

[@ianmiller4195]

Seeing all the books on the table I can tell this will be a good episode!

[@briancollins515]

This is the content that I scour KZbin endlessly for!!

[@danacasey8266]

I am 3 classes shy of my theology master and u learned so much from this. It has been the little details in the gospel stories that made them ring true for me.

[@gethimrock]

Please bring Dr Bergsma back he’s great

[@realjoanna]

Doing a Bible study using Brant Pitre's "Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist." WOW. Everyone should read it!

[@saintamata1841]

That was so excellent, thanks Matt! ❤

[@timobrien72]

This is exactly what i needed and will continue to need my Faith if fragile this sort of conversation strengtheneds it

[@xxxzxxzx]

Thank you so much, great podcast!!

[@dawnoliver2015]

Oh this podcast has me soooo excited to hear Dr Bergsma share these unbelievable gold nuggets. Thank you so much!! Feel like going to shout it from the rooftops!!

[@elizabethdale8566]

What an excellent show. Thank you.

[@sethcasavant9572]

When I was in the navy we ported in haifa and got to do a via del la rosa tour (I know I spelled that wrong) and it was amazing! We went to the garden, church of holy sepulcher, and many more sites. Highlight of my first deployment!

[@rachelbutler7658]

I always go into these discussions with a bit of hesitancy, maybe distrust? But, I am rarely disappointed. Great bits of encouragement and fascinating points are always discovered!! 👏 Thank you for keeping it so pleasant, real and inspiring. Good job, fellows!!! 🎉

[@shellbackbeau7021]

This was an excellent discussion to listen to. Very edifying! Thankyou!

[@mariachacin557]

What a great episode. Really enjoyed it.

[@robbycooke]

Great info! Thanks!

[@hfritz82]

Please do more of this!

[@nickaugurusa752]

Excellent discussion and learning so much.

[@TheShard1771]

One of my favorite episodes! Amazing stuff!

[@dianedavis1676]

Awesome! More, please!

[@aci.]

Oh wow. An hour and 12 minutes just flew by. Such a treat to have Dr. Bergsma on PwA. Thank you!

[@FreedomandBaconHomestead]

Great info! Been an active Catholic my whole life but still learned a lot. Thank you and God bless!

[@77agape]

nice chat here !

[@shaneblackwoodGodbless]

Really enjoyed these

[@oswaldomaldonado1051]

This was Amazing!

[@ngaoakirirua3756]

Thanks brothers in Christ for the sharing God is Good forever hallelujah 👏 AMEN 🙏

[@GIII_S]

Incredibly interesting discussion!

[@Tybourne1991]

Wow, what a captivating discussion! I must say, it was one of the most thought-provoking and insightful conversations I've come across. The evidence that St. Matthew's Gospel was written prior to the Temple's destruction adds an extra layer of awe to Our Lord's prophetic words in the 24th chapter. It's truly remarkable! I eagerly look forward to your next discussion, especially delving into the fascinating areas where Catholics align with and diverge from the teachings of Scripture. There's so much to explore, and I can't wait to hear Dr Bergsma's insightful perspectives on the matter!

[@rae-michellel6878]

Love Dr. Bergsma!!!

[@ThePianoFortePlayer]

Thanks for this

[@rickfilmmaker3934]

Absolutely excellent. Dr.Bergsma is top notch.

[@shemabawah1865]

Great questions

[@PatMcAnn]

The Daily Exegesis on hallow by Logical Bible is amazing! I truly look forward to it every day, so much so that I also support him in patreon now. And this show is equally a gift!!

[@josephdiaz339]

My goodness, this man is brilliant and awesomely blessed. What a gift to humanity from the Lord Jesus. So much good in this video. God bless Dr. Bergsma and thank you for this treasure of truth! ❤

[@bethanyrose2023]

Emmaus Academy is the perfect course for me. Since I have come to know the Truth. I have been hungry to learn about the Catholic faith, the faith I took for granted. I was doing my last module in Psychology, and I got distracted because I was spending more time watching Catholic Apologetics on KZbin. I have been seriously thinking about abandoning my plan to pursue a career in Psychology and studying Theology instead or merging the two. I am praying for God's guidance and direction.

[@CatholicPipes]

I remember his old testament course. Wonderful class loved the assignments

[@Sitzenleben]

Now we support this man and his work by buying his books. Read catholics read

[@shlamallama6433]

You should have Dr. Bergsma come on to do a show about the book of the New Testament that he knows the most about. Or maybe that plus the Old Testament.

[@DB0310]

This is so important for us all to know.

[@gogr2409]

👏👏👏 loved it!

[@mikederp9612]

Can we get a historical expert on the history of holidays and how they are in fact early Christian. Such as Christmas early Christians and authors such as Sextus Africanus talking on Jesus's birthday on December 25th before Saturnalia was even created. I would like to a see a comprehensive list of facts for when everyone posts around Christmas how its pagan.

[@quiricomazarin476]

Everyone = like nut bar protestant heretics ect.... goaded by Satan without a true education & can't logically think as they are brainwashed.

[@ee.es00]

Great speaker.

[@rockanne]

I'm so glad he mentioned Michael Barber. You should interview Michael Barber. I'd actually love a round table with several of these people. I love watching Jesus nerds geek out together. 😂

[@nicholassmith3899]

I checked the times at 42 minutes, and was totally disappointed that it was going to be over soon. You mist have this man back on.

[@gailpessoa6934]

Please have Dr. Bergsma back ASAP. 😀

[@brianw.5230]

Awesome!!

[@LUMEStockTrading]

The last 4 minutes is the best part wow

[@anneinohio8232]

With all due respect, Matt…I think the reason people are most skeptical of the Bible, is the simple fact that those who read and accept the Bible as true means that they must change their lives to conform to the book. We must acknowledge God as Father and Jesus as the Son and Savior.

[@michaelpower6546]

More please

[@teresastockdale9159]

Im not Catholic but I listen,learn and look up much of Dr. B’s teaching.

[@hglundahl]

14:27 I hadn't heard of the 750 AD manuscript yet!

[@bradleytarr2482]

I love Pocket Editions of Bibles. Apparently so did the Apostles and their immediate successors.

[@annakimborahpa]

For Ben Shapiro who is an Orthodox Jew, I would recommend: (1) the Gospel of Matthew that was originally written for Jews in their own dialect to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Hebrew prophets (2) the Letter to the Hebrews that was written for Jews to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of an earlier priesthood than the Levitical, that of Melchizedek

[@andrewrahn5908]

Emmaus academy by the grace of God, fits the bill in Christ.

[@isaakleillhikar8311]

This guys great

[@ajpalazuelos3831]

Have him back!

[@carmeister_]

🔥 his comments on Johns Gospel 🤯🔥 also why was this so short lol

[@spinninginspace]

It wouldve been so sweet if the chosen had cast John as a young kid ie. visibly younger than Peter and the men

[@TheDjcarter1966]

True every scholar has John as a young teenager

[@anneinohio8232]

When you study Roman culture, there are some interesting things you discover. For instance, the Roman Senate would allow private ‘Tax Farming’ companies to bid on the collection of taxes in the empire. In the case of tax collecting, the company with the HIGHEST bid would get the contract. How did these companies turn a profit? By collecting over the amount promised to Rome. There was no set tax rate, as we have today. That’s why tax collectors were so hated by the ancient world. They could confiscate what they wanted. Jesus’ call to Matthew to become a follower was indeed radical. It must have been pretty awkward when Matthew joined the group, and a tough thing for the other apostles to welcome Matthew.

[@williamreymond2669]

25:20 Dr. Bergsma] "It's a kind of an act of humility that he pencils himself into his own painting." It was John-Mark's signature - a cameo. Authors do this all the time, not just in the Scriptures.

[@JeffTrytko]

Our parish HS youth are going to Stuebenville next summer for a retreat. What is there to do for fun? Any recommendations?

[@richarddouglas8015]

Am hearing you with christ at my side

[@Burberryharry]

It would be cool to have a guest on to talk about divorce and growing up without a father or mother.

[@familysim2905]

We converted to Catholicism at the Easter Vigil. I have a question. The original documents and manuscripts spoken of in this episode, where are they housed? Are they kept by the Vatican? I’m incredibly curious as to whether the average person would be able to view them. Thank you and God bless.

[@alonsoACR]

There are tens of thousands. They're all over the world, wikipedia has an article listing most of them (each with a picture attached!) under the title "List of New Testament Papyri" and "List of New Testament uncials"

[@familysim2905]

@@alonsoACR Thank you! I’m going to look it up. So fascinating!!

[@MrSeedi76]

​@@weaponofchoice-tc7qssome scholars date P66 to 200 or even earlier. So it's not that far after the gospel of John was probably written if one would agree with the dating at around 100 CE. Might even just be a copy of the autograph or maybe only one or two copies removed. Be that as it may, the textual evidence for the new testament is the best of any ancient document out there.

[@quiricomazarin476]

​​@@MrSeedi76100 ANNO DOMINE = year of our LORD. Some may mix or abuse Christian Era with Commen Era... Always was A.D.

[@Missvinsdefraise]

Would it be possible to make the link to the St Paul center "clickable" like the link for hallow. Thanks

[@azsunburns]

Kenneth Bailey is also wonderful to listen to regarding unknown cultural tidbits bringing life and meaning to scripture. We should still be looking at tax collecting the same way. Do not covet, do not steal, Christ called people out of Satan's state of mortal govt systems. This is all over the book. Where is this discussed in Catholicism? 1:01:06 is exactly how Christ subversively talked to avoid being arrested in regards to taxation and serving the state of mortal authority.

[@happykaladin78]

Is there a collection of all the circumstantial evidence in the New Testament somewhere? I would love to be able to learn more about them