"Are the Gospels Reliable?: Evaluating the Credibility of Jesus' Earliest Biographies" with Rev. Dr. Andrew Hollingsworth

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article XIII of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of Works before Justification, preached on the Fifth Sunday in Lent (3.22.2026)."Works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School Authors say) deserve grace of congruity; yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin."

This is the second lecture for the Illuminate Lecture Series, a public-lecture event hosted and produced by Church of the Holy Trinity: An Anglican Mission in Mandeville, LA.Our second lecture was given by Rev. Dr. Andrew Hollingsworth (PhD, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary), Vicar at Church of the Holy Trinity: An Anglican Mission, Canon Theologian for Missio Mosaic: A Missional Society, and Affiliate Professor with Kairos University. Rev. Dr. Hollingsworth presented on "Are the Gospels Reliable?: Evaluating the Credibility of Jesus' Earliest Biographies."Link to Rev. Dr. Hollingsworth's Paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nMHzEGylQqw3iKiwgaZrbw_-_xpDgU5D/view?usp=sharingThe Illuminate Lecture Series demonstrates how Jesus Christ is the Light that reveals and makes visible—illuminates—all truth, goodness, and beauty in the world. Each lecture tackles an important question that faces communities and individuals today and is delivered by a respected scholar and expert on the subject matter on which they are presenting. Presentations are followed by an open Q&A from the audience. Each lecture event is free and open to the public. Illuminate Lecture Series is a ministry of Church of the Holy Trinity: An Anglican Mission, and each lecture event is hosted at Newell Christian Chapel in Mandeville, LA.

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article XI of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of the Justification of Man, preached on the Third Sunday in Lent (3.8.2026)."We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the homily of justification."

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article X of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of Free Will, preached on the Second Sunday in Lent (3.1.2026)."The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling upon God. Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will."

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article IX of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of Original or Birth Sin, preached on the first Sunday in Lent (2.22.2026)."Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in the Greek φρὀνημα σαρκὸς (which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh), is not subject to the law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin."

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article VIII of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of the Three Creeds, preached on the Sunday before Lent, or Quinquagesima (2.15.2026)."The three creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius' Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles' Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed, for they may be proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture."

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article VII of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of the Old Testament, preached on the Second Sunday before Lent, or Sexagesima (2.8.2026)."The Old Testament is not contrary to the New, for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth, yet not withstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral."

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article VI of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation, preached on the Third Sunday before Lent, or Septuagesima (2.1.2026)."Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books:Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The First Book of Esdras [Ezra], The Second Book of Esdras [Nehemiah], The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Preacher Cantica, Song of Solomon, Four Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophets the less.And the other Books (as Jerome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:The Third Book of Esdras, The Fourth Book of Esdras, The Book of Tobias, The Book of Judith, The rest of the Book of Esther, The Book of Wisdom, Jesus the Son of Sirach, Baruch the Prophet, The Song of the Three Children, The Story of Susanna. Of Bel and the Dragon, The Prayer of Manasses. The First Book of Maccabees, and The Second Book of Maccabees.All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical."

Fr. Andrew's sermon from the Third Sunday after the Epiphany and the Feast of St. Paul the Apostle (1.25.2026). We pray that you are blessed by the message.Lessons from Holy Scripture: Acts 9. 1-22; Matthew 19.27-30; The Wisdom of Solomon 5.1-23.

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article V of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of the Holy Ghost, preached on the Second Sunday after the Epiphany (1.18.2026)."The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God."