The Gospel IS Gospel, Mr. Carroll.

From John 19:

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe.

John the Evangelist was an eyewitness to the events recorded in the Gospel he wrote, inspired by God.

James Carroll denies this.

Many Christians assume the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses who were present for the events reported, but that is wrong.

Actually, you are wrong, Mr. Carroll. Again.

First, Christians do not believe that all the Gospels were written by eyewitnesses who were present for the events reported. Most of us know that Luke and Mark weren't there.

Second, the Gospels according to Matthew and John were written by eyewitnesses to the life of Christ -- John's, most certainly, to the death -- of the Savior.

So what's Carroll's point? Why is he lying?

I don't know. But he is not telling the truth. Instead, he is playing with shadows, and seems to be -- either deliberately or through ignorance, and I prefer to believe the latter -- to bury the truth of Christ's salvific death under the pathetic canard that Christians who believe this truth are somehow anti-Semites.

I really mean this prayer: Father, forgive James Carroll...he knows not what he writes.