Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
This video explains that film is used as an analogy to show how storytelling can be truthful without being strictly literal or precise in every detail. Films aim to present a “portrait” (the essence or meaning of events), rather than a “photograph” (a perfectly exact, moment-by-moment record).
This analogy is then applied to ancient biographies. These works were not intended to function like modern transcripts or documentaries. Instead, they often arranged, summarized, or paraphrased material to communicate meaning effectively. Authors might place events or sayings in different contexts, simplify details, or group teachings in ways that made sense for their narrative purpose, even if that meant not preserving exact chronology or wording.
Importantly, these authors usually did not explicitly tell readers when they were rearranging or paraphrasing. However, this wasn’t considered misleading at the time because audiences understood the conventions of the genre. As a result, differences in order or presentation are not necessarily errors, but reflections of a different standard of truth-telling—one focused on conveying the significance and message of events rather than precise historical sequencing.
Watch the full discussion here: youtube.com/watch?v=9xsDp66e7uU
____________________
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
This video explains that film is used as an analogy to show how storytelling can be truthful without being strictly literal or precise in every detail. Films aim to present a “portrait” (the essence or meaning of events), rather than a “photograph” (a perfectly exact, moment-by-moment record).
This analogy is then applied to ancient biographies. These works were not intended to function like modern transcripts or documentaries. Instead, they often arranged, summarized, or paraphrased material to communicate meaning effectively. Authors might place events or sayings in different contexts, simplify details, or group teachings in ways that made sense for their narrative purpose, even if that meant not preserving exact chronology or wording.
Importantly, these authors usually did not explicitly tell readers when they were rearranging or paraphrasing. However, this wasn’t considered misleading at the time because audiences understood the conventions of the genre. As a result, differences in order or presentation are not necessarily errors, but reflections of a different standard of truth-telling—one focused on conveying the significance and message of events rather than precise historical sequencing.
Watch the full discussion here: youtube.com/watch?v=9xsDp66e7uU
____________________
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
