Pints With Aquinas The New Testament, the Historical Jesus, and His Divine Claims (Dr. Michael Barber) | Ep. 557
Dec 15, 2025
Dr. Michael Barber, a professor at the Augustine Institute and an authority on the Gospels, discusses the historical accuracy of the New Testament. He debunks the concept of Jesus as a myth while examining ancient texts like those of Josephus and Tacitus as evidence of Jesus' existence. Barber explores the challenges of biases in sources and the importance of miracles in Jesus' legacy. Additionally, he shares insights on the reliability of Gospel accounts, the significance of personal faith, and practical tips for engaging with scripture.
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Scripture Is The Soul Of Theology
- Michael Barber argues Catholics too often neglect passionate study of Scripture despite its centrality to theology.
- He cites Vatican II: study of the sacred page is the soul of theology and warns against "theologianology."
Jesus Mythicism Fails Scholarly Scrutiny
- Barber rejects Jesus mythicism and stresses nearly all serious scholars conclude Jesus existed.
- He explains mythicist claims often ignore ancient-language evidence and established scholarship methods.
Train In Languages And Seek Peer Review
- Learn original languages and publish in peer-reviewed venues if you want to be a serious biblical scholar.
- Barber emphasizes accountability via conferences like the Society of Biblical Literature and blind peer review.
