Are there tensions that exists between what we believe about Mary, Joseph, and a manger in Bethlehem, and historical reality? When we read and hear the narrative of the Gospel writer Luke are we are better off comparing him to ancient historians  like Thucydides, Herodotus or Josephus rather than writers of fables, like Aesop or Hans Christian Anderson?

While the average Joe may be carelessly unaware, the New Testament historian, Luke, author of both his own gospel and the first recorded  history of the early church, the book of Acts, both are revered by Christian and secular scholars as one of the most accurate, meticulously researched, and precise historians of all time.

The late Cambridge research fellow Colin J. Hemer put Luke’s reliability as an historian to the test. What he discovered was astounding.

Paul easily navigated and documented some of the most complex geopolitical landscapes in history. In detailing this era, he did so with pinpoint accuracy in his listing of historically known people, dates, ports, offices, and events. For example:

• Luke noted accurate sailing times in comparison to distance between ports, compass directions of sailing, and relevant weather related factors.

• He correctly listed obscure villages not even relevant to the narrative he was writing.

• He used proper sea travel jargon now known to be Greek transliterations of Latin descriptive terms.

• Luke used correct job titles when describing local officials despite the unique complexity of differences between regions: the governor of Cyprus was a “proconsul,” while the governors of Philippi were called “magistrates,” while they were called “politarchs” in Thessalonica, while they were called “town clerks” in Ephesus.

• He geographically pinpoints 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands, including those that are now proven to be inaccurate by other secular historians of this era.

Luke, as an accurate historian with meticulous attention to detail, greatly increases the credibility of scripture in this discrediting world.  Remember, as we hear – and share – the truth of what one of history’s greatest historians recorded for us nearly 2,000 years ago…Scripture is:

• Without misrepresentation 
• Without exaggeration.
• Without error.

What does it mean in these historical claims that Luke makes, that every single one, to the smallest detail has been verified?

Does the accuracy of these facts and others mean we have independent verification and authentication of every historical claim Luke makes in his thoroughly researched biography of Jesus life?  Especially the one that includes the famous “Christmas passage” of Luke 2?

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7)

By mindful, thought provoking faith, we say, “Yes! It is the truest story ever told!”

Ref: Colin J Hemer, The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History, ed. Conrad H. Gempf (Mohr Siebeck, 2019).

Portions adapted from NotTheBee.