Is there little evidence of Jesus’ existence?

[mathinspiration]

Is there or not?

 

[Yennora]

There is no robust evidence for the existence of most historical characters.
Prove that Socrates existed? Prove that Plato existed?

The argument used by militant atheists to debunk the existence of Christ is void.

Some historical characters are lucky enough to get plenty of records supporting their existence, some not and some don't even have any historical records about them and perhaps we never heard of them anyway. Does that mean those without never existed?

 

[Yennora]

In short, approaching God using evidence tracing will never lead you anywhere good. Because we don't have all the evidence in hands, however, feel free to approach God the way you want, you are free anyway. But if you want my advice, for me, what worked most was a willingness to have a relationship with God and of course a willingness to learn and criticize. I tried to read in history, about religions, demographics, countries.. etc and then you try to make sense of it all, some of the pieces will make sense I assure you, some won't because perhaps we don't have enough evidence in hands yet.

 

[Ken Rank]

Is there or not?

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.

 

[GodsGrace101]

Is there or not?

There's evidence that Jesus existed.
But no evidence that He was God.
Try reading some writings of that time.
You could google this information.

Do you trust the Apostles writings?
Do you trust the writings of those that were taught by the Apostles?

Are you looking for evidence for yourself?
Do you know what Faith is?

Jesus told Thomas:
Blessed are they that do not see and yet believe.

 

[Albion]

There's evidence that Jesus existed.
But no evidence that He was God..

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.

 

[GodsGrace101]

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.

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).

 

[Albion]

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).

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.

 

[section9+1]

If someone requires hard, solid proof to convince them to believe in a historical Jesus being who he claimed to be, then they are looking in vain. God looks for people with the right stuff. The right stuff is called faith. If they don't have it, it means they are not eligible. God doesn't want them.

 

[trophy33]

Is there or not?

The existence of the church, the ancient writings (including the New Testament) and the internal regeneration of believers in Him are sufficient.

 

[NeedyFollower]

Is there or not?

Hello Sister ..It seems that you are seeking by the questions you are asking . Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness , they will be filled . Seek and you will find . I was raised in the church and was not by any means an unbeliever but only came to know God recently . Jesus is testified to in the old testament book of Isaiah . How do I know that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the visible image of the invisible God ?
Man : Loud , Proud , quarrelsome , power that comes through money or political influence .
Jesus : lowly and meek , humble , no temporal power , influence or money .

Even without the resurrection ( which I do believe ) , Jesus was everything that man is not . He was so contrary to man , he must be God come in the flesh as was prophesied . He is beautiful . ( By the way ...Jesus was very , very ugly on the outside . ) Read Isaiah for yourself.

 

[Hammster]

Is there or not?

Scripture.

 

[Servant of Yeshua]

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.

 

[Hank77]

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.

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.
He must have been quite well known in order for these men to think he was important enough to even mention.

 

[GodsGrace101]

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.

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.

 

[GodsGrace101]

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.

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.

 

[Albion]

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.

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.

 

[Servant of Yeshua]

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.

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.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Seek him and you will find him.

 

[GodsGrace101]

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.

Sometimes my replies are like that when I'm NOT sick...

I fixed it only because some might want to order it.

And, yes, Mathew 10:34-39 ( I just read it now )
is very awe inspiring.

I always take Jesus' words over any of the writers.

Blessings.