“Scholars have long argued that the Gospels were neither written by eyewitnesses nor, for the most part, based on eyewitnesses.

But it is frequently claimed, without citing evidence, that oral cultures take special care to make sure their traditions are not changed when passing them on. But experts in psychology and anthropology have studied this issue and show that this is not true.

If the stories about Jesus were exaggerated, shaped, or altered in the processes of telling and retelling, then the Gospels are not data-driven biographies telling what actually happened. This makes perfect sense. It explains why there are so many variant accounts, exaggerations, and implausibilities.”

Dr Bart D. Ehrman is an highly respected New Testament scholar focusing on the historical Jesus, and the origins and development of early Christianity. He has written and edited 30 books, including three college textbooks. He is currently New Testament Professor at the UoNC Chapel Hill. Professor Ehrman holds a BA from Moody Bible Seminary and Wheaton College, and a M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees at Princeton Seminary. Dr Erhman was pastor of the Princeton Baptist Church while completing his Ph.D, he is now describes himself as an Agnostic and continues to love studying the bible as an academic.