Proof

by desib77 15 Replies latest jw friends

  • desib77
    desib77

    Is there proof other than the Bible, of Jesus life and ministry on earth?

    Desi

  • Wallflower
    Wallflower

    No wish to be pedantic, but I wouldn't say the Bible proved anything, especially Jesus. :)

  • desib77
    desib77

    Okay, I guess I stated it incorrectly. I just mean is there any other reference to Jesus or archeological findings that indicate his existance on earth?

    Desi

  • Bryan
    Bryan

    I'm sure someone will correct me, but...

    It is my understanding that there have never been any archeological proof that "Jesus was here". I do believe though, ancient writers have referred to Jesus, concerning Rome.

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    Josephus refers to a man who preached and and worked miracles at this time.However there are those who dispute that that part of his work is original, wouldn't they just?

  • Wallflower
    Wallflower

    Desib, sorry, there's always one isn't there!

    As far as I am aware Bryan is spot on. Nothing, zip!

  • RunningMan
    RunningMan

    There are a couple of references. One of them is from Josephus. However, there is substantial reason to believe that the short passage was a spurious addition. As I recall, there are a couple of other references to him from non-biblical sources, but they are inconclusive. Even if they are authentic, they really don't give much information to corroborate the Bible's story. The existance of a guy named Jesus does not prove that he did what the Bible claims.

    Many of the Bible stories about Jesus contradict themselves - for example, his date of birth is given three different times - each one different from the other. As well, his line of descent, as given by Matthew, contradicts the one given by Luke.

    Many of the Bible stories, such as Herod's massacre of male babies, have no secular record. The Bible also makes errors regarding culture and procedure, that seem to indicate a later authorship.

    Add to this the supernatural tall tales of his miracles, and you have a recipe for regarding the story as merely legend. This is the standard to which we hold Greek mythology, why do we lower our standards for the Bible?

    So, although it is possible that the Bible stories are loosely based on an actual individual, or composite of individuals, the overall Jesus myth is just legend.

  • El blanko
    El blanko
    Add to this the supernatural tall tales of his miracles, and you have a recipe for regarding the story as merely legend. This is the standard to which we hold Greek mythology, why do we lower our standards for the Bible?

    Possibly because the historical figure of Christ represents a more clearly identifiable human character than the weirdos found within Greek mythology Although I always enjoyed the Jason stories ...

    There are references amongst Roman writers of the spread and effects of Christianity. This suggests that there was a starting point and certainly a figure known as Jesus who developed such vigor amongst people at that time. To spawn an entire religious movement containing such rapid growth and strength of numbers is a monumental task within itself (give it a go if you like!).

    So yes, I'd personally say that Jesus existed. Now whether you have faith in him being "the son of God" is up to you.

  • weasel
  • weasel
    weasel

    The last site I mentioned is controversial, this one seems to sum it up. I found a description from one of the people ?in yellow? at the following site about Jusus about four years ago, but I?ll be damned if I can find it again.

    http://www.atheists.org/church/didjesusexist.html

    The weeze

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