“There is properly no history; only biography.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Suetonius (Roman Historian; 69 -122 AD)
Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41–54) edict to expel Jews from Rome in A.D. 49
“Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.” (Life of Claudius XX v. 4)
"After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome." (Acts 18:1-2)
Suetonius’ quote here may seem small but look at how much he tells us about Christianity and Christ. First, it seems that there was a problem within the Jewish people that was large enough that the problem could not be handled internally. If it were simply one or two Christians, they would be able to handle the problem themselves. So, the question is why not? It seems that there was a mix of Jews and Romans who were Christians at the time and some Jews did have Roman citizenship and could not be beaten or killed because of the protection of Rome.
Every life is a rock that ripples through the river of history. Some skip on the water, some make waves, but few change the course of that river. – A Known Author
In this first section of the historical evidences of Jesus Christ I want to look at the Roman records. I personally find these histories interesting but lacking in some areas. For example, the reliability of some of them are more questionable then others and even though they don’t deal directly with Jesus, they speak of Christians and what they believed at the time. This becomes significant for dispelling the myth that Jesus was a later conflation invented by the Church. Let’s look at the first two of four.
“Philosophy is thinking logically and systematically about the things that matter most.” – Dr. Doug Groothus (lecture on What Philosophers wish Theologians knew about Philosophy)
Before we begin looking at the evidence that convinces the majority of historians that Jesus Christ was a real person, we need to take a step back and examine how we process the evidence we’re presented with.
If we start with an overly skeptical presupposition on the issue, no amount of evidence will satisfy. Rather than trying to talk through the different levels of skepticism, I want to give 3 illustrations that will make the point. The issue is in the methodology and philosophy we bring to the table when understanding any topic.
Read MoreThe first question, or rather, proof I was asked to give, is to this statement. As I pondered at this request it crossed my mind. “Who is Jesus?” Never having been to Mexico I was having trouble narrowing down the countless people who might be named Jesus. Who was this person asking me to prove existed?
You’re reading this now, saying to yourself, what is he doing? We know he means Jesus Christ, who is said to have lived 2000 years ago. Any idiot can see that. Ah, but this becomes the very point. Why, when the name Jesus is mentioned do we all assume the same basic outline of the person in question. Some of us reading this may have a different criterion we’re using to come to our conclusions and some of us may differ on the details. But, how many of us opened this page expecting me to talk about anything less than Jesus of Nazareth?
Read MoreContinuing with this series I’m going to focus on a couple of different objections that are brought up by Hard Atheists. The first is what I call the 1% argument. This argument is of course neutral and depending on the point being made determines whether or not the 1% is positive (in favor of) or negative (in favor against). Of course I’m talking about small percentages not only about things that are exactly 1%.
Since Atheism has no axiom or absolute objectivity when dealing with issues, subjectivity and relativity reigns supreme. The only appeal to truth needed to sustain an argument is found in an argumentum ad populum (the view of a select elite or bandwagon appeal). As Homer Simpson has said, “Everybody’s stupid but me.”
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