Where Did the Gospels Come From?

Dan Brown, author of the popular series of books beginning with, The Da Vinci Code, brought the idea of political machinations behind the canon of Scripture to the mainstream. Is there any validity to his argument?

Was the Bible merely invented by some shadowy figures, or has it stood the test of time, passing from original writing to modern times without change? In this essay, Jonathan Meyer examines the historical data that stands behind the apostolic origin, transmission, compilation, and textual accuracy of the four Gospels, finding considerably more fact than is popularly known.

Whether one believes the effect has been good or bad, it cannot be denied Christianity has had a major impact on the Western world. At the center of it all is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a Jewish carpenter, who became a traveling preacher and the leader of a movement which has sparked controversy, inspired art, and gained followers among both kings and peasants, sages and slaves, and whose influence led to the establishment of human rights, literacy, hospitals, universities, and science.

To this day people around the world call Him Lord and Savior, believing He is God who became a man walking the Earth for roughly 33 years, teaching and healing before He was crucified as a sacrifice for the wrongs people committed, and then rose again bodily three days later.