There are several ancient extra biblical sources that provide evidence of the life of Christ. Although some of these sources are more reliable than others, there is enough of the historical Jesus revealed to give credence to the fact that he lived and was crucified. He is referred to in Pagan, Jewish, and Christian writings outside of the New Testament.
An ancient Jew called Josephus, who was the court historian for Emperor Vespasian, made references to Christ. He referred to Jesus as a wise and virtuous man who had many disciples. He also writes about his brother James. In spite of some question about the exact wording of some of his phrases that were probably interpolated by Christian sources, he attests to the death of Christ by crucifixion, the report by the disciples of his resurrection appearances and the subsequent teaching of his message.
Tacitus, a highly respected Roman historian, wrote that Christ suffered the extreme penalty at the hands of Pontius Pilate during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Seutonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, made reference to a Chrestus who was instigating the Jews in Rome.
Pliny the Younger, who served as a governor in Asia Minor and was known for the many letters he wrote, serves as a source of the behavior of the early Christians. He was personally in charge of interrogating Christians and ordered them to be executed unless they denied their faith. He relates that they met on a certain day, sang hymns and ate food together. He mentions that they came from a cross section of society, including all ages, sexes and classes. They worshiped Christ as a deity and made oaths not to commit unrighteousness.
In the Talmud, written well before the New Testament came into being, reference was made to Christ and his disciples. It is stated that he was hanged. It mentions that forty days beforehand it was publicly announced that he would be stoned. Another reference refers to five disciples who went before judges and were to be executed.
The second century Greek satirist Lucian, though he wrote critically of Christ and the early Christians, does establish that Christ was worshiped by followers after his death. He says that the Christians were convinced of their immortality, which explained their contempt for death. He mentions that they believed they were all brothers and that they despised worldly possessions.
Gnostic sources report facts concerning Christ that are not found in the gospels. The subject of his historicity is addressed and it is affirmed that he took on a human body and regarded himself as the Son of God. Although these gnostic sources are full of many gnostic tendencies and are theologically orientated, this does not necessarily mean that they do not contain any historical fact. However, they are treated with caution by many scholars.
There is solid evidence of the historical Jesus revealed in ancient extra biblical sources. Most modern scholars of antiquity are in agreement as to the fact that he lived, was crucified and that his teachings spread after his death. Less than twenty years after his death Christian teachings had spread around the Mediterranean and reached Rome.
An ancient Jew called Josephus, who was the court historian for Emperor Vespasian, made references to Christ. He referred to Jesus as a wise and virtuous man who had many disciples. He also writes about his brother James. In spite of some question about the exact wording of some of his phrases that were probably interpolated by Christian sources, he attests to the death of Christ by crucifixion, the report by the disciples of his resurrection appearances and the subsequent teaching of his message.
Tacitus, a highly respected Roman historian, wrote that Christ suffered the extreme penalty at the hands of Pontius Pilate during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. Seutonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, made reference to a Chrestus who was instigating the Jews in Rome.
Pliny the Younger, who served as a governor in Asia Minor and was known for the many letters he wrote, serves as a source of the behavior of the early Christians. He was personally in charge of interrogating Christians and ordered them to be executed unless they denied their faith. He relates that they met on a certain day, sang hymns and ate food together. He mentions that they came from a cross section of society, including all ages, sexes and classes. They worshiped Christ as a deity and made oaths not to commit unrighteousness.
In the Talmud, written well before the New Testament came into being, reference was made to Christ and his disciples. It is stated that he was hanged. It mentions that forty days beforehand it was publicly announced that he would be stoned. Another reference refers to five disciples who went before judges and were to be executed.
The second century Greek satirist Lucian, though he wrote critically of Christ and the early Christians, does establish that Christ was worshiped by followers after his death. He says that the Christians were convinced of their immortality, which explained their contempt for death. He mentions that they believed they were all brothers and that they despised worldly possessions.
Gnostic sources report facts concerning Christ that are not found in the gospels. The subject of his historicity is addressed and it is affirmed that he took on a human body and regarded himself as the Son of God. Although these gnostic sources are full of many gnostic tendencies and are theologically orientated, this does not necessarily mean that they do not contain any historical fact. However, they are treated with caution by many scholars.
There is solid evidence of the historical Jesus revealed in ancient extra biblical sources. Most modern scholars of antiquity are in agreement as to the fact that he lived, was crucified and that his teachings spread after his death. Less than twenty years after his death Christian teachings had spread around the Mediterranean and reached Rome.
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