Many people wonder if there is evidence outside of the Bible for the historical Jesus revealed. They argue about whether He ever actually even lived. Although the New Testament accounts describe His life and teachings in detail, they do not provide a lot of historical proof. Fortunately, there are plenty of such secular sources available as well as archaeological evidence.
Historic accounts of His day are the primary place to search for evidence. There are numerous historians who describe Him and some of the events of His life. One of these is Tacitus, a Roman historian who wrote in 115 A. D. About the terrible fire that engulfed Rome. When explaining that Nero blamed the fire on the early Christians, Tacitus explained that they followed, Christos, a man who had been crucified by Pontius Pilate. Tacitus might have had access to official reports, even those sent by Pontius Pilate, on which to base his writings.
The Roman Emperor Vespasian had a court historian named Josephus. Josephus was Jewish and his history contains a lot about the events and people who lived in Palestine during the first century A. D. He mentioned a godly man named Jesus who could do wonders and who also rose from the dead. Josephus postulated that perhaps this was the Messiah foretold by the Old Testament prophets.
There was also another Roman historian, Thallus, who lived around 50 A. D. Also mentioned Him. He described how the noon day sun had darkened when He was crucified. Thallus stated that this occurrence was the result of an eclipse.
Then in 112 AD, a Roman administrator and author named Pliny the Younger wrote about Him as well. Pliny was governor of Phrygia in Asia Minor. In his book, he mentioned that the Christians in Phyrgia were worshiping Christ as a deity.
Another book that mentions Him is the Talmud, a Jewish holy book. It contains a reference to Yeshu, a man who was sentenced to death for apostasy and sorcery on the eve of Passover. Instead of being hanged according to Jewish custom, He was crucified which was the Roman form of execution. The Talmud also describes Yeshu as being about 34 years of age. Since the Jewish writers did not recognize His deity, they did not have anything to gain from writing about Him in the Talmud.
Until recently, historians could not prove whether the chief priest mentioned in the Gospels, Caiaphas, ever existed. Then in the late 1990s, an ancient burial tomb was unearthed by construction workers. Engravings over the burial tomb showed that it was owned by the Caiaphas family. The remains of an old man in a coffin were also found inside the tomb. The name on the coffin included the name, Caiaphas, and gave him a title suitable for a high priest.
Solid evidence for the historical Jesus revealed is substantiated in numerous historical records. These include Jewish as well as Roman historians. It can also be supported by archaeological evidence such as the burial tomb of Caiaphas. This is plenty of secular proof for those who feel the Gospels are lacking in historical evidence.
Historic accounts of His day are the primary place to search for evidence. There are numerous historians who describe Him and some of the events of His life. One of these is Tacitus, a Roman historian who wrote in 115 A. D. About the terrible fire that engulfed Rome. When explaining that Nero blamed the fire on the early Christians, Tacitus explained that they followed, Christos, a man who had been crucified by Pontius Pilate. Tacitus might have had access to official reports, even those sent by Pontius Pilate, on which to base his writings.
The Roman Emperor Vespasian had a court historian named Josephus. Josephus was Jewish and his history contains a lot about the events and people who lived in Palestine during the first century A. D. He mentioned a godly man named Jesus who could do wonders and who also rose from the dead. Josephus postulated that perhaps this was the Messiah foretold by the Old Testament prophets.
There was also another Roman historian, Thallus, who lived around 50 A. D. Also mentioned Him. He described how the noon day sun had darkened when He was crucified. Thallus stated that this occurrence was the result of an eclipse.
Then in 112 AD, a Roman administrator and author named Pliny the Younger wrote about Him as well. Pliny was governor of Phrygia in Asia Minor. In his book, he mentioned that the Christians in Phyrgia were worshiping Christ as a deity.
Another book that mentions Him is the Talmud, a Jewish holy book. It contains a reference to Yeshu, a man who was sentenced to death for apostasy and sorcery on the eve of Passover. Instead of being hanged according to Jewish custom, He was crucified which was the Roman form of execution. The Talmud also describes Yeshu as being about 34 years of age. Since the Jewish writers did not recognize His deity, they did not have anything to gain from writing about Him in the Talmud.
Until recently, historians could not prove whether the chief priest mentioned in the Gospels, Caiaphas, ever existed. Then in the late 1990s, an ancient burial tomb was unearthed by construction workers. Engravings over the burial tomb showed that it was owned by the Caiaphas family. The remains of an old man in a coffin were also found inside the tomb. The name on the coffin included the name, Caiaphas, and gave him a title suitable for a high priest.
Solid evidence for the historical Jesus revealed is substantiated in numerous historical records. These include Jewish as well as Roman historians. It can also be supported by archaeological evidence such as the burial tomb of Caiaphas. This is plenty of secular proof for those who feel the Gospels are lacking in historical evidence.
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When you want to see information about the historical Jesus revealed, go to the links at www.joshuatheodyssey.com here. Details are available in the book described at http://www.joshuatheodyssey.com now.
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