Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
The ancient Roman Empire had diverse literacy levels, revealing that literacy was more widespread than traditionally believed, impacting job functions and cultural contexts.
It is often claimed by many Bible scholars and historians that the ancient Israelites and the early Christians were illiterate. Is this true?
Most Bible scholars follow the secular scholars in that they see very little literacy in ancient times. Is that really the case? What does the evidence really say?
Many modern-day historians and textual scholars claim that the early Christians did not view the New Testament books as inspired. Was the canonicity, authenticity, and integrity of the 27 New Testament Bible Books built into Christianity right from the very start? What is the truth?
Rome was a complex society. Levels of literacy were fluid because of the conditions of the day being as culturally and ethnically diverse as it was. The Roman Empire from the first century to the fourth century was as culturally and ethnically diverse as New York City and its five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. "Jesus was born in such a literate, well-documented period." - Paul Barnett, Is the New Testament Reliable? (2003, 20).
