How did the Church get Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John instead of Thomas, Mary, Peter, and Judas? C. E. Hill presents evidence for how and why, despite the numerous Gospels that appeared in the earliest Christian centuries, four (and only four) Gospels came to be embraced by the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox churches alike.

The Bible contains four Gospels which tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. And yet, many more Gospels once existed. Who, then, determined which Gospels would, for the next two thousand years, serve as the main gateways to Jesus and his teaching? Recent books and films have traced the decision to a series of fourth-century councils and powerful bishops. After achieving victory over their rivals for the Christian name, these key players, we are now told, conspired to 'rewrite history' to make it look like their version of Christianity was the original one preached by Jesus and his apostles: the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John became the prime tools for their re-sculpting of the Christian story, leading to the destruction of previously treasured writings like the Gospels of Judas, Mary, and Thomas. Are the four canonical Gospels, then, in the Bible as the result of a great, ecclesiastical conspiracy? Or does this explanation itself represent another 'rewriting of history', this time by a group of modern academics? Who Chose the Gospels? takes us to the scholarship behind the headlines, examining the great (and ongoing) controversy about how to look at ancient books about Jesus. How the four Biblical Gospels emerged into prominence among their competitors is a crucial question for everyone interested in understanding the historical Jesus and the development of the Christian church.

The Bible contains four Gospels which tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. And yet, many more Gospels once existed. Who, then, determined which Gospels would, for the next two thousand years, serve as the main gateways to Jesus and his teaching?Recent books and films have traced the decision to a series of fourth-century councils and powerful bishops. After achieving victory over their rivals for the Christian name, these key players, we are now told, conspired to 'rewrite history' to make it look like their version of Christianity was the original one preached by Jesus and his apostles: the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John became the prime tools for their re-sculpting of the Christian story, leading to the destruction ofpreviously treasured writings like the Gospels of Judas, Mary, and Thomas. Are the four canonical Gospels, then, in the Bible as the result of a great, ecclesiastical conspiracy? Or does this explanation itself represent another 'rewriting of history', this time by a group of modern academics?Who Chose the Gospels? takes us to the scholarship behind the headlines, examining the great (and ongoing) controversy about how to look at ancient books about Jesus. How the four Biblical Gospels emerged into prominence among their competitors is a crucial question for everyone interested in understanding the historical Jesus and the development of the Christian church.

You can trust your Bible. Was the Bible born of a giant conspiracy? Many believe that the Bible was created as an instrument of domination by the Roman emperor Constantine and corrupt bishops seduced by political power. These men were not preserving orthodox Christianity. They were simply the winners—and thus the writers—of history. Is this Christianity's dirty secret? In Who Chose the Books of the New Testament?, Charles E. Hill examines the ancient evidence behind the formation of the New Testament. Hill retraces the origins of the canon and why certain books were privileged and others neglected. He concludes that the New Testament was inherited, not chosen. The early church preserved and proclaimed what they received. Learn how you got your Bible. The Questions for Restless Minds series applies God's word to today's issues. Each short book faces tough questions honestly and clearly, so you can think wisely, act with conviction, and become more like Christ.

First published in 1994, and revised in 2005, this classic edition includes updated suggestions for further reading at the end of the book.

Greenberg takes readers inside the complex and poorly understood world of modern Gospel text and source criticism and provides an easy-to-follow guide that shows how New Testament scholars arrive at their challenging conclusions.

A defense of the traditional view that the Gospels are authentic documents of Apostolic authors (Matthew and John, Mark the disciple of Peter, Luke the disciple of Paul). Against the arguments of critics, the Gospels are shown to be accurate eyewitness records of the life of Christ.