Do you believe Jesus ever existed?

Question

I am just curious, and no, I really dont know for sure if socrates existed.

Exactly, in Socrates case it was Plato.

Answer 1

the existance of Jesus has been proven many times, it's the fact that he is the son of God that many people have problems with. Jesus did actually live, it's in more that just the Bible.

Answer 2

You ask a very important question, and I hope that you consider it very seriously. If you look at the contemporary non-religious or religious evidnce which exists, it is quite good- one can look at the Roman historian Tacitus, or Jewish Josephus, as have been mentioned, both of which were alive during the time of Christ. The source that I would point to, and the one that really seals the deal for me is to look at the results: from the 12 men that originally got the message of the gospel and all of them with the exception of John died for it, the message has spread to you and to me, still the same as it was in 33 A.D. From them you can trace sources within 10-20 years within Christ's death by Paul and the other apostles' letters to various churches throughout the Roman empire, you can also point to Polycarp- who was a close associate of the apostle John, he wrote letters in 105 A.D. to some churches as well. all of these sources within 70 years of the death and ressurection of Jesus Christ. If you can look at those sources- even from a skeptics point of view, you still have to admit that that short of a timespan doesn't allow for the growth of legend or myth within the gosple message. If and when you arrive at the point of seeing Jesus as a truely historical figure, you then have three questions to ask yourself about Him: was he: Liar; Lunatic, or Lord? email me if you want answers to those questions

Answer 3

It's certainly a valid question. Historians were everywhere during the time in which Jesus supposedely l lived, and yet the only historians who have any mention of a religious Jesus are those that were born after he supposedely died, such as Josephus. The Roman documents that many Christians parrot are just as ludicrous. Many people do not understand what can be considered historical evidence... For nearly all great philosophers, scholars, religious leaders of the past, even before Jesus' time, we have many historical documents proving they did exist, for Jesus there is none.

Really the question, after studying both history and theology, makes little difference to me. Even if a religious Jesus existed, by studying the formation of the Christian religion it can easily be seen that any historical Jesus that existed would be vastly different than portrayed in modern texts.

Answer 4

I'm an atheist, but I do believe Jesus may have existed, but not as the "Christ" or how he is portrayed in the New Testament. I think if Jesus did live he was just a man and rabbi, not the son or embodiment of god.

Answer 5

Think Socrates existed? Afterall we Only have the Word of some people who say so...right?

Answer 6

Jesus--yes
god---no

Answer 7

yeah, regardless of what i will believe 20-30 years from now. to say he didn't exist is unlikely.

Answer 8

Yes, other historians outside the scriptures talk about him in their texts also.

Answer 9

Read 'The Case for Christ.' It's an amazing book and will answer all your questions about Jesus Christ and if he really walked this earth and stuff. :]

Answer 10

He still exists.