There is enough despite this one historical fact... "the winners write the history." So not only does the NT exist in at least 2 different languages (Aramaic and Greek) but there are other mentions of him in history. Perhaps a mention or two in Josephus, or Thallus in 52 AD trying to explain the darkness around his crucifixion away. Another would be Tacitus, who was born 14 years before the destruction of the Temple. He wrote about Pilate and Christ in 116AD, and so forth. We have these and it should be enough considering in the eyes of the secular world, Christ was the loser. His Kingdom wasn't established... and therefore, controlling what was distributed, burning copies of books, doing whatever you could to make sure that story didn't get out.... wasn't too hard to do. Yet, enough still got out that we have enough to know he lived.Is there or not?
There's evidence that Jesus existed.Is there or not?
Well now, the #1 piece of evidence of Jesus's existence--the New Testament--is clearcut in teaching that Jesus was God in the flesh. So if we accept the first of those as convincing, there is no way to avoid accepting the second point.There's evidence that Jesus existed.
But no evidence that He was God..
I'm with you!Well now, the #1 piece of evidence of Jesus's existence--the New Testament--is clearcut in teaching that Jesus was God in the flesh. So if we accept the first of those as convincing, there is no way to avoid accepting the second point.
You're right. There is little evidence, but the Bible is evidence along with the other two sources you referred to.I'm with you!
But, usually, when a person is looking for proof, they don't accept the bible as that proof.
Josephus did say, if I remember, that there was "a man" he meant Jesus....that was crucified ...
But I don't remember enough about this to post about it.
Personally, I trust the Apostles.
I believe they were telling the truth.
(apart from Jesus).
Is there or not?
Scripture.Is there or not?
You can walk on the shoulders of others. Yes there is evidence. Read Simon Greenleaf who was the world's leading authority on evidence and the founder of Harvard Law school. He hated Christians and set out to disprove the resurrection of Jesus based on our system of evidence. Honestly if anyone could argue and set people straight it was this guy. Well.... the thing that he did that most will not was go about it very thoroughly and not with pretence. He proved based on the evidence and mostly to his own thick skull that the resurrection of Jesus Christ DID happen. Also with similar stories are Lee Strobel ( A case for Christ) CS Lewis (various books), Josh McDowell (Evidence That Demands a Verdict) and others. THese were ALL angry Atheists who just wanted to shut up smug Christians. Well....God has a huge sense of humor. There is a promise in the Bible: Jeremiah 29:13 and also Jeremiah 24:7. Jesus said John 10:27,28.Is there or not?
Pliny also wrote about Jesus. It should be noted the neither Pliny or Tacitus were Christians and they thought of Jesus as a trouble maker. Josephus was Jewish so he didn't have any special place in his heart for Jesus either, he wrote about him as an historian.There is enough despite this one historical fact... "the winners write the history." So not only does the NT exist in at least 2 different languages (Aramaic and Greek) but there are other mentions of him in history. Perhaps a mention or two in Josephus, or Thallus in 52 AD trying to explain the darkness around his crucifixion away. Another would be Tacitus, who was born 14 years before the destruction of the Temple. He wrote about Pilate and Christ in 116AD, and so forth. We have these and it should be enough considering in the eyes of the secular world, Christ was the loser. His Kingdom wasn't established... and therefore, controlling what was distributed, burning copies of books, doing whatever you could to make sure that story didn't get out.... wasn't too hard to do. Yet, enough still got out that we have enough to know he lived.
It's Evidence That Demands A Verdict.You can walk on the shoulders of others. Yes there is evidence. Read Simon Greenleaf who was the world's leading authority on evidence and the founder of Harvard Law school. He hated Christians and set out to disprove the resurrection of Jesus based on our system of evidence. Honestly if anyone could argue and set people straight it was this guy. Well.... the thing that he did that most will not was go about it very thoroughly and not with pretence. He proved based on the evidence and mostly to his own thick skull that the resurrection of Jesus Christ DID happen. Also with similar stories are Lee Strobel ( A case for Christ) CS Lewis (various books), Josh McDowell (Evidence without a Verdict) and others. THese were ALL angry Atheists who just wanted to shut up smug Christians. Well....God has a huge sense of humor. There is a promise in the Bible: Jeremiah 29:13 and also Jeremiah 24:7. Jesus said John 10:27,28.
We have more proof about the bible and it being correct than any other book.You're right. There is little evidence, but the Bible is evidence along with the other two sources you referred to.
Therefore, skeptics can conclude whatever they choose, but the New Testament has proven itself, so the conclusion that Jesus did exist is reasonable strong. In fact, it is said that the Bible is the most frequently attacked book ever written...yet it has stood up under examination to all the critics and their theories about its contents.
That's right. There are some questions about interpretation, context, additions if any, and all of that, but the existence of the main figure in the Bible is the issue...so that is not put in question simply because these peripheral matters get raised.We have more proof about the bible and it being correct than any other book.
Everything that has been found so far attests to its truth. There may be some verses that were added to the N.T. but they change nothing of importance.
Biblical scholars know that there are a few conflicts in the bible, but none that change it's meaning or truthfulness as to who Jesus is or His story.
Thanks. I really should not reply when I am so sick as I am today. When I re-read what I wrote I thought?? My brain must have shut off! The funny thing about evidence is that people want to keep sinning and therefore will just ignore anything that could disrupt their way of life. Jesus certainly disrupts things. What Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-39 is so very true. Game changer.It's Evidence That Demands A Verdict.
Another good book would be Who Moved The stone
F. Morrison (I think the spelling is right).
This book is about the resurrection and why it is not only believable, but most probable of all the scenarios.
Sometimes my replies are like that when I'm NOT sick...Thanks. I really should not reply when I am so sick as I am today. When I re-read what I wrote I thought?? My brain must have shut off! The funny thing about evidence is that people want to keep sinning and therefore will just ignore anything that could disrupt their way of life. Jesus certainly disrupts things. What Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-39 is so very true. Game changer.