How do we know.

Is the New Testament Historically Reliable?

Did Paganism Influence First Century Christianity?

"How do you know whether God exists?"

"How do you know if the Bible is God's word?"

"How do you know evolution is false?"

"How do you know miracles can happen?"

Atheists can poses these questions to Christians. Are you ready to answer them? A Jew could ask, "Why should I believe in the New Testament?" Could you give rational reasons to believe in it? Suppose somebody said, "First century Christianity was influenced by pagan religions and philosophy." Could you refute him? Peter said we should be able to answer questions about our faith:

"Always being ready to make a defence (Greek, apologian) to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (I Pet. 3:15).

These kind of questions are dealt with by apologetics, which means to defend the faith. "Apologetics" comes from the Greek word that means "fit for defence." It doesn't mean you're sorry or making excuses for your belief in Jesus as the Messiah, as your Saviour from sin.

In part because the general subject is so broad, below just two major attacks against Christianity shall be dealt with, concerning whether the New Testament (NT) is historically reliable and whether those who wrote it were influenced by pagan mystery religions of the Roman empire such as Mithraism.

CHRISTIANITY BASED ON HISTORY, NOT MYTHS

What makes Christianity so different from most religions, especially Hinduism, is that it is based on claimed historical facts which are subject to historical investigation and refutation.

The NT is primarily a historical book, and is not a collection of myths, such as the Hindu holy book the Bhagavad-Gita. These aren't taken literally even by most believers in them.

Hence, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, had to have literally risen from the dead at a certain place and time, or else Christianity isn't worth the time of day, as Paul made very clear (I Cor. 15:12-19).