What historical texts document the life/crucifiction/resurrection of Jesus, written at the actual time of the events? Why was the New Testament written so long after the fact?
2007-04-01 11:57:04 · 7 answers · asked by humble.earthling 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
there are 4 books of the bible, mathew mark luke and james that were written by people who actually know Jesus. Then Paul came along and wrote some inspired documents, however historical evidence indicates that there was more than one 'Paul' writing documents. There is the liberal Paul and then another guy 'Paul' who wrote the stuff on slaves obey your masters etc.
In the first century AD, there were 30 books of the bible, known today as the Lost Scriptures. These books contain revolutionary material that didn't set well with the Roman culture and government. For instance, in these books, Jesus 'takes on' organized religion. He also preaches equality of women and the need for women to assume their equal place in society for the world to 'work'. In these works, it was assumed that Mary Magdeline would become the church leader after Jesus, as she was his most advanced diciple.
Historical artificats from the first century AD support much of this doctrine as the Essens held women in equal leadership positions of the church and are depicted as leaders in murials etc
Of course, the patriarchy of Rome couldn't tolerate this, so Pope (Gregory?) of about the 7th century tried to have all those document destroyed and added a bunch of his own.
One thing Jesus warned over and over again was the masculination of the church and the subordination of women.
These were the historical documents circulating in the first century AD. Worth reading for nothing more than historical perspective.
2007-04-01 12:07:05 · answer #1 · answered by Fancy That 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the New Testament was written within 5-10 years of the fact. How much closer does it need to be? The only reason it was written down is to reach those who weren't there when it happened. The rest were eyewitnesses, so they didn't NEED for all the events to be written down.
However, there are historical writings outside of the Bible which mention Christians within fifteen years of the beginning of Christianity. That's about as close as you'll find ANY historical document recording ANY event of history at that time.
Edit: Take a look at historical writings which recount the life of Alexander. Those were written five hundred years after the fact, and yet are considered accurate.
So what's the difference between those, and the Gospels?
2007-04-01 12:10:21 · answer #2 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean while there were taken place as in the way news in reported today, most likely none. The entire Bible was God inspired God breathed as the scriptures tell us. The Gospels which tell the story of life/crucifiction/resurrection of Jesus are accounts given by the authors from their having witnessed them. The reason for the lapse in time? Roman persecution. Christians of the NT times were hunted down by Saul, (Later called Paul) and killed, put in prision, or fed to the lions.
2007-04-01 12:07:12 · answer #3 · answered by Pastor D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are none that are not "self-referencing" -- ie to claim "well the gospel of mark" is not really being honest, since the gospel of mark has a reason to claim there was an historical figure.
There is also no record of the Jews leaving egypt after the contruction of the pyramids. My guess is, if the Romans had not adopted Chirstianity as a state religion, we might not know too much about it at all.
There is precious little in the historical record about ordinary folks.
2007-04-01 12:08:13 · answer #4 · answered by emagidson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"So long"?!
Compare the distance from Jesus to the New Testament with 20 other figures from the ancient world. If there is one unique feature that sets Jesus of Nazareth apart from other ancient figures, it is the fact that writings about him appeared so soon!
2007-04-01 12:01:20 · answer #5 · answered by NONAME 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are none until the Gospel of Mark. There are no Roman records of Jesus (except as the founder of Christianity much later). The only other work of the time is the Histories of Josephus, which were forged.
2007-04-01 12:00:32 · answer #6 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
And no, the New Testament wasn't written so long after. Do your research and you will see.
2007-04-01 12:06:08 · answer #7 · answered by A follower of Christ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋