The Humble Skeptic
The Humble Skeptic

The Humble Skeptic

Truth Isn't Afraid of Questions

Overview
Episodes

Details

Shane Rosenthal was raised in a Jewish home but became an atheist at a very early age. Some years later, however, he ended up losing faith in atheism and converted to Christianity. On this podcast, he talks with people from a wide variety of worldviews and perspectives in order to explore the beliefs and ideas that shape our lives.

www.humbleskeptic.com

Recent Episodes

A Forensic Approach to the Gospels
OCT 15, 2025
A Forensic Approach to the Gospels
<p>Throughout his various writing projects, J. Warner Wallace encourages his readers to study the Gospels <em>forensically</em>—that is, to always be on the lookout for evidence, either of deception on the one hand, or of authentic eyewitness testimony on the other. On this episode, Shane talks with him about some of the evidence he discovered when he read the Gospels for the first time and which ultimately led to his conversion to the Christian faith. They also discuss issues related to the dating of the four Gospels and some of the interpretive possibilities related to identifying Luke’s Theophilus. For more information about J. Warner Wallace, visit his website <a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com">coldcasechristianity.com</a></p><p><em>During this episode, Shane referenced his recent webinar on the prologue of Luke’s Gospel. A video recording of this presentation is available </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/rethinking-lukes-prologue-video"><em>here</em></a><em> for paid subscribers. To upgrade to a paid subscription, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe"><em>click here</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>SHOW NOTES</p><p><strong>Articles</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-i-know-the-gospels-were-written-early-free-bible-insert/">Why I Know The Gospels Were Written Early</a>, <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited">The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the">The Implications of 70 AD</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and">A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts</a><em>, Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79">Who is Theophilus? Notes to Ep. #79</a>,<em> Peter Bolt and others</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/how-to-detect-deception">How to Detect Deception</a><em>, Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/internal-evidence-for-the-authenticity">The Authenticity & Genuineness of The Fourth Gospel</a>, J.B. Lightfoot<a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/authenticating-the-fourth-gospel">Authenticating The Fourth Gospel</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian">Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian?</a> <em>Sir William Ramsay</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really">Outside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus?</a> <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the">Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement?</a> <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history">On Faith & History</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Episodes</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/dealing-with-discrepancies">Dealing with Discrepancies</a>, <em>Episode #57</em> <em>with J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/why-we-know-the-new-testament-gospels-were-written-early-podcast/">The Case for Early Gospels</a>,<em> Cold Case Christianity podcast</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/luke-theophilus-and-joanna">Luke, Theophilus & Joanna</a>, <em>Episode #80 with Jim Sibley</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/who-is-theophilus">Who is Theophilus</a>? <em>Episode #79 with Peter Bolt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus">Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus</a>? <em>Episode #77 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient">Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts</a>, <em>Episode #78 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospels-as-eyewitness-testimony">The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony</a>,<em> Episode #48 with Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts">Faith Founded on Facts</a>, <em>Episode #15 with Lennox, Bauckham, and others</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted">Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted</a>? <em>Episode. #61 with Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction">Are the Gospels History or Fiction?</a><em> Episode #52 with John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/questioning-your-faith">Questioning Your Faith</a><em>, Episode #21 with Fikrit Bocek, pastor of Izmir, Turkey</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/death-ghosts-and-views-of-the-afterlife">Death, Ghosts & Views of the Afterlife</a>, <em>Episode #31 with Michael McClymond</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed">The Gospel Creed</a><em>, Episode #9</em></p><p><strong>Books</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=704696">Cold Case Christianity</a>, <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=0111370">The Truth in True Crime</a>, <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=709886">Forensic Faith</a>, <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=0111276">Person of Interest</a>, <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=874310">Jesus & The Eyewitnesses</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=357152">Religion on Trial</a>, <em>Craig Parton</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=929234">Testimonies to the Truth</a>, <em>Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=552953">Can We Trust The Gospels?</a> <em>Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://capitaloneshopping.com/p/redating-the-new-testament/7ZWLDKW8VB">Redating the New Testament</a>, <em>John A.T. Robinson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781725276642/Redating-Matthew-Mark-Luke-Fresh-172527664X/plp">Redating Matthew, Mark & Luke</a>,<em> John Wenham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=961808">Rethinking the Dates of the New Testament</a>,<em> Jonathan Bernier</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes">Luke’s Key Witness</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Videos</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/can-you-trust-bible-manuscripts-video/">Can You Trust Bible Manuscripts</a>? <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/has-the-bible-been-changed-over-time-video/">Has the Bible Changed Over Time</a>? <em>J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/does-christianity-have-evidence-yes-video/">Does Christianity Have Evidence</a>?<em> J. Warner Wallace</em><a target="_blank" href="https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/videos-about-jesus/is-jesus-in-the-old-testament-video/">Is Jesus in the Old Testament</a>?<em> J. Warner Wallace</em></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at <a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle icon
44 MIN
Luke, Theophilus & Joanna
SEP 24, 2025
Luke, Theophilus & Joanna
<p>In a chapter he wrote for the <em>Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith</em>, Jim Sibley argued that Luke’s Theophilus was likely a Jewish high priest. In fact, he says this Theophilus may have been deposed from office in 41 AD because of his favorability toward the growing Christian movement. He also believes that Luke’s Joanna was likely the granddaughter of this same Theophilus. Dr. Sibley joins Shane to discuss these issues and more.</p><p><em>During this episode, Shane referenced an upcoming livestream presentation related to the prologue of Luke’s Gospel. A video recording of this webinar is now available </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/rethinking-lukes-prologue-video"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>SHOW NOTES</p><p><strong>Books</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/handbook-the-jewish-roots-christian-faith/9781683071648/pd/071648">A Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith</a>, <em>Jim Sibley & others</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/handbook-of-the-jewish-roots-gospels/9781683073420/pd/073420">A Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Gospels</a>,<em> Jim Sibley & others</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/undercover-messiah-coming-kingdom-prophet-priest/9798385228300/pd/22830X">The Undercover Messiah & His Coming Kingdom</a>,<em> Jim Sibley</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/handbook-messianic-prophecy-studies-expositions-messiah/9780802409638/pd/409637">The Moody Handbook on Messianic Prophecy</a>, <em>Rydelnik & Blum</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/luke/">Luke: A Commentary</a>, <em>Peter G. Bolt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/gospel-according-luke-pillar-testament-commentary/james-edwards/9780802837356/pd/837356">The Gospel According to Luke</a><em>, James R. Edwards</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/lukan-authorship-of-hebrews-ebook/david-allen/9781433671869/pd/15380EB">Lukan Authorship of Hebrews</a> (ebook), <em>David Allen </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/gospel-women-studies-the-named-gospels/richard-bauckham/9780802849991/pd/49997?event=BRSRCG|PSBR">Gospel Women</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=552953">Can We Trust The Gospels?</a> <em>Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=929234">Testimonies to the Truth</a>,<em> Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes">Luke’s Key Witness</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Articles</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79">Who is Theophilus? Notes to Ep. #79</a>,<em> Peter Bolt, Johann Michaelis, etc.</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian">Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian</a>? <em>Sir William Ramsay</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the">Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement</a>? <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history">On Faith & History</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/who-is-sergius-paulus">Who is Sergius Paulus</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/simon-of-cyrene-an-intriguing-archaelogical">Simon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the">The Implications of 70 AD</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and">A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts</a><em>, Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited">The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really">Outside the Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Episodes</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/who-is-theophilus">Who is Theophilus</a>? Episode #79 with Peter Bolt<a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus">Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus</a>? <em>Episode #77 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient">Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts</a>, <em>Episode #78 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-the-exodus-ever-happen">Did the Exodus Ever Happen</a>? <em>Episode #69 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/locating-golgotha">Locating Golgotha</a>, <em>Episode #17 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted">Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted</a>? <em>Episode. #61 with Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction">Are the Gospels History or Fiction?</a><em> Ep. #52 with John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed">The Gospel Creed</a><em>, Episode #9 </em><a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts">Faith Founded on Facts</a>, <em>Episode #15</em></p><p><strong>Video</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/rethinking-lukes-prologue-video">Rethinking Luke’s Prologue</a>, <em>a webinar by Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn5MLYpzzQA">The Alisa Childers Podcast</a> <em>featuring Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-6NeP7ENRk">Cross Examined with Frank Turek</a> <em>featuring Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8ZnOwnqDY&#38;t=14s">F4F with Chris Rosebrough</a> <em>featuring Shane Rosenthal</em></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at <a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle icon
38 MIN
Who Is Theophilus?
SEP 5, 2025
Who Is Theophilus?
<p>In his famous prologue, Luke indicates that his Gospel is addressed to a “most excellent Theophilus.” As others had done, Luke decided to write an orderly account about the things Jesus had accomplished “among us.” So, was Luke suggesting that both he and Theophilus had witnessed some of these events? And since Theophilus was described with such an honorific title, is it possible to see him as the Jerusalem high priest mentioned by Josephus? Joining Shane to discuss these questions and more is Dr. Peter G. Bolt, author of <em>Luke: A Commentary</em>, published by The Gospel Coalition.</p><p><strong>For detailed notes related to this episode, </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79"><strong>click here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><em>SPECIAL OFFER — For a gift of any size, we’ll send you a pre-release PDF download of Shane’s book, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes"><em>Luke’s Key Witness</em></a><em>, along with a 35-page PDF resource titled </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus"><em>Josephus & His World</em></a><em>. If you’re already a paid subscriber, you can access both resources </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus"><em>here</em></a><em>. To donate or subscribe, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/how-to-support-the-humble-skeptic"><em>click here</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>SHOW NOTES</p><p><strong>Books</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/luke/">Luke: A Commentary</a>, <em>Peter G. Bolt — </em><strong>FREE</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/gospel-women-studies-the-named-gospels/richard-bauckham/9780802849991/pd/49997?event=BRSRCG|PSBR">Gospel Women</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/living-footnotes-gospel-reliance-eyewitness-sources/9781666765366/pd/765369">Living Footnotes in the Gospel of Luke</a>,<em> Luuk van de Weghe</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781947929272/Historical-Tell-Patterns-Eyewitness-Testimony-1947929275/plp">The Historical Tell</a>,<em> Luuk van de Weghe</em><a target="_blank" href="https://capitaloneshopping.com/p/redating-the-new-testament/7ZWLDKW8VB">Redating the New Testament</a>, <em>John A.T. Robinson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781725276642/Redating-Matthew-Mark-Luke-Fresh-172527664X/plp">Redating Matthew, Mark & Luke</a>,<em> John Wenham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=552953">Can We Trust The Gospels?</a> <em>Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=929234">Testimonies to the Truth</a>,<em> Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes">Luke’s Key Witness</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9781925730333/Gods-Grace-Inscribed-Human-Heart-1925730336/plp">God’s Grace Inscribed on the Human Heart</a>,<strong> </strong><em>Peter Bolt (editor)</em><em>The above book features Dr. Bolt’s essay on Joanna & Theophilus</em></p><p><strong>Articles</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-79">Detailed Notes for Episode #79</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian">Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian</a>? <em>Sir William Ramsay</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the">Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement</a>? <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history">On Faith & History</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/who-is-sergius-paulus">Who is Sergius Paulus</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/simon-of-cyrene-an-intriguing-archaelogical">Simon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the">The Implications of 70 AD</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and">A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts</a><em>, Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited">The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really">Outside the Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Episodes</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus">Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus</a>? <em>Episode #77 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient">Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts</a>, <em>Episode #78 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-the-exodus-ever-happen">Did the Exodus Ever Happen</a>? <em>Episode #69 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/locating-golgotha">Locating Golgotha</a>, <em>Episode #17 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted">Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted</a>? <em>Episode. #61 with Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction">Are the Gospels History or Fiction?</a><em> Ep. #52 with John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed">The Gospel Creed</a><em>, Episode #9 </em><a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts">Faith Founded on Facts</a>, <em>Episode #15</em></p><p><strong>Video</strong> <em>— featuring Shane Rosenthal, discussing Luke’s Key Witness</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn5MLYpzzQA">The Alisa Childers Podcast</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-6NeP7ENRk">Cross Examined with Frank Turek</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/you-can-handle-the-truth">You Can Handle The Truth</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT8ZnOwnqDY&#38;t=14s">F4F with Chris Rosebrough</a></p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at <a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle icon
37 MIN
Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts
AUG 23, 2025
Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts
<p>On <a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus">the last episode</a>, Dr. T.C. Schmidt argued that there are good reasons to believe the two passages about Jesus found in the writings of Josephus are authentic. On this program, Shane continues his conversation and inquires about the Slavonic edition of Josephus’ works, as well as other references to Jesus found in the Talmud and other ancient texts. Dr. Schmidt is the author of <em>Josephus & Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ, </em>newly released by Oxford University Press.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-78"><strong>Click here</strong></a><strong> for detailed notes related to this episode.</strong></p><p><strong>SPECIAL OFFERS</strong></p><p>To get a FREE copy of T.C. Schmidt’s book, <em>Josephus & Jesus,</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://josephusandjesus.com/">click here.</a> Also, when you upgrade to a paid subscription or make a gift of any size, we’ll send you a 35-page PDF resource titled <em>Josephus & His World</em>, which includes selections from the Slavonic edition of Josephus’ work mentioned in this episode. You’ll also receive a pre-release copy of <em>Luke’s Key Witness</em>. If you’re already a paid subscriber, you can download both of these resources <a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus">here</a>. To donate or subscribe, use the link below.</p><p>SHOW NOTES</p><p><strong>Books</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://josephusandjesus.com/">Josephus & Jesus</a>,<em> T.C. Schmidt (</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9780192866783/Josephus-Jesus-Schmidt-T-C-0192866788/plp"><em>click here to purchase hardcopy</em></a><em>)</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9780674995697/Josephus-Jewish-Books-V-VII-0674995694/plp">The Jewish War, Vol III</a>, <em>Josephus (appendix includes Slavonic material)</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=552953">Can We Trust The Gospels?</a> <em>Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/9781784983659/">Is Jesus History?</a><em> John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=874310">Jesus & The Eyewitnesses</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=328612">A Doubter’s Guide To Jesus</a>,<em> John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=929234">Testimonies to the Truth</a>,<em> Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes">Luke’s Key Witness</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Articles</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/notes-for-episode-78">Notes for Episode #78</a> & <a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus">Josephus & His World</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really">Outside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus</a>? <em>Shane</em> <em>Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/egerton-english.html">The Egerton Papyrus</a>, <em>Early Christian Writings</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/passover-and-the-last-supper">Passover & the Last Supper</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/where-was-jesus-crucified">Where Was Jesus Crucified</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history">On Faith & History</a>,<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and">A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts</a>,<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the">The Implications of 70 AD on the Date of the Gospels & Acts</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited">The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited</a>,<strong> </strong><em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian">Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian</a>?<em> Sir William Ramsay</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the">Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement?</a><em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/authenticating-the-fourth-gospel">Authenticating The Fourth Gospel</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Audio</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/did-josephus-ever-mention-jesus">Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus</a>?<strong> </strong><em>ep. #77 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts">Faith Founded on Facts</a><em> ep. #15 with John Lennox and others</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted">Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted</a>? <em>ep. #61 with Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction">Are the Gospels History or Fiction</a>?<em> ep. #52 with John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospels-as-eyewitness-testimony">The Gospels As Eyewitness Testimony</a>,<em> ep. #48 with Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/fake-or-authentic">Fake or Authentic?</a> <em>ep. #10 with Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/authenticating-the-book-of-acts">Authenticating The Book of Acts</a>,<em> ep. #24 with Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/locating-golgotha">Locating Golgotha</a>,<em> ep. #17 with David Rohl</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-jesus-of-history">The Jesus of History</a>,<em> ep. #12</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed">The Gospel Creed</a>, <em>ep. # 9</em></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at <a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle icon
43 MIN
Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus?
AUG 14, 2025
Did Josephus Ever Mention Jesus?
<p>Many scholars argue that the famous passage about Jesus in the writings of Josephus should be dismissed and set aside as a later interpolation by a Christian Scribe. But after his own detailed investigation of this subject, Dr. T.C. Schmidt concluded that this passage has been largely misunderstood. In his new book published by Oxford University Press, he presents compelling new evidence that this passage is not a later addition, but was original to Josephus. On this edition, Shane talks to him about his new book, which is titled. <em>Josphus and Jesus: New Evidence for the one called Christ. </em></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient"><strong>Listen to Part 2 of Shane’s Conversation with Dr. T.C. Schmidt</strong></a></p><p>SPECIAL OFFERS</p><p>To get a FREE copy of T.C. Schmidt’s brand new book, <em>Josephus & Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ,</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://josephusandjesus.com">click here.</a> Also, when you upgrade to a paid subscription, we’ll send you a 30+ page PDF resource that highlights many of the important events documented by Josephus from the time of Daniel to the destruction of Jerusalem. If you are already a subscriber, you can download this resource <a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-world-of-josephus">here</a>. If you’d like to become a paid subscriber, use the link below.</p><p>SHOW NOTES</p><p><strong>Books</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://josephusandjesus.com">Josephus & Jesus</a>,<em> T.C. Schmidt </em>(<a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9780192866783/Josephus-Jesus-Schmidt-T-C-0192866788/plp">click here</a> for a hardcopy)<a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/josephus-essential-works-full-color-edition/paul-maier/9780825432606/pd/3620X">Josephus: The Essential Works</a>,<em> edited by Paul Maier</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/9780802883261/Man-Early-Jewish-Literature-Volume-0802883265/plp">Son of Man Volume 1</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=552953">Can We Trust The Gospels?</a> <em>Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/9781784983659/">Is Jesus History?</a><em> John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=874310">Jesus & The Eyewitnesses</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=328612">A Doubter’s Guide To Jesus</a>,<em> John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&#38;amp;p=1233100&#38;amp;item_no=929234">Testimonies to the Truth</a>,<em> Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/joanna-an-obscure-disciple-or-lukes">Luke’s Key Witness</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em></p><p><strong>Articles</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/on-faith-and-history">On Faith & History</a>,<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/outside-the-gospels-what-can-we-really">Outside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus</a>? <em>Shane</em> <em>Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/a-pre-70-date-for-the-gospels-and">A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts</a>,<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-implications-of-70-ad-on-the">The Implications of 70 AD on the Date of the Gospels & Acts</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-date-of-johns-gospel-revisited">The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited</a>,<strong> </strong><em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/new-evidence-for-a-historical-moses">New Evidence for a Historical Moses</a>?<em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/is-luke-a-trustworthy-historian">Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian</a>?<em> Sir William Ramsay</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/can-we-trust-lukes-history-of-the">Can We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement?</a><em> Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://shanerose.substack.com/p/authenticating-the-fourth-gospel">Authenticating The Fourth Gospel</a>, <em>Shane Rosenthal</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/the-four-gospels-as-authentic-testimony">The Gospels as Authentic Testimony</a>, <em>Richard Bauckham</em></p><p><strong>Audio</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/jesus-in-josephus-and-other-ancient">Jesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts</a>, <em>ep. #78 with T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://undeceptions.com/podcast/jesus-proof/">Jesus Proof</a>? <em>Undeceptions with John Dickson featuring T.C. Schmidt</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/stories-of-jesus-can-they-be-trusted">Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted</a>? <em>ep. #61 with Peter J. Williams</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/are-the-gospels-history-or-fiction">Are the Gospels History or Fiction</a>?<em> ep. #52 with John Dickson</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospels-as-eyewitness-testimony">The Gospels As Eyewitness Testimony</a>,<em> ep. #48 with Richard Bauckham</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/fake-or-authentic">Fake or Authentic?</a> <em>ep. #10 with Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/authenticating-the-book-of-acts">Authenticating The Book of Acts</a>,<em> ep. #24with Lydia McGrew</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-gospel-creed">The Gospel Creed</a>, <em>ep. #9</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/faith-founded-on-facts">Faith Founded on Facts</a><em>, ep. #15</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/p/the-jesus-of-history">The Jesus of History</a>,<em> ep. #12 — featuring an earlier discussion of Josephus</em></p><p><strong>Video</strong><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqP-6xN8-vc&#38;t=1807s">Richard Bauckham on Josephus</a>, <em>Give Me an Answer</em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu8-7DrPJDY">History Channel program on Josephus</a>, <em>The Naked Archaeologist</em><a target="_blank" href="https://tyndalehouse.com/explore/videos/can-we-trust-the-gospels/">Can We Trust the Gospels</a>?<em> Peter J. Williams </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Ylt1pBMm8&#38;t=3s">New Evidence for the Gospels</a>, <em>Peter J. Williams </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbBVBUeHXZ4&#38;t=516s">Evidence for the Resurrection</a>, <em>Peter J. Williams</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuZPPGvF_2I&#38;t=594s">Are the Gospels Reliable?</a>, <em>Peter J. Williams & Bart Ehrman </em></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at <a href="https://www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe</a>
play-circle icon
55 MIN