Did Jesus Christ Really Live? (Help Debunk this scepticism at Easter season.)

The Freethought Web ^ | Marshall J. Gauvin

[melsec]

The proof that He lived is that He still does, in me and you!

God Bless

Mel

[Missiekins]

I still think Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands A Verdict (volumes 1 and 2) is still the best reference to give to someone who denies the obvious. And the best tool to use with the individual in such a state of spiritual blindness is prayer.

I couldn't agree more. McDowell's series is the best I've found on the subject second only to the Bible. Anyone who reads it must come away with the absolute knowledge that God, The Son, is the Creator, born of the virgin Mary, lived a Perfect life, was crucified, died, was burried, and rose from the dead the third day, alive, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, The Father.

To be so closed minded to not be interested enough to search the evidence is to perish.

[nickcarraway]

This author is quick to dismiss a lot. I'm glad he doesn't know of my life, he'd say I was a fictional character, based on many improbable circumstances. Who doesn't have these in their life?

The other Gospels are utterly ignorant of this discussion; and, this single incident excepted, the four Gospels maintain an unbroken silence with regard to thirty years of the life of their hero. What is the meaning of this silence? If the writers of the Gospels knew the facts of the life of Christ, why is it that they tell us absolutely nothing of thirty years of that life?

If they were just making it up, it would be easy enough to make something to fill in here.

[Caleb1411]

In addition to Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands a Verdict, you may also want to look at Norman Geisler's When Skeptics/Critics/Cultists Ask (3 books).

[BibChr]

Yes indeed, the supposed "freethinker" viewpoint is hopelessly behind the times and marginalized, being created NOT by free thought, BUT by enslavement to a very specific (and unprovable) philosophical bias.

Dan
How to Make Your Very Own Jesus
Why I Am (Still) a Christian

[Havoc]

Marked to read later - looks like an interesting challenge.

[NathanArarat]

The reference to the ethnic background of Jesus' followers particularly stood out to me. As a person of Armenian background, I understand a little of eastern culture. For years, because of their devout Christian beliefs, Armenians were persecuted and put down by many of their neighbors in the east. But, my point is, because Armenians were looked down upon, they were not given any social consideration. For instance, many Armenians living in Sicily spoke multiple languages from the area, because other cultures were not going to talk to them in their own language. So, the Armeninas had to speek Italian, Greek, and so forth, as well as their "native language." Similarly, the Greeks and Romans did not look upon the Jewish people as people of high regard, and therefore their dealings with them would necessitate that the Jews could communicate in languages other than their own. Also, the Disciples of Christ were charged to go unto the entire world and preach the gospel. So, considering the region they were in, their social standing, and the fact that they did seek converts among the "Gentiles," it is not at all surprising that they not only had the ability to communicate in Greek, but that they would choose this language as their medium.

[Dath KahRek]

Up until about 6 months ago, I was an atheist. Having no belief in heaven or hell, satan or God or any of the happenings in the bible. However, my girlfriend, had always noted(being religious all her life) how God was working through me, with my selfless acts and generous deeds.

Then I went to church with her a few times, wanting to experience first hand what a life with Christ was all about. After a few weekends of going to church I decided to go on a Mission Trip to Ohio to help needy people with fixing their homes. From that week on I was forever changed, because I put my faith in Jesus Christ and believe that he died for my sins.

Living my life as an atheist was unfruitful and unhopeful... I had many dreams which never came true and hadn't done well in school. For the teachers always noted my great potential and high understanding for the world and its workings but never could I sit down and work hard.

I took a year off after graduating high school because I felt as though I wasn't ready for college nor did I want to goto college yet. I wanted to go to an easy-way-out technical school for computers. Being completely unchallenged...

However since I started believing in Christ, I noticed a great change in me, I applied to college and I am now going, just had my first week of school and hadn't procrastinated at all with my homework(which says alot if you knew me in high school). I also have more hope for the uncertain future and do not have the fears I once had. I am also serving others better and do things to help others in need more frequently.

The very ideals of the Christian faith are to love your neighbor and help those who are in need. Having faith in Christ is important, but God wants you to serve those in need. Even if you believe in Christ or not, I think we all can agree that helping others and serving others is something that this world could certainly use alot more of.

However, shortly after my experience of christianity and becoming a Christian, I found many websites and documents online, devoted to defacing the Christian ideals and beliefs. I think of these as "Obstacles". "Obstacles" can always be overcome, if one has his/her spirit, body and mind in the right state.

What we are told in the bible is God's words. No matter what one human being says about the validity of it does not change the fact that its God's words... God doesn't tell us everything, for then we wouldn't need faith, because we would know all that we would need to, but I would doubt there are any lies in His words. For lying is a human's trait.

[SunkenCiv]

Just adding this to the GGG catalog, not sending a general distribution.

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[attiladhun2]

There is far more documentary evidence that Yeshua bar Yosef lived than there is that Alexander the Great lived. That also holds true for the resurrection. People who deny, esp. the historicity of His existence are like fools revelling in their own folly.

[nathanking72]

I wonder have you considered that not one of these books has a copy that is original, that even if these dates are correct on these authors not one could have been around or old enough to have first hand account of christ, Talmud was a verbal transfer of knowledge and the one you mention is date 2 centuries to early to be the Christ that is mentioned in the new testament you references would be useless in a court of law or by any historian who had an once of common sense. You are almost helping the argument.
Its like all blind Christians you believe one book and people who say there are 10 of thousands of books that prove Jesus was a real person you need to really do some home work, not even the dead see scrolls mention him and this is the oldest document known.

[anniegetyourgun]

Wow - no serious historian denies that the man named Jesus (called the Christ) of Nazareth walked the earth. There’s just too much extra-biblical & biblical evidence...and too many witnesses. It’s like questioning the existence of Winston Churchill, Napoleon, or Julius Ceasar.

[anniegetyourgun]

I have done my homework - and as a result, am no longer spiritually blind. However, I understand your hatred of God & His Christ...it’s common. After all, “there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction.”