Quote:
Originally posted by jluetjen
[B]Actually that was your answer -- not mine. First you keep ignoring the fact that a "hostile (non-Christian)" observer has acknowledged the existance and death of Jesus of Nazereth. You're welcome to ignore the flowery language which appears to be added after the fact, but you're still left with the fact the specifically ties Jesus "Known as the Christ" with the Christian believers in Rome at that time.
Aside from that, my point was that there are an awful lot of people from the 1st century who acted consistantly with what is reported in the Bible. At the time of Eusebius there was a statue in Palestine recording the healing of the women from Ceasorea who had been aflicted with bleeding. It was there for all to dismiss, especially since even at that time Christians were not the predominant religion. But yet ow one appeared to dispute the events shown in the statue.
In addition, congregations of Christians quickly appeared in Asia minor, Egypt, Greece and Rome as a result of the efforts of the disciples -- formally fishermen and tax collectors. Something fired these people up in spite of the organization being decapitated when Jesus was executed. Further crucifixions and persecution (even of the next level of leaders -- specifically the disciples -- most of whom were executed) did not stop the movement.
The same is true of your local library.
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For the record, in case you have nmisunderstood me, I do not deny Jesus Christ existed, and never have. I have the same level of confidence that JC existed as I do any other historical figure.
Neither do I doubt the spread of Christianity in the manner you describe. After that, I not sure ewhat your point is.