Lydia McGrew on the Historical Reliability of the Acts of the Apostles

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Lydia McGrew to discuss the historical reliability of The Acts of the Apostles. What is the book of Acts, and what is its genre? Is there evidence of dependence upon Josephus that necessitates a late date of composition? Is there evidence, both external and internal, of the reliability of the text? Listen in as Lydia takes us through several examples of undesigned coincidences that evince a natural fit of Acts in its time and place, and bring great insight into in our understanding of Paul’s missions and the dating of the composition of his letters. We also ask about the reliability within Acts of the speeches, even given the obvious fact that ancient people don’t have tape recorders. What do skeptics/cynics like Bart Ehrman think about Acts, and why are they wrong? In the end, we ask Lydia about what is at stake for Christianity when it comes to the reliability of the Acts of the Apostles, and why people should care.

Book: Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts

Dr. McGrew’s Website; YouTube Channel; Podcast (also Podcast archive up to October 2024)

Also: Reliability of Acts Playlist

“Arguments from Silence: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly”

Other important books by Dr. McGrew:

Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels

The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels from Literary Devices

The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage

Also check out our previous interview here: The Historical Reliability of the Gospel of John; The Historical Reliability of the Christmas Story; The Historical Reliability of the Easter Story

Other resources:

The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History by Colin J. Hemer

The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul by James Smith

Evidence and Paul’s Journeys by Jefferson White

Roman Society and Roman Law in the New Testament by A.N. Sherwin-White

Scourby YouBible: The Book of Acts