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53. No historical Jesus?

4th July 2006 by Arthur Eedle

Strong anti-christian pressures have been emerging recently in forms that defy logic, and defile the mind. Consider the following four examples.

  1. Jerry Springer, the Opera. This blasphemous production has the Lord Jesus Christ depicted as a nappy-wearing pervert, Mary is said to have been raped by God, God himself needs Jerry Springer’s shoulder to cry on. That is quite apart from all the profanity, mixed with the blasphemy and the offence to Almighty God and the Christian community.
  1. The Da Vinci Code.  This cunningly written book, and the film that goes with it, depicts Jesus as having survived the cross, married Mary Magdalene, and sired a whole family of “special” people. In denying the resurrection, the book essentially flattens Christianity, of which Paul said, “If Christ be not raised, we are still in our sins.”
  1. The Gospel of Judas. This ancient heresy, brought to light again from a recently discovered document, purports to show that Judas Iscariot was in the right, and that Jesus had a special friendship with him. It is a brazen denial of all the evidence from the four Gospels.
  1. The Jesus trial. An Italian atheist by the name of Luigi Cascioli gained worldwide recognition just recently for suing a Priest, and saying that Jesus Christ never existed. The Priest, Rev. Enrico Righi stated in a parish gazette, that “the historic figure of Jesus was the son of Joseph and Mary, born in the village of Bethlehem and grown up in Nazareth.”  Cascioli argued that Righi violated a law that forbids deceiving the public, and that there is no evidence that Jesus ever existed.

The outcome in the Appeals Court in Rome was decisive. Cascioli was fined $1,900 for bringing a fraudulent lawsuit. However the aged Cascioli vowed never to pay the fine, saying it is “an abuse of authority against every right of expression and liberty.”  He even went further to say that the Church has made great profit from its deception for 2,000 years, which he claims is another crime under Italian law.

Rev. Righi’s attorney, Severo Bruno, said, “Righi is very satisfied and moved at the outcome. He is an old, small-town parish priest who never thought he’d be in the spotlight for something like this.”

Righi said that the existence of Jesus is unmistakable due to a wealth of both pagan and Christian evidence pointing to His reality.


It might be the right time to state exactly what those evidences are, seeing that we are living in a fast-changing world, where personal opinions and philosophies are becoming sacrosanct, and every man must be granted the ability to say and to do whatever seems right in his own eyes. One is reminded of the last verse of Judges, where this very thing is stated plainly. “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”  In Proverbs 14:12 we read, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  Oswald Chambers said, “The essential nature of sin is my claim to my right to myself.”  Without the Lord Jesus as King in our lives, we are as a small boat tossed about by all the winds of human philosophy.

The 15th edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica uses some 20,000 words to describe the person of Jesus, far more than articles dealing with such famed individuals as Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Confucious, Mohammed, or Napoleon. After covering the many independent secular accounts of Jesus, the Encyclopaedia concludes, “These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus, which was disputed for the first time, and on inadequate grounds, by several authors at the end of the 18th, during the 19th, and at the beginning of the 20th centuries.”

Apart from the many evidences within the New Testament itself, and the writings of the early Church Fathers, we have the following.

  1. Cornelius Tacitus. (Born A.D.52-53) Speaking of the atrocities of Nero after the fire in Rome, he said that Nero “punished the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate.”
  1. Lucian of Samosata. (2nd century A.D.) He spoke of Christ as “..the man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced this new cult into the world.”
  1. Flavius Josephus (born A.D.37) In his Antiquities xviii.33 we read the following. “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 receive the truth with pleasure.”
  1. Suetonius (A.D. 120) In his Life of Claudius he writes “As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.”  In his Lives of the Caesars he writes, “Punishment by Nero was inflicted on the Christians, a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition.”
  1. Pliny the Younger (About A.D.112) Referring to a certain trial, in which Christians were being accused, he said, “They affirmed that the whole of their guilt was that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang a hymn to Christ as to a god.”
  1. Tertullian. (A.D.197)  Mentioning an exchange between Tiberius and Pontius Pilate, he said, “Tiberius accordingly, in those days the Christian name made its entry into the world, having himself received intelligence from the truth of Christ’s divinity, brought the matter before the senate, with his own decision in favour of Christ.  The senate . . . rejected the proposal.”
  1. Thallus (A.D.52) The following comes from Julius Africanus, quoting Thallus (whose writings have mostly been lost). “Thallus, in the 3rd book of his histories, explains away this darkness [at the crucifixion] as an eclipse of the sun – unreasonably as it seems to me.”
  1. Phlegon (1st century) His Chronicles have been lost, but Philopon mentions Phlegon’s statement about the darkness at the crucifixion. “Phlegon mentioned the eclipse which took place during the crucifixion of the Lord Christ . . .”

These and several other sources could be adduced in favour of the historicity of our Lord. If anyone wants to have a more complete record of these quotations, they may be found in Josh McDowell’s “Evidence that demands a verdict.” Chapter 5, from which I have gathered the information for this brief study.

We are living in very strange, demanding, and disturbing times, when the assault on the Christian faith is gaining momentum from a variety of directions. Those of us who have learned of Christ, and have like precious faith need to encourage each other as the Day of Judgment draws near. My wife and I have need of that encouragement, even as we have sought to encourage others by this article. God bless you all.

Filed Under: The Wellspring

About Arthur Eedle

Arthur was born in 1931, and became a Christian in 1948. At London University he gained a 2nd honours degree in Physics. He went on to get a Teaching Diploma, and throughout his career life taught physics in England, Kenya, and Hong Kong. Coupled with his love of science, he was a keen student of Greek and Hebrew, and gave many lectures on Biblical subjects. Read more

The Wellspring

1. God’s Megaphone

1st September 2001 By Arthur Eedle

2. Suicide

1st October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

3. Petra

12th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

4. Two different Gods?

20th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

5. I AM

23rd October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

6. “Not I but Christ”

25th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

7. How I Love Your Law!

27th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

8. The Jewish Problem

2nd November 2001 By Arthur Eedle

9. The Evaluation of Coincidence

15th November 2001 By Arthur Eedle

10. Gracious Uncertainty

30th April 2002 By Arthur Eedle

11. Jasper & Sardius

8th May 2002 By Arthur Eedle

12. Antithesis

19th May 2002 By Arthur Eedle

12a. The Essential Role of Free Will in Universal Reconciliation

17th June 2002 By Arthur Eedle

13. The Importance of Earnest

10th August 2002 By Arthur Eedle

14. The Millennium

14th August 2002 By Arthur Eedle

15. Cancer – A Personal Testimony

17th December 2002 By Arthur Eedle

16. C.S.Lewis on the New Year

1st January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

17. Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

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18. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

12th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

19. “The Intolerable Compliment”

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20. The Power and Practice of the Truth

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21. The Power and Practice of the Lie

1st March 2003 By Arthur Eedle

22. The Use and Abuse of Power

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23. What on earth is happening?

29th July 2003 By Arthur Eedle

23a. A reply to “What on earth is happening?”

4th August 2003 By Arthur Eedle

24. Equality

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25. Paul to the “Ephesians”

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26. Mystery

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27. Ephesians 1:15-23

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28. Ephesians 2:1-10

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29. Ephesians 2:11-22

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30. Cain and Abel

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31. Laying the Foundation of the Lord’s House

1st February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

32. Tomorrow’s Bread

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33. Grace Parables

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34. The Responsibility Factor

5th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

35a. Our Wilderness Journey. Part 1

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35b. Our Wilderness Journey. Part 2

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36. Genetic Modification in the Bible

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37. Arthur’s Testimony

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38. Identified with Christ

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39. It Would Have Been Better…

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40a. Friday’s Man was nailed upon a Cross

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40b. Sunday’s Man was nowhere to be found

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41. Jeremiah’s Cryptogram

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43. The Gospel of Humanism

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44. Cosmetic Christianity

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45. EXPERIENCE versus KNOWLEDGE

6th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

46. “Just a wearyin’ for you”

13th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

47. Islam by ex-Muslims

24th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

48. Six Particular Men

9th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

49. Ten “Everlasting” wonders in Isaiah

13th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

50a. Missing the Mark. Part 1

18th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

50b. Missing the Mark. Part 2

21st April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

51. The Mark of the Beast

29th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

52. Irreducible Complexity

2nd May 2006 By Arthur Eedle

53. No historical Jesus?

4th July 2006 By Arthur Eedle

54. The Power of God’s Spoken Word

17th March 2007 By Arthur Eedle

55. God’s chosen fast

19th April 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56a. Resurrection and the Change – Part 1

1st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56b. Resurrection and the Change – Part 2

7th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56c. Resurrection and the Change – Part 3

10th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56d. Resurrection and the Change – Part 4

12th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56e. Resurrection and the Change – Part 5

13th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56f. Resurrection and the Change – Part 6

14th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56g. Resurrection and the Change – Part 7

15th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56h. Resurrection and the Change – Part 8

16th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56i. Resurrection and the Change – Part 9

17th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56j. Resurrection and the Change – Part 10

18th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56k. Resurrection and the Change – Part 11

21st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56l. Resurrection and the Change – Part 12

22nd May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56m. Resurrection and the Change – Part 13

23rd May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56n. Resurrection and the Change – Part 14

24th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56o. Resurrection and the Change – Part 15

25th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56p. Resurrection and the Change – Part 16

27th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57a. Before He Comes – Part 1

31st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57b. Before He Comes – Part 2

8th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57c. Before He Comes – Part 3

10th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57d. Before He Comes – Part 4

11th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57e. Before He Comes – Part 5

12th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57f. Before He Comes – Part 6

13th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57g. Before He Comes – Part 7

14th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57h. Before He Comes – Part 8

18th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57i. Before He Comes – Part 9

19th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57j. Before He Comes – Part 10

24th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57k. Before He Comes – Part 11

29th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57l. Before He Comes – Part 12

30th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57m. Before He Comes – Part 13

3rd July 2007 By Arthur Eedle

58. Free Will Versus God’s Sovereignty

28th August 2007 By Arthur Eedle

59. Rules of Engagement

10th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

60. Cameo. Part 1

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61. Cameo. Part 2

18th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

62. Cameo. Part 3

26th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

63. Cameo. Part 4

28th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

64. In His Hands

1st November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

65. The Starlings

5th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

66. “Dead Truth”

13th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

67. “Dead Sin”

18th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

68. “Dead Faith” and “Dead Works”

2nd December 2007 By Arthur Eedle

69. “Dead Worship”

18th December 2007 By Arthur Eedle

70. A Pseudo-Bunyan Author

19th March 2008 By Arthur Eedle

Article Series

  • All our Yesterdays (30)
  • Before He comes (13)
  • God's Spoken Word (37)
  • Mysteries of Science & Faith (8)
  • New Series (101)
  • Newsletter (2)
  • Original Series (109)
  • Prophecy considerations (5)
  • Recognising the Hand of Judgment (33)
  • Resurrection and Change (16)
  • Seekers Corner (14)
  • Simple Statements on Serious Subjects (6)
  • The City of God (18)
  • The Millennial Octave (23)
  • The Restitution Times (22)
  • The Song of Solomon (6)
  • The Standard (19)
  • The Wayside Pulpit (107)
  • The Wayside Pulpit 2015 (96)
  • The Wellspring (101)
  • The Wellspring 2017 (55)

Index of Topics

Arthur & Rosalind Eedle's Personal Testimonies Discipleship Expository Items Good and Evil Human Pre-Existance Jane Leade. Philadelphian Numerology in the Bible Quotations from other Authors Resurrection and the Change Ron Wyatt. Archaeology Science Topics The Kingdom of God the Millennium and the Return of Christ The Sabbath Day Universal Reconcilliation

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