Page Range
83-93
Keywords
literacy, backgrounds, authorship, Gospels
Abstract
It is common for critics of the New Testament to cite William Harris’ 10% literacy rate for first-century Greco-Romans as evidence for the implausibility of Jesus’ followers to write, publish, and circulate the New Testament. This “evidence” is often used to dismiss the entire New Testament as a second-century fabrication that cannot accurately represent the true teachings of Jesus. Is this an accurate portrayal of Galilee during the time of Jesus? The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that Jesus’ followers possessed the “‘Write’ Stuff”—the ability to read, write, and memorize, as well as, access to the technology needed to produce and publish the New Testament.
Recommended Citation
Miller, Charles D.. 2022. "The "Write" Stuff: The Plausible Capability of Jesus’ Followers to Author the Gospels." Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal 6, (2). https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/eleu/vol6/iss2/4
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Biblical Studies Commons, History of Christianity Commons