Testimony Too Good To Be True??? The Antiquities of the Jews, by Flavius Josephus, is often cited by Christians as proof that Jesus Christ actually lived, did miracles, was crucified, and rose from the dead as the New Testament declares. All real scholars agree that the section in Josephus is referring to Christ but some declare it to be a forgery introduced later, probably by Eusebius, the first writer to cite it because this passage is not found in any of the older manuscripts. That such a forgery was necessary to indicate that legitimate supportive records did not exist. Is this a fatal blow to Christian apologetics??? I have already shown that there was more than sufficient corroborative evidence of various kinds, including other contemporary writings, so there was no need for a forgery. Critics love to say that "all of the real scholars agree" to this or that when they really mean certain scholars of a particular bias. The fact is that the passage which is referred to is found in all ancient copies of the works of Josephus. It is accepted by most scholars and referred to as authentic by other ancient writers beside Eusebius. For that reason alone it could not have been added later as some critics want to believe and have unsuccessfully tried to establish. The critics who dispute this section in Josephus do not do so on the basis of any evidence but because what it says is so favorable to the cause of Jesus Christ> Here is the passage: 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 received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 23:23:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015