Last year on H20 much was discussed about whether Jesus was a historical person. It was brought out that no mention of Jesus is ever made outside the works of Christians (presuming that all Christian historians are biased) except for the the writings of Roman historian, Flavius Josephus. And, even the brief mentioin of Jesus in Josephus works are challenged by some as being spurious addtions to some manuscripts. Other historians have showns the pros and cons of these claims, and I published both of these on H20. Notwithstanding this, the claim continues that Jesus is built upon mere embellishments of some guy, like the was St. Nicholas was transformed into Santa Claus. Others have claims that Jesus Christ never existed, period. Two questions that can be asked are: What happened to various people, including Christians, who traveled to and from Israel, and 2.) Is there any other evidence of Jesus existence beside the plethora of Christian writings, and the scant references possibly made by Flavius Josephus?
Christian Travels: The difficulty in trying to discredit Christian historians contemporary with Jesus is that freedom of religion, the press and speech were not quite the same as they are today. Even where such freedom was present, literacy ratios were lower, and the ability to publish works in writing was cumbersome. So, when a family became Christian and then traveled to another land, obviously taking their Christian beliefs with them, much of what they had by way of information, was orally transmitted. Also, they were often not well received, or at least the new land was not interested in publishing anything about the Jewish Jesus. It is not like the modern 21st Century media that examines everything, included Presidential semen stained pants. At times these ancient Christians were also persecuted and thier books and any mention of them were destroyed. Sometimes war, as it was fought in ancient times, could have destroyed records, not with malice toward Christians, but they just got in the way.
Other sources of Jesus Christ: So, I have been searching from time to time into various historical works looking for references to Jesus Christ, or Jesus of Nazareth. And here are some interesting points that are among the things I am collecting.
1. There are many 'indirect' references to Jesus Christs. Ancient peoples, like today, were accostumed to speaking about people by their 'reputation' rather than always using proper names. Often, in newspapers today, it is just the opposite, journalists give full names ages places of birth along with any other character references and reputational notes. We don't just read, the First Lady, but we read 'First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, wife of William (Bill) J. Clinton the 42nd President of the USA, etc., etc., ...
So, for example, in ancient times, a simple reference to the 'First Lady' would have been enough. Likewise, in Jesus case, we see indirect references to 'the Nazarene,' or the 'son of Mary,' or the 'Carpenter's son,' etc., or the man who was executed with criminals.
2. The Jewish Babylonian Talmud, which contains many features such as discussions of law, history, Rabbinical notes, tradition, ritual was written and codified shortly after Christ, in the 2nd Century and continued to the 6th Century. There are also the Palestinian Talmud, and the Jerusalem Talmud, all written in the same general time, but contain different comments from different Rabbis, etc.
The Talmud is the Mishnah of early 'oral' tradition of the Jews which Jesus referred to when he condemn the traditions of men, such as when he challenged the Prarisees. This 'oral' tradition was written down 'after' Jesus died, but was added to over time and includes references the Jesus Christ, many 'indirect' references, and several direct references, such as in the protion of the Talmud called Sanhedrin, Chap. 43a. Certainly, if any group had reason to expose Jesus as being a figment of Christian fantasy, the Jews from the time of Christ forward would have such motivation. And, while there references to Jesus Christ are not complimentary, they do support what the apostles wrote concerning Jesus, his birth of Mary, his life and death.
3. Other nations about, besides Rome had historical writings. While much of Roman history was burned, with the exception of Josephus works, and thus mention of Jesus Christ may have been lost with it, there are works in Persia (Iran) that are written about Jesus dating from the first Century. I am in the process of getting copies of those works.
4. While Islam did not begin until about 570 AD, much of what this religion teaches recognizes Jesus Christ in the Koran (Quran) such as the comments about Jesus born of Mary made in Surah 3: Ayat 42-63. Clearly, Islamic writings would not contain such direct references to Jesus Christ unless there had been some known historical information that they would trust enough to place into their Holy Book, the Koran. And given that Islam claims to be superior, or say a better, or more recent fulfillment of God's (Allah's) will, then any information that would discredit the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ as being a fantasy of Christian invention would have been most useful to Islamic tradition, especially when they ended up at war with Christians during the Crusades.
5. There are writings from yet other nations, like Egypt, Syria, Greece, etc. that I am looking into for any references to Jesus Christ, whether direct or inderectly made. Certainly, if we cannot rely upon Josephus for secular verification, and much Roman history has been destroyed that might have discussed Jesus Christ, even just briefly, then other nations about must have something about Jesus Christ, even just a little.
So far, the Babylonian Talmud is once such source. There are first century writings in Iran that mention Jesus Christ. And, I am also trying to get a copy of a document supposedly written by one of the Persian Magi (Zorastrian Priest] who visited Jesus in Herod's time, and is among the 3 wise men mentioned in the Bible. I have a scant reference to this, and until I have it, I can't make too much of it. When and if I can collect more data, I will update this topic for you. - Simply Amazing