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Did Jesus exist or ever walked on this earth?
Albert Einstein, one of the great scientists of all time,
said: "My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable
superior Spirit who reveals Himself in the sight details we are able to perceive
with our frail and feeble minds. That deeply emotional conviction of the
presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the
incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God."
Herbert Spencer, one of the popularizers of agnosticism of a
century ago, observed accurately that a bird has never been able to fly out of
space. Therefore he concluded by analogy that it is impossible for the finite to
penetrate the infinite. His observation was correct, but his conclusion was
wrong. He missed one other possibility: that the infinite could penetrate the
finite. This of course, is what God has done. As the writer to the Hebrews put
it, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto
the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his
Son..." (Hebrews 1:1,2) God has taken the initiative, throughout history,
to communicate to man. His fullest revelation has been by his invasion into
human history in the person of Jesus Christ. What confirms that God visited this
earth is the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We shall take an approach on all aspects to prove beyond
reasonable doubts that Lord Jesus is a historical figure and not a mythological
one. There are
four important approaches to considering the evidence for the reliability
of the Holy Bible: M.A.P.S.
Manuscript Evidence. Regarding the New Testament, the evidence supports
the view that all of the New Testament was written by eyewitnesses or other
contemporaries of Jesus, and that it has been reliably preserved. There
are no abrogations or destruction of manuscripts. For mere myths about
Jesus Christ, in the form of the Gospel, to have gained the circulation and to
have had impact it had, without one shred of basis in fact, is incredible. The
early date of the Gospel manuscripts lend great weight to the credibility of the
writers.
Archeological Evidence. Over 25,000 sites have been discovered that
pertain to the Bible. As Nelson Glueck, renowned Jewish archeologist said,
"It may be stated categorically that no archeological discovery has ever
controverted a biblical reference." This is really an amazing testimony
for the Holy Bible. Modern archeology has been conclusively shown that the
4 biographies of Christ were written within the lifetime of contemporaries of
Christ. Dr. William F. Albright, world-famous archaeologist, now retired from
John Hopkins University, said that there was no reason to believe that any of
the Gospels was written later than A.D. 70.
Prophetic Evidence. Some 2000 biblical prophecies have already been
fulfilled, including over 300 about Jesus - with no prophetic failures. The
probability of just 16 predictions being fulfilled without an error is
1 in 10 to the 45th power. For 2000 predictions to be correct without a
failure is an inconceivable probability number. There is nothing at all
like this in any other holy book.
Statistical Evidence. The Bible contains 66 books, written by approximately
40 different writers, over 1500 years, on 3 different continents, in 3
different languages, on thousands of different subjects -- with no errors
or contradictions. Norman Geisler in his book written with Abdul Saleeb
discusses this, and emphasizes that from his 40 years of studying the Bible
he has concluded that every so-called error or contradiction is a red herring.
Throughout the Bible, there is one beautiful central theme: God's redemption
of mankind from sin won for the whole world by the life, death, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. So, regarding the Holy Bible, there are multiple reliable witnesses,
many of whom did not know each other, whose stories can be corroborated.
In 1947, the world learned about what has been called the greatest
archaeological discovery of the century. In caves, in the valley of the Dead
Sea, ancient jars were discovered containing the now famous Dead Sea Scrolls.
From these scrolls, it is evident that a group of Jews lived in a place called
Qumran from about 150 B.C. to 70 A.D. The find included the complete book of
Isaiah, and fragments of almost every book in the Old Testament. In addition,
there is a fragmented copy containing much of Isaiah 38-66. The significance of
this find, for those who doubt about the accuracy of the Old Testament text, can
be easily seen. By comparing the Qumran manuscript of Isaiah 38-66 with the one
we had, scholars found that the "text is extremely close to our Massoretic
text... This is typical of the whole manuscript."
What of the New testament in the Holy Bible? Again, based on evidence, the
conviction comes that there is a text which does not differ in any substantial
particular from the originals of the various books as they came from the hands
of human writers. The great British scholar F.J.A. Hort said that apart from
insignificant variations of grammar or spelling, not more than one thousandth
part of the whole New Testament is affected by differences of reading. The New
Testament was originally written in Greek. More than 4,000 manuscripts of the
New testament or part of it, have survived to our time. The manuscripts were
most commonly written on papyrus and parchments.
The evidence for the early existence of the New Testament writings is clear.
F.F. Bruce observes that only nine or ten good manuscripts was written
some 900 years after Caesar's time. The History of Thucydides (ca. 460-400 B.C.)
is known to us from 8 manuscripts, the earliest belonging to around 900 A.D. and
few papyrus scraps that belong to about the begining of Christian era. The same
is true of the History of Herodotus (ca. 480-425 B.C.). No classical scholar
would listen to an argument that the authenticity of Herodotus or Thucydides is
in doubt because the earliest manuscripts of their work which are of any use,
are more than 1,300 years later than the originals. By contrast there are 2
excellent manuscripts of the New Testament from the 4th century. Fragments of
papyrus copies of books of the New Testament date from 100 to 200 years earlier.
Perhaps, the earliest piece of data we have, is a fragment of a papyrus codex
containing John 18:31-33 & 37 dated around 130 A.D. The said passage of the
Scripture is quoted from King James Version for easy reference:-
| 18:31
| Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your
law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man
to death:
| 18:32
| That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying
what death he should die.
| 18:33
| Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and
said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
|
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| 18:37
| Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou
sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I
into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is
of the truth heareth my voice. |
Outside Biblical source, the historical account of Jesus Christ was written
by a first century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Yusefus), 37 -100 AD.
In Rome, in the year 93 AD, Josephus published his lengthy history of the Jews
in 2 infamous books known as War of the Jews, and
Antiquities of the Jews. However, there are two versions of Antiquities, a
Greek Version and an Arabic Version. Both has slight differences in this
particular part that mentioned Jesus Christ.
Josephus Antiquities 18.3.3 (Greek Version- which was speculated to contains
interpolation)
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him
a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive
the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of
the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the
principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him
at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third
day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful
things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not
extinct at this day."
Josephus Antiquities 18.3.3 (Arabic Version-10th century)
“At this time there was a wise man who was called Jesus. And his conduct was
good, and he was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and
the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and
to die. And those who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship.
They reported that he had appeared to them after his crucifixion and that he was
alive; accordingly, he was perhaps the Messiah concerning whom the prophets have
recounted wonders.”
After researching both of the above versions of Antiquities, historian Edwin
Yamauchi and John P. Meier reconstructed the statement with underlined probable
interpolations.
“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man [if indeed one ought to call
him a man.] For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of
such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the
Greeks. [He was the Christ.] When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the
highest standing amongst us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in
the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him. [On
the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had
prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him.] And the tribe
of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not
disappeared.”
F.F Bruce did a more or less kind of same suggestion.
"Now there arose at this time a source of further trouble in one Jesus, a
wise man who performed surprising works, a teacher of men who gladly welcome
strange things. He led away many Jews, and also many of the Gentiles. He was the
so-called Christ. When Pilate, acting on information supplied by the chief men
around us, condemned him to the cross, those who had attached themselves to him
at first did not cease to cause trouble, and the tribe of Christians, which has
taken this name from him is not extinct even today."
After examination had been done on Josephus’s writings that we have today,
even taking away all those probable interpolations, we can still conclude some
points as listed below:
1) There was a man called Jesus.
2) This Jesus is a wise and good man.
3) This man had many disciples.
4) This man did surprising, strange and unbelievable things (miracles).
5) This man caused troubles during the reign of governor Pilate.
6) This man was condemned and crucified.
7) There were reports of this man’s reappearance to his disciples.
8) This man was the founder of a group called Christians
Even after filtering the suspected interpolations, we still get a fair testimony
of 8 points that refer to a wise and good man who was called Jesus, who did
strange stuffs and caused troubles during the reign of Pilate. This man was
condemned and was crucified. There were reports, at that time, of his
resurrection. And he was the founder of Christianity, which still exists today.
And besides that, in Antiquities 20, Jesus was again mentioned as the brother of
James. It seems that Josephus has some firm knowledge of who Jesus was at that
time.
Tacitus (A.D. 112), a Roman historian,
accessing the Roman government archives, of Jesus he said; "Christus,
the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea
in the reign of Tiberius; but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time,
broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated, but
through the city of Rome also." Tacitus was an enemy of
Christianity, yet he carefully recorded the story of Jesus. A death penalty was
prescribed for anyone who would tamper with government archives. These
historians were accurate to the letter concerning historic events.
Tertullian (A.D. 160), the early Christian writings
show fascinating evidence. They mention Tiberius who lived at the time of Jesus,
and knew about his life. Tertullian who was a judge and theologian at the end
of the second century wrote several books in the defense of the Christian
faith. He writes; "Tiberius accordingly, in those
days the Christian name made its entry into the world, having himself received
intelligence from the truth of Christ's divinity, brought the matter before the
Senate, with his own decision in favor of Christ. The Senate, because it had not
given the approval, rejected his proposal. Caesar held his opinion, threatening
wrath against all the accusers of the Christians." (Apology
5:2). Since Tertullian allowed people to have access to official government
records and could prove he was lying (which meant death), unless what he wrote
here was true.
Justin Martyr (A.D. 148), a great Christian
writer confirms Tertullian. In his Apology (1:35), writing to the emperor,
Antoninus Pius, in an attempt to persuade him of the Christian faith. He urged
the emperor to search and examine the existing evidence in the imperial
governmental archives in Rome that contain all the reports from procurators and
governors of provinces. According to the Roman Law, every governor must submit a
yearly report of all exceptional events in their jurisdiction. This report had
to have detailed explanation of their actions in keeping the peace and
government. Justin Martyr referred to the emperor to the "Acts of
Pontius Pilate" specifically to a report for the year of Christ's
death. Justin Martyr writes; "They pierced my hands
and my feet' are a description of the nails that were fixed in His hands and His
feet on the cross; and after He was crucified, those who crucified Him cast lots
for his garments, and divided them among themselves; and that these things were
so, you may learn from the "Acts" which were recorded under Pontius
Pilate." In other passages from his letter he writes; "He
performed these miracles so you may easily be satisfied from the
"Acts" of Pontius Pilate". Again, for him to send a letter to the
emperor of Rome with fabrications, would mean the death penalty for Justin
Martyr.
In conclusion, the person by the name of Jesus Christ is a historical figure
and not a myth or legend. For anyone who are truly interested to know more about
Him is to read the 4 biographies written by His Apostles and Disciples. The
biographies of Jesus Christ is more commonly known as the "Gospel" of
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These 4 biographies are different from memoirs
because it is an account of Jesus Christ written by someone apart from
Himself.
Is Jesus the Son of God?
Other Articles of
Interest:
a) Christian Views - Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
b) Muslims Views - FAQ
c) Christianity & Islam
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