This is an interesting question. It is assuming that the Bible is out-of-bounds as a historical document (meaning, not a real historical document), or that the Bible is probably corrupted or compromised, and so we need some independent verification. I think it is totally fair, and even appropriate, to dig into whether the Bible is reporting accurate history. But I think it is totally unfair to just consider the Bible out of bounds because we're not sure about it.
I've gathered together some internet resources that talk about this, as well as quotes from books. The links go into greater detail; the sources are sort of shorthand quick reference for the fact that there are numerous references to Jesus in extra-biblical source material.
Links:
http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/advanced/did-jesus-exist.htm
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/09/q_a_on_the_historical_reliabil.html
http://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-exist.html
Sources: (from Blomberg's, Historical Reliability of the Gospels)
Greco-Roman
Pliny the Younger - Roman legate of Bithynia-Pontus, early 2nd century - spoke of the worship of Jesus
Julius Africanus - 3rd century historian, quoting Thallus (a 1st century historian), who commented on the darkness the Bible said happened at the time of the crucifixion
Tacitus - describes Christians as those who received their name from Christ, who had been executed by Pontius Pilate under the reign of Tiberius (which corroborates the biblical story)
Suetonius - describes the banishment of Jews from Rome under Emperor Claudius, as being instigated by a "Chrestus" (could easily be a variant or misspelling of Christus, thus referring to a disagreement among Jews between those who followed Jesus Christ and those who didn't - hinted at in a few places in the Bible)
Jewish
there are several oblique references in the Talmud - Palestinian Talmud (P. Ta'an 65b) and the Babylonian Talmud (b. Sanh. 103a, b. Sanh 107b and b. Sanh. 43a) among one or two others. admittedly most of these are oblique, but noticeably, they are not refuting Jesus' existence, but taking it for granted that he lived.
Josephus - in his book, Antiquities, he talks about James brother of Jesus and his being stoned to death in 20:200; talks about John the Baptist in 18:117; and then there is a long mention of Jesus in 18:63-64:
"About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, as still to this day not disappeared."
As you might imagine, this passage is contested, but most scholars are willing to allow that it is authentic to Josephus, with only minor variations (usually having Josephus add "so-called" to Messiah, etc.). But none of these variations dispute the fact that Josephus very clearly reported that a man named Jesus lived around the time the Bible purports he lived and did the kinds of things the Bible says he did.
We sometimes have this idea that it is wrong to ask why.
Why? It isn't a sin to doubt. It isn't a sin to ask questions.
God never turns his back on anyone asking an honest question. We can be honest with God. We can bring our hard questions to Jesus.
There's a story from the life of Jesus. You can find it in Matthew's biography, right near the end, in the 28th chapter of his book. Matthew is telling the story about the time after Jesus' resurrection from the dead, when he meets with his followers before translating out of their view. Matthew says that, when they saw the risen Jesus, their reaction was to worship. Jesus has just risen from the dead, something that no other human being had ever done. He's defeated death and his body is glorious. They were filled with awe and reverence. And, Matthew says, "some doubted." I love that little line, because it has got to be one of the most honest statements in the Bible. I mean, they knew what we know: dead people stay dead, right? And here's Jesus, risen from the dead? It was a little much to take in for some of them. They worshiped, but some doubted. They worshiped even while doubting. They were able to honor God and ask some honest questions at the same time; doing the one didn't necessarily diminish the other. Nor does Jesus rebuke the doubters. In fact, he commissions these same folks to carry on the work he's begun.
There's another biblical story that I'm reminded of, even more famous. It has to do with so-called "Doubting Thomas," pictured above. This story comes from John's biography of Jesus, in the 20th chapter of his book. Again, Jesus has recently risen from the dead. While his friends are gathered (secretly - for fear of suffering the same fate as Jesus), Jesus meets up with them to show them he's now alive; only, Thomas isn't there. They tell Thomas Jesus has appeared to them alive, but Thomas is skeptical. He wants proof. A week later Jesus meets up with his friends again, this time with Thomas among them. Jesus is fully aware of Thomas' mindset. Does he rebuke him? Kick him out of the group? No. He invites him to poke around and consider the evidence, to consider Jesus. And then Jesus invites Thomas to lay doubting aside and take up trust, to believe.
Jesus welcomes our honest questions.
This blog is dedicated to reflecting on some honest questions asked by members and friends of the Royal Oak Vineyard Church in the 2008 Easter Season. I look forward to your comments.
Why? It isn't a sin to doubt. It isn't a sin to ask questions.
God never turns his back on anyone asking an honest question. We can be honest with God. We can bring our hard questions to Jesus.
There's a story from the life of Jesus. You can find it in Matthew's biography, right near the end, in the 28th chapter of his book. Matthew is telling the story about the time after Jesus' resurrection from the dead, when he meets with his followers before translating out of their view. Matthew says that, when they saw the risen Jesus, their reaction was to worship. Jesus has just risen from the dead, something that no other human being had ever done. He's defeated death and his body is glorious. They were filled with awe and reverence. And, Matthew says, "some doubted." I love that little line, because it has got to be one of the most honest statements in the Bible. I mean, they knew what we know: dead people stay dead, right? And here's Jesus, risen from the dead? It was a little much to take in for some of them. They worshiped, but some doubted. They worshiped even while doubting. They were able to honor God and ask some honest questions at the same time; doing the one didn't necessarily diminish the other. Nor does Jesus rebuke the doubters. In fact, he commissions these same folks to carry on the work he's begun.
There's another biblical story that I'm reminded of, even more famous. It has to do with so-called "Doubting Thomas," pictured above. This story comes from John's biography of Jesus, in the 20th chapter of his book. Again, Jesus has recently risen from the dead. While his friends are gathered (secretly - for fear of suffering the same fate as Jesus), Jesus meets up with them to show them he's now alive; only, Thomas isn't there. They tell Thomas Jesus has appeared to them alive, but Thomas is skeptical. He wants proof. A week later Jesus meets up with his friends again, this time with Thomas among them. Jesus is fully aware of Thomas' mindset. Does he rebuke him? Kick him out of the group? No. He invites him to poke around and consider the evidence, to consider Jesus. And then Jesus invites Thomas to lay doubting aside and take up trust, to believe.
Jesus welcomes our honest questions.
This blog is dedicated to reflecting on some honest questions asked by members and friends of the Royal Oak Vineyard Church in the 2008 Easter Season. I look forward to your comments.
Friday, November 14, 2008
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