Is there any real evidence apart from the bible that Jesus existed?

Question

I don't really believe in God and all that but I believe that a man called Jesus existed and I believe that he was wise but that people have distorted his message greatly over the years. Anyway, is there any evidence apart from the Bible that he existed. I mean it was only 2000 years ago. Are there any other papers that have been found with his name on, any income tax return, any trees with 'Jesus Christ was here' carved into them, maybe a postcard from one of his disciples or a diary entry from someone he healed…...you know the sort of thing I mean.

Answer 1

The writings of Josephues and Roman scholars of that time period.

Answer 2

I'm totally with you on this one. I'm not religious at all and I don't believe in the creation theory. However I don't deny there was someone called Jesus around at that time. I do believe that he probably did go around teaching about god etc. As for the miracles of turning water to wine etc I'm afraid that's where I don't agree with what's documented about him.

The bible like any historial record is written by man not "god" and therefore as we know from todays society history is subject to be written in a way that makes things look better than they actually were. This happens all the time where we have a tendancy to write an article in the press or alter the facts to produce a more dramatic record. The press do this now so what's to say this wasn't going on back then either.

With no body of Jesus there's also no way to acutually prove his existance as such. Although we know the body is said to disappear was it actually stolen or did it really just vanish as said.

Like the film a bloodline would be a good example but again we would need both a body and accurate proof dating back to the beginning of the bloodline.

I suppose it's a question of faith.

But the bible could be much bigger if certain texts that were originally kept out of the bible were inserted into it. The scrolls of St Thomas which were considered heresay by the Vatican state that Jesus is said to say that god is everywhere and there is no need for priests or churches. Where ever you are and where ever you pray god will hear you. Of course the church would not want this to be instered into the bible as it would mean the loss of power and as we know in our history the church used to have vast control over the UK as well as many other countries I'm sure.

Answer 3

No. There's lots of stories which sometimes seem to corroborate, but at least as often contradict, the biblical accounts but stories are all they all are.

They can't find hard evidence of the existence of people who, for the historical period, would be expect to be very easily referenced. It's not absolutely certain Pontius Pilate existed, as depicted. There are stories and a chunk of limestone which suggest there was some such person there but the dates aren't perfect and that doesn't translate, at all, as evidence that the stories associated with the name are true or accurate.... So, 'No' is the answer.

Answer 4

the recent testomony of the bible isn't one e book, it incredibly is a determination of books written at distinctive situations with distinctive authors. The books chosen for the recent testomony have been chosen from numerous tracts written over a century after Jesus dying. on a similar time as in basic terms the books all of us know immediately type the the recent testomony numerous books written at or around the comparable time using fact the gospels have been rejected . using this there are numerous documents and testaments that do incorporate references to Jesus that are no longer interior the Bible. there is likewise the Koran which mentions Jesus as a prophet and there are additionally some roman documents that point out him. on condition that the suitable way of touching on memories replaced into interior the oral custom and not written there are in basic terms some rather historic documents. the Gospel of Thomas replaced into no longer biblical, it incredibly is a gnostic text textile and while study alongside with lots of the different gnostic texts refers to a Jesus it incredibly is unrecognizable using fact the comparable guy of the Gospels.

Answer 5

I'm sure that there is proof that lots of people called Jesus lived around that time, and every other time as well. There may or may not be one of them who was used as the model to base exaggerated or made-up stories in order to bolster the Christian religion above others. This was a common ploy among the 'Holy Lands' - a miraculous messenger brings news/words/a book from the real god and real religion. Spread the word - those who do not conform will be punished by god or by us.

Answer 6

I am sure that there was at least one man named Jesus to have lived on this planet, however the guy Christianity is based on was not called Jesus (Joshua Bar Joseph).

Joshua reinterpreted the bible back to the correct interpretation, and read the bible from GODs point of View - the result of this work, is people believed he was GOD, the stupids still do...

Answer 7

There are mentions of Jesus in other historical text. He was recognized by the Judism and Islam as a prophet. Including this passage from Josephus who was a Jewish priest:

"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 received 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." (Antiquities XVIII 63f)

There was also a discovery in the late 90's (I don't know when exactly) of a box that supposedly contained the remains of a man. It was dated back to around 30 A.D. and the inscription on the tomb read: brother of Jesus.

Personally, my belief in Jesus comes from faith and not historical or scientific proof of his existence.

Answer 8

no, absolutely no evidence. several people here mention Josephus, with varying degrees of understanding as to who he was, (born 37 AD, a coward and a traitor to his own culture, and a Roman propagandist), of Tacitus, who wasn't born until 56 AD and lived in what is now the south of France. however Josepus has been discredited even as an historian, enough said. and the works of Tacitus do not agree with each other, many having been altered at some time later.

belief in Joshua bin Joseph (or Jesus) is strictly faith based.

Answer 9

You have accepted in your question that he existed . Other answers have cited his name being mentioned so it's a no brainer that he walked the earth 2000 years ago . As to the distortion issue , that is the one thing we can be more certain about , early church councils and indeed the Gospels layed the foundations for our present day conclusions about him . Of course there is some differences concerning ritual and practice but in the main areas of belief there is broad agreement that has a lineage stretching back to within the earliest times of the church . The more important question is what do you do, armed with the knowledge of his life and teachings.

Answer 10

There is no archaeological evidence that Jesus ever existed. A few years ago someone found a sarcophagus inscribed "Here lies James brother of Jesus" in Palestine I think. It turned out to be a hoax.

Answer 11

The Bible consists of this "proof" that you are asking for. The four gospels are first-hand accounts of Jesus' teachings. The Acts was written by a doctor, Luke, who kept a diary while everything was going on. The Epistles are actual letters written by Paul and Peter to the various churches that were young, and also to individuals.
These writings were written within 40 years after Jesus' ministry.
As far as I know, and I'm probably wrong, nothing else was written. Jesus was considered a rebel, and a criminal against the Jewish faith. He was dealth with as such, and disposed of (or so they thought!)