Origin of the Four Gospels

In 19th century German biblical scholarship, many academic theologians experimented with speculative philosophical and historical accounts of Christian theology’s development. Tischendorf, on the other hand, wished to return evidence-based, rather than worldview-based, historical criticism of the Bible. He saw such criticism as a “conversion of theological science into sophistry.” An archaeologist as well as a New Testament scholar, Tischendorf had discovered one of the oldest New Testament manuscripts himself, the Codex Sinaiticus, on an archaeological expedition. Based on the information he gathered from his studies at home and afield, Tischendorf argues against academic theology’s verdict on the origin of the Gospels, their dating, and their authorship.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff