Theology: HJH 1

Evidence from “outsiders”

 

  1. Josephus (37/38 -100 A.C.E.)   Antiquities of the Jews (3 short references)

 

  1. Josephus Testimonium Flavianum – devotes a full paragraph to Jesus.

 

  1. Babylonian Talmud (2nd Century)

 

  1. Seutonius (2nd Century)

 

  1. Pliny the Younger (2nd Century)

 

  1. Tacitus ((2nd Century)

 

  1. Lucian of Samosata (ca. 120-180)

Evidence from “insiders”

Four Gospels-

Mark

Matthew

Luke

John

 

Non-narrative (i..e non-gospel) New Testament writings datable with some degree of probability before the year 70 testify to traditions concerning Jesus circulating within the Christian movement and which correspond to important points within the gospel narratives.  {See last page of this handout}

 

 

Number of Years that he was publicly recognized for his teaching.

At most 3 years

 

 

 

2.  Jesus and the statements of outsider sources (i.e. non-Christian sources)

 

Points of Convergence about Jesus from outside sources:

 

  1. There is the appearance of the title Christos as a virtual name (Josephus, Suetonius, Tacitus, Pliny)

 

  1. His location in Palestine/ Judaea (Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian)

 

  1. His death by execution (Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian)

 

  1. The continued presence of a movement carrying his name (Josephus, Suetonius, Tacitus, Pliny, Lucian).

 

 

 

Less well attested (fewer sources) historical events attested to by outside sources concerning his death:

 

  1. Placement of his death under Pontius Pilate (Tacitus, Josephus)

 

  1. Placement of his death under Tiberius (Tacitus)

 

  1. Involvement of Jewish leaders in his death (Josephus)

 

 

 

Less well attested (fewer sources) historical events attested to by outside sources concerning his death

 

  1. He worked wonders (Josephus)

 

  1. He was a teacher (Josephus, Lucian).

 

 

What these sources do not say about Jesus:

 

  1. He or his movement was as a political or military movement

 

  1. The movement was not seen as a philosophy or a form of magic, but it was understood in terms of religious categories:  it was a depraved “superstitution”  (Suetonius, Tacitus, Pliny) or “cult” (Lucian).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.    Non-narrative (i.e. New Testament accounts other than the gospels)  insider (i.e. Christian or Jesus Movement) accounts concerning Jesus

 

Non-narrative (i.e. non-gospel) New Testament writings datable with some degree of probability before the year 70 testify to traditions concerning Jesus circulating within the Christian movement and which correspond to important points within the gospel narratives.

 

           

1.     Jesus was a human person (Paul, Hebrews)*

 

2.     Jesus was a Jew (Paul, Hebrews)*

 

3.     Jesus was of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews)

 

4.     Jesus was a descendant of David (Paul)

 

5.     Jesus’ mission was to the Jews (Paul)*

 

6.     Jesus was a teacher (Paul, James)*

 

7.     Jesus was tested (Hebrews)

 

8.     Jesus prayed using the word ‘Abba’ (Paul)

 

9.     Jesus prayed for deliverance from death (Hebrews)

 

10.   Jesus suffered (Paul, Hebrews, 1 Peter)

 

11.    Jesus interpreted his last meal with reference to his death (Paul [by implication Tacitus  and Josephus])

 

12.    Jesus underwent a trial (Paul)*

 

13.    Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Paul)*

 

14.    Jesus’ end involved some Jews (Paul)*

 

15.    Jesus was crucified (Paul, Hebrews, 1 Peter)*

 

16.    Jesus was buried (Paul)

 

17.    Jesus appeared to witness after his death (Paul)