Scholars have attempted to separate the figure of Jesus as presented in the Gospels into two segments: one, the actual historical figure of Jesus; two the embellishments that his followers have added. Lack of agreement in these projections among scholars emphasizes the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of academic agreement. To the average layperson, unable to follow the linguistic polemics, the academic disputes contribute only to buttress their doubts about the validity of the Christian faith.

Common sense follows a simpler scenario which the average layperson can follow. Common sense recognizes that explaining the figure of Jesus affords only a few alternatives. The possibilities are so simple that even the most uneducated can follow..

1. The New Testament record of Jesus is true and unembellished.

2. The New Testament record of Jesus is partly true and partly embellished.

Each of these possibilities requires a reasonable explanation. What are the possibilities?

First, if the New Testament record of Jesus is valid and accurate, then common sense must admit that such men as the gospel writers could have written what they saw and heard. Three years of companionship with the Son of God would provide even poor memories with ample materials.

Second, if the New Testament record presents an embellished picture of Jesus, then common sense cannot escape the following conclusions:

1. The person or persons who embellished the historical Jesus possessed great biographical skill because no scholar has arisen capable of separating the factual from the fictional.

2. The person or persons who embellished the historical Jesus possessed the highest ethical and spiritual concepts because no scholar has arisen capable of duplicating or surpassing their creation.

3. The person or persons who embellished the historical Jesus invented and perpetuated the supreme deceit because they promised eternal salvation on the basis of a fiction.

Common knowledge must accept the fact that history knows of no writer or writers capable of producing such an unrivaled masterpiece of fiction.

Common sense knows that it is psychologically impossible for person or persons capable of such deceit to invent a figure of such ethical and spiritual heights.

The alternatives are limited.

The New Testament is a book of deceit.

The New Testament is a book of the deluded.

The New Testament is a book of truth.

Rudolph Kogel stated clearly the decision that each person must make, saying, "If the Holy Scriptures are God's word then submit to it, body and soul. Upon this rock you must build your houses as against storms and tempests; upon this rock you must build your churches as against the gates of hell. If, however, it be nothing more than a book full of superstition and chimerical fancies, or fantastical delusions or antiquated notions, then prohibit its entrance into your houses and schools."

Common sense cannot accept the explanation that the New Testament is a book of deceit or delusions.

Common sense can accept only the explanation that the New Testament record of Jesus is the true record of what the writers saw and heard as their memories were assisted by the Holy Spirit.

Common sense validates the truth of the New Testament!

 Go to Chapter Thirteen-->