Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
Before asking whether something is historically reliable, you first have to define what “reliable” actually means. Absolute perfection—having zero errors—can’t be the standard, because no ancient work would qualify. That raises further questions: how many errors are acceptable, and how serious they can be before reliability is undermined.
Ancient biographies followed different conventions than modern ones. Instead of focusing on psychological development or detailed life coverage, they aimed to present a clear portrait of a person’s character through selected words and actions.
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Mike Licona is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University. HCU offers an accredited Master of Arts degree in apologetics that may be completed entirely online or on the HCU campus in Houston.
📜For more information, visit bit.ly/2Wlej6Z
🎓You can also earn a Master of Divinity degree that can be completed entirely online at bit.ly/3po5uEX
👨🏻🎓 HCU offers a rigorous Doctorate of Ministry degree: https://hc.edu/houston-theological-seminary/dmin/
🌐WEBSITE: risenjesus.com
💻FACEBOOK: facebook.com/DrMikeLicona
📱TWITTER: twitter.com/DrMikeLicona
📚 Buy “Jesus, Contradicted”: bit.ly/48H0FNM
📚 Buy "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus": amzn.to/38vTfNU
📚Buy "The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach": amzn.to/2NOOZkT
📚Buy "Paul Meets Muhammad": amzn.to/2RdEFoB
📚Buy "Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?": amzn.to/36dzc5C
🅿️ If you like Mike's work, become a patron by visiting his new Patreon page at patreon.com/RisenJesus or make a tax-deductible contribution(s) as allowed by law by going to Mike's secured website:
✋risenjesus.com/donate
Before asking whether something is historically reliable, you first have to define what “reliable” actually means. Absolute perfection—having zero errors—can’t be the standard, because no ancient work would qualify. That raises further questions: how many errors are acceptable, and how serious they can be before reliability is undermined.
Ancient biographies followed different conventions than modern ones. Instead of focusing on psychological development or detailed life coverage, they aimed to present a clear portrait of a person’s character through selected words and actions.
____________________
Mike Licona is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University. HCU offers an accredited Master of Arts degree in apologetics that may be completed entirely online or on the HCU campus in Houston.
📜For more information, visit bit.ly/2Wlej6Z
🎓You can also earn a Master of Divinity degree that can be completed entirely online at bit.ly/3po5uEX
👨🏻🎓 HCU offers a rigorous Doctorate of Ministry degree: https://hc.edu/houston-theological-seminary/dmin/
🌐WEBSITE: risenjesus.com
💻FACEBOOK: facebook.com/DrMikeLicona
📱TWITTER: twitter.com/DrMikeLicona
📚 Buy “Jesus, Contradicted”: bit.ly/48H0FNM
📚 Buy "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus": amzn.to/38vTfNU
📚Buy "The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach": amzn.to/2NOOZkT
📚Buy "Paul Meets Muhammad": amzn.to/2RdEFoB
📚Buy "Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?": amzn.to/36dzc5C
🅿️ If you like Mike's work, become a patron by visiting his new Patreon page at patreon.com/RisenJesus or make a tax-deductible contribution(s) as allowed by law by going to Mike's secured website:
✋risenjesus.com/donate
