If the Bible is historical-fiction as I suspect then isn't Jesus a truly historical-fictional character?

Question

The Jews were great record keepers as has been pointed previously out but they show no record of Jesus. The Bible is all there is.

Answer 1

I don't think Jesus existed in the way portrayed in the bible, and certainly the bible is not a history book or an autobiography of Jesus.
The early Rabbinic record of the Jewish faith , a document called "Dialogue with Trypho", written by St Justin Martyr circ 160 AD recorded what is basically an argument that Just Martyr had with a Jewish man called Trypho. In this document, Trypho mentioned a "groundless report" and also clearly and unequivocally stated the early church had "invented" Christ. In the famous Ante-Nicene Library can be seen this passage that reads " "But Krist, if he has indeed been born and exists anywhere is unknown...And you, having accepted a groundless report, invented a Kristo for yourself."
I am sure I could fill several pages with other references that question the historical accuracy of the life of Christ, but the point is, that belief in the concept, the teaching and practise of true Christianity is ultimately good, the fact that it is based on a lie is fundamentally irrelevant.

Answer 2

The Jews, God's Chosen People, were given the great responsibility of writing down the Scriptures as the Prophets revealed them from God, and then preserving them. The Jews believed the prophecies concerning a coming King, who would live and reign in power and glory. Their perception of the Messiah (Jesus), was a K ing who would come and stay and rule forever in great authority and holiness. So when a group of people started proclaiming the baby born to Mary & Joseph as Jesus Christ, the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament, the ones who were still awaiting their reigning King, refused to believe that theirlong awaited One had indeed arrived, and many, many Jews, to this day are still waiting for the Messiah. He will come all right, but this time, it will be the Second Coming, and then we will have our ruling King & Saviour. Now, you either believe this( like many Jews & Gentiles today), or you don't. I choose to believe that one day soon, Jesus will come in a cloud to harvest the earth of ALL believers. So, if you or anyone chooses to believe that Jesus is merely an historical figure, that's your right. The big difference with a believer like me, is that I received the salvation offered to me as a " GIFT", not a right. It's free to anyone who will ask for forgiveness. That is a good question, by the way. God bless.

Answer 3

Actually, the Jews did keep records of Jesus. He is mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus (born 37AD) in his book "Jewish Antiquities". As is John the Baptist, and Jesus' brother James who was the first leader of the Jerusalem church.

Jesus is mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud, compiled by the Pharisees begining in 73AD. They list him as an evil wizard who perfromed miracles by black magic until he was executed by the Roman at their request. They also state that his body was stolen by his disciples.

He is mentioned by another Jewish group - the Mandaeans, which still exist today, who follow the teachings of John the Baptist, but reject Jesus as a false prophet who corrupted the teachings of John. Their histories date back to the first century time of both Jesus and john.

But perhaps more important is that there is no document or record that DENIES the existence of Jesus. Within 20 years of Jesus' life, his followers had become so common in Jerusalem that the Pharisee were publicly stoning them. They took his brother James and threw him from the top of the temple before stoning him. By 63AD they had to drive many of them out of Israel in Egypt where they formed the COptic church. Had there been no Jesus, would it not have been simpler to remind people of that?

Here are the Christians, claiming that Jesus lived, performed miracles, and taught to crowds that numbered into the thousands. Paraded into Jerusalen itself with the people heralding him as their king on Palm Sunday. If these things never happened, all the Pharisees had to do was stand up and say so. If the meetings never happened, people would know it. If the miracles were never performed, people would remember that. If the enterance to Jerusalem never happened, people would not be following Jesus just 20 years later.

But rather then state there was no Jesus, both Josephius and the Pharisees try to explain that he was not the Messiah, and that his miracles were tricks or black magic. That his body was stolen. No - if he had never lived, they would be standing up and asking for one single witness who knew him - one single person who had been healed - one single person who had been in the crowd when he taught. When no such person was found, the whole idea of a Jesus would have died.

But they could not do, because he was real. The events really happened. So the best they could do was to mock it.

The Jews did keep records of Jesus, his miracles, and his resurrection.

Answer 4

Historical-fiction. I disagree.
Once again, I believe as did Jesus, and many others that it is historical-non-fiction. Seeing that Jesus rose from the dead, and believed in word for word inspiration-I will believe him.

If you make such a claim that it is "historical fiction" I would like to see where it is fiction. Give me good scientific/historical PROOFS & I will agree with you.

Edit 1-
Secular historians even talk about the existence of Jesus. The Jews hate Jesus-the orthodox ones admit that he did live but was not the Messiah.
Also, many Jews follow Jesus today. My pastor, for one, is Jewish. Me for two am Jewish.

Answer 5

The only problem with that is that countless numbers of people died for this historical-fictional character along side of those who had living memory of this person. Christianity moved all across the roman empire via people who had living memory of the messiah. The idea that he didn't exist is naive at best. I think people wished Jesus wasn't a real person so that they can refuse to live the way he wants us too. It's a very convenient form of denial.

Answer 6

Fiction, I think not. Jesus is alive in heaven with God, and on judgment day ultimately everyone will confess Jesus as Lord, but it will be to late for those who did not believe in Him to receive His forgiveness.