There are several ancient extra biblical sources that provide evidence of the life of Christ. Although some of these sources are more reliable than others, there is enough of the historical Jesus revealed to give credence to the fact that he lived and was crucified. He is referred to in Pagan, Jewish, and Christian writings outside of the New Testament.
Josephus was a Jew who was born four years after the death of Christ. He was a court historian and wrote about many of the people we find in the New Testament. He referred to Jesus as a virtuous and wise man, talks about his crucifixion and mentions the report by his disciples that he appeared to them after he was resurrected. There are those who feel that his exact words may have been added to by Christians.
Tacitus, a highly respected Roman historian, wrote that Christ suffered the extreme penalty at the hands of Pontius Pilate during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Seutonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, made reference to a Chrestus who was instigating the Jews in Rome.
Pliny the Younger, who served as a governor in Asia Minor and was known for the many letters he wrote, serves as a source of the behavior of the early Christians. He was personally in charge of interrogating Christians and ordered them to be executed unless they denied their faith. He relates that they met on a certain day, sang hymns and ate food together. He mentions that they came from a cross section of society, including all ages, sexes and classes. They worshiped Christ as a deity and made oaths not to commit unrighteousness.
The Talmud, a Jewish source, does not embrace Christ as a deity and would have had no reason to sanction his existence. However, it contains references to Jesus and his disciples. It refers to the fact that he was hanged and also mentions his disciples going before judges.
In his criticism of Christians for their gullibility, Lucien, a Greek, revealed that Christ brought new teachings in Palestine and was crucified because of them. He reveals some beliefs of these Christians, including the brotherhood of all believers and their belief in their immortality which he says made them scorn death. He says that they had no regard for material possessions.
Gnostic sources affirm that Christ became flesh, taking on a human body. They say that he spoke of himself as the son of man and the son of God. The Gnostic sources are somewhat questionable because of their theological character and when they were written. However, both Pliny and Lucian affirmed that Christians believed in the deity of Christ.
There is enough evidence of the historical Jesus revealed in ancient extra biblical texts to convince most people of his existence. Even serious scholars believe that he lived, was crucified and taught disciples. These disciples continued to preach his message after his death and it spread far and wide.
Josephus was a Jew who was born four years after the death of Christ. He was a court historian and wrote about many of the people we find in the New Testament. He referred to Jesus as a virtuous and wise man, talks about his crucifixion and mentions the report by his disciples that he appeared to them after he was resurrected. There are those who feel that his exact words may have been added to by Christians.
Tacitus, a highly respected Roman historian, wrote that Christ suffered the extreme penalty at the hands of Pontius Pilate during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Seutonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, made reference to a Chrestus who was instigating the Jews in Rome.
Pliny the Younger, who served as a governor in Asia Minor and was known for the many letters he wrote, serves as a source of the behavior of the early Christians. He was personally in charge of interrogating Christians and ordered them to be executed unless they denied their faith. He relates that they met on a certain day, sang hymns and ate food together. He mentions that they came from a cross section of society, including all ages, sexes and classes. They worshiped Christ as a deity and made oaths not to commit unrighteousness.
The Talmud, a Jewish source, does not embrace Christ as a deity and would have had no reason to sanction his existence. However, it contains references to Jesus and his disciples. It refers to the fact that he was hanged and also mentions his disciples going before judges.
In his criticism of Christians for their gullibility, Lucien, a Greek, revealed that Christ brought new teachings in Palestine and was crucified because of them. He reveals some beliefs of these Christians, including the brotherhood of all believers and their belief in their immortality which he says made them scorn death. He says that they had no regard for material possessions.
Gnostic sources affirm that Christ became flesh, taking on a human body. They say that he spoke of himself as the son of man and the son of God. The Gnostic sources are somewhat questionable because of their theological character and when they were written. However, both Pliny and Lucian affirmed that Christians believed in the deity of Christ.
There is enough evidence of the historical Jesus revealed in ancient extra biblical texts to convince most people of his existence. Even serious scholars believe that he lived, was crucified and taught disciples. These disciples continued to preach his message after his death and it spread far and wide.
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