We have no primary sources. All we have is a bunch of stories written down from oral traditions shared by others.
That's all we got. If you believe in it or not, that's called faith. But there's no direct proof.
Exactly, Most of the bible is nothing more than a story book. I am not saying it is true or not true, but it is nothing more than a story book.And I am not saying it is bad or anything like that. Many people need something to believe in for their daily lives. Why is it jews do not believe in Hell. The Old Testament does not preach it, that was invented by the catholic Church, domination by fear, nothing but politics.
“We have no primary sources.”
Agreed that the Bible needs to be taken on faith, including on who wrote the gospels. But looking into the books and authors, there is evidence which backs up the accepted writers and dates.
One example:
The early church is unanimous in their acceptance of Matthew as the writer of the First Gospel. Papias, Irenaeus, Pantaenus, and Origen all report Matthew as the writer of the First Gospel.
Papias (c. AD 60-130) writes, “Matthew put together the oracles [of the Lord] in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could.”
Regarding the date Matthew was written, it was probably before 70 AD when the temple was destroyed as Matthew did not mention it.
Also - why make up a book and say it was written by Matthew? A tax collector of all things and hated by the Jews?
Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances.
Christianity seems to be the safest bet of them all.