There really isn't any evidence outside of the Bible that Jesus ever existed is there?

Question

Okay, in the Bible you have 4 Gospels written decades after Jesus' life, and this is the most substantial evidence.

Next you have a handful of historians, none who lived in Jesus' time, who mentioned a "Christ" based on rumors, and the most quoted of all (Josephus) is, well let's just say there's reasonable doubt there.

There's no history of Jesus in a society of meticulous record keepers.

Not to mention the fact He said He'd be back by the end of a generation, now I'm not one to take the Bible literally, but all definitions of a generation have come and gone.

I'm glad feelings are good enough for some people, but it seems odd that some people can live their entire lives based on something with not only no substantial evidence supporting it, but a lot of evidence to the contrary.

This is why I come here, to see how people can put away all reason, and base their lives on 2000-6000 year old stories. Which is fine, I'm just saying, you might want to second guess it a little.

"there is historical proof/facts that Jesus walked this earth. people may not believe He is the son of God but He did walk this earth."

Feel free to share some of this "proof."

"you cant read the bible right can you?you just dont understand it do you? It's all true even if you dont believe it."

You made more grammar mistakes in one sentence then I did in a short essay, me thinks I can read just fine.

"Have you ever heard of Josephus?"

No, I only used his name by lucky guess. Feel free to read the whole thing.

Answer 1

Shouldn't it be "than" instead of "..then I did in a short" ?? Just being helpful...


There's a logical difficulty in the Jebus myth, if he could mobilize all those people, and if he did have a following... and was hailed king of the jews, you'd think the romans might have paid a little attention to him, and if not them, then the jews. There should be some records at least...

Can't find any solid evidence of Jebus ATM, but I can take a stab at proving simon magus if you like?


EDIT
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Blacksheep.?

"He was an eyewitness to many events during the time of Jesus."

Is this the same Josephus that was born in 37?

And Jebus was born around year 4, and died around 36?

So, Josephus was an eyewitness a few years before his birth? Solid research there dude.

Answer 2

Actually, there are several accounts of Christ, outside of biblical writings. The most noteworthy is from Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian, who lived from AD 37 to approximately AD 100. He wasn't a Christian, yet his writings tell of Jesus Christ, as an actual person. His works are the principle source for the history of the Jews from the reign of Antiochus Ephiphanes to the fall of Masada in AD 73. He was born of a Jewish priest, and well educated and respected by the Jewish community. He was an eyewitness to many events during the time of Jesus.

Read his writings "The antiquities of the Jews" - book 18, chapter 3, paragraph 3, "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 receive 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...had condemned him to the cross...he appeared to them alive again the third day..."

Answer 3

Actually, there is a small snipet amongst the execution records. At least, from what I have been told. Although this proves nothing more than someone was executed and not that they were divine.

I do seem to also recall rumors about a rogue Rabbi teaching extremely different things along the same lines of the fictional character Jesus.

Answer 4

The Koran records accounts of Jesus, however that too was written after His time. The Dead Sea Scrolls also have accounts of Jesus which somewhat differ from the gospels of the Bible. That Jesus exists I have no doubt. That some stories of His life have been changed to more closely match the prophecies of Isiah and others seems evident. That in no way detracts from my faith in Jesus as the Christ.

Answer 5

I guess that why they call it having faith. Maybe their is not a lot of concrete evidence of Jesus, but is their any evidence of the man that created the first table, we don't know his name but we know is legacy. To believe is not to seek to have proof that something existed. If at the end of time their is no God and no Heaven, did I waste my life by doing good things and helping others because of my possible mislead faith, I think not. Do not always look for who and how things come into being but look at there effect on people who (truly) believes in them.

FRED

Answer 6

2000 years of history...in fact history so actuate that even Alexander the Great and other conquers, came to the Jews and Christains to see who would win the battle...even commanders in Hitler's army, pretty recent, so all through history the Bible has been 100% true. there is even scienifice proof of the star over bethlehem, where Jesus was born, documented with such proof and astrological evidince down to the exact date. Jesus is the most documented person in History. the shroud of Tourin has been documented by scientist to show that Jesus not only lived but raised from the dead.
You and others like you are the only ones that think there's no evidence and that Christians go on feeling....we do not! we go on the Living Word, the True word of the One True God.
I think you need to read the Bible and find out when that generation started, it was not when Jesus walked the earth but when Israel would be a nation and Jeusalm would be in their hands.
Time does not permit for me to put in all the evidence for Jesus, but He loves you and He came that you might live without the control of error in your life and for all mankind to be reconciled to the Father in Heaven. Please ask Jesus to come into your heart.

Answer 7

There are texts which do not appear in the Bible such as the Gnostic Gospels, which give differing accounts of Jesus to the New Testament.

There are also accounts of Jesus in the sacred books of other religions, eg. the Koran.

What we do not have is an accurately documented account of Jesus' life as we do of other religious figures such as Buddha and Mohammed.

What accounts we do have of Jesus are sketchy and conflicting, so much that people are still arguing over them and their meanings today.

So if a person follows Jesus it's a question of belief and subjectivity rather than fact.

Answer 8

looking at all the evidence you easily put away, it is reasonable to say your actually trying not to believe. You know all the records but you say "written years later" , HELLO! it was written in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John's lifetime! isn't that enough?
no not for you, because you think that everyone forgets everything in just a couple of years.
Have you even looked at the deaths of the apostles? they all died horrible deaths when they could have said "i don't believe"
im pretty sure not one person would die for something they didn't actually see and believe. but all 12 died.
when Jesus spoke of the generation when He'd come back, right before He said that he described a future generation and he said that.
Obviously you are trying NOT to believe if you just deny every piece of evidence. "willingly ignorant"

Answer 9

I challenge you to go to a quiet place and ask Jesus if He existed and all other questions you have. Close your eyes, sit or kneel quietly and listen intently and see what you hear. I spent three months in a Muslim country, the Karan speaks of Jesus being the only person they know that performed miracles. Some had dreams of Jesus telling them that there religion was wrong. Others had seen Him standing in their room telling them who He was. He will do what He promises in His Word whether you believe it or not....but after your quiet time, I'd like to know what you think.

Answer 10

I see people saying that they are living proof, and thats good enough for them. BUT NOT for the average critical thinker. I for one will not be controlled by a religion and a religious icon(jesus) that was created to control millions. Religion blinds people, makes them feel invulnerable, until the very end. Behold I show you the great deceiver, controller of many, a waste of precious time and energy. It saps our energy and kills lives. Look at it, all religions, not matter which one, believes their religion true, but how can all of them be right? The answer is clear! THEY ARE ALL WRONG! It would be a sick game if their was a God. A God that would create us just so he could control us like a child controls their legos? Nah, sorry, God is a lie created to amass fear and control people.