Celsus, a 2nd century Greek philosopher, accused Jesus of having "invented his birth from a virgin," and upbraids Jesus with being "born in a certain Jewish village, of a poor woman of the country, who gained her subsistence by spinning, and who was turned out of doors by her husband, a carpenter by trade, because she was convicted of adultery; that after being driven away by her husband, and wandering about for a time, she disgracefully gave birth to Jesus, an illegitimate child" Celsus wrote that the father was "a certain soldier named Panthera (sometimes known as Pandira)." After his birth, Celsus writes that Jesus "having hired himself out as a servant in Egypt on account of his poverty, and having there acquired some miraculous powers, on which the Egyptians greatly pride themselves, returned to his own country, highly elated on account of them, and by means of these proclaimed himself a God."
This view is further supported by Talmudic tradition, which tells of a man named Ben-Stada - meaning "Son of Pandira". He was "on account of his poverty was hired out to go to Egypt; that while there he acquired certain (magical) powers which Egyptians pride themselves on possessing." According to the Talmud, Ben-Stada learned magic in Egypt and performed his miracles by means of it.
2007-12-04 04:02:37 · 17 answers · asked by The Bassline Libertine 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A simple and short statement--------
There is much speculation that the father of Jesus was a Roman soldier who had raped Mary . It was not unusual in those days.
Also, this idea that Mary was a virgin comes from a mistranslation of a Hebrew word. The word meant ''young woman'', and not virgin. A young woman might, or might not have been a virgin.
2007-12-04 08:17:16 · answer #1 · answered by Shossi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not really. It is a second century writing and thus is not contemporary to Jesus. It seems that Celsus may have simply been quoting the Talmud. The question would be when was the Talmudic tradition started and how reliable it is in its account.
Note: I'm not saying that Jesus existed, just that this is not conclusive proof either way. Similarly we can not take the Gospels as proof either, as they were not eyewitness accounts and several of them are likely to have been paraphrased from another text.
2007-12-04 04:12:08 · answer #2 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I read the question as to JW "How can you explain this evidence that Jesus is God?" Using your own bible That is how you posted it. So now you are saying on your add on comment something else as the main point-their bible. Why do some bibles add what shouldn't be there to support a Trinity or other issues? In case you are not aware many do. Also add words like Easter some even say Job was celebrating his birthday. Many add and subtract things claiming it helps people understand that has been going on for ages. For ages.....In many dominations Are you going to point all of them out? Why didn't you? You didn't know? I have never know them to say don't use your own bible. Many of them do use other bibles. That was an attack on them despite your protest and playing innocence now. And did show prejudice on your part. Regardless, you are missing many scriptures that support ONE ALMIGHTY GOD AND ONE LORD AND SON and they made the distinction quite clear. And Jesus didn't correct those who called him the son of the most high the Father Nor did he make claims to be the Father only the one sent by the Father Your question didn't prove your point of their book verses others. You asked "How can you explain this evidence that Jesus is God?" I think that has been answered by some of them and others, so your second part of "no attempts" made is also wrong. Let me tell you many new Christians are uneducated people of the bible. And easily swayed often joining groups because they like someone, the preacher, the church is nicer or closer etc. Very few churches offer studies other than Sunday School and tell you to check ON YOUR OWN if what they teach is true. And I think many churches need to do that
2016-05-28 03:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by kaitlyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Celsus accused Jesus of having an earthly father. You can accuse a person of anything you wish. The Bible tells the Truth about Jesus and his birth. There were people in the 2nd centenary who were non-believers just like they are people in this time that does not believe Jesus.
2007-12-04 04:17:19 · answer #4 · answered by Tessa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What can Celsus know about Jesus if he was not there to be a trusthful witness? he was born more than a century after Jesus death, the real account of Jesus life is written in the Bible by John and Matthew, people who did knew Him and walk with Him, so don't you mind about the tales of Celsus.
2007-12-04 04:09:06 · answer #5 · answered by Kate Kingsley 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it is not evidence of an earthly father for Jesus. Nor is it evidence that His miracles were magic taught by the Egyptians. If it were magic, it would have taken different forms. I have never seen a magician heal, cast out demons, or come back from the dead. I HAVE seen magicians do tricks, though.
2007-12-04 04:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Celsus and the Talmudic authors were both arguing against the "mythology" of Jesus. Unfortunately, today, both are used as "evidence" that Jesus really existed. He didn't.
But it is entirely possible that the myth of Jesus is based partly on the mysterious "Egyptian" mentioned by Josephus who organized a revolt against Rome and was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Jeanette: Please show me the chapter and verse in the Bible that speaks of "3 wise men" coming to see the birth of Jesus. If you need to, you can wait and ask your Sunday School teacher next week. This should prove to be interesting, and serves as an example of easily myths are created.
2007-12-04 04:08:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No, this is not evidence that Jesus had an earthly father.
This is evidence that someone whoi lived roughly 150-200 years after the time of Christ had a theory that Jesus had an earthly father.
I can present evidence showing that someone theorizes that aliens landed in Roswell, but this is only proof that the THEORY exists, not that the ALIENS do.
The same concept applies to your "research". You have proved that a theory exists, but you have done nothing to prove the theory.
2007-12-04 04:07:19 · answer #8 · answered by Matthew Stewart 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It seems to me that you prove your own story though. We aren't talking about Jesus. Talmudic tradition states that it was Ben-Stada who did those things. The historian was obviously confused.
2007-12-04 04:06:49 · answer #9 · answered by tcjstn 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no this is not evidence. in the bible, it clearly talks of the 3 wise men who came to see the birth of Jesus. THE BIRTH... what you are talking about here would be what took place long after his birth. not to mention.... what you have written of and what is written in the bible is all based on faith and belief. yours does not discount mine.
2007-12-04 04:09:20 · answer #10 · answered by Jeanette 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋