Question 1: What are Hinman’s Central Claims about Polycarp? As with his discussion about the external evidence of Papias,  Hinman begins his discussion of Polycarp with some strong claims: III. Polycarp: Knew the Apostle John and studied with him. He speaks of where the apostle sat when they studied together. The first sentence is lacking a subject.  But … Debate: External Evidence for Jesus – Part 3