THE HISTORICAL JESUS – Information about Jesus Christ Outside the Bible - by S. Kumi Opare

Christmas is here with us again. The almost universal and frenzied celebration of this day represents an acknowledgment of the momentous impact of the birth of the founder, finisher and perfecter of the Christian faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, has on the global world.
The fact that a predominant information about Jesus Christ that the world is familiar with is found in the Bible which was compiled by those who believe in the Christian faith has led some doubting Thomases to presume that the Lord Jesus is perhaps a mythical figure created by the Christian community desirous of convincing people to lead decent and moral lifestyles in order to ensure that peace, fellow-feeling and other positive behaviours prevail in the society. For example, the prominent Oxford and Cambridge professor, C. S. Lewis, initially regarded Jesus Christ as a mythical figure created by the Christians to lead the world on their own professed religious path. Similarly, the atheist philosopher Bertrand Russel in his book 'Why I Am Not a Christian' doubted Jesus ever existed on the earth and professed that as one of the cardinal reasons for his decision to stay away from Christianity. Controversies around the truthfulness or otherwise of the message of the Lord Jesus Christ would be partially settled if convincing evidence of His existence and engagement in various acts such as healings and crucifixion is provided. Archaeological evidence has revealed several sites associated with acts of Jesus Christ as well as personalities who impacted on His life in diverse ways. In 1962 the existence of Pontius Pilate’s under whose rule and authority the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus was undertaken was confirmed through the discovery of an inscription on an excavated stone that included his name. Similarly, the existence of Caiaphas the high priest was in doubt until 1990, when the discovery of an ossuary with his inscription was announced. Archaeologists have also discovered sites associated with Jesus Christ's close companions. They include Simon Peter’s house and the cave where John the Baptist baptised believers. Moreover, there are historical records that prove that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome, Luke was hanged by idolatrous priests, Mark was dragged in the streets of Alexandria to his death, Bartholomew flayed to death with a whip in Armenia and Thomas was pierced with a Brahmin sword after which he bled to his death. The question is, what about the central figure Himself? The Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Are there any historical records that point to His existence? Did He really walk on this earth, and if so, did He live in Palestine.

Fortunately, a number of non-Biblical sources made significant references to Jesus Christ that attest to His existence on earth during the period He was said to have preached in Palestine. These should erase any lingering doubts about whether He ever lived in or walked on the earth, let alone preached His message of love, sacrifice and salvation. The positive aspect of these critical pieces of historical evidence is that having been written by non-Christians some of whom were actually against the Christian religion, they can be vouched as authentic sources of information providing indisputable proof that Jesus Christ evidently lived on the earth, specifically in present-day Palestine. Such information is particularly relevant given the fact that the Christian world is once again beginning its annualised celebration of His birth, an event which is arguably the most celebrated occasion in the world.

There are numerous references to the Lord Jesus among the records of Jews who did not believe in Him as the Lord and Messiah. They include Talmud (Sotah 19a) and Talmud (Rosh Hashannah 1.8). In addition, Talmud (Kiddushin 82b) and Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a), a late 2nd century Jewish document, are non-Christian Jewish sources that made several references to the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus provide evidential support to the fact that Jesus Christ lived and was crucified on the eve of the Passover as stated in the Holy Bible. One of these Jewish sources known as Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) described the Lord Jesus as someone with magical powers who deceived Israel and let the nation astray.

In addition to these, the Jewish scholar and historian Flavius Josephus who was also one of the army commanders of the Roman Emperor Vespacian, wrote about Jesus Christ in his book 'The Antiquities of the Jews' in the first Century AD. In the passage of the book known as 'Testimonium Flavianum', Josephus makes an extensive comment about Jesus Christ, during which he stated:'At this time there appeared Jesus, a wise man. For he was a doer of startling deeds, a teacher of people who received the truth with pleasure. And he gained a following both among many Jews and among many of Greek origin. And when Pilate, because of an accusation made by the leading men among us condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him previously did not cease to do so. And up till this very day the tribe of Christians (named after him) has not died out' (Ant. 18.63-64).
This passage has often been subjected to academic debates as to its authenticity and was originally believed by some scholars to have been adulterated through inclusion of sentences that were favourable to the Christian faith by over-zealous Christians. However later discoveries about other versions, including the Arabic version by Agabus a Muslim scholar, validate its authenticity and as Dunn, D. G. James argues in his book 'Jesus remembered' the majority of scholars are in agreement that this passage is an authentic reflection of Josephus's statement about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Josephus makes another important reference to the Lord Jesus in the 'Antiquities', in the first paragraph of book 20, chapter 9, when he specifically refers to the execution of James the Just, the brother of Jesus. Josephus stated that they ' brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others....'; Josephus's testimonies are relevant due to the fact that he lived in Palestine and his writings were based on his direct encounters with Jewish leaders, Roman officials and personal experiences.

Among other numerous historical records about Jesus Christ are statements by Gaius Suetonius, a Roman historian who was secretary to the then Roman Emperor Hadrian and therefore had access to several historical records. In his book 'The Lives of the Caesars' , Gaius states that some disturbances that occurred in Rome in the Jewish quarter in the AD 40s were due to arguments about one Chrestus. It is must be noted that 'Chrestus' is the Latin spelling of the Greek name Christ. This constitutes a clear reference to the Jewish community in Rome's frequent engagement in disputes about the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Gaius Suetonius was born around 69–75 AD, and died sometime after AD 130.

Other non-Christian sources of historical information on Jesus Christ are the works of Lucian de Samosata, Greek satirist (The Death of Peregrine, 11-13), circa mid-2nd century, and the Stoic philosopher from Syria who was called Mara bar Serapion whose letter to his son also called Serapion whilst he was in a Roman prison described the execution of the Lord Jesus. The letter which is another major historical proof that Jesus Christ lived and was actually crucified in Palestine, is currently being kept at British Museum.
Phlegon of Tralles, who was a secular historian and was born about A.D. 80, wrote two major books 'Chronicles' and the 'Olympiads'. In his 'Chronicles' he, among others, referred to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ when he wrote that 'And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place....'

Thallus, a pagan historian similarly referred to the Lord Jesus Christ in his books and mentioned the fact that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was associated with earthquakes and darkness as stated in the Bible. Another pagan, Celsus, also sought to deny the miraculous powers of Jesus Christ in his book and in so doing mentioned miracles performed by Jesus Christ which provides further evidence that Jesus indeed existed and performed miraculous healings.
Another writer who mentioned Jesus Christ in his historical records was Tacitus, a Roman historian whose books 'Annals' and 'Histories' are considered major sources of historical information on the Roman empire. Tacitus referred to Jesus Christ in the book 'Histories'. A Provincial governor in the Roman empire called Pliny the Younger also mentioned Jesus Christ when he complained to Emperor Trajan in AD 112 that a group of persons known as Christians who worshipped Christus, a reference to Jesus Christ, were decidedly against the worship of the emperor hence he wanted his advice on how to deal with them.

Apart from these, there are other pieces of historical information that can be gleaned from non-Christian sources to disprove the thinking that Jesus never existed and is a mere Christian creation. All these historical data should restore the faith of Christians in the reality of the Lord Jesus both as a historical and Biblical personality who so manifestly lived on earth, preached the message of God, healed miraculously. and was crucified to provide humankind with the opportunity of eternal life in heaven. The celebration of His birth on Christmas Day marks the joyous and momentous occasion of His revelation to humankind and the restoration of humanity's eternal relationship with God. The historical proof of His existence on earth endorses and justifies the intense merrymaking associated with His birth.

Indeed, had there been lack of such historical evidence that the Lord Jesus Christ actually lived on earth, pagans, scoffers and atheists would have had a field day in disputing His message of love towards one another, peace on earth among humans and an eternal re-union with God in bliss and contentment. A successful denial of the existence of the Lord Jesus would have meant that the sublime teachings of Jesus Christ and His life of piety which have illuminated the lives of millions of people worldwide would be void and His sacrificial, saving act of death on the cross would have wasteful acts and therefore untenable. If Jesus is a make-believe, then the whole thesis of Christianity crumbles and all the worship, supplications, intercessions and reverence extended daily to God would have been vain, theatrical performances. However, and fortunately, these pieces of historical information, Biblical evidence especially the direct, firsthand and personal experiences of the apostles, and significant writings by first and second century Christians such as Tertullian, Clement, Origen and Papias constitute overwhelming proof that the Lord Jesus lived and died as preached in churches, homes, on rooftops, in streets, on the airwaves and other media. Let us celebrate Christmas with joy, hope and refreshing worship because the Lord Jesus was born, brought us messages of love and peace from God, died on the cross for our salvation, rose from the dead and lives forever as proclaimed and enshrined in the Holy Bible. Amen

Author's email: kkopare@aol.com