(Podcast 5.4.18) Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts (w. Dr. Lydia McGrew)

On this much anticipated edition of the Bellator Christi Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Lydia McGrew. Dr. McGrew holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and is an analytic philosopher. She is also the author of the book Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts. She is wife to Dr. Tim McGrew. Join us today as she describes what “undesigned coincidences” are, how they compare to other theories, and how they strengthen the historical reliability of the NT biblical texts.

Outline for Discussion

Lydia, as we ask all our first-time guests, could you talk about the time when you first accepted Christ as your Savior?
You recently wrote a book entitled Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts. Could you explain what you mean by “undesigned coincidences?
1. Can you provide a few more examples? I found the example of the “green grass” (66-67) and the example of Joseph of Arimathea’s courage (76-79) fascinating.
How do these undesigned coincidences strengthen the integrity of Gospels’ and Acts narrative?
How does your view help one to work through the so-called inconsistencies of the Gospels and Acts?
We have listeners from various educational backgrounds who listen to the podcast. Could you explain the literary device theory? What is this theory and how does this contrast with the undesigned coincidence theory?
What are some of the problems you see with the literary device theory?
How has your research strengthened your belief in the historical reliability of the Gospel-Acts narrative?
Do you have any closing thoughts you would like to share?

Be sure to also check out Dr. Timothy McGrew’s lecture on the various views on Gospel differences and problems he sees with the literary device theory at http://projectthreesixty.org/index.php/2018/04/23/why-are-there-differences-in-the-gospels/.

About our Guest

Lydia McGrew is a widely published analytic philosopher, home schooling mother, blogger, and the wife of philosopher and apologist Timothy McGrew. She received her PhD in English from Vanderbilt University in 1995. She has published, and continues to publish, extensively in the theory of knowledge. She specializes in pure formal epistemology and in the application of formal epistemology to the evaluation of testimony and to various topics in the philosophy of religion. Her articles in philosophy have appeared in such journals as Ergo, Philosophical Studies, the Journal of Philosophical Research, and Erkenntnis. She and Timothy McGrew co-wrote the article on the resurrection of Jesus for the Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology, and she wrote the article “Historical Inquiry” for the Routledge Companion to Theism.

In 2017 she published “Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts,” which defends the reliability of the New Testament using a long-neglected argument from incidental details. Her book “Hidden in Plain View” has been endorsed by numerous NT scholars, apologists, theologians, and philosophers.

About the Host

Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com and is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is currently in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. Brian has been in the ministry for over 15 years and serves as the pastor of Huntsville Baptist Church in Yadkinville, North Carolina.

About the Podcast

The Bellator Christi Podcast is a production of BellatorChristi.com and is protected under Creative Commons copyright. All rights reserved. The theme song is “Crucified,” written by John and Michaela Lemonis, performed by Crosby Lane, and produced by Mansion Entertainment (https://crosbylane.com). The views expressed on this podcast may not represent those of Bellator Christi or its affiliates. Be sure to subscribe to BellatorChristi.com to receive all the articles and podcasts in your inbox for free. Also, be sure to check out The Bellator Christi Podcast on iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher and Google Play to subscribe for free.