In the previous AF thread [link], I mentioned a thread that I started over at the Mormon dialogue & discussion board to share some of my thoughts on Grant McHardy's new book, 8 Myths of the Great Apostasy [link]. I first became aware of McHardy’s book via another thread at MDDB that was started on October 25, 2022 [link]. I purchased the book online, received it 11-04-22, and read it the next day.
After reading McHardy’s contribution, I ordered a few more germane books, one of which I obtained today—Sean McDowell’s, The Fate of the Apostles - Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus [Google Books]. I ordered this book due to one of the perceived “myths” that McHardy discusses in his book—MYTH 1 – TWELVE APOSTLES WERE ALL MARTYRED (pp. 1-32). Note the following:
It is commonly thought among Christians of all denominations, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that, except for John, all of Jesus’ original apostles were killed. (Page 1)
I seriously doubt that any Christian denomination portrays Judas Iscariot as a martyr; he was not killed, but rather, committed suicide. So, “of Jesus’ original apostles”, most Christians believe that ten were killed/martyred—a belief that McHardy has classified as a “myth”. McHardy ends up discussing the fate of Jesus’ original twelve apostles, plus the apostle Paul. Relying heavily on St. Hippolytus’ third century work, On the Twelve Apostles* [link], McHardy questions whether at least three of these original apostles—e.g. Matthew, Simon the Zealot, Thaddeus—were martyred (I did not include John because I am not aware of anyone who believes he was martyred).
Sean McDowell, in his book, counters McHardy’s assessment/s with some extensive research into the extant historical narratives pertaining to the martyrdoms of eleven of Jesus’ original twelve apostles—rightly excluding Judas Iscariot—as well Matthias, Paul and James the brother of Jesus. Note McDowell’s following summary of the apostolic martyrdoms:
In sum, there are three apostles in the category of the highest possible probability, one that is very probably true, one that is more probable than not, one that is more plausible than not, seven that are as plausible as not, and one that is improbable. Thus, of the 14 apostles, six are at least more plausible than not, seven are as plausible as not, and only one, John, is lower than plausible. (Page 264) [The improbable one being the apostle John.]
McDowell’s book is a tour de force of scholarship at a high level. Interestingly enough, it is not mentioned at all by McHardy; and, of course, is not included in the bibliography. I sincerely wonder if MTYH 1 would have been in his book if he had read McDowell’s contribution.
In ending, I would like to mention that McDowell’s book was heavily based on his 2014 doctoral dissertation, “A Historical Evaluation of the Evidence for the Death of the Apostles as Martyrs for Their Faith” [LINK]. In an upcoming post, I hope to compare the dissertation with the book.
Grace and peace,
David
*Note: There is some controversy concerning this work as to whether it was actually written by Hippolytus or is pseudepigraphal.
