The Humble Skeptic

In an attempt to make churches more attractive and relevant, over the decades, many pastors effectively stopped preaching and teaching the contents of the Bible, and this has resulted in a significant decrease in basic Bible literacy among Christians across all denominations. Thirty years ago today, a diverse group of leaders and theologians met in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to address this and other challenges, and they produced an important document called The Cambridge Declaration. This program features audio from the 1996 meeting featuring R.C. Sproul, James M. Boice, David Wells, Michael Horton, Gene Veith, W. Robert Godfrey, and others.
SHOW NOTES
BooksHere We Stand, 2026 edition, Jim Boice & Ben Sasse (editors)No Place for Truth, David WellsGod in the Wasteland, David WellsReaching Out Without Dumbing Down, Marva DawnPeculiar Speech, Peculiar Speech, William WillimonChristless Christianity, Michael HortonThe Christian Mind, Harry BlamiresChristianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham MachenCreed or Chaos? by Dorothy Sayers — FREE
ArticlesThe Cambridge Declaration (also via PDF download here)Background to The Cambridge Declaration, WikipediaThe Story of Us, Shane RosenthalThe Megachurch Century, Shane RosenthalThe Tower of Babel, Shane RosenthalThe Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane RosenthalFinding Christ in All of Scripture (PDF), Shane RosenthalLiberalism or Christianity?, J. Gresham MachenThe Importance of Christian Scholarship, by J. Gresham MachenTheologically, This Country is in a State of Utter Chaos, Dorothy SayersWhy Johnny Can’t Preach, T. David Gordon
AudioThe Living Church, WHI #317 with Ervin DugganDoctrine, Worship & Life, WHI #323 with Jim BoiceCatechesis, Preaching & Vocation, WHI #317 with Gene VeithThe Courage to Be Protestant, WHI #913 with David WellsGrounded in the Gospel, WHI #986 with J.I. PackerYouth Ministry in Crisis, WHI 1204 with Christian Smith & othersA Debate with Robert Schuller, WHI # 103You Foolish Galatians! WHI #140 includes Shane’s street interviewsAn Interview with R.C. Sproul, WHI #909The Preached Word, WHI 972 with William WillimonJacob’s Ladder, Humble Skeptic #63Christian Narcissism, Humble Skeptic #67 with J.I. Packer & othersThe Effect of Media & Technology, Humble Skeptic #30
VideoBen Sasse on Uncommon Knowledge with Peter RobinsonBen Sasse on Interesting Times with Ross DouthatBen Sasse on Life Cancer & The Gospel, with Mike Horton
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On this episode, Shane highlights some of the intriguing parallels that exist between the parable of Lazarus recorded in Luke 16 and the account of the raising of Lazarus in John 11. Since both texts involve a man named Lazarus as well as the subject of resurrection, it’s worth considering that these two stories may in fact be related. During this exploration, Shane talks with Richard Bauckham, author of Jesus & The Eyewitnesses, and T.C. Schmidt, author of Josephus & Jesus.
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SHOW NOTES
Related EpisodesQuestioning The Fourth Gospel, #49 with Richard BauckhamDid Josephus Ever Mention Jesus? #77 with T.C. SchmidtWho is Theophilus? #79 with Peter. BoltRethinking Jesus’ Parables, #43 with Scott ChurnockSimply Genius (a discussion of the Parables), #62 with Peter J. Williams Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted? #61 with Peter J. WilliamsAre The Gospels History or Fiction? #52 with John DicksonFaith Founded on Facts, Episode #15What Did the Earliest Christians Believe?, #25 with Dennis JohnsonThe Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony, #48 with Richard BauckhamWhich John Wrote John? Episode #50 Locating Golgotha, #17 with David RohlThe Messiah’s Redemptive Mission Episode #72Reconciling the Resurrection Accounts, #73 with Lydia McGrew
Related ArticlesThe Parable of Lazarus, Shane RosenthalThe Identity of the Beloved Disciple, Shane RosenthalConsidering Alternatives to the Resurrection, Shane RosenthalBart Ehrman on Jesus & The Claim of Resurrection, Shane RosenthalThe Implications of 70 AD on the Date of the Gospels & Acts, Shane RosenthalA Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts, Shane RosenthalThe Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited, Shane RosenthalCan We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement? Shane RosenthalAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalOn Faith & History, Shane RosenthalPassover, The Last Supper & The Day of Crucifixion, Shane RosenthalWhere Was Jesus Crucified?, Shane RosenthalThings Completely Fulfilled Among Us, Shane Rosenthal
Related BooksJosephus & Jesus, T.C. Schmidt — FREEJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamThe Fate of the Dead, Richard BauckhamCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsIs Jesus History? John DicksonTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewLuke: A Commentary, Peter G. Bolt The Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter J. WilliamsProof of the Gospel, Eusebius of Caesarea
Related VideoHistory, Archaeology & Luke’s Most Excellent TheophilusAn Archaeological Discovery Sheds Light on the Gospel of LukeHave Archaeologists Discovered Biblical Bethsaida?Can We Trust the Gospels? Peter J. Williams New Evidence for the Gospels, Peter J. Williams Evidence for the Resurrection, Peter J. Williams Are the Gospels Reliable?, Peter J. Williams & Bart EhrmanThe Tools & Rules of History, Gary Habermas & Shane Rosenthal & others


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After watching a new HBO documentary on the life of Billy Joel, Shane decided to reopen his investigation of the bar that inspired Piano Man. The question he posed on the pilot episode was whether his dad had visited the famous bar back in 1973, and whether he might even be one of the characters mentioned in the song. This program features Shane’s original exploration, along with selections from interviews he’s recorded since that time. In the final segment, he engages with individuals involved in this new documentary, which takes his investigation to a whole new level.
SHOW NOTES
ArticlesIs My Dad One of the Characters in Piano Man? Shane RosenthalThe Executive Room According to Bob Egan, Pop Spots
Related EpisodesThe Executive Room: New Evidence, #55 with John GibsonEvidential Reasoning, #56 with Craig PartonDealing with Discrepancies, #57 with J. Warner WallaceYear-End Special, #65 with Liam CooperThe Pilot Episode, #01 (Shane’s original investigation)
VideoAnd So It Goes, HBO documentary series on the life of Billy JoelAnd So It Goes (Trailer)
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On this episode, Shane walks through selections from the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel as he highlights the significance of Jesus’ birth and redemptive mission. He also takes time to reflect on the meaning of the numerous Old Testament prophecies and promises that are alluded to throughout Luke’s account of the things that have been “fulfilled among us.” Click here for detailed notes related to this episode.
SHOW NOTES
ArticlesDetailed notes for this episode, Shane RosenthalIsaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth, Shane RosenthalThe Bethlehem Prophecy: An Exploration of Micah 5:2, Shane RosenthalJustin Martyr on the Importance of Fulfilled Prophecy, Shane RosenthalProof of the Gospel (PDF), selections from Justin Martyr, Eusebius & AugustineFinding Christ in All of Scripture (PDF), Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe The Bible? (PDF), Shane RosenthalIsrael: The Story Behind Jacob’s New Name, Shane RosenthalArchaeological Discoveries Related to Nebuchadnezzar II, Shane RosenthalA Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts, Shane RosenthalThe Implications of 70 AD on the Date of the Gospels & Acts, Shane RosenthalThe Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited, Shane RosenthalIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian?, Sir William Ramsay
BooksJesus in the Old Testament, Iain DuguidJourneys with Jesus, Dennis JohnsonEchoes of Exodus: Tracing the Theme of Redemption, Roberts & WilsonThe Angel of the Lord, Matt Foreman & Doug Van DornThe Jewish Gospels, Daniel BoyarinA Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Gospels, Craig EvansProof of the Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaLuke’s Key Witness, Shane Rosenthal
AudioChristmas: Legend or History? episode #64The Messiah’s Redemptive Mission, episode #72In the Beginning was the Word, episode #75 with John RonningThe Angel of Yahweh, episode #70 with Foreman & Van DornDid The Exodus Ever Happen? episode #69 with David RohlJacob’s Ladder, episode #63 with Richard Bauckham and othersBabylon, episode #66 Decoding the Prophecies of Daniel, episode #68 Signs of the Messiah, episode #74 with Andreas KöstenbergerJewish Views of the Messiah, episode #38 with Daniel Boyarin
VideoDiscovering Bethsaida, Shane RosenthalRethinking Luke’s Prologue, Shane RosenthalProphecies of The Messiah’s Birth, You Can Handle The Truth
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Throughout his various writing projects, J. Warner Wallace encourages his readers to study the Gospels forensically—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 coldcasechristianity.com
During this episode, Shane referenced his recent webinar on the prologue of Luke’s Gospel. A video recording of this presentation is available here for paid subscribers. To upgrade to a paid subscription, click here.
SHOW NOTES
ArticlesWhy I Know The Gospels Were Written Early, J. Warner WallaceThe Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited, Shane RosenthalThe Implications of 70 AD, Shane RosenthalA Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts, Shane RosenthalWho is Theophilus? Notes to Ep. #79, Peter Bolt and othersHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalThe Authenticity & Genuineness of The Fourth Gospel, J.B. LightfootAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian? Sir William RamsayOutside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus? Shane RosenthalCan We Trust Luke’s History of the Early Jesus Movement? Shane RosenthalOn Faith & History, Shane Rosenthal
EpisodesDealing with Discrepancies, Episode #57 with J. Warner WallaceThe Case for Early Gospels, Cold Case Christianity podcastLuke, Theophilus & Joanna, Episode #80 with Jim SibleyWho is Theophilus? Episode #79 with Peter BoltDid Josephus Ever Mention Jesus? Episode #77 with T.C. SchmidtJesus in Josephus & Other Ancient Texts, Episode #78 with T.C. SchmidtThe Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony, Episode #48 with Richard BauckhamFaith Founded on Facts, Episode #15 with Lennox, Bauckham, and othersStories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted? Episode. #61 with Peter J. WilliamsAre the Gospels History or Fiction? Episode #52 with John DicksonQuestioning Your Faith, Episode #21 with Fikrit Bocek, pastor of Izmir, TurkeyDeath, Ghosts & Views of the Afterlife, Episode #31 with Michael McClymondThe Gospel Creed, Episode #9
BooksCold Case Christianity, J. Warner WallaceThe Truth in True Crime, J. Warner WallaceForensic Faith, J. Warner WallacePerson of Interest, J. Warner WallaceJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamReligion on Trial, Craig PartonTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsRedating the New Testament, John A.T. RobinsonRedating Matthew, Mark & Luke, John WenhamRethinking the Dates of the New Testament, Jonathan BernierLuke’s Key Witness, Shane Rosenthal
VideosCan You Trust Bible Manuscripts? J. Warner WallaceHas the Bible Changed Over Time? J. Warner WallaceDoes Christianity Have Evidence? J. Warner WallaceIs Jesus in the Old Testament? J. Warner Wallace


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