Table of Contents
What do scholars know about the historical Jesus?
Historical Jesus scholars typically contend that he was a Galilean Jew and living in a time of messianic and apocalyptic expectations. Some scholars credit the apocalyptic declarations of the gospels to him, while others portray his “Kingdom of God” as a moral one, and not apocalyptic in nature.
What religion existed before Christianity?
22: Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians Before Christianity, two major monotheistic religions existed in the ancient Mediterranean area. Explore the similarities and differences between Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and emerging Christianity, and how the empire initially accommodated their teachings and actions.
Do secular historians agree on Jesus’ life and death?
Jesus’ life and death Secular historians, whether christian or not, broadly agree on the basic facts of Jesus’ life (see Jesus in history). EP Sanders, just about the most respected NT scholar of the past 30 years, and cautiously sceptical, wrote in The Historical Figure of Jesus, p10-11:
Are there any historians who are Christian?
Some of these historians are christians, some are not, but they are not writing about their beliefs, just about the historical evidence. Jesus existed
Do historians agree on anything about Jesus?
It is the same with Jesus. There are historical facts which most expert historians tell us are probable, with very few dissenting, and other evidence that they are not in such agreement about. And then there are opinions (beliefs) about Jesus, all of us have them, including historians, but we differ widely.
Are the Gospels reliable historical sources?
Luke (especially) and the other gospel writers, including John, have been shown to be reasonably reliable reporters. Classical historians (i.e. ancient historians not specialising in NT history) generally accept the gospels as useful historical documents.