An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists, by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice / With an Account of the Trial of Jesus

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

34989

Title

An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists, by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice / With an Account of the Trial of Jesus

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Dane Professor Simon Greenleaf applies strict legal standards of evidence to the Gospels, arguing that the testimonies of the four Evangelists are legally sufficient to prove the life and resurrection of Jesus. This 1847 examination treats the biblical narratives as court evidence, systematically analyzing the birth, ministry, passion, and resurrection of Christ through the lens of judicial procedure.

Summary up to 500 words

In this seminal legal defense of Christianity, Harvard Law Professor Simon Greenleaf rigorously examines the testimonies of the four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He treats the Gospel accounts not merely as religious texts but as legal evidence subject to the strict rules of evidence administered in courts of justice. Greenleaf begins by establishing the credibility of the witnesses, addressing potential biases and analyzing the consistency of their accounts regarding the birth, childhood, and public ministry of Jesus. He details the events of John the Baptist's ministry in the wilderness, the baptism of Jesus, and the subsequent miracles and teachings. The narrative progresses through the Passion, covering the entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, and the trial before Caiaphas and Pilate. Greenleaf meticulously dissects the Jewish and Roman legal procedures of the time, arguing that the charges against Jesus were unfounded and that the witnesses provided a coherent and legally binding testimony of his innocence and divine mission. He concludes with an analysis of the resurrection appearances and ascension, asserting that the evidence presented in the Gospels meets the highest standards of legal proof, thereby validating the Christian faith through rational, judicial inquiry. By applying judicial principles to sacred history, Greenleaf demonstrates that the testimony of the Evangelists is consistent, credible, and sufficient to establish the truth of the Christian narrative beyond reasonable doubt.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy