
This study tackles the uneasy task of scrutinizing the early architects of Christian doctrine. By turning a critical eye toward the men who compiled and defended the four Gospels, the author asks whether their testimonies can be trusted when they were often steeped in superstition and, at times, outright deceit. Drawing on a range of historical sources, the work highlights how claims of divine authority were sometimes bolstered by fabricated letters, apocryphal stories, and convenient legends.
Through careful analysis of contemporary scholarship and a wealth of documentary evidence, the book reveals patterns of pious fraud that have shaped the church’s foundational narratives. It invites listeners to weigh the impact of these revelations on the credibility of the New Testament and on modern faith traditions. While remaining respectful of belief, the author encourages a thoughtful reassessment of how history, myth, and doctrine intertwine.
Full title
Frauds and Follies of the Fathers A Review of the Worth of Their Testimony to the Four Gospels
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (133K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2011-08-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1850–1898
A sharp, energetic voice in Victorian freethought, this English writer and journalist spent much of his career challenging Christian orthodoxy and documenting the history of unbelief. He is best remembered for his ambitious reference work on freethinkers across the ages and for his long association with the radical paper The Freethinker.
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