Did Jesus (the man) actually exist?

[shadow2k]

Alright kids. How he looks isn't all that relevant. I just find it odd that he would, in my opinion, obviously not be white with long hair as he's so often portrayed. I can understand why they portray him in like fashion, but it's right there in the bible not to have long hair on a man. Makes no sense to me.

Does it prove anything? No, of course not.

As for Alexander?

Contemporary historians from his time that witnessed said events wrote about him. There is also evidence being uncovered even now from Babylonia. No doubt that many things about the man have been exaggerated. But there is far more proof of Alexander's existence than has ever been shown for Jesus.

 

[Dionysius]

is there any evidence Lars Porsenna existed? not much, really.
the main reason people contest jesus`s existance is because
they/others would care if he did or did not.
poor lars, nobody gives him any attention.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Is there any specific solid evidence from the lifetime of Joseph of Capernaum that he existed? No, but I'll bet that there were Josephs in Capernaum. Just because we have nothing from Jesus' lifetime itself that has survived that specifically mentions him doesn't mean that later accounts can't be true. Remember, we are dealing with someone who lived 2000 years ago, in a fairly non-literate society, who wasn't all that famous in his own lifetime.

 

[Dionysius]

some people reckon he faked the crucifiction and died in the roman siege of Masada. just putting that out for discussion or debunking.
eran; whos that in your avatar? was wondering.

 

[Masquerouge]

some people reckon he faked the crucifiction and died in the roman siege of Masada. just putting that out for discussion or debunking.

Faked the crucifixion? That's a hard one to pull off. What did he do, used fake nails?

 

[Dionysius]

well, didnt die anyway. most crucifictions take days... his was hours.

 

[MobBoss]

This website gives some good evidence for the argument that Jesus did exist. http://www.sowhataboutjesus.com/existed.php

 

[Masquerouge]

This website gives some good evidence for the argument that Jesus did exist. http://www.sowhataboutjesus.com/existed.php

Josephus is an interesting fellow. While his passage about Jesus being resurrected and the Christ is subject to contestation, in another passage thought to be much more reliable he also says that Jesus had a brother, James. A great read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus_on_Jesus#Testimonium_Flavianum

My understanding (remnants from my catholic education) was that Jesus is not supposed to have had any brothers.
Does this mean that Christians saying that Josephus' writings is a proof that Jesus existed also accept the whole James as a brother deal?

 

[Dionysius]

well, it says so in the bible, as i have posted before.
in religious terms people prefer to believe they were born
after jesus, so he was of virgin birth. the others being more of half sisters/brothers.

 

[puglover]

My understanding (remnants from my catholic education) was that Jesus is not supposed to have had any brothers.
Does this mean that Christians saying that Josephus' writings is a proof that Jesus existed also accept the whole James as a brother deal?

He had several brothers actually, according to the Gospels and other historical evidences.

 

[Masquerouge]

He had several brothers actually, according to the Gospels and other historical evidences.

All right. Case settled, then

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Anyways, I could never buy the idea that Joseph and Mary never had relations at any point in their marriage. Why would they do something like that?

 

[MobBoss]

Josephus is an interesting fellow. While his passage about Jesus being resurrected and the Christ is subject to contestation, in another passage thought to be much more reliable he also says that Jesus had a brother, James. A great read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus_on_Jesus#Testimonium_Flavianum

My understanding (remnants from my catholic education) was that Jesus is not supposed to have had any brothers.
Does this mean that Christians saying that Josephus' writings is a proof that Jesus existed also accept the whole James as a brother deal?

Uh...yes, Jesus had a brother, James. He is even identified as such in my bible and in the book of well, James.

 

[Dionysius]

Question: "Did Jesus have brothers and sisters (siblings)?"



Answer: The Bible never gives an exact count, but Jesus’ siblings are mentioned in several Bible verses. Matthew 12:46, Luke 8:19, and Mark 3:31 say that Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him. Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). Jesus also had sisters, but they are not named or numbered (Matthew 13:55-56). In John 7:1-10, His brothers go on to the festival. In Acts 1:14, His brothers and mother pray for Him. Later in Galatians 1:19, it mentions that James was Jesus’ brother. The most natural conclusion of these passages is to interpret that Jesus had actual blood siblings. There is no Biblical reason to believe that these siblings are not the actual children of Mary and Joseph. They were obviously born after Jesus, because Jesus was born of a virgin (Isa 7:14; Luke 1:26-38).

Recommended Resource: Vital Christology Issues by Roy Zuck.

heres my post again. lest we forget!

 

[shadow2k]

This website gives some good evidence for the argument that Jesus did exist. http://www.sowhataboutjesus.com/existed.php

Worst background ever.

Despite that, I looked up the historians who's timelines they did not mention. None of which even lived during the time of Jesus, let alone would have been old enough to actually see any of it happen.

 

[Dionysius]

hey, what about those papyri that mention jesus? the Judas Gospel!
"worst background ever" wow. i thought comicbookguy was a fictional character...

 

[puglover]

hey, what about those papyri that mention jesus? the Judas Gospel!

The Judas Gospel was written in reaction to the spread of Christianity, not the actual life of Christ.

 

[Dionysius]

in fairness, the oral stage lasted quite awhile.
in the sense that no major transcriptions of the new testament were made.

 

[El_Machinae]

Uh...yes, Jesus had a brother, James. He is even identified as such in my bible and in the book of well, James

Really? The book of James is the same fellow?

 

[MobBoss]

Really? The book of James is the same fellow?

Supposedly, yes.