Are the Gospels Historically Reliable?
What ancient Roman biographies can teach us about the Gospel of Mark
By Dr. Michael R. Licona
Originally published in Religions (2019), Volume 10, Article 148.
Can we trust the Gospels as historical accounts? And should we evaluate them using the same standards we apply to modern history?
In this academic study, Dr. Michael Licona approaches these questions by comparing two ancient biographies: Suetonius's Life of Augustus and the New Testament's Gospel of Mark.
Understanding Ancient Historical Writing
Ancient historians and biographers did not always write with the precision expected of modern journalists or court transcripts. They sometimes rearranged material, paraphrased conversations, and emphasized particular events to communicate their meaning.
Licona argues that these literary practices do not necessarily make an ancient account unreliable. Instead, he proposes that historical reliability should be understood in terms of whether a text faithfully communicates the essential events it describes.
However, he also acknowledges limitations and unresolved questions. His argument is not that every detail in either account can be independently verified, but that ancient historical writing should be evaluated according to its literary conventions and historical context.
Comparing Augustus and Jesus
To explore this question, Licona examines how Suetonius and Mark approached historical reporting, including their use of sources, their treatment of information, and the historical evidence available for evaluating their accounts.
The comparison is particularly revealing because Suetonius is widely recognized as an important ancient biographer, while Mark is generally regarded as the earliest surviving Gospel.
What Does the Evidence Suggest?
Licona's focused comparison suggests that both Life of Augustus and the Gospel of Mark can be considered historically reliable under his proposed, qualified definition.
Read the full academic article for Licona's detailed comparison, supporting evidence, and discussion of the historical reliability of the Gospels.
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