Dear Reader,
God needs our prayer, time, and action to publicize New Evidence for the Resurrection to Israel and the Nations. Therefore, this letter asks you to read, pray, endorse and connect to spread this amazing good news. No money needed!
Endorsement: Following is the statement I intend to release publicly when I’ve settled on a publisher for New Evidence of the Resurrection: Paul on Trial Again:
New Evidence for the Resurrection
Two American lawyers have substantiated the historical accounts of Jesus rising from the dead through a unique and unprecedented combination of forensic and linguistic biblical analysis. Harry Fisher and John Mauck have untangled mysteries contained in a long-neglected version of one of the most consequential books in the Bible, New Evidence for the Resurrection: Paul on Trial Again explains why the Book of Acts was written and for the first time uncovers numerous authentications of Jesus’ Resurrection and post Resurrection appearances amidst the judicial proceedings concerning the first apostles.
Cogent new scholarship from the attorneys shows that the “Western” version of Acts, which is 8% longer than the standard version used in almost all modern translations, is actually the original. They explain why the Western text is not lengthened from the original, as translators for the last century have assumed, but rather their evidence strongly concludes that the Western version is the original written by Luke and abridged through later redaction.
The attorneys demonstrate that internal forensic markers prove the Western text was written by Luke with Paul’s assistance as an evangelistic/legal brief intended to convince Roman officials of the Resurrection while defending Paul from Roman legal charges. Their evidence means that the current version of Acts should no longer be used in New Testament translations because it is an abbreviated copy of the original.
John Mauck, (J.D. Univ. of Chicago 1972) a civil liberties litigator and biblical scholar, connects the dots; “As we approach the day of Messiah’s return, the tribulation, and the rapture, I believe God is lovingly revealing even more proof that the Resurrection is historic fact. Acts was written to share the good news with Roman authorities that they could have new—and eternal— life through the atonement of the Jewish Messiah Jesus. Acts was also crafted to show that Paul and other Jesus followers were not starting a new religion in defiance of Roman law or inciting violence. Therefore, the authenticity and reliability of Luke’s account is significantly enhanced when compared to previous explanations of why the book was written. The Western version carries far more credibility because:
- A legal brief, addressing life or death criminal charges, being presented to despotic Roman Emperor Nero, had better be fully truthful or Luke, the writer, was imperiling both himself and the defendant, Paul.
- A legal brief afforded pre-trial Roman investigation into the facts, witnesses, and circumstances of the Jesus movement impacting the Empire. Luke knew his account would be scrutinized.
- A legal brief allowed Paul’s accusers significant opportunity to investigate, refute or discredit Luke’s facts or dispute Luke’s legal arguments.
- A legal brief would be presented to Emperor Nero and his judicial council in a case such as Paul’s because faith in Jesus was spreading rapidly, the accusers of Paul were influential, and Roman finances and military preparedness were implicated.”
Harry N.D. Fisher, 1931-2019, was a lawyer (J.D. Univ. of Chicago, 1953) and student of the Greek and Latin legalese used in the First Century Roman courts. His research identifies over thirty variations between the “Neutral” most commonly used version of Acts and the original Western version. All variations analyzed by Fisher unanimously pointed in one direction: Acts was originally written as an Evangelistic Legal Brief. This conclusion, which forensically—and decisively— confirms the Resurrection, is detailed in Mauck’s new book: New Evidence for the Resurrection, Paul on Trial Again
Here is a link to a 99% completed version of New Evidence. New Evidence for the Resurrection, Paul on Trial Again Manuscript It can also be obtained or viewed by emailing one of my law firm assistants. Jennifer Baek jbaek@mauckbaker.com or Esther Jackson ejackson@mauckbaker.com
I’m asking you and others who want to help Jesus reach the world, to read New Evidence and write a 20-150 word endorsement, critique, or challenge. The endorsement should include name, identity or credential such as “Follower of Jesus, Student, Pastor, Seeker of Truth”, how the book affected you and whether you would buy a copy, recommend it or buy copies for others. A couple of sample endorsements are at the end of this email. Although your comment could become selected to be a blurb on the print edition; more likely it would be posted on the internet and website to be created. Almost certainly I will forward it to potential publishers who want to know, “will this book sell?” Therefore, your endorsement will help answer “YES” to that question. I’ve learned from the
previous success of Paul on Trial, which was a finalist for Evangelical Book of the Year in the late nineties (you can check on it by going to Amazon) that gauging our audience is godly work. God wants truth to be broadcast widely; Psalm 100 makes that clear. If we can collect several hundred endorsements from you and others it will enable me to obtain the publisher most willing to commit significant resources, personnel, and advertising to promote New Evidence for the Resurrection. Your endorsement will help Jesus reach the World. Personally, I will contribute several hundred thousand to join with you to reach Israel and the Nations for Jesus.
The Resurrection was both foretold and then attested throughout the Bible. Yet God always knew the skepticism of our hearts. Therefore, He has, over time, provided additional confirmations: the Shroud of Turin and the Dead Sea Scrolls come to mind. New Evidence for the Resurrection could provide a ripple or like the Shroud and Scrolls, a TSUNAMI of faith depending on how many of us are moved by the Spirit to read, pray, endorse and pass forward this news.
Connections: If you know other followers of Jesus who want to help Him reach the World or seekers of Truth, I ask that you pass along this endorsement and connection request by email, social media, word of mouth, church bulletin, or standing on your roof to shout. If you and your connections are comfortable in doing so, kindly copy us on your communication and your names will be put in our data base. Endorsements, requests for copies of the manuscript, or other questions should be sent to Esther or Jennifer at ejackson@mauckbaker.com or jbaek@mauckbaker.com I am also teaching a Zoom bible study on Acts at noon CST Fridays which you are welcome to join. Here’s the link: Zoom Bible Study
So here are the steps you can take to help Jesus reach the world:
- Read the book, or enough of it to allow you to form a godly opinion;
- Pray for the success of New Evidence for the Resurrection if the Spirit confirms to you that it contains God’s truth;
- Write a short endorsement and send it to Esther or Jennifer;
- Make a list of your chosen connections and forward this endorsement request to them. For best results I suggest, if possible, you call before forwarding.
Matthew wrote for us in Chapter 28:18-20a
“Then Jesus came to them and said ‘all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commended you’…”
My hope is you will join with us in helping Jesus reach the World.
In His name,
John W. Mauck
Example Endorsements:
“Hi, my name is Samantha Weber I’m a sophomore at Bradley Univ. in Indiana. Our bible study group is all excited about New Evidence for the Resurrection. We plan to share its message with other students and our families.”
“As a pastor I have studied and taught Acts for years. New Evidence for the Resurrection has turbo charged my love of the Bible by helping me and my congregation understand the over kill of lawsuits in today’s world and appreciate how Luke’s inspired response can enable us to transform conflict into blessings. Jerry Simmons Senior Pastor, Shepherd’s People Assembly, Peoria Illinois.”
