How Can I Know if Jesus Really Existed?

How Can I Know if Jesus Really Existed?

© LOGOS MEDIA 2014

Scripture quotations are taken from:
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

EPUB: ISBN 978-83-63837-69-3
MOBI: ISBN 978-83-63837-70-9

Table of Contents

- WHAT DO THE FACTS SAY?

- CHRISTIAN SOURCES

- The New Testament scriptures

- Justin Martyr

- Quadratus of Athens

- NON-CHRISTIAN SOURCES

- Cornelius Tacitus

- Suetonius

- Pliny the Younger

- Lucian of Samosata

- Mara Bar-Serapion

- Flavius Josephus

- Thallus and Phlegon

- Talmud

- CONCLUSION

- RECOMMENDED READING

- REFERENCES

WHAT DO THE FACTS SAY?

In the 19th and 20th century many sensational theories questioning the existence of Jesus surfaced. The authors of these theories alleged that the existence of Jesus can only be a matter of faith, since it cannot be proven by any historical sources.

Most of those theories are now outdated and have long been forgotten. However, new ones keep popping up in their place. So we’re constantly hearing new claims that Christianity is based on some great hoax, and that Jesus was a fictional character. These theories usually cause a stir and capture, although briefly, the attention of the media. Upon hearing them, many people ask: Can we really be sure that Jesus ever existed?

What do the facts say? When speaking about Jesus, are we confined only to belief? If we examine historical sources, can we come to the conclusion that Jesus of Nazareth was non-existent?

Every objective student of history will acknowledge that the facts look completely different and have little in common with such sensational theories. The historicity of Jesus is well documented and no significant sources question his existence.

The historical documents which interest us can be divided into two categories. The first category is comprised of events recorded by Christians. The second one contains the writings of non-Christian authors, who are often very unfavorable towards Christianity.

Let’s go back in time and examine some ancient documents…

CHRISTIAN SOURCES

The New Testament scriptures

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Justin Martyr

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Quadratus of Athens

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NON-CHRISTIAN SOURCES

Cornelius Tacitus

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Suetonius

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Pliny the Younger

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Lucian of Samosata

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Mara Bar-Serapion

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Flavius Josephus

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Thallus and Phlegon

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Talmud

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CONCLUSION

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RECOMMENDED READING

The Most Important Thing in Life

Every one of us has a lot of things on our mind. Urgent tasks and important responsibilities practically never end. We lack time for rest, for reflecting on life, and even for sickness. And yet, one event – for example, a physician’s dreadful diagnosis – can turn our present value system completely upside down. Things which previously seemed so important, suddenly don’t matter anymore. So what is really important?

The authors turn to the Bible and present the life-changing answer.

The Way of Jesus

Find out what was said by a man, who in 50 AD became a follower of Jesus and then collected and wrote down the accounts of eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. His narrative – known today as the Gospel of Luke, a part of the Bible – has changed the lives of millions. It can also change yours!

The Bible text is taken from the World English Bible (Version 2014).

World English Bible (Easy Navigation)

The World English Bible is an update of the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Holy Bible. Its style, while fairly literally translated, is in informal, spoken English. The WEB is designed to sound good and be accurate when read aloud.

Key features of the World English Bible:

- The Majority Text used as the basis for the New Testament,

- God’s Proper Name in the Old Testament translated as “Yahweh”,

- Over 1,000 translation notes provided throughout the volume, offering important information concerning the translation of the Bible text (original wording, multiple possible readings, significant variants).

This ebook edition offers a very intuitive and user-friendly navigation.

REFERENCES

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