Josephus is another historian whose work became popular because it "provided rich information on a few figures in the New Testament" (Voorst 83). John the Baptizer is mentioned with "extensive treatment" (83) and Jesus is mentioned in relations to James' death. Here he names Jesus as the brother of James that is "called Christ" (83). Josephus' most popular mention of Jesus where he is recorded as a man because his "nature and form were human, but his appearance was superhuman and his works were divine" (85). Josephus does not call him an angel but he finds it difficult to call him a mere man. Jesus is noted for opposing the law but never doing anything shameful. Josephus also writes that Jesus was followed by many and he also goes into the Pilate affair, noting that the "miracle-worker" 86) was "no criminal, no rebel, no seeker after kingship" (86). He was, however, and that is something historians do not waste time arguing over because of evidence.
Other texts point to the fact that Jesus did exist. In looking for evidence supporting that Jesus lived, we should not overlook the importance of religious documents, either. The New Testament is perceived as reliable because it contains many events that are recorded in other texts from its era. It is also worth noting that those that knew Jesus are also to be considered in proving his existence. Their testaments to his life have survived and they are accounts of what life was like with Jesus during his ministry. There is no reason to believe that these accounts are anything but non-fiction. They are not filled with hype or propaganda. It is also worth noting that Herbert Cutner claims that it is an "extraordinary fact that some of the strongest supporters of the historicity of Jesus are Jews" (Cutner 86). The religion of Islam also recognizes that a man named Jesus existed. There are too many texts from too many people from different parts of the world to deny that Jesus was a man.
Jesus was and is certainly relevant. Were it not for him, or even the idea of him, Christianity would not have spread. While there may be various arguments over...
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