,,:5 ,,7 ,,our ,,gospels ,,writt58  ,by 
,*>les ,bradlaugh  ,f\r? ,edition       
,london3 ,free?\ght ,publi%+ ,company1  
#bh1 ,/onecutt] ,/reet ,e4,c4  #ahha4   
,london3  ,pr9t$ ,by ,annie ,besant ,&  
,*>les ,bradlaugh1  #bh1 ,/onecutt]     
,/reet1 ,e4,c4   ,,prefatory ,,note ,,to
 ,,f\r? ,,edition4       ,s9ce ?is      
pamphlet 0 orig9ally p5n$ 9 #ahfg1 !    
au?or ( ,sup]natural ,religion has 9 8  
?ree volumes      plac$ a v /oreh\se (  
in=mation )9 ! easy      rea* ( e /ud5t1
 & _m ( ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf's      reckless 
/atem5ts h be5 effectively dealt ) 9 t  
ma/]ly "w4 ,9 ! pres5t brief pamphlet   
!re is only      ! v m]e/ index to      
matt]s :i* 9 ,sup]natural      ,religion
 are exhau/ively treat$4 ,"p ,,ii4 ( ,! 
,free?9k]s' ,text-,book1 by ,mrs        
,besant1 has travell$ ov]      ! same   
gr\nd ) mu* c>e1 & has giv5 exact       
ref]5ce to au?orities on ea* po9t4   ,! 
,religi\s ,tract ,society1 "s "t s9ce1  
issu$1 prefac$ ) _! high comm5dation1 a 
translation ( a pamphlet by ,dr4        

,con/ant9e ,tis*5dorf1 entitl$ ,:5 7 our
 ,gospels ,writt58 ,9 ! introductory    
preface we are n unfairly told t on !   
cr$ibility ( ! f\r ,gospels ! :ole (    
,*ri/ianity re/s1 z a build+ on its     
f\ndations4 ,x is propos$ 9 ?is brief   
essay to deal ) ! "* ( ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf's
 advocacy1 !n to exam9e ! g5u95ess ( !  
f\r ,gospels1 z affirm$ by ! ,religi\s  
,tract ,society's pamphlet1 & at ! same 
"t to asc]ta91 s f> z is possible 9 !   
space1 h[ f> ! ,gospel n>rative is      
cr$ible4  ,! ,religi\s ,tract ,society  
/ate t ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf's bro*ure is a   
repetition ( argum5ts = ! g5u95ess &    
au!nticity ( ! f\r ,gospels1 :i* !      
erudite ,doctor _h previ\sly publi%$ = !
 le>n$ classes1 ) explanations n[ giv5 9
 addition1 to r5d] ! argum5ts           
intelligible to mean] capacities2 & z ! 
,infidel & ,dei/ are especially ref]r$  
to z likely to be ov]?r[n by ?is        
pamphlet1 we may presume t ! society    
consid]s t 9 ! #aai pages--:i* !        
translat$ essay occupies--!y h pres5t$ !

 be/ pap] t c be issu$ on _! behalf =   
popul> read+ on ?is "q4 ,! praise       
accord$ by ! society1 & sundry          
laudations appropriat$ ) mu* mode/y 9 8 
own preface by ,dr4 ,con/ant9e          
,tis*5dorf to himself1 compel "o at !   
outset to reg>d ! ,*ri/ian manife/o z a 
mo/ =midable production4 ,! ,society's  
translator impressively tells u t !     
pamphlet has be5 ?ree times pr9t$ 9     
,g]man & twice 9 ,france2 t x has be5   
issu$ 9 ,dut* & ,russian1 & is done into
 ,italian by an ,ar*bi%op ) ! actual    
approbation ( ! ,pope4 ,! au?or's       
preface adds an acc\nt ( 8 great        
j\rney+s & heavy travell+ exp5ses       
incurr$ out ( an orig9al capital ( a few
 unpaid bills1 end+ 9 ! discov]y ( a    
basketful ( old p>*m5ts de/9$ = ! flames
 by ! ,*ri/ian monks 9 *>ge1 b :i* f !  
h&s ( ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf are us$ by !      
,religi\s ,tract ,society to neutralise 
all d\bts1 & to bl[ to pieces !         
,rationali/ic criticism ( ,g]many & !   
co>s] ,infidelity ( ,engl&4 ,d\btless   

,dr4 ,tes*5dorf & ! ,society consid] x  
"s evid5ce 9 favor ( ! g5u95ess &       
au!nticity ( ! f\r ,gospels t ! le>n$   
,doctor 0 enabl$ to sp5d #e1jjj doll>s  
out ( less ?an no?+1 & t ! ,pope reg>ds 
8 pamphlet ) favor1 or !y w\ld n tr\ble 
to pr9t su* /atem5ts4 ,we frankly accord
 !m ! full advantage ( any argum5t :i*  
may fairly be bas$ on su* facts4 ,an    
autograph lett] ( endorsem5t by ! ,pope 
is c]ta9ly a matt] :i* a ,prote/ant     
,tract ,society--:o reg>d ! sc>let :ore 
at ,babylon ) horror--may well be pr\d  
(4  ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf /ates t he has s9ce 
#ahci devot$ himself to ! textual /udy (
 ! ,new ,te/am5t1 & x ought to be       
int]e/+ to ! or?odox to "k t1 z a result
 ( tw5ty-sev5 ye>s' labor1 he n[ decl>es
 t x has be5 plac$ beyond d\bt t !      
orig9al text4444 _h 9 _m places und]gone
 su* s]i\s modifications ( mean+1 z to  
leave u 9 pa9ful unc]ta9ty z to :at !   
apo/les _h actually writt51 & t ! "r    
c\rse to take is to set aside ! receiv$ 
text altoge!r & to con/ruct a fre% text4

  ,?is is pleasant news = ! true        
believ]1 promulgat$ by au?ority ( !     
manag]s ( ! great ,*ri/ian depot 9      
,pat]no/] ,r[1 f :5ce _m scores ( ?\s&s 
( copies ( ?is incorrect receiv$ text h 
nev]!less be5 issu$ )\t comm5t to !     
public1 ev5 s9ce ! society h publi%$ 9  
,engli% ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf s decl>ation (  
its unreliable "*4  ,) ! mode/y &       
honorable retic5ce peculi> to-great m51 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf records 8 successes 9   
read+ hi!rto unreadable p>*m5ts1 & we   
le>n t he has receiv$ approval f sev]al 
le>n$ bodies1 & ev5 f cr[n$ heads1 = 8  
wond]ful p]=mances4 ,z a consi/5t       
,*ri/ian1 :o kn[s t ! p[]s t be are     
orda9$ ( ,god1 our critic )\t rival1 = s
 he pr9ts himself1 reg>ds ! praise (    
cr[n$ heads z high] 9 degree ?an t (    
le>n$ bodies4  ,! ,doctor discov]$ 9    
#ahdd ! ,,ms4 on :i* he n[ relies to    
confute audaci\s ,infidelity1 9 !       
,conv5t ( ,/4 ,ca!r9e at ,s9ai2 he      
br\ght away a portion1 & h&$6 t portion1
 on 8 return1 to ! ,saxon ,gov]nm5t--!y 

pay+ all exp5ses4 ,! ,doctor1 h[ev]1 did
 n !n divulge :]e he _h f\nd ! ,,ms4 ,x 
0 = ! advantage ( humank9d t ! place    
%\ld be kn[n at once1 =1 at lea/1 two   
reasons4 ,fir/1 because by aid ( !      
rema9d] ( ?is ,,ms4--! mo/ preci\s      
,bible treasure 9 exi/5ce--! faulty text
 ( ! ,new ,te/am5t 0 to be recon/ruct$2 
& ! soon] ! "w 0 done ! bett] = believ]s
 9 ,*ri/ianity4 ,&1 secondly1 ! :ole    
/ory ( ! discov]y might !n h be5 m      
easily confirm$ 9 e p>ticul>4  ,= fifte5
 ye>s1 at lea/1 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf hid f ! 
_w ! precise locality 9 :i* 8 treasure  
_h be5 discov]$4 ,nay1 he 0 ev5 fe>ful  
:5 he knew t o!r ,*ri/ians 7 try+ to f9d
 ! true text1 & he exp]i5c$ peculi>     
satisfaction :5 he asc]ta9$ t 8 sil5ce  
_h misl$ "s pi\s se>*]s aft] reliable   
copies ( ,god's message to all humank9d2
 al?\gh all ?is "t he 0 well aw>e t our 
receiv$ copies ( ,god's revelation _h   
und]gone s]i\s modifications s9ce !     
message _h be5 deliv]$ f ! ,holy ,gho/  
by means ( ! ,evangeli/s4  ,9 #ahec1 n9e

 ye>s aft] ! orig9al discov]y1 ,dr4     
,tis*5dorf aga9 visit$ ! ,s9ai conv5t1 b
 al?\gh he _h enjo9$ on ! monks to take 
religi\s c>e ( ! rema9s ( :i* !y1 on !  
=m] occasion1 w\ld n yield up           
possession1 he1 on ?is second occasion1 
& app>5tly aft] c>eful se>*1 discov]$   
elev5 %ort l9es1 :i* conv9c$ him t !    
great] "p ( ! ,,ms4 _h be5 de/roy$4 ,he 
/ill1 h[ev]1 kept ! place secret1 al?\gh
 he _h no long] any kn[n reason = s do+2
 &1 hav+ obta9$ an advance ( funds f !  
,russian ,gov]nm5t1 he1 9 #ahei1 tri$ a 
?ird "t = 8 pe>l ( ,/4 ,ca!r9e1 :i*1 9  
#ahec1 he felt conv9c$ _h be5 de/roy$1 &
 z to :i* he _h nev]!less1 9 ! meantime1
 be5 tr\bl$ by fe>s t ! good cause might
 be aid$ by "s o!r ?an ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf  
discov]+ & publi%+ ! priceless treasure1
 :i*1 accord+ to 8 previ\s /atem5ts1 he 
mu/ h felt conv9c$ did n long] exi/4 ,on
 ?is ?ird j\rney ! ,doctor discov]$ ! v 
fragm5ts :i*1 fifte5 ye>s be=e1 he _h   
tak5 out ( ! basket1 & also o!r p>ts ( !
 ,old ,te/am5t1 ! ,new ,te/am5t         

complete1 &1 9 addition1 ,b>nabas & "p (
 ,h]mas4  ,) wond]ful precis5ess1 & )   
great audacity1 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf ref]s ! 
transcription ( ! discov]$ ,bible to !  
fir/ half ( ! f\r? c5tury4 ,h ,dr4      
,tis*5dorf's patrons "h ev] read (      
,,mss4 discov]$ 9 ! same ,conv5t ( ,/4  
,ca!r9e1 at ,s9ai1 ( :i* an acc\nt 0    
publi%$ by ,dr4 ,con/ant9e ,simonides1 &
 conc]n+ :i* ! ,we/m9/] ,review said1   
,we %>e ! suspicions1 to use ! g5tle/ ^w
 :i* occurs to u1 ent]ta9$1 we believe1 
by all compet5t critics & antiqu>ians4  
,9 #ahfc ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf publi%$1 at !  
co/ ( ! ,russian ,emp]or1 a spl5did b v 
co/ly edition ( 8 ,s9aitic ,,ms4 9      
columns1 ) a ,lat9 introduction4 ,! book
 is an exp5sive "o1 & copies ( x are n v
 pl5tiful 9 ,engl&4 ,p]haps ! ,religi\s 
,tract ,society h n contribut$ to its   
circulation s lib]ally z did ! pi\s     
,emp]or ( all ! ,russias4 ,surely a text
 on :i* our own is to be re-con/ruct$   
ought to be 9 ! h&s at lea/ ( e ,engli% 
cl]gyman & ,"y ,m5's ,*ri/ian           

,association4  ,*ri/ianity1 writes ,dr4 
,tis*5dorf1 does n1 /rictly speak+1 re/ 
on ! moral tea*+ ( ,jesus2 x re/s on 8  
p]son only4 ,if we are 9 error 9 believ+
 9 ! p]son ( ,*ri/ z taught 9 !         
,gospels1 !n ! ,*ur* h]self is 9 error1 
& mu/ be giv5 up z a deception4 ,all !  
_w kn[s t our ,gospels are no?+ else ?an
 biographies ( ,*ri/4 ,we h no o!r s\rce
 ( in=mation ) respect to ! life (      
,jesus4 ,s t1 accord+ to ! ,religi\s    
,tract ,society & its advocate1 if !    
cr$ibility ( ! ,gospel biography be     
successfully impugn$1 !n ! f\ndations ( 
,*ri/ianity are de/roy$4  ,x becomes1   
!re=e1 ( ! highe/ importance to %[ t !  
biography ( ,jesus1 z giv5 9 ! f\r      
,gospels1 is absolutely incr$ible &     
self-contradictory4  ,x is alleg$ 9 !   
,society's preface t all ! objections ( 
infidelity h be5 hi!rto unavail+4 ,?is  
is1 h[ev]1 n true4 ,x is r ! fact t !   
advocates ( ,*ri/ianity :5 defeat$ on "o
 po9t h %uffl$ to ano!r1 ei!r quietly   
pass+ ! topic )\t fur!r debate1 or l\dly

 decl>+ t ! po9t ab&on$ 0 really s      
utt]ly unimportant t x 0 extremely      
fooli% 9 ! assailant to reg>d x z wor?y 
attack1 & t1 9 any case1 all ! argum5ts 
_h be5 repeat$ly refut$ by previ\s      
writ]s4  ,to ! foll[+ objections to !   
,gospel n>rative ! writ] refuses to     
accept z answ]1 t !y h be5 previ\sly    
discuss$ & dispos$ (4  ,! ,gospels :i*  
are yet m5tion$ by ! names popul>ly     
associat$ ) ea* d n tell u ! h\r1 or !  
day1 or ! mon?1 or--save ,luke--! ye>1 9
 :i* ,jesus 0 born4 ,! only po9t on :i* 
! critical div9es1 :o h prec$$ ,dr4     
,tes*5dorf1 g5]ally agree is1 t ,jesus 0
 n born on ,*ri/mas day4 ,! ,ox=d       
,*ronology1 collat$ ) a full score (    
recognis$ au?orities1 gives u a p]iod ( 
m ?an sev5 ye>s )9 :i* to place ! dale4 
,s confus$ is ! /ory z to ! "t ( ! bir?1
 t :ile ,mat!w w\ld make ,jesus born 9 !
 lifetime ( ,h]od1 ,luke w\ld fix !     
p]iod ( ,jesus's bir? z aft] ,h]od's    
dea?4  ,*ri/mas itself is a day surr\nd$
 ) curi\s c]emonies ( pagan orig91 & 9  

no way s]v+ to fix ! #be? ,decemb] z !  
natal day4 ,yet ! exact p]iod at :i*    
,almighty ,god1 z a baby boy1 ent]$ ! _w
 to r$eem long-suff]+ humanity f !      
consequ5ces ( ,adam's anci5t s91 %\ld be
 ( "s importance4  ,nor is !re any great
 c]ta9ty z to ! place ( bir? ( ,*ri/4 ,!
 ,jews1 app>5tly 9 ! v pres5ce ( ,jesus1
 reproa*$ him t he ought to h be5 born  
at ,be?lehem4 ,na?aniel reg>d$ him z (  
,naz>e?4 ,jesus nev] appe>s to h said to
 ei!r1 ,i 0 born at ,be?lehem4 ,9 ,mat!w
 ii41 #f1 we f9d a quotation f !        
prophet3 ,& ?\ ,be?lehem1 9 ! l& (      
,judah1 art n ! lea/ among/ ! pr9ces (  
,juda1 = out ( !e %all come a ,gov]nor t
 %all rule my p ,israel4 ,mat!w lays !  
sc5e ( ! bir? 9 ,be?lehem1 & ,luke      
adopts ! same place1 especially br++ !  
*ild to ,be?lehem = t purpose1 & ,mat!w 
tells u x is done to fulfil a prophecy4 
,micah v41 #b1 ! only place 9 :i* simil>
 words occur1 is n a prophecy ref]r+ to 
,jesus at all4 ,! words are3 ,b ?\      
,be?-lehem ,ephratah1 ?\gh ?\ be little 

among ! ?\s&s ( ,judah1 yet out ( !e    
%all he come =? unto me t is to be rul] 
9 ,israel1 ^: go+s =? h be5 f ( old1 f  
ev]la/+4 ,?is is n quot$ correctly 9    
,mat!w1 & c h>dly be said by any /ra9+ (
 language to apply to ,jesus4 ,!        
cr$ibility ( a /ory on :i* ,*ri/ianity  
re/s is bol/]$ up by prophecy 9 default 
( contempor>y corroboration4 ,!         
difficulties are n less5$ 9 trac+ !     
p>5tage4 ,9 ,mat!w i41 #ag1 x is /at$ t 
! g5]ations f ,abraham to ,david are    
f\rte5 g5]ations1 & f ,david until !    
c>ry+ away into ,babylon are f\rte5     
g5]ations1 & f ! c>ry+ away into        
,babylon unto ,*ri/ are f\rte5          
g5]ations4 ,:y has ,mat!w made su* a    
mi/ake 9 8 computation ( ! g5ealogies--9
 ! la/ division we h only ?irte5 names  
in/ead ( f\rte51 ev5 includ+ ! "n (     
,jesus8 ,is ?is "o ( ! cases ( pa9ful   
unc]ta9ty :i* has induc$ ! ,religi\s    
,tract ,society & ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf to wi%
 to set aside ! textus receptus         
altoge!r8  ,f ,david to ,zorobabel !re  

are 9 ! ,old ,te/am5t tw5ty g5]ations2 9
 ,mat!w1 sev5te5 g5]ations2 & 9 ,luke1  
tw5ty-?ree g5]ations4 ,9 ,mat!w f ,david
 to ,*ri/ !re are tw5ty-eight g5]ations1
 & 9 ,luke f ,david to ,*ri/ =ty-?ree   
g5]ations4 ,yet1 accord+ to ! ,religi\s 
,tract ,society1 x is on ! cr$ibility ( 
^! g5ealogies z "p ( ! ,gospel hi/ory t 
! f\ndation ( ,*ri/ianity re/s4 ,!      
g5ealogy 9 ! fir/ ,gospel arriv+ at     
,david traces to ,jesus ?r\gh ,solomon2 
! ?ird ,gospel f ,david traces ?r\gh    
,na?an4 ,9 ,mat!w ! names f ,david are  
,solomon1 ,roboam1 ,abia1 ,asa1         
,josaphat1 ,joram1 ,ozias2 & 9 ! ,old   
,te/am5t we trace ! same names f ,david 
to ,ahaziah1 :om ,i presume to be ! same
 z ,ozias4 ,b 9 #bnd ,*ronicles xxii41  
#aa1 we f9d "o ,joa%1 :o is n m5tion$ 9 
,mat!w at all4 ,if ! g5ealogy 9 ,mat!w  
is correct1 :y is ! "n n m5tion$8       
,amaziah is m5tion$ 9 *ap1 xxiv41 v4    
#bg1 & 9 *ap1 xxvi41 v4 #a1 ,uzziah1    
nei!r ( :om are m5tion$ 9 ,mat!w1 :]e   
,ozias is nam$ z begett+ ,jo?am1 :5 9   

fact ?ree g5]ations ( m5 h come 9       
betwe54 ,9 ,mat!w & ,luke1 ,zorobabel is
 repres5t$ z ! son ( ,sala?iel1 :ile 9  
#a ,*ronicles iii41 #ag--ai1 ,z]ubbabel 
is /at$ to be ! son ( ,p$aiah1 ! bro!r (
 ,sala?iel4 ,mat!w says ,ab9d 0 ! son ( 
,zorobabel 7*ap1 i41 v4 #ac74 ,luke     
iii41 #bg1 says ,zorobabel's son 0      
,rhesa4 ,! ,old ,te/am5t contradicts    
bo?1 & gives ,me%ollam1 & ,hananiah1 &  
,%elomi?1 _! si/] 7#a ,*ronicles iii1   
#ai71 z ! names ( ,zorobabel's *ildr54  
,is ?is ano!r piece ( evid5ce 9 favor ( 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf's admirable doctr9e1 t x
 is necess>y to recon/ruct ! text8  ,9 !
 g5ealogies ( ,mat!w & ,luke !re are    
only ?ree names agree+ aft] t ( ,david1 
viz41 ,sala?iel1 ,zorobabel1 &          
,joseph--all ! re/ are utt]ly diff]5t4  
,! attempts at explanation :i* h be5    
hi!rto (f]$1 9 ord] to reconcile ^!     
g5ealogies1 are sc>cely cr$itable to !  
intellects ( ! ,*ri/ian apologi/s4 ,!y  
allege t ,joseph1 :o by nature 0 ! son (
 ,jacob1 9 ! acc\nt ( ! law 0 ! son (   

,heli4 ,= ,heli & ,jacob 7 bro!rs by !  
same "m1 & ,heli1 :o 0 ! eld]1 dy+ )\t  
issue1 ,jacob1 z ! law direct$1 m>ri$ 8 
wid[2 9 consequ5ce ( su* m>riage1 8 son 
,joseph 0 reput$ 9 ! law ! son ( ,heli4 
,?is is pure inv5tion to get ov] a      
difficulty--an inv5tion n mak+ ! matt]  
"o :it m cle>4 ,= if y suppose t ^! two 
p]sons 7 bro!rs1 !n unless y inv5t a    
dea? ( ! "m's la/ husb& & ! wid['s      
rem>riage ,jacob & ,heli w\ld be ! sons 
( ! same fa!r1 & ! li/ ( ! ance/ors %\ld
 be id5tical 9 ea* g5ealogy4 ,b to get  
ov] ! difficulty ! pi\s d ?is4 ,!y say1 
al?\gh bro!rs1 !y 7 only half-bro!rs2   
al?\gh sons ( ! same "m1 !y 7 n sons ( !
 same fa!r1 b _h diff]5t fa!rs4 ,if s1  
h[ is x t ,sala?iel & ,zorobabel occur z
 fa!r & son 9 bo? g5ealogies8 ,ano!r    
fa%ion ( acc\nt+ = ! contradiction is to
 give "o z ! g5ealogy ( ,joseph & ! o!r 
z ! g5ealogy ( ,m>y4 ,:i*8  ,luke1 x is 
said4 ,:y ,luke8 :at are ,luke's words8 
,luke speaks ( ,jesus be+1 z 0 suppos$1 
! son ( ,joseph1 :i* 0 ! son ( ,heli4   

,:5 ,luke says ,joseph1 ! son ( ,heli1  
did he mean ,m>y1 ! daught] ( ,heli8    
,does ! ,gospel say "o ?+ & mean ano!r8 
because if t argum5t is wor? any?+1 !n 9
 e case :]e a man has a !ory :i*        
disagrees ) ! text1 he may say ! text   
means some?+ else4 ,if ?is argum5t be   
p]mitt$ we mu/ ab&on 9 ,scriptural      
criticism ! mean+ :i* we %\ld ord9>ily  
int5d to convey by any giv5 ^w4 ,if y   
believe ,luke meant daught]1 :y does !  
same ^w mean son 9 e o!r case all ?r\gh 
! rema9d] ( ! g5ealogy8 ,& if ! g5ealogy
 ( ,mat!w be t ( ,joseph1 & ! g5ealogy (
 ,luke be t ( ,m>y1 !y ought n to h any 
po9t ( agreem5t at all until br\ght to  
,david4 ,!y1 nev]!less1 d agree &       
contradict ea* o!r 9 sev]al places1     
de/roy+ ! probability ( _! be+ int5d$ z 
di/9ct g5ealogies4 ,!re is "s evid5ce t 
,luke does n give ! g5ealogy ( ,m>y 9 ! 
,gospel itself4 ,we are told t ,joseph  
w5t to ,be?lehem to be numb]$ because he
 0 ( ! h\se ( ,david3 if x _h be5 ,m>y x
 w\ld h surely said s4 ,z accord+ to !  

,*ri/ian !ory1 ,joseph 0 n ! fa!r (     
,jesus1 x is n unfair to ask h[ x c be  
cr$ible t ,jesus's g5ealogy c\ld be     
trac$ to ,david 9 any fa%ion ?r\gh      
,joseph8  ,s f> f ,m>y be+ cle>ly ( !   
tribe ( ,judah 7to :i* ! g5ealogy       
relates7 h] c\s9%ip to ,elisabe? w\ld   
make h] r appe> to belong to ! tribe (  
,levi4  ,to discuss ! cr$ibility ( !    
miracul\s conception & bir? w\ld be to  
insult ! human und]/&+4 ,! my?ologies ( 
,greece1 ,italy1 & ,india1 give _m      
prec$5ts ( sons ( ,gods miracul\sly     
born4 ,italy1 ,greece1 & ,india1 mu/1   
h[ev]1 yield ! palm to ,judea4 ,!       
inc>nate ,*ri%na mu/ give way to !      
inc>nate ,*ri/4 ,a miracul\s bir? w\ld  
be sc\t$ to-day z mon/r\s2 ant$ate x    
#b1jjj ye>s & we wor%ip x z miracle4    
,matt1 i41 #bb1 #bc1 says3 ,n[ all ?is 0
 done1 t x might be fulfill$ :i* 0 spok5
 ( ! ,"l by ! prophet1 say+1 ,behold1 a 
virg9 %all be ) *ild1 & %all br+ =? a   
son1 & !y %all call 8 "n ,emmanuel1 :i* 
be+ int]pret$ is1 ,god ) u4 ,?is is     

suppos$ to be a quotation f ,isaiah     
vii41 #ad--af3 ,!re=e ! ,"l himself %all
 give y a sign2 ,behold a virg9 %all    
conceive1 & be> a son1 & %all call 8 "n 
,immanuel4 ,butt] & honey %all he eat1 t
 he may "k to refuse ! evil1 & *oose !  
good4 ,= be=e ! *ild %all "k to refuse !
 evil & *oose ! good1 ! l& t ?\ abhorre/
 %all be =sak5 ( bo? h] k+s4  ,b 9 ?is1 
z inde$ 9 mo/ o!r cases ( inaccurate    
quotation1 ! v words are omitt$ :i* w\ld
 %[ its utt] inapplicability to ,jesus4 
,ev5 9 ^? :i* are giv51 ! agreem5t is n 
complete4 ,jesus 0 n call$ ,emmanuel4 ,&
 ev5 if 8 "m ,m>y 7 a virg91 ?is does n 
help ! id5tity1 z ! ^w ---- ,,olme 9    
,isaiah1 r5d]$ virg9 9 our v]sion1 does 
n convey ! notion ( virg9ity1 = :i* !   
prop] ^w is ------ ,be,th,u,l,e2 ,,olme 
is us$ ( a y\?ful sp\se rec5tly m>ri$4  
,! allusion to ! l& be+ =sak5 ( bo? h]  
k+s1 omitt$ 9 ,mat!w1 %[s h[ little !   
passage is prophetic ( ,jesus4  ,! /ory 
( ! annunciation made to ,joseph 9 "o   
,gospel1 to ,m>y 9 ! o!r1 is h>dly      

cr$ible on any explanation4 ,if y assume
 ! annunciations z made by a ,god (     
all-wise purpose1 ! purpose %\ld1 at    
lea/1 h be5 to prev5t d\bt ( ,m>y's     
*a/ity2 b ! annunciation is made to     
,joseph only aft] ,m>y is suspect$ by   
,joseph4 ,two annunciations are made1 "o
 ( !m 9 a dream to ,joseph1 :5 he is    
suspici\s z to ! /ate ( 8 betro!d wife2 
! o!r made by ! angel ,gabriel 7:oev] t 
angel may be7 to ,m>y h]self1 :o        
app>5tly conceals ! fact1 & is cont5t to
 be m>ri$1 al?\gh ) *ild n by h] int5d$ 
husb&4 ,! /atem5t--t ,m>y be+ f\nd )    
*ild by ! ,holy ,gho/1 h] husb&1 n will+
 to make h] a public example1 0 m9d$ to 
put h] away privily--is q incr$ible4 ,if
 ,joseph f\nd h] ) *ild by ! ,holy      
,gho/1 h[ c\ld he ev5 ?9k ( mak+ a      
public example ( h] %ame :5 !re 0 no?+ (
 :i* %e c\ld be a%am$--no?+1 if he      
believ$ 9 ! ,holy ,gho/1 ( :i* he ne$ h 
be5 a%am$ himself1 no?+ :i* ne$ h induc$
 him to wi% to put h] away privily4 ,x  
is cle>--accord+ to ,mat!w--t ,m>y 0    

f\nd ) *ild1 & t ! ,holy ,gho/ p>5tage 0
 n ev5 imag9$ by ,joseph until aft] he  
_h dream$ ab\t ! matt]4  ,al?\gh ! bir? 
( ,jesus 0 specially ann\nc$ by an      
angel1 & al?\gh ,m>y sang a joyful song 
consequ5t on ! annunciation1 corroborat$
 by h] c\s9's greet+1 yet :5 ,simeon    
speaks ( ! *ild1 9 t]ms less            
extraord9>y1 ,joseph & ,m>y are surpris$
 at x & d n und]/& x4 ,:y 7 !y surpris$8
 ,is x cr$ible t s little reg>d 0 paid  
to ! miracul\s annunciation8 ,or is ?is 
ano!r case ( ! pa9ful unc]ta9ty allud$  
to by ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf8  ,aga91 :5       
,joseph & ,m>y f\nd ! *ild ,jesus 9 !   
temple1 & he says1 ,wi/ ye n t ,i mu/ be
 ab\t my fa!r's bus9ess8 !y d n "k :at  
he means1 s t ei!r :at ! angel _h said  
_h be5 ( little effect1 or !            
annunciations did n occur at all4 ,c any
 reliance be plac$ on a n>rative s      
contradictory8 ,an angel 0 specially s5t
 to acqua9t a "m t h] son ab\t to be    
born is ! ,son ( ,god1 & yet t "m is    
a/oni%$ :5 h] son says1 ,wi/ ye n ,i mu/

 be ab\t my fa!r's bus9ess8  ,! bir? (  
,jesus 01 accord+ to ,mat!w1 made       
publicly kn[n by means ( c]ta9 wise m54 
,^! m5 saw 8 /> 9 ! ,ea/1 b x did n tell
 !m mu*1 = !y 7 oblig$ to come & ask    
in=mation f ,h]od ! ,k+4 ,is a/rology   
cr$ible8 ,h]od inquir$ ( ! *ief prie/s &
 scribes2 & x is evid5t ,j]emiah 0 "r1  
if he said1 ,! prophets prophecy falsely
 & ! prie/s be> rule by _! means1 = ^!  
*ief prie/s misquot$ to suit _!         
purposes1 & inv5t$ a false prophecy by  
omitt+ a few words f1 & add+ a few words
 to1 a text until x suit$ _! purpose4 ,!
 />1 aft] !y knew :]e to g1 & no long]  
requir$ its aid1 w5t be=e !m1 until x   
came & /ood ov] :]e ! "y *ild 04 ,!     
cr$ibility ( ?is w be bett] und]/ood if 
! read] notice "s />1 & !n see h[ _m    
h\ses x w be ov]4 ,luke does n seem to h
 be5 aw>e ( ! /> /ory1 & he relates ab\t
 an angel :o tells "s %eph]ds ! good    
tid+s1 b ?is la/-nam$ adv5ture does n   
appe> to h happ5$ 9 ! reign ( ,h]od at  
all4 ,is x cr$ible t ,jesus 0 born      

twice8 ,aft] ! wise m5 _h left ,jesus1  
an angel w>n$ ,joseph to flee ) him &   
,m>y into ,egypt1 & ,joseph did fly1 &  
rema9$ !re ) ! "y *ild & 8 "m until !   
dea? ( ,h]od2 & ?is1 x is alleg$1 0 done
 to fulfil a prophecy4 ,on ref]r+ to    
,hosea xi41 #a1 we f9d ! words h no     
ref]5ce :atev] to ,jesus1 & t1 !re=e1   
ei!r ! tale ( ! flight is inv5t$ z a    
fulfilm5t ( ! prophecy1 or ! prophecy   
manufactur$ to support ! tale ( !       
flight4 ,! ,jesus ( ,luke nev] w5t into 
,egypt at all 9 8 *ildhood4 ,directly   
aft] ! bir? ( ! *ild 8 p>5ts in/ead (   
fly+ away because ( p]secution into     
,egypt1 w5t peacefully up to ,j]usalem  
to fulfil all ?+s accord+ to ! law1     
return$ !nce to ,naz>e?1 & app>5tly     
dwelt !re1 go+ up to ,j]usalem e ye>    
until ,jesus 0 twelve ye>s ( age4  ,9   
,mat!w ii41 #ae1 we are told t ,jesus   
rema9$ 9 ,egypt1 ,t x might be fulfill$ 
:i* 0 spok5 ( ! ,"l by ! prophet say+1  
,out ( ,egypt h ,i call$ my son4 ,9     
,hosea ii41 #a1 we read1 ,:5 ,israel 0 a

 *ild1 !n ,i lov$ him1 & call$ my son   
out ( ,egypt4 ,9 no o!r prophet is !re  
any simil> text4 ,?is n only is n a     
prophecy ( ,jesus1 b is1 on ! contr>y1 a
 ref]5ce to ! ,jewi% ,exodus f ,egypt4  
,is ! prophecy manufactur$ to give an   
air ( cr$ibility to ! ,gospel hi/ory1 or
 h[ w ! ,religions ,tract ,society      
expla9 x8 ,! ,gospel writ+s betray ei!r 
a want ( good fai?1 or great incapacity 
on ! "p ( _! au?ors 9 ! mode adopt$ (   
di/ort+ quotations f ! ,old ,te/am5t8   
,:5 ,jesus began to be ab\t ?irty ye>s (
 age he 0 baptis$ by ,john 9 ! riv]     
,jordan4 ,john1 :o1 accord+ to ,mat!w1  
knew him1 =bade him directly he saw him2
 b1 acccord+ to ! writ] ( ! f\r?        
,gospel1 he knew him n1 & _h1 !re=e1 no 
occasion to =bid him4 ,god is an        
invisible _s1 :om no man ha? se5 7,john 
i41 #ah71 or c see 7,exodus xxxiii41    
#bj72 b ! man ,john saw ! _s ( ,god     
desc5d+ l a dove4 ,god is ev]y:]e1 b at 
t "t 0 9 heav51 f :5ce he said1 ,?is is 
my belov$ son1 9 :om ,i am well pleas$4 

,al?\gh ,john he>d ?is f ,god's own m\?1
 he "s "t aft] s5t two ( 8 disciples to 
,jesus to inquire if he 7 really ! ,*ri/
 7,mat!w xi41 #b1 #c74 ,yet x is ^u !   
cr$ibility ( ?is /ory1 says ,dr4        
,tes*5dorf1 t ,*ri/ianity re/s l a      
build+ on its f\ndations4  ,x is utt]ly 
impossible ,john c\ld h kn[n & n h kn[n 
,jesus at ! same "t4 ,& if1 z ! ,new    
,te/am5t /ates1 ,god is inf9ite &       
invisible1 x is incr$ible t z ,jesus    
/ood 9 ! riv] to be baptis$1 ! ,holy    
,gho/ 0 se5 z x desc5d$ on 8 head z a   
dove1 & t ,god f heav5 said1 ,?is is my 
belov$ son1 9 :om ,i am well pleas$4 ,0 
! indivisible & invisible _s ( ,god     
sep>at$ 9 ?ree di/9ct & two sep>ately   
visible p]sons8 ,h[ d ! ,religi\s ,tract
 ,society reconcile ?is ) ! ,a?anasian  
,cre$8  ,! baptism n>rative is r5d]$    
d\btful by ! language us$ z to ,john1 :o
 baptis$ ,jesus4 ,x is said1 ,?is is he 
t 0 spok5 ( by ! prophet ,esaias1 say+1 
,! voice ( "o cry+ 9 ! wild]ness1 prep>e
 ye ! way ( ! ,"l1 make 8 pa?s /raight4 

,isaiah xl41 #a--e1 is1 ,com=t ye1 com=t
 ye my p1 sai? y\r ,god4 ,speak ye      
com=tably to ,j]usalem1 & cry unto h] t 
h] w>f>e is accompli%$1 t h] iniquity is
 p>don$2 = %e ha? receiv$ ( ! ,"l's h&  
d\ble = all h] s9s4 ,! voice ( him t    
crie? 9 ! wild]ness1 ,prep>e ye ! way ( 
! ,"l1 make /raight 9 ! des]t a highway 
= our ,god4 ,e valley %all be exalt$1 & 
e m\nta9 & hill %all be made l[3 & !    
crook$ %all be made /raight1 & ! r\gh   
places pla93 & ! glory ( ! ,"l %all be  
reveal$4 ,^! v]ses h n ! mo/ remote     
relation to ,john8 ,& ?is manufacture ( 
prophecies = ! purpose ( bol/]+ up a    
tale1 s]ves to prove t ! writ] ( !      
,gospel tries by ^! to imp>t an air (   
cr$ibility to an o!rwise incr$ible /ory4
  ,imm$iately aft] ! baptism1 ,jesus is 
l$ up ( ! ,_s into ! wild]ness to be    
tempt$ ( ! ,devil4 ,!re he fa/s =ty days
 & =ty nights4  ,john says1 9 *apt] i41 
#ce1 ,aga91 ! next day aft]1 ,john /ood 
& two ( 8 disciples2 & look+ ^u ,jesus z
 he walk$1 he said1 behold ! ,lamb (    

,god4 ,& ! two disciples he>d him speak1
 & !y foll[$ ,jesus4 ,!n1 at ! #dcrd    
v]se1 he says1 ,! day foll[+ ,jesus w\ld
 g =? into ,galilee1 & f9de? ,philip1 & 
sai? unto him1 foll[ me4 ,& 9 *apt] ii41
 #a1 he says1 ,& ! ?ird day !re 0 a     
m>riage 9 ,cana ( ,galilee1 & ! "m (    
,jesus 0 !re2 & bo? ,jesus 0 call$ & 8  
disciples unto ! m>riage4 ,accord+ to   
,mat!w1 !re c be no d\bt t imm$iately   
aft] ! baptism ,jesus w5t into !        
wild]ness to be tempt$ ( ! ,devil4 ,& we
 are to believe t ,jesus 0 tempt$ ( !   
,devil & fa/+ 9 ! wild]ness1 & at ! same
 "t fea/+ at m>riage 9 ,cana ( ,galilee8
 ,is x possible to believe t ,jesus     
actually did fa/ =ty days & =ty nights8 
,if ,jesus did n fa/ 9 8 capacity z man1
 9 :at capacity did he fa/8 ,& if ,jesus
 fa/$1 be+ ,god1 ! fa/ w\ld be a mock]y2
 & ! acc\nt t he became a hung]$ mu/ be 
wrong4 ,x is b>ely possible t 9 "s v    
abnormal condition or cataleptic /ate1  
or /ate ( trance1 a man might exi/1 ) v 
slight n\ri%m5t or )\t food1 b t a man  

c\ld walk ab\t1 speak1 & act1 &1 do+    
?is1 live =ty days & nights )\t food is 
simply an impossibility4  ,is ! /ory t !
 ,devil tempt$ ,jesus cr$ible8 ,if      
,jesus be ,god1 c ! ,devil tempt ,god8  
,a cl]gyman ( ! ,*ur* ( ,engl& writ+ on 
?is says3 ,t ! ,devil %\ld appe>        
p]sonally to ! ,son ( ,god is c]ta9ly n 
m wond]ful ?an t he %\ld1 9 a m remote  
age1 h appe>$ among ! sons ( ,god1 9 !  
pres5ce ( ,god himself1 to torm5t !     
righte\s ,job4 ,b t ,satan %\ld c>ry    
,jesus bodily & lit]ally ?r\gh ! air1   
fir/ to ! top ( a high m\nta91 & !n to !
 topmo/ p9nacle ( ! temple1 is :olly    
inadmissable1 x is an insult to our     
und]/&+1 & an affront to our great      
creator & r$eem]4 ,suppos+1 despite !   
mon/rosity ( su* a supposition1 an      
actual ,devil--& ?is involves ! dilemma 
t ! ,devil mu/ ei!r be ,god-creat$1 or  
,god's co-et]nal rival2 ! fir/          
supposition be+ inconsi/5t ) ,god's     
goodness1 & ! second be+ inconsi/5t ) 8 
p[]2 b suppos+ su* a ,devil1 is x       

cr$ible t ! ,devil %\ld tempt !         
,almighty mak] ( ! univ]se ) all ^! w ,i
 give !e if ?\ wilt fall d[n & wor%ip   
me8  ,9 ! v names ( ! twelve ,apo/les   
!re is an unc]ta9ty z to "o1 ^: "n 0    
ei!r ,lebbaeus1 ,?addaeus1 or ,judas4 ,x
 is 9 ,mat!w x41 #c1 alone t ! "n (     
,lebbaeus is m5tion$1 ?us--,lebbaeus1 ^:
 surname 0 ,?addaeus4 ,we are told1 on  
?is po9t1 by c]ta93 ,biblici/s1 t "s    
e>ly ,,mss4 h n ! words ^: surname 0    
,?addaeus1 & t ^! words h probably be5  
ins]t$ to reconcile ! ,gospel accord+ to
 ,mat!w ) t attribut$ to ,m>k4 ,9 !     
,engli% v]sion ( ! ,rheims ,te/am5t us$ 
9 ?is c\ntry by our ,roman ,ca?olic     
bre?r51 ! reconciliation betwe5 ,mat!w &
 ,m>k is complet$ by omitt+ !           
words-,lebbaeus ^: surname 01 leav+ only
 ! "n ,?addaeus 9 ,mat!w's text4 ,!     
revis$ v]sion ( ! ,new ,te/am5t n[      
agrees ) ! ,rheims v]sion1 & ! omission 
w probably meet ) ! entire concurr5ce ( 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf & ! ,religi\s ,tract    
,society1 n[ !y boa/ autograph lett]s ( 

approval f ! infallible head ( !        
,ca?olic ,*ur*4 ,if ,mat!w x41 #c1 &    
,m>k hi41 #ah1 be pass$ z reconcil$1    
al?\gh ! fir/ calls ! twelf? disciple   
,lebbaeus1 & ! second gives him ! "n    
,?addaeus2 !re is yet ! difficulty t 9  
,luke vi41 #af1 corroborat$ by ,john    
xiv41 #bb1 !re is a disciple spok5 ( z  
,judas1 n ,isc>iot1 ,judas1 ! bro!r (   
,james4 ,comm5tators h endeavor$ to cle>
 away ?is la/ difficulty by decl>+ t    
,?addaeus is a ,syriac ^w1 hav+ mu* !   
same mean+ z ,judas4 ,?is has be5 answ]$
 by ! objection t if ,mat!w's ,gospel   
uses ,?addaeus 9 lieu ( ,judas1 !n he   
ought to speak ( ,?addaeus ,isc>iot1 :i*
 he does n2 & x is fur!r object$ also t 
:ile !re are "s gr\nds = sugge/+ a      
,hebrew orig9al = ! ,gospel attribut$ to
 ,mat!w1 !re is n ! slighte/ pret5ce =  
alleg+ t ,mat!w wrote 9 ,syriac4 ,!     
,gospels also leave u 9 "s d\bt z to    
:e!r ,mat!w is ,levi1 or :e!r ,mat!w &  
,levi are two diff]5t p]sons4  ,! acc\nt
 ( ! call+ ( ,pet] is replete )         

contradictions4 ,accord+ to ,mat!w1 :5  
,jesus fir/ saw ,pet]1 ! latt] 0 9 a    
vessel fi%+ ) 8 bro!r ,&rew1 ca/+ a net 
into ! sea ( ,galilee4 ,jesus walk+ by !
 sea said to !m--,foll[ me1 & ,i w make 
y fi%]s ( m54 ,! two bro!rs did s1 & !y 
became ,*ri/'s disciples4 ,:5 ,jesus    
call$ ,pet] no "o 0 ) him b 8 bro!r     
,&rew4 ,a little fur!r on1 ! two sons ( 
,zeb$ee 7 9 a %ip ) _! fa!r m5d+ nets1 &
 ^! latt] 7 sep>ately call$4 ,f ,john1  
we le>n t ,&rew 0 orig9ally a disciple (
 ,john ! ,bapti/1 & t :5 ,&rew fir/ saw 
,jesus1 ,pet] 0 n pres5t1 b ,&rew w5t & 
f\nd ,pet] :o1 if fi%+1 mu/ h be5 angl+ 
on l&1 tell+ him we h f\nd ! ,messiah1 &
 t ,&rew !n br\ght ,pet] to ,jesus1 :o  
said1 ,?\ art ,simon1 ! son ( ,jonas2 ?\
 %alt be call$ ,cephas4 ,!re is no      
m5tion 9 ,john ( ! sons ( ,zeb$ee be+ a 
little fur!r on1 or ( any fi%+ 9 ! sea (
 ,galilee4 ,?is call is cle>ly on l&4   
,luke's ,gospel /ates t :5 ! call took  
place1 ,jesus & ,pet] 7 bo? at sea4     
,jesus _h be5 prea*+ to ! p1 :o press+  

^u him1 he got into ,simon's %ip1 f :i* 
he prea*$4 ,aft] ?is he direct$ ,simon  
to put out into ! deep & let d[n ! nets4
 ,simon answ]$1 ,ma/]1 we h toil$ all   
night & tak5 no?+2 nev]!less at ?y ^w ,i
 w let d[n ! net4 ,no soon] 0 ?is done1 
?an ! net 0 fill$ to break+1 & ,simon's 
p>tn]s1 ! two sons ( ,zeb$ee1 came to   
help1 :5 at ! call ( ,jesus1 !y br\ght  
_! %ips to l&1 & foll[$ him4  ,is x     
cr$ible t !re 7 ?ree sev]al calls1 or t 
! ,gospels be+ inspir$1 y c\ld h ?ree   
contradictory v]sions ( ! same ev5t8    
,has ! /ory be5 "h pa9fully modifi$1 or 
h[ d ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf & ! ,religi\s      
,tract ,society cle> up ! matt]8 ,is x  
cr$ible t1 z /at$ 9 ,luke1 ,jesus _h    
visit$ ,simon's h\se1 & cur$ ,simon's   
wife's "m1 be=e ! call ( ,simon1 b did n
 g to ,simon's h\se = t purpose1 until  
aft] ! call ( ,simon1 z relat$ 9 ,mat!w8
 ,x is useless to reply t ! date (      
,jesus's visit is utt]ly unimportant1 :5
 we are told t x is ^u ! cr$ibility ( ! 
complete n>rative t ,*ri/ianity mu/ re/4

 ,ea* /one is important to ! build+1 & x
 is n compet5t = ! ,*ri/ian advocate to 
reg>d z useless any ^w :i* ! ,holy ,gho/
 has consid]$ important en\gh to reveal4
  ,are ! miracle /ories cr$ible8 ,e     
anci5t nation has _h its miracle work]s1
 b mod]n sci5ce has relegat$ all miracle
 hi/ory to realms ( fable1 my?1         
illusion1 delusion1 or fraud4 ,c        
,*ri/ian miracles be made ! exceptions8 
,is x likely t ! nations among/ :om !   
dead 7 re/or$ to life w\ld h p]si/5tly  
ignor$ ! au?or ( su* miracles8 ,7 !     
miracles purposeless1 or if int5d$ to   
conv9ce ! ,jews1 0 ,god unable to r5d] 8
 int5tions effective8 ,t five ?\s&      
p]sons %\ld be f$ ) five loaves & two   
fi%es1 & t an app>5t excess %\ld rema9  
beyond ! orig9al /ock1 is difficult to  
believe2 b t %ortly aft] ?is--,jesus    
hav+ to aga9 p]=m a simil> miracle = f\r
 ?\s& p]sons--8 own disciples %\ld      
ignore 8 rec5t feat1 & wond] f :5ce !   
food 0 to be d]iv$1 is c]ta9ly />tl+ly  
incr$ible4 ,if ?is exhibition (         

incr$ulity 7 p>donable on ! "p ( !      
twelve apo/les1 liv+ witnesses ( great] 
wond]s1 h[ mu* m p>donable ! unbelief ( 
! sceptic ( to-day1 :i* ! ,religi\s     
,tract ,society seek to ov]come by a    
fa9t e*o ( ass]t$ ev5ts all contr>y to  
probability1 & ) n9ete5 c5turies        
int]v5+4  ,! ca/+ out ! devils pres5ts  
ph5om5a requir+ consid]able cr$ulity1   
especially ! /ory ( ! devils & ! sw9e4  
,to-day insanity is nev] ref]able to    
demoniacal possession1 b eighte5 hundr$ 
ye>s ago ! subject ( lunacy _h n be5 s  
pati5tly inve/igat$ z x has be5 s9ce4 ,t
 "o man c\ld n[ be t5ant$ by sev]al     
devils is a proposition = :i* ! ma9ta9] 
w\ld 9 ! pres5t g5]ation incur almo/    
univ]sal contempt2 yet ! repudiation (  
its pres5t possibility c h>dly be       
consi/5t ) implicit cr$5ce 9 its anci5t 
hi/ory4 ,t ! devils & ,god %\ld hold    
conv]se toge!r1 al?\gh n )\t p>allel 9 !
 book ( ,job1 is inconsi/5t ) ! !ory (  
an inf9itely good ,deity2 t ! devils    
%\ld address ,jesus z son ( ! mo/ high  

,god1 & beg to be all[$ to ent] a h]d ( 
sw9e1 is at lea/ ludicr\s2 yet all ?is  
helps to make up ! n>rative on :i* ,dr4 
,tis*5dorf relies4 ,t ,jesus be+ ,god   
%\ld pray to 8 ,fa!r t ! cup might pass 
f him is s incr$ible t ev5 ! fai?ful ask
 u to reg>d x z my/]y4 ,t an angel f    
heav5 c\ld /r5g!n ,jesus1 ! almighty    
,god1 is equally my/]i\s4 ,t :]e ,jesus 
_h s prom95tly prea*$ to ?\s&s1 ! prie/s
 %\ld ne$ any "o l ,judas to betray !   
f\nd] ( ,*ri/ianity ) a kiss1 is absurd2
 8 escapade 9 flogg+ ! deal]s1 8        
wond]ful cures1 & 8 rais+ ,laz>us &     
,jairus's daught] %\ld h secur$ him1 if 
n ! nation's love1 fai?1 & admiration1  
at lea/ a national reputation &         
notoriety4 ,x is n cr$ible if ,judas    
betray$ ,jesus by a kiss t ! latt] %\ld 
h be5 arre/$ ^u 8 own /atem5t t he 0    
,jesus4 ,t ,pet] %\ld h _h s little fai?
 z to d5y 8 div9e lead] ?ree times 9 a  
few h\rs is only reconcilable ) ! notion
 t he _h rema9$ unconv9c$ by 8 p]sonal  
int]c\rse ) ! inc>nate ,deity4 ,! m]e   

blund]s 9 ! /ory ( ! d5ial s9k into     
insignificance 9 face ( ?is major       
difficulty4 ,:e!r ! cock did or did n   
cr[ be=e ! ?ird d5ial1 :e!r ,pet] 0 or 0
 n 9 ! same ap>tm5t ) ,jesus at ! "t ( !
 la/ d5ial1 are comp>atively trifl+     
que/ions1 & ! contradictions on :i* !y  
are bas$ may be ! consequ5ce ( ! errors 
:i* ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf says h crept into ! 
sacr$ writ+s4  ,jesus said1 z ,jonah 0  
?ree days & ?ree nights 9 ! belly ( !   
:ale1 s %all ! son ( man be ?ree days & 
?ree nights 9 ! he>t ( ! e>?4 ,jesus 0  
crucifi$ on ,friday1 0 buri$ on ,friday 
ev5+1 & yet ! fir/ :o w5t to ! grave on 
! night ( ,saturday z x began to dawn   
t[>ds ,sunday1 f\nd ! body ( ,jesus     
already gone4 ,did ,jesus mean he %\ld  
be ?ree days & ?ree nights 9 ! grave8   
,is !re any pro( t 8 body rema9$ 9 !    
grave = ?ree h\rs8 ,:o w5t fir/ to !    
grave8 0 x ,m>y ,magdal5e alone1 z 9    
,john1 or two ,m>ies z 9 ,mat!w1 or !   
two ,m>ies & ,salome z 9 ,m>k1 or ! two 
,m>ies1 ,joanna1 & sev]al unnam$ wom5 z 

9 ,luke8 ,to :om did did ,jesus fir/    
appe>8 ,0 x1 z 9 ,m>k1 to ,m>y          
,magdal5e1 or to two disciples go+ to   
,emmaus1 z 9 ,luke1 or to ! two ,m>ies  
ne> ! sepul*re1 z 9 ,mat!w8 ,is ! eat+  
boil$ fi% & honeycomb by a dead ,god    
cr$ible8 ,did ,jesus asc5d to heav5 ! v 
day ( 8 resurrection1 or did an int]val 
( ne>ly six weeks int]v5e8  ,is ?is     
hi/ory cr$ible1 conta9$ z x is 9 f\r    
contradictory biographies1 outside :i*  
biographies we h1 z ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf     
admits1 no o!r s\rce ( in=mation )      
respect to ! life ( ,jesus8 ,?is hi/ory 
( an e>?-born ,deity1 desc5d$ ?r\gh a   
crime-ta9t$ ance/ry1 & ^: g5ealogical   
tree is trac$ ?r\gh "o :o 0 n 8 fa!r2   
?is hi/ory ( an inf9ite ,god nurs$ z a  
baby1 gr[+ ?r\gh *ildhood to manhood l  
any frail specim5 ( humanity2 ?is       
hi/ory1 g>ni%$ ) b$evill$ m51 en*ant$   
fig tree1 myriads ( gho/s1 & scores (   
miracles1 & by su* g>ni%m5t made m ak9  
to an ori5tal romance ?an to a sob]     
hi/ory2 ?is picture ( ! inf9ite         

invisible _s inc>nate visible z man2    
immutability subject to human passions &
 infirmities2 ! creator come to die1 yet
 wi%+ to escape ! dea? :i* %all br+     
peace to 8 ,god-torm5t$ creatures2 ,god 
pray+ to himself & reject+ 8 own pray]2 
,god betray$ by a div9ely-appo9t$       
traitor2 ,god ! immortal dy+1 & 9 !     
agony ( ! dea?-?roes--/rong] ?an ! /rong
 man's w--cry+ ) almo/ ! la/ ef=t ( 8   
dy+ brea?1 t he be+ ,god1 is ,god =sak56
  ,if all ?is be cr$ible1 :at /ory is   
!re any man ne$ hesitate to believe8    
,dr4 ,tes*5dorf asks h[ x has be5       
possible to impugn ! cr$ibility ( ! f\r 
,gospels1 & replies t ?is has be5 done  
by d5y+ t ! ,gospels 7 writt5 by ! m5 ^:
 names !y be>4 ,9 ! prec$+ pages x has  
be5 %[n t ! cr$ibility ( ! ,gospel      
n>rative is impugn$ because x is        
uncorroborat$ by contempor>y hi/ory1    
because x is self-contradictory1 &      
because _m ( its incid5ts are prima     
facie mo/ improbable1 & "s ( !m utt]ly  
impossible4 ,ev5 ,engli% ,infidels are q

 prep>$ to admit t ! f\r ,gospels may be
 q anonym\s2 & yet1 t _! anonym\s "* ne$
 be ( no weight z an argum5t aga9/ _!   
tru?4 ,all t is urg$ on ?is head is t ! 
advocates ( ! ,gospel hi/ory h s\ght to 
endorse & give value to ! o!rwise       
unreliable n>ratives by a pret5ce t "s (
 ! ,evangeli/s1 at lea/1 7 eyewitnesses 
( ! ev5ts !y ref] to4 ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf   
says3 ,! cr$ibility ( a writ] cle>ly    
dep5ds on ! int]val ( "t :i* lies betwe5
 him & ! ev5ts :i* he describes4 ,! f>!r
 ! n>rator is remov$ f ! facts :i* he   
lays be=e u ! m 8 claims to cr$ibility  
are r$uc$ 9 value4 ,presum+ tru?fulness 
9 int5tion = any writ]1 & 8 ability to  
compreh5d ! facts he is n>rat+1 & 8     
fre$om f a prejudice :i* may di/ort !   
picture he int5ds to pa9t correctly ) 8 
p53 we might admit ! correctness ( !    
passage we h quot$2 b c ^! always be    
pre-turn$ 9 ! case ( ! au?ors ( !       
,gospels8 ,on ! contr>y1 a presumption 9
 an exactly opposite direction may be   
fairly rais$ f ! fact t imm$iately aft] 

! ,apo/olic age ! ,*ri/ian _w 0 flood$ )
 =g$ te/imonies 9 favor ( ! biography ( 
,jesus1 or 9 favor ( 8 disciples4  ,a   
writ] 9 ! ,ed9burgh ,review obs]ves3 ,to
 say no?+ ( su* ackn[l$g$ =g]ies z !    
,apo/olic con/itutions & liturgies1 & ! 
sev]al spuri\s ,gospels1 ! "q ( !       
g5u95ess ( ! alleg$ rema9s ( ! ,apo/olic
 fa!rs1 ?\gh (t5 ov]look$1 is v mat]ial4
 ,any g5u9e rema9s ( ! ',apo/le'        
,b>nabas1 ( ,h]mas1 ! contempor>y       
7,romans xvi41 #ad71 & ,clem5t1 ! highly
 comm5d$ & gift$ fell[ labor] ( ,/4     
,paul 7,phil1 iv41 #c71 c\ld sc>cely be 
reg>d$ z less sacr$ ?an ^? ( ,m>k &     
,luke1 ( :om p]sonally we "k less4 ,x is
 purely a "q ( criticism4 ,at ! pres5t  
day1 ! critics be/ compet5t to det]m9e  
x1 h agre$ 9 op9ion1 t ! extant writ+s  
ascrib$ to ,b>nabas & ,h]mas are :olly  
spuri\s--! frauds ( a lat] age4 ,h[ mu* 
suspicion atta*es to ! #a/ ,epi/le (    
,clem5t 7= ! fragm5t ( ! second is also 
g5]ally reject$7 is manife/ f ! fact1 t 
9 mod]n times x has nev] be5 all[$ !    

place expressly assign$ to x among !    
canonical books prefix$ to ! celebrat$  
,alex&rian ,,ms41 9 :i* ! only kn[n copy
 ( x is includ$4 ,x mu/ n be =gott5 t   
,ignatius expressly lays claim to       
inspiration1 t ,ir5asus quotes ,h]mas z 
,scripture1 & ,orig5 speaks ( him z     
inspir$1 :ile ,polyc>p1 9 mode/ly       
disclaim+ to be put on a level ) !      
,apo/les1 cle>ly implies !re w\ld h be5 
no ess5tial di/9ction 9 ! way ( 8 be+   
rank$ 9 ! same ord]4 ,b ! "q is1 h[ are 
^! pret5sions sub/antiat$8 ,s f> !      
,ed9burgh ,review1 c]ta9ly n an ,infidel
 publication4  ,eusebius1 9 8           
,ecclesia/ical ,hi/ory1 admits ! exi/5ce
 ( _m spuri\s gospels & epi/les1 & "s   
writ+s put =w>d by him z g5u9e1 su* z ! 
correspond5ce betwe5 ,jesus & ,agb>as1 h
 s9ce be5 reject$ z fictiti\s4 ,x is n  
an unfair presumption f ?is t _m ( ! mo/
 e>ly ,*ri/ians consid]$ ! !n exi/+     
te/imonies insuffici5t to prove ! hi/ory
 ( ,jesus1 & good reason is c]ta9ly     
af=d$ = c>efully exam9+ ! :ole ( !      

evid5ces !y h bequea!d u4 ,on p4 #dh1   
,dr4 ,tes*5dorf quotes ,ir5aeus1 ^:     
writ+s-belong to ! extreme end ( !      
second c5tury1 z ?\gh t ,bi%op mu/ be   
tak5 z v\*+ ! f\r ,gospels z we n[ h !m4
 ,yet1 if ! te/imony ( ,ir5aeus         
be-reliable 7,aga9/ ,h]esies1 ,book     
,,iii41 cap4 i47 ! ,gospel attribut$ to 
,mat!w 0 believ$ to h be5 compos$ 9     
,hebrew1 & ,ir5aeus says t z ! ,jews    
desir$ a ,messiah ( ! royal l9e (       
,david1 ,mat!w hav+ ! same desire to a  
yet great] degree1 /rove to give !m full
 satisfaction4 ,?is may acc\nt = "s ( ! 
g5ealogical curiosities to :i* we h     
drawn att5tion1 b h>dly r5d]s ,mat!w's  
,gospel m reliable2 & h[ c ! sugge/ion t
 ,mat!w wrote 9 ,hebrew prove t ,mat!w  
p5n$ ! fir/ ,gospel1 :i* has only exi/$ 
9 ,greek8 ,ir5aeus1 too1 flatly         
contradicts ! ,gospels by decl>+ t !    
m9i/ry ( ,jesus ext5d$ ov] t5 ye>s & t  
,jesus liv$ to be fifty ye>s ( age      
7,aga9/ ,h]esies1 ,book ,,ii41 cap4     
#bb74  ,if ! /atem5t ( ,ir5aeus 7,aga9/ 

,h]esies1 ,book ,,iii41 cap4 #aa7 t !   
f\r? ,gospel 0 writt5 to refute ! errors
 ( ,c]9?us & ,nicolaus1 h any value1 !n 
! actual date ( issue ( ! f\r? ,gospel w
 be consid]ably aft] ! o!rs4 ,dr4       
,tis*5dorf's /atem5t t ,polyc>p has     
borne te/imony to ! ,gospel ( ,john is n
 ev5 support$ by ! quotation on :i* he  
relies4 ,all t is said 9 ! passage quot$
 7,eusebius1 ,ecc4 ,hi/41 ,book ,v41    
cap4 #bj7 is t ,ir5aeus :5 he 0 a *ild  
he>d ,polyc>p repeat f memory !         
disc\rses ( ,john & o!rs conc]n+ ,jesus4
 ,if ! ,gospels _h exi/$ 9 ! "t (       
,polyc>p x w\ld h be5 at lea/ z easy to 
h read !m f ! ,,ms4 z to repeat !m f    
memory4 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf might also h    
add$ t ! lett] to ,flor9us1 :5ce he     
takes ! passage on :i* he relies1 exi/s 
only 9 ! writ+s ( ,eusebius1 to :om we  
are indebt$ = _m pieces ( ,*ri/ian      
evid5ce s9ce ab&on$ z =g]ies4 ,dr4      
,tis*5dorf says3 ,any te/imony (        
,polyc>p 9 favor ( ! ,gospel ref]s u    
back to ! ,evangeli/ himself1 =         

,polyc>p1 9 speak+ to ,ir5aeus ( ?is    
,gospel z ! "w ( 8 ma/]1 ,/4 ,john1 mu/ 
h le>n$ f ! lips ( ! apo/le himself1    
:e!r he 0 its au?or or n4 ,n[1 :at      
evid5ce is !re t ,polyc>p ev] said a    
s+le ^w z to ! au?or%ip ( ! f\r?        
,gospel1 or ( any ,gospel1 or t he ev5  
said t ,john _h p5n$ a s+le ^w8 ,9 !    
,epi/le to ! ,philippians 7! only writ+ 
attribut$ to ,polyc>p = :i* any g5u9e "*
 is ev5 pret5d$71 ! ,gospel ( ,john is  
nev] m5tion$1 nor is !re ev5 a s+le     
passage 9 ! ,epi/le :i* c be id5tifi$ ) 
any passage 9 ! ,gospel ( ,john4        
,surely ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf =got1 9 ! eag]  
desire to make 8 witnesses be> good     
te/imony1 t ! highe/ duty ( an advocate 
is to make ! tru? cle>1 n to put =w>d a 
pleasantly color$ falsehood to deceive !
 ignorant4 ,x is n ev5 true t ,ir5aeus  
ev] pret5ds t ,polyc>p 9 any way v\*$   
our f\r? ,gospel z hav+ be5 writt5 by   
,john1 & yet ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf _h ! cool  
audacity to say !re is no?+ m damag+ to 
! d\bt]s ( ! au!nticity ( ,/ ,john's    

,gospel ?an ?is te/imony ( ,/4 ,polyc>p4
 ,d ! ,religi\s ,tract ,society reg>d   
,engli% ,infidels z s utt]ly ignorant t 
!y ?us int5tionally seek to sugge/ a    
falsehood1 or are ! ,c\ncil ( !         
,religi\s ,tract ,society !mselves      
unable to te/ ! accuracy ( ! /atem5ts   
put =w>d on _! behalf by ! able deciph]]
 ( illegible p>*m5ts8 ,x is too mu* to  
suspect ! r5[n$ ,dr4 ,con/ant9o         
,tis*5dorf ( ignorance1 yet ev5 ! co>se 
,engli% sceptic regrets t ! only o!r    
alt]native w be to d5\nce him z a       
!ological *>latan4  ,dr4 ,mo%eim1 writ+ 
on behalf ( ,*ri/ianity1 says t !       
,epi/le ( ,polyc>p to ! ,philippians is 
by "s treat$ z g5u9e & by o!rs z        
spuri\s1 & t x is no easy matt] to      
decide4 ,_m critics1 ( no mean ord]1    
class x among/ ! apo/olic ,*ri/ian      
=g]ies1 b :e!r ! ,epi/le be g5u9e or    
spuri\s1 x conta9s no quotation f1 x    
makes no ref]5ce to1 ! ,gospel ( ,john4 
,to :at is said ( ,ir5aeus1 ,t]tullian1 
& ,clem5t ( ,alex&ria1 x is en\gh to    

note t all ^! are aft] a4d4 #aej4       
,ir5aeus may be put #agg to #bjj1       
,t]tullian ab\t #aic1 & ,clem5t (       
,alex&ria z comm5c+ ! ?ird c5tury4  ,"o 
( ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf's mo/ audaci\s        
fl\ri%es is t 7p4 #di7 ) ref]5ce to !   
,canon ( ,muratori1 :i* we are told     
enum]ates ! books ( ! ,new ,te/am5t :i*1
 f ! fir/1 7 consid]$ canonical & sacr$1
 & :i* 0 writt5 a little aft] ! age (   
,pius ,i1 ab\t a4d2 #agj4  ,fir/ !      
anonym\s fragm5t conta9s books :i* 7    
nev] accept$ z canonical2 next1 x is q  
impossible to say :5 or by :om x 0      
writt5 or :at 0 its orig9al language4   
,muratori1 :o discov]$ ! fragm5t 9      
#agdj1 conjectur$ t x 0 writt5 ab\t !   
end ( ! second or beg9n+ ( ! ?ird       
c5tury1 b x is notewor?y t nei!r        
,eusebius nor any o!r ( ! ecclesia/ical 
advocates ( ! ?ird1 f\r?1 or fif?       
c5turies1 ev] ref]s to x4 ,x may be !   
compilation ( any monk at any date prior
 to #agdj1 & is utt]ly valueless z      
evid5ce4  ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf's /yle is well

 exemplifi$ by ! positive mann] 9 :i* he
 fixes ! date a4d4 #aci to ! fir/       
apology ( ,ju/91 al?\gh a critic s le>n$
 z ! unrivall$ ,dr4 ,tes*5dorf c\ld n   
fail to be aw>e t m ?an "o writ] has    
support$ ! view t ! date ( ! fir/       
apology 0 n e>li] ?an a4d4 #ade1 & o!rs 
h cont5d$ = a4d4 #aej4 ,! ,b5$ict9e     
editors ( ,ju/9's works support ! latt] 
date4 ,dr4 ,k5n argues = a4d4 #aee--afj4
 ,on page #fc1 ! ,religi\s ,tract       
,society's *ampion appeals to ! te/imony
 ( ,ju/9 ,m>tyr1 b 9 ord] n to %ock !   
dev\t :ile conv9c+ ! pr(ane1 he omits to
 m5tion t m ?an half ! writ+s once      
attribut$ to ,ju/9 ,m>tyr are n[ ab&on$1
 z ei!r ( d\btful "* or actual =g]ies1 &
 t ,ju/9's value z a witness is         
consid]ably weak5$ by ! fact t he quotes
 ! acts ( ,pilate & ! ,sybill9e ,oracles
 z ?\gh !y 7 reliable evid5ce1 :5 9 fact
 !y are bo? admitt$ specim5s ( a        
,*ri/ian =g]y4 ,b :at does ,ju/9 te/ify 
z to ! ,gospels8 ,does he say t ,mat!w1 
,m>k1 ,luke1 & ,john 7 _! writ]s8 ,on ! 

contr>y1 n only d ! names (             
,mat!w1-,m>k1 ,luke1 & ,john nev] occur 
z ,evangeli/s 9 ! writ+s ( ,ju/91 b he  
actually m5tions facts & say+s z to     
,jesus1 :i* are n f\nd 9 ei!r ( ! f\r   
,gospels4 ,! v words r5d]$ ,gospels only
 occur :]e !y are /rongly suspect$ to be
 int]polat$1 ,ju/9 usually speak+ ( "s  
writ+s :i* he calls memorials or memoirs
 ( ! ,apo/les4  ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf urges t 
9 ! writ+s ( ,ju/9 ! ,gospels are plac$ 
side by side ) ! prophets1 & t ?is      
und\bt$ly places ! ,gospels 9 ! li/ (   
canonical books4 ,if ?is means t !re is 
any /atem5t 9 ,ju/9 capable ( be+ s     
con/ru$1 !n ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf 0 untru?ful4
 ,ju/9 does quote specifically !        
,sybill9e oracles1 b nev] ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 
,luke1 or ,john4 ,he quotes /atem5ts z  
to ,jesus1 :i* may be f\nd 9 !          
apocryphal ,gospels1 & :i* are n f\nd 9 
ours1 s t if ! evid5ce ( ,ju/9 ,m>tyr be
 tak51 x c]ta9ly does n t5d to prove1   
ev5 9 ! smalle/ degree1 t f\r ,gospels 7
 specially reg>d$ ) rev]5ce 9 8 day4 ,! 

,rev4 ,w4 ,s&ay ?9ks t ,ju/9 did n      
assign an exclusive au?ority to our     
,gospels1 & t he made use also ( o!r    
docum5ts no long] extant4 7,gospels 9   
#bnd ,c5tury1 p4 #aag47  ,on p4 #id x is
 /at$ t z e>ly z ! "t ( ,ju/9 !         
expression '! ,evangel' 0 appli$ to !   
f\r ,gospels4 ,?is /atem5t by ,dr4      
,tis*5dorf & its publication by !       
,religi\s ,tract ,society call = !      
/ronge/ condemnation4 ,n[h]e 9 ! writ+s 
( ,ju/9 are ! words ! ,evangel appli$ to
 ! f\r ,gospels4  ,l>dn] only pr(esses  
to discov] two in/ances 9 :i* ! ^w      
anglicis$ by ,tis*5dorf z ,evangel1     
occurs2  1 ! second be+ expressly po9t$ 
out by ,s*lei]ma*] z an int]polation1 & 
z an in/ance 9 :i* a m>g9al note has be5
 incorporat$ ) ! text2 nor w\ld "o      
occurr5ce ( su* a ^w prove t any book or
 books 7 s kn[n by ,ju/91 z ! ^w is     
m]ely a comp\nd ( good & message2 nor is
 !re ! slighte/ f\ndation = ! /atem5t t 
9 ! "t ( ,ju/9 ! ^w ,evangel 0 ev]      
appli$ to designate ! f\r ,gospels n[   

attribut$ to ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 ,luke1 &     
,john4  ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf 7p4 #df7 admits 
t ! fai? ( ! ,*ur*4444 w\ld be s]i\sly  
compromis$ if we d n f9d ref]5ces to !  
,gospels 9 writ+s betwe5 a4d4 #ajj &    
a4d4 #aej2 &--:ile he does n directly   
ass]t--he ins9uates t 9 su* writ+s !    
,gospels 7 treat$ ) ! greate/ respect1  
or ev5 already treat$ z canonical &     
sacr$ writ+s2 & he di/9ctly affirms t ! 
,gospels did see ! light dur+ !         
,apo/olic age1 & be=e ! middle ( !      
second c5tury our ,gospels 7 held 9 !   
highe/ respect by !-,*ur*1 al?\gh = !   
affirmation1 he nei!r has nor advances !
 %ad[ ( evid5ce4  ,! phrases1 ,apo/olic 
age & ,apo/olic fa!rs d5ote ! fir/      
c5tury ( ! ,*ri/ian era1 & ^?-fa!rs :o  
are suppos$ to h fl\ri%$ dur+ t p]iod1 &
 :o are suppos$ to h se5 or he>d1 or _h 
! opportunity ( see+ or he>+1 ei!r      
,jesus or someone or m ( ! twelve       
,apo/les4 ,b>nabas1 ,clem5t1 ,h]mas1    
,ignatius1 & ,polyc>p1 are ^? ^: names  
figure mo/ famili>ly 9 ,*ri/ian evid5ces

 z ,apo/olic fa!rs4 ,b ! evid5ce f ^!   
,apo/olic fa!rs is ( a mo/ unreliable   
"*4 ,mo%eim 7,ecclesia/ical ,hi/ory1    
c5t4 #a1 cap4 #b1 sec4 #c1ag7 says t !  
,apo/olic hi/ory is load$ ) d\bts1      
fables1 & difficulties1 & t n long aft] 
,*ri/'s asc5sion sev]al hi/ories 7      
curr5t ( 8 life & doctr9es1 full ( pi\s 
frauds & fabul\s wond]s4 ,among/ ^! 7 ,!
 ,acts ( ,paul1 ,! ,revelation ( ,pet]1 
,! ,gospel ( ,pet]1 ,! ,gospel ( ,&rew1 
,! ,gospel ( ,john1 ,! ,gospel ( ,james1
 ,! ,gospel ( ! ,egyptians1 etc4 ,!     
attempts (t5 made to prove f ! writ+s ( 
,b>nabas1 ,ignatius1 etc41 ! prior      
exi/5ce ( ! f\r ,gospels1 ?\gh          
specifically unnam$1 by simil>ity (     
phraseology 9 quotations1 is a failure1 
ev5 admitt+ = ! mom5t ! g5u95ess ( !    
,apo/olic ,scriptures1 if ! pro( is     
int5d$ to c>ry ! matt] high] ?an t su* &
 su* /atem5ts 7 curr5t 9 "s =m or o!r1  
at ! date ! fa!rs wrote4 ,z good an     
argum5t might be made t "s ( ! ,gospel  
passages 7 adopt$ f ! fa!rs4 ,! fa!rs   

occasionally quote1 z f ! m\? ( ,jesus1 
words :i* are n f\nd 9 any ( our f\r    
,gospels1 & make ref]5ce to ev5ts n     
includ$ 9 ! ,gospel n>ratives1 cle>ly   
evid5c+ t ev5 if ! f\r docum5ts ascrib$ 
to ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 ,luke1 & ,john1 7 9    
exi/5ce1 !y 7 n ! only s\rces (         
in=mation f :i* "s ( ! ,apo/olic fa!rs  
d]iv$' _! k ( ,*ri/ianity1 & evid5c+    
also t ! f\r ,gospels _h atta9$ no su*  
specific sup]iority z to entitle !m to  
special m5tion by "n4  ,( ! epi/le      
attribut$ to ,b>nabas1 :i* is suppos$ by
 its support]s to h be5 writt5 9 ! latt]
 "p ( ! fir/ c5tury1 :i*1 ,paley says1  
is probably g5u9e1 :i* is class$ by     
,eusebius z spuri\s 7,ecclesia/ical     
,hi/ory1 book iii41 cap4 #be71 & :i*    
,dr4 ,donaldson does n hesitate = "o    
mom5t 9 refus+ to ascribe to ,b>nabas ! 
,apo/le 7,ante-,nic5e ,fa!rs1 vol4 i41  
p4 #ajj71 x is only necess>y to say t s 
f> f speak+ ( ! ,gospels ) ! greate/    
respect1 x does n m5tion by "n any "o ( 
! f\r ,gospels4 ,!re are "s passages 9  

,b>nabas :i* are ne>ly id5tical 9       
phraseology ) "s ,gospel passages1 & :i*
 x has be5 argu$ are quotations f "o or 
o!r ( ! f\r ,gospels1 b :i* may equally 
be quotations f o!r ,gospels1 or f      
writ+s n 9 ! "* ( ,gospels4 ,!re are    
also passages :i* are ne>ly id5tical )  
sev]al ( ! ,new ,te/am5t epi/les1 b ev5 
! great fram] ( ,*ri/ian evid5ces1      
,l>dn]1 decl>es 8 conviction t none ( ^!
 la/-m5tion$ passages are quotations1 or
 ev5 allusions1 to ! ,paul9e or o!r     
epi/ol>y writ+s4 ,b>nabas makes _m      
quotations :i* cle>ly demon/rate t ! f\r
 ,gospels1 if !n 9 exi/5ce & if he _h   
access to !m1 c\ld n h be5 8 only s\rce 
( in=mation z to ! tea*+s ( ,jesus 7,e4 
,g41 cap4 #g74  ,! ,"l enjo9$ t :osoev] 
did n keep ! fa/ %\ld be put to dea?4   
,he requir$ ! goats to be ( goodly      
aspect & simil>1 t :5 !y see him com+ !y
 may be amaz$ by ! lik5ess to ! goat4   
,says he1 ^? :o wi% to behold me & lay  
hold ( my k+dom1 mu/ ?r\gh tribulation &
 suff]+ obta9 me 7cap4 #ab74 ,& ! ,"l   

sai?1 ,:5 a tree %all be b5t d[n & aga9 
rise1 & :5 blood %all fl[ out ( ! w\nd4 
,w ! ,religi\s ,tract ,society po9t out 
f :i* ( ! ,gospels ^! are quot$8        
,b>nabas 7cap4 #aj7 says t ,moses =bade 
! ,jews to eat weasel fle%1 because t   
animal conceives ) ! m\?1 & =bad !m to  
eat ! hy5a because t animal annually    
*anges its sex4 ,?is fa!r seems to h    
made a sort ( melange ( "s ( !          
,p5tateu*al ord9ances4 ,he says 7cap4   
#h7 t ! ,heif] 7m5tion$ 9 ,numb]s7 0 a  
type ( ,jesus1 t ! ?ree 787 "y m5       
appo9t$ to spr9kle1 d5ote ,abraham1     
,isaac1 & ,jacob1 t wool 0 put ^u a /ick
 because ! k+dom ( ,jesus 0 f\nd$ ^u !  
cross1 & 7cap4 #i7 t ! #hah m5          
circumcis$ by ,abraham /ood = ,jesus    
crucifi$4 ,b>nabas also decl>$ t ! _w 0 
to come to an end 9 #f1jjj ye>s         
7,free?9k]s' ,text ,book "p ii41 p4     
#bfh74 ,9 ! ,s9aitic ,bible1 ! ,epi/le (
 ,/4 ,b>nabas has n[1 happily = misguid$
 ,*ri/ians1 be5 discov]$ 9 ! orig9al    
,greek4 ,to quote ! inimitable /yle (   

,dr4 ,tis*5dorf1 :ile s mu* has be5 lo/ 
9 ! c\rse ( c5turies by !-too? ( "t & ! 
c>elessness ( ignorant monks1 an        
invisible eye _h wat*$ ov] ?is treasure1
 & :5 x 0 on ! po9t ( p]i%+ 9 ! fire1 ! 
,"l _h decre$ its-deliv]ance2 :ile      
critics h g5]ally be5 divid$ betwe5     
assign+ x to ! fir/ or second decade ( !
 second c5tury1 ! ,s9aitic ,bible1 :i*  
has = ! fir/ "t cle>$ up ?is "q1 has l$ 
u to ?r[ its composition z f> back z !  
la/ decade ( ! fir/ c5tury4 ,a f9e      
specim5 ( ,*ri/ian evid5ce writ+1 cool  
ass]tion )\t a p>ticle ( pro( & )\t !   
slighte/ reason-giv54 ,h[ does !        
,s9iatic ,,ms41 ev5 if x be g5u9e1 cle> 
up ! "q ( ! date ( ,/4 ,b>nabas's       
,epi/le8 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf does n         
condesc5d to tell u :at has l$ !        
,*ri/ian advocate to ?r[ back ! date (  
its composition8 ,we are left entirely 9
 ! d>k3 9 fact1 :at ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf     
calls a ?r[ back1 is if y look at ,l>dn]
 j ! rev]se4 ,:at does ! epi/le (       
,b>nabas prove1 ev5 if x be g5u9e8      

,b>nabas quotes1 by "n1 ,moses &        
,daniel1 b nev] ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 ,luke or  
,john4 ,b>nabas specifically ref]s to   
,deut]onomy & ! prophets1 b nev] to ei!r
 ( ! f\r ,gospels4  ,!re is an epi/le   
attribut$ to ,clem5t ( ,rome1 :i* has   
be5 pres]v$ 9 a s+le ,,ms4 only :]e x is
 c\pl$ ) ano!r epi/le reject$ z spuri\s4
 ,dr4 ,donaldson 7,ante-,nic5e ,fa!rs1  
vol4 i41 p4 #c7 decl>es t :o ! ,clem5t 0
 to :om ^! writ+s are ascrib$ _c )      
absolute c]ta9ty be det]m9$4 ,bo?       
epi/les /& on equal au?ority2 "o is     
reject$ by ,*ri/ians1 ! o!r is receiv$4 
,9 ?is epi/le :ile !re is a di/9ct      
ref]5ce to an ,epi/le by ,paul to !     
,cor9?ians1 !re is no m5tion-by "n ( !  
f\r ,gospels1 nor d any ( ! words       
attribut$ by ,clem5t to ,jesus agree =  
any complete quotation ) anyone ( !     
,gospels z we h !m4 ,! ,rev4 ,w4 ,s&ay  
is frank en\gh to conc$e t ,clem5t is n 
quot+ directly f our ,gospels4  ,is x   
probable t ,clem5t w\ld h m5tion$ a     
writ+ by ,paul1 & yet h entirely ignor$ 

! f\r ,gospels1 if he _h kn[n t !y _h !n
 exi/$8 ,& c\ld !y h easily exi/$ 9 !   
,*ri/ian _w 9 8 day )\t 8 k8 ,if anyone 
takes cap4 xxv4 ef ?is epi/le & sees !  
pho5ix giv5 z a hi/oric fact1 & z       
evid5ce = ! reality ( ! resurrection1 he
 w be bett] able to appreciate ! value (
 ?is s-call$ epi/le ( ,clem5t4  ,!      
lett]s ( ,ignatius ref]r$ to by ,dr4    
,tes*5dorf are reg>d$ by ,mo%eim z      
labor+ "u _m difficulties1 & emb>rass$ )
 mu* obscurity4 ,ev5 ,l>dn]1 do+ 8 be/ =
 su* evid5ces1 says1 t if we f9d matt]s 
9 ! ,epi/les inconsi/5t ) ! notion t    
,ignatius 0 ! writ]1 x is bett] to reg>d
 su* passages z int]polations1 ?an to   
reject ! ,epi/les entirely1 especially 9
 ! sc>city ( su* te/imonies4  ,!re are  
fifte5 epi/les ( :i* eight are          
undisput$ly =g]ies4 ,( ! rema9+ sev5 !re
 are two v]sions1 a long & a %ort       
v]sion1 "o ( :i* mu/ be corrupt1 bo? (  
:i* may be4 ,^! sev5 epi/les1 h[ev]1 are
 9 no case to be accept$ ) c]ta9ty z ^? 
( ,ignatius4 ,dr4 ,cureton cont5ds t    

only ?ree /ill %ort] epi/les are g5u9e  
7,ante-,nic5e ,fa!rs1 vol4 i41 pp4 #acg 
to #adc74 ,! ,rev4 ,w4 ,s&ay treats !   
?ree %ort ones z probably g5u9e1 waiv+ !
 "q z to ! o!rs 7,gospels 9 ,second     
,c5tury1 p4 #gg1 & see preface to six?  
edition ,sup]natural ,religion74        
,ignatius1 h[ev]1 ev5 if he be ! writ] (
 ! epi/les attribut$ to him1 nev]       
m5tions ei!r ( ! f\r ,gospels4 ,9 !     
n9ete5? *apt] ( ! ,epi/les to !         
,ephesians1 !re is a /atem5t made z to !
 bir? & dea? ( ,jesus1 n to be f\nd 9   
ei!r ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 ,luke1 or ,john4  ,if
 ! te/imony ( ! ,ignatian ,epi/les is   
reliable1 !n x v\*es t 9 t e>ly age !re 
7 actually ,*ri/ians :o d5i$ ! dea? (   
,jesus4 ,a /atem5t z to ,m>y 9 cap4     
n9ete5 ( ! ,epi/le to ! ,ephesians is n 
to be f\nd 9 any portion ( ! ,gospels4  
,9 8 ,epi/le to ! ,trallians1 ,ignatius1
 attack+ ^? :o d5i$ ! real exi/5ce (    
,jesus1 w\ld h surely be5 glad to quote 
! evid5ce ( eye witnesses l ,mat!w &    
,john1 if su* evid5ce _h exi/$ 9 8 day4 

,9 cap4 eight ( ! ,epi/les to !         
,philadelphians1 ,ignatius says1 ,i h   
he>d ( "s :o say3 ,unless ,i f9d x 9 !  
ar*ives ,i w n believe ! ,gospel4 ,& :5 
,i said x is writt51 !y answ]$ t rema9s 
to be prov$4 ,?is is ! mo/ di/9ct       
ref]5ce to any ,*ri/ian writ+s1 & h[    
little does ?is support ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf 
s position4 ,f :i* ( our f\r ,gospels   
c\ld ,ignatius h tak5 ! words1 ,i am n  
an incorporeal demon1 :i* he puts into !
 m\? ( ,jesus 9 cap4 iii41 ! epi/le to !
 ,smyrnaeans8 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf does admit
 t ! evid5ce ( ! ,ignatian ,epi/les is n
 ( decisive value2 might he n g f>!r &  
say1 t z pro( ( ! f\r ,gospels x is ( no
 value at all8  ,on page #gj1 ,dr4      
,tis*5dorf quotes ,hippolytus )\t any   
qualification4 ,surely ! ,engli%        
,religi\s ,tract ,society might h       
rememb]$ t ,dodwell says1 t ! "n (      
,hippolytus _h be5 s abus$ by impo/ors1 
t x 0 n easy to di/+ui% any ( 8 writ+s4 
,t ,mill decl>es t1 ) "o exception1 !   
pieces extant "u 8 "n are all spuri\s4  

,t1 except fragm5ts 9 ! writ+s (        
oppon5ts1 ! works ( ,hippolytus are     
entirely lo/4 ,yet ! ,religi\s ,tract   
,society p]mit te/imony s ta9t$ to be   
put =w>d "u _! au?ority1 to prove ! tru?
 ( ,*ri/ian hi/ory4 ,! v "w :i* ,dr4    
,tis*5dorf pret5ds to quote is n ev5    
m5tion$ by ,eusebius1 9 ! li/ he gives (
 ! writ+s ( ,hippolytus4  ,on page #id1 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf /ates t ,basilides1 be=e
 a4d4 #ach1 & ,val5t9us1 ab\t a4d4 #adj1
 make use ( ?ree out ( f\r ,gospels1 !  
fir/ us+ ,john & ,luke1 ! second1       
,mat!w1 ,luke1 & ,john4 ,:at words (    
ei!r ,basilides or ,val5t9us exi/ any:]e
 to ju/ify ?is reckless ass]tion8 ,0    
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf aga9 presum+ on ! utt]  
ignorance ( ^? :o are likely to read 8  
pamphlet8 ,! ,religi\s ,tract ,society  
are responsible = ,dr4 ,tis*5dorfs      
allegations1 :i* x is impossible to     
support ) evid5ce4  ,! issue rais$ is n 
:e!r ! foll[]s ( ,basilides or ! foll[]s
 ( ,val5t9us may h us$ ^! gospels1 b    
:e!r !re is a p>ticle ( evid5ce to      

ju/ify ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf s decl>ation1 t  
,basilides & ,val5t9us !mselves us$ !   
above-nam$ gospels4 ,t ! f\r ,gospels 7 
well kn[n dur+ ! second half ( ! fir/   
c5tury is :at ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf und]took  
to prove1 & /atem5ts attribut$ to       
,basilides & ,val5t9 u1 b :i* ought to  
be attribut$ to _! foll[]s1 w g b little
 way z su* pro( 7see ,sup]natural       
,religion vol4 ii41 pp4 #da to #fc74  ,x
 is pleasant to f9d a gra9 ( :eat 9 !   
bu%el ( ,tis*5dorf *aff4 ,on page #ih1 &
 foll[+ pages1 ! erudite au?or applies  
himself to get rid ( ! te/imony (       
,papias1 :i* 0 falsifi$ & put =w>d by   
,paley z ( great importance4 ,paley says
 ! au?ority ( ,papias is complete2      
,tis*5dorf decl>es t ,papias is 9 error4
 ,paley says ,papias 0 a he>] ( ,john1  
,tis*5dorf says he 0 n4 ,we leave !     
*ampions ( ! two great ,*ri/ian         
evid5ce-mong]s to settle ! matt] z be/  
!y c4 ,if1 h[ev]1 we are to accept ,dr4 
,tis*5dorf's decl>ation t ! te/imony (  
,papias is wor?less1 we get rid ( ! *ief

 l9k betwe5 ,ju/9 ,m>tyr & ! apo/olic   
age4 ,x pleases ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf to      
damage ,papias1 because t fa!r is sil5t 
z to ! gospel ( ,john2 b ! ,religi\s    
,tract ,society mu/ n =get t 9 ?us cle>+
 away ! second-h& evid5ce ( ,papias1 !y 
h cut away _! only pret5ce = say+ t any 
( ! ,gospels are m5tion$ by "n )9 #aej  
ye>s ( ! date cl= ! bir? ( ,jesus4 ,9   
ref]r+ to ! lo/ "w ( ,!ophilus (        
,antio*1 :i* ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf tells u 0 a
 k9d ( h>mony ( ! ,gospels1 9 :i* ! f\r 
n>ratives are m\ld$ & fus$ into "o1 !   
le>n$ ,doctor =gets to tell u t ,j]ome1 
:om he quotes z giv+ "s acc\nt (        
,!ophilus1 actually d\bt$ :e!r ! s-call$
 comm5t>y 0 really f ! p5 ( t writ]4    
,l>dn] says3 ,:e!r ^? comm5t>ies :i* ,/4
 ,j]ome quotes 7 really compos$ by      
,!ophilus may be d\bt$1 s9ce !y 7 unkn[n
 to ,eusebius1 & 7 obs]v$ by ,j]ome to  
diff] 9 /yle & expression f 8 o!r works4
 ,h[ev]1 if !y 7 n 81 !y 7 ! "w ( "s    
anonym\s anci5t4 ,b if !y 7 ! "w ( an   
anonym\s anci5t aft] ,eusebius1 :at     

becomes ( ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf's z e>ly z    
a4d4 #agj8  ,eusebius1 :o ref]s to      
,!ophilus1 & :o speaks ( 8 us+ !        
,apocalypse1 w\ld h c]ta9ly gladly quot$
 ! ,bi%op ( ,antio*'s ,comm5t>y on !    
,f\r ,gospels1 if x _h exi/$ 9 8 day4   
,nor is x true t ! ref]5ces we h 9      
,j]ome to ! "w attribut$ to ,!ophilus1  
ju/ify ! description giv5 by ,dr4       
,tes*5dorf1 or ev5 ! phrase ( ,j]ome1   
qui quatuor ,evangeli/ arum 9 unum opus 
dicta comp+5s4 ,!ophilus seems1 s f> z x
 is possible to judge1 to h occupi$     
himself n ) a connect$ hi/ory ( ,jesus1 
or a cont9u\s disc\rse z to 8 doctr9es1 
b r ) my/ical & allegorical elucidations
 ( occasional passages1 :i* end$1 l _m  
pi\s comm5t>ies on ! ,old or ,new       
,te/am5t1 9 leav+ ! po9t dealt ) a      
little less cle> ) ! ,!ophillian        
comm5t>y ?an )\t x4 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf says
 t ,!odoret & ,eusebius speak ( ,tatian 
9 ! same way--t is1 z ?\gh he _h1 l 8   
,syrian contempor>y1 compos$ a h>mony ( 
! f\r ,gospels4 ,?is is also inaccurate4

 ,eusebius talks ( ,tatianus hav+ f\nd a
 c]ta9 body & collection ( ,gospels1 ,i 
"k n h[1 :i* collection ,eusebius does n
 appe> ev5 to h ev] se52 & s f> f !     
phrase 9 ,!odoret ju/ify+ ,dr4          
,tis*5dorf's explanation1 x w\ld appe> f
 ,!odoret t ,tatian's ,diatess>on 01 9  
fact1 a sort ( spuri\s gospel1 ,!       
,gospel ( ! ,f\r diff]+ mat]ially f our 
f\r ,gospels ( ,mat!w1 ,m>k1 ,luke1 &   
,john4 ,nei!r ,ir5aeus1 ,clem5t (       
,alex&ria1 or ,j]ome1 :o ref] to o!r    
works ( ,tatian1 make any m5tion ( ?is4 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf might h add$ t ,diap5te1
 or ! ,gospel ( ! ,five1 has also be5 a 
title appli$ to ?is "w ( ,tatian4  ,9 ! 
?ird *apt] ( 8 essay1 ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf   
ref]s to apocryphal writ+s :i* be> on _!
 front ! names ( ,apo/les us$ by obscure
 writ]s to palm (f _! =g]ies4 ,dr4      
,tis*5dorf says t ^! spuri\s books 7    
compos$ p>tly to embelli% scripture     
n>ratives1 & p>tly to support false     
doctr9e2 & he /ates t 9 e>ly times1 !   
,*ur* 0 n s well able to di/+ui% true   

gospels f false ones1 & t consequ5tly "s
 ( ! apocryphal writ+s 7 giv5 a place !y
 did n des]ve4 ,?is /atem5t ( !         
inability ( ! ,*ur* to judge correctly1 
tells z mu* aga9/ ! :ole1 z aga9/ any "o
 or m ( ! e>ly ,*ri/ian writ+s1 & z x   
may be z fatal to ! n[ receiv$ gospels z
 to ^? n[ reject$1 x des]ves ! mo/      
c>eful consid]ation4 ,accord+ to ,dr4   
,tis*5dorf1 ,ju/9 ,m>tyr falls into !   
category ( ^? ( ! ,*ur* :o 7 n s        
critical 9 di/+ui%+ ! true f ! false2 = 
,ju/91 says ,tis*5dorf1 treats ! ,gospel
 ( ,/4 ,james & ! ,acts ( ,pilate1 ea* z
 a fit s\rce :5ce to d]ive mat]ials = ! 
life ( ,jesus1 & !re=e mu/ h reg>d$ !   
,gospel ( ,/4 ,james & ! ,acts (        
,pilate1 z g5u9e & au!ntic writ+s2 :ile 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf1 wis]1 & a great] critic
 ?an ,ju/91 condemns ! ,gospel ( ,/4    
,james z spuri\s1 & calls ! ,acts (     
,pilate a pi\s fraud2 b if ,dr4         
,tis*5dorf be correct 9 8 /atem5t t     
,ju/9 made use ( ?is ,gospel & quotes ! 
,acts ( ,pontius ,pilate1 !n1 accord+ to

 8 own words1 ,ju/9 did n "k h[ to      
di/+ui% ! true f ! false1 & ! :ole =ce (
 8 evid5ce previ\sly us$ by ,dr4        
,tis*5dorf 9 aid ( ! f\r ,gospels w\ld h
 be5 s]i\sly dim9i%$1 ev5 if x _h be5   
true1 :i* x is n1 t ,ju/9 ,m>tyr _h     
borne any te/imony on ! subject4  ,su*1 
!n1 are ! weapons1 say ! ,religi\s      
,tract ,society1 by _! *ampion1 :i* we  
employ aga9/ unbeliev+ criticism4 ,& :at
 are ^! weapons8 ,we h %[n 9 ! prec$+   
pages1 ! suppressio v]i & ! sugge/io    
falsi are among/ ! weapons us$4 ,!      
,religi\s ,tract ,society directors are 
p>ties to fabrication ( evid5ce1 & !y   
p]mit a le>n$ *>latan to =w>d ! cause ( 
,*ri/ ) craft & *icane4 ,b ev5 ?is is n 
en\gh2 !y ne$1 accord+ to _! pamphlet1 a
 new weapon2 !y want to f9d out ! v     
words ! ,apo/les us$4 ,true believ]s h  
be5 9 a /ate ( delusion2 !y 7 cr$ul\s   
en\gh to fancy t ! au?oris$ v]sion ( !  
,scriptures tol]ably fai?fully repres5t$
 ,god's revelation to humank9d4 ,b no1  
says ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf1 x has be5 s       

s]i\sly modifi$ 9 ! copy+ & re-copy+ t x
 ought to be set aside altoge!r1 & a    
fre% text con/ruct$4 ,glori\s news ?is =
 ! ,bible ,society4 ,li/5 to x1 ,exet]  
,hall6 ,glad tid+s to be issu$ by !     
,pat]no/] ,r[ sa9ts6 ,aft] sp5d+ hundr$s
 ( ?\s&s ( p\nds 9 giv+ away ,bibles to 
soldi]s1 9 plac+ !m 9 hotels &          
lodg+-h\ses1 & %ipp+ !m (f to negroes & 
savages1 x appe>s t ! wrong text has be5
 s5t ?r\gh ! _w1 ! true v]sion be+ all !
 "t 9 a wa/e-pap] heap at ,m\nt ,s9ai1  
wat*$ ov] by an invisible eye4 ,b1 adds 
,dr4 ,tis*5dorf1 if y ask me :e!r any   
popul> v]sion conta9s ! orig9al text1 my
 answ] is ,yes & ,no4 ,i say ,yes z f> z
 conc]ns y\r s\l's salvation4 ,if ^! are
 en\gh = ! s\l's salvation1 :y try to   
improve ! matt]8 ,if we really ne$ !    
full & cle> light ( ! ,s9aitic ,bible to
 %[ u :at is ! ,^w writt5 by ,god1 !n   
mo/ c]ta9ly our pres5t ,bible is n      
believ$ by ! ,religi\s ,tract ,society  
to be ! ,^w writt5 by ,god4 ,! ,*ri/ian 
advocates are 9 ?is dilemma3 ei!r !     

receiv$1 text is insuffici5t1 or !      
propos$ improvem5t is unnecess>y4 ,dr4  
,tis*5dorf says t ,! ,gospels1 l ! only 
begott5 ( ! ,fa!r1 w endure z long z    
human nature itself1 yet he says !re is 
a great div]sity among ! texts1 & t !   
,gospel 9 use among/ ! ,ebionites & t   
us$ among/ ! ,naz>5es h be5 disfigur$ "h
 & !re ) c]ta9 arbitr>y *anges4 ,he     
admits1 moreov]1 t 9 e>ly times1 :5 !   
,*ur* 0 n s critical 9 di/+ui%+ ! true f
 ! false1 spuri\s ,gospels obta9$ a     
cr$it :i* !y did n des]ve4 ,& :ile argu+
 = ! endur+ "* ( ! ,gospel1 he reque/s y
 to set aside ! receiv$ text altoge!r1 &
 to try to con/ruct a new revelation by 
! aid ( ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf's pat5t ,s9aitic
 inv5tion4  ,we congratulate ! ,religi\s
 ,tract ,society ^u _! manife/o1 & on ! 
victory x secures !m ov] ,g]man         
,rationalism & ,engli% ,infidelity4 ,!  
,society's translator1 9 8 introductory 
rem>ks1 decl>es t circum/antial evid5ce 
:5 complete1 & :5 e l9k 9 ! *a9 has be5 
?or\ghly te/$1 is z /rong z direct      

te/imony2 &1 adds ! ,society's p5man1   
,?is is ! k9d ( evid5ce :i* ,dr4        
,tis*5dorf br+s = ! g5u95ess ( our      
,gospels4 ,x w\ld be difficult to imag9e
 a m inaccurate description ( ,dr4      
,tis*5dorf's "w4 ,d we f9d !            
circum/antial evid5ce c>efully te/$ 9 ! 
,doctor's boa/+ & curi\s n>rative ( 8   
j\rneys comm5c$ on a pecuni>y defici5cy 
& culm9at+ 9 mu* ca%8 ,d we f9d x 9 ,dr4
 ,tis*5dorf s concealm5t = fifte5 ye>s (
 ! place1 wat*$ ov] by an invisible eye1
 9 :i* 0 hidd5 ! greate/ biblical       
treasure 9 ! _w8 ,is ! circum/antial    
evid5ce %[n 9 ! sne]s at ,r5an8 or is   
ea* l9k 9 ! *a9 te/$ by ! /range jumbl+ 
toge!r ( names & conjectures 9 ! fir/   
*apt]8 ,:at te/s are us$ 9 ! cases (    
,val5t9us & ,basilides 9 ! second *apt]8
 ,h[ is ! circum/antial te/imony aid$ by
 ! ref]5ces 9 ! ?ird *apt] to !         
,apocryphal ,gospels8 ,is !re a pret5ce 
ev5 ( critical te/+ 9 ! *apt] devot$ to 
! apo/olic fa!rs8 ,all t ,dr4 ,tis*5dorf
 has done is 9 effect to decl>e t our   

au?oris$ v]sion ( ! ,new ,te/am5t is s  
unreliable1 t x ought to be got rid (   
altoge!r1 & a new text con/ruct$4 ,& ?is
 decl>ation is circulat$ by ! ,religi\s 
,tract ,society1 :i* s5ds ! sixp5ny     
edition ( ! ,gospel ) "o h&1 & 9 ! o!r !
 %ill+ ,tis*5dorf pamphlet1 decl>+ t _m 
passages ( ! ,religi\s ,tract ,society's
 ,new ,te/am5t h und]gone su* s]i\s     
modifications ( mean+ z to leave u 9    
pa9ful unc]ta9ty z to :at 0 orig9ally   
writt54  ,! v late/ contribution f      
or?odox s\rces to ! /udy ( ! ,gospels1 z
 conta9$ 9 ! au?oris$ v]sion1 is to be  
f\nd 9 ! v c&id preface to !            
rec5tly-issu$ revis$ v]sion ( ! ,new    
,te/am5t1 :]e ! ord9>y ,bible receives a
 condemnation ( ! mo/ sweep+            
description4 ,"h1 on ! high au?ority ( !
 revis]s1 we are told t1 ) reg>d to !   
,greek text1 ! translators ( ! au?oris$ 
v]sion _h = _! guides manuscripts ( late
 date1 few 9 numb] & us$ ) little       
critical skill4 ,! revis]s add :at      
,free?9k]s h long ma9ta9$1 & h be5      

d5\nc$ f pulpits = ma9ta9+1 viz41 t !   
commonly receiv$ text ne$$ ?or\gh       
revision1 &1 :at is ev5 m important1 !y 
c&idly av[ t x is b rec5tly t mat]ials h
 be5 acquir$ = execut+ su* a "w ) ev5   
approximate complet5ess4 ,s t n only    
,god's ,^w has admitt$ly = g5]ations n  
be5 ,god's ,^w at all1 b ev5 n[1 & )    
mat]ials n =m]ly kn[n1 x has only be5   
revis$ ) approximate complet5ess1 :atev]
 ^? two words may mean4 ,if !y h any    
significance at all1 !y mu/ convey !    
belief ( ! new & at pres5t f9al revis]s 
( ! ,gospel1 t1 ev5 aft] all _! toil1 !y
 are n q sure t god's revelation is q   
exactly r5d]$ into ,engli%4 ,s f> z !   
ord9>y au?oris$ v]sion ( ! ,new ,te/am5t
 goes--& x is ?is1 ! law-recognis$1     
v]sion :i* is /ill us$ 9 adm9i/]+       
oa?s--we are told t ! old translators   
us$ consid]able fre$om1 & /udi\sly      
adopt$ a v>iety ( expressions :i* w\ld  
n[ be deem$ h>dly consi/5t ) !          
requirem5ts ( fai?ful translation4 ,?is 
is a pleasant euphemism1 b a real &     

direct *>ge ( di%one/ translation by !  
au?oris$ translators4 ,! new revis]s    
add1 ) sadness1 t x _c be d\bt$ t !y 7! 
translators ( ! au?oris$ v]sion7 c>ri$  
?is lib]ty too f>1 & t ! /udi$ avoidance
 ( uni=mity 9 ! r5d]+ ( ! same words1   
ev5 :5 occurr+ 9 ! same context1 is "o (
 ! blemi%es ( _! "w4 ,^! blemi%es ! new 
revis]s ?9k 7 increas$ by ! fact t !    
translation ( ! au?oris$ v]sion ( ! ,new
 ,te/am5t 0 assign$ to two sep>ate      
companies1 :o nev] sat toge!r1 :i* 0    
beyond d\bt ! cause ( _m inconsi/5cies1 
&1 al?\gh !re 0 a f9al sup]vision1 ! new
 revis]s add1 mo/ m\rnfully3 ,:5 x is   
rememb]$ t ! sup]vision 0 complet$ 9 n9e
 mon?s1 we may wond] t ! incongruities  
:i* rema9-are n m num]\s4  ,nor are !   
revis]s by any means free f d\bt &      
misgiv+ on _! own "w4 ,!y _h ! labori\s 
task ( decid+ betwe5 ! rival claims (   
v>i\s read+s :i* might prop]ly affect ! 
translation1 &1 z !y tell u1 ,textual   
criticism1 z appli$ to ! ,greek ,new    
,te/am5t1 =ms a special /udy ( mu*      

intricacy & difficulty1 & ev5 n[ leaves 
room = consid]able v>iety ( op9ion among
 compet5t critics4 ,next !y say3 !      
frequ5t inconsi/5cies 9 ! au?oris$      
v]sion h caus$ u mu* emb>rassm5t1 & t   
!re are num]\s passages 9 ! au?oris$    
v]sion 9 :i*4444 ! /udi$ v>iety adopt$  
by ! ,translators ( #afaa has produc$ a 
degree ( inconsi/5cy t _c be reconcil$ )
 ! pr9ciple ( fai?fulness4 ,s little are
 ! new revis]s always c]ta9 z to :at god
 means t !y provide alt]native read+s 9 
difficult or debateable passages1 & say 
! notes ( ?is la/ gr\p are num]\s &     
l>gely 9 excess ( ^? :i* 7 admitt$ by   
our pr$ecessors4 ,& ) ref]5ce to !      
pron\ns & o!r words 9 italics we are    
told t "s ( ^! cases4444 are ( s+ul>    
intricacy1 & make x impossible to ma9ta9
 rigid uni=mity4 ,! new revis]s conclude
 by decl>+ t ?r\gh our manifold exp]i5ce
 ( its ab\nd+ difficulties we h felt m &
 m z we w5t onw>d t su* a "w c nev] be  
accompli%$ by organis$ ef=ts ( s*ol>%ip 
& criticism unless assi/$ by div9e help4

 ,app>5tly ! new revis]s are consci\s t 
!y did n receive ?is div9e help 9 _!    
attempt at revision1 = !y g on3 ,we "k  
full well t defects mu/ h _! place 9 a  
"w s long & s ardu\s z ?is :i* has n[   
come to an end4 ,blemi%es & imp]fections
 !re are 9 ! noble translation :i* we h 
be5 call$ ^u to revise2 blemi%es &      
imp]fections w assur$ly be f\nd 9 our   
own revision2444 we _c =get h[ (t5 we h 
fail$ 9 express+ "s f9] %ade ( mean+ :i*
 we recognis$ 9 ! orig9al1 h[ (t5 idiom 
has /ood 9 ! way ( a p]fect r5d]+1 & h[ 
(t5 ! attempt to pres]ve a famili> =m ( 
words1 or ev5 a famili> cad5ce1 has only
 add$ ano!r p]plexity to ^? :i* h       
already beset u4  ,,! ,,end4