Who Was Jesus of Who Was Jesus of Nazareth?Nazareth?

John OakesJohn Oakes9/26/099/26/09

ARS recent debate: Jesus: Man, ARS recent debate: Jesus: Man, Myth or Messiah?Myth or Messiah?

The trilemma (C. S. Lewis) Liar, Lord, The trilemma (C. S. Lewis) Liar, Lord, LunaticLunatic

More modern version (Doug Jacoby) More modern version (Doug Jacoby) Liar, Lord, Lunatic, LegendLiar, Lord, Lunatic, Legend

SageSage ProphetProphet LiarLiar Crazy personCrazy person MessiahMessiah Son of ManSon of Man God in the fleshGod in the flesh Legend/MythLegend/Myth Man (ie. mere man)Man (ie. mere man) An important religious leader among An important religious leader among

manymany

I Claims of Jesus

II Jesus and Other Religious Leaders

III Extra-Biblical sources on Jesus

IV The Miracles of Jesus

V Reliability of the Witnesses

VI Messianic Prophecies

VII The Jesus Myth Hypothesis

VIII Transformed Lives (IX The Resurrection)

Our Outline

Grading (if you are getting credit)Grading (if you are getting credit)

The Reading 30%The Reading 30%• Required Reading: Reasons For Belief J. Required Reading: Reasons For Belief J.

Oakes IPIBooksOakes IPIBooks

Exam 30%Exam 30%

Paper 40% A research paper of 5 Paper 40% A research paper of 5 or more pages on a special topic of or more pages on a special topic of your choice.your choice.

Two categories of Apologetic TopicsTwo categories of Apologetic Topics

Defending the FaithDefending the Faith

• History and History and ArchaeologyArchaeology

• How We Got the Bible How We Got the Bible (including response to (including response to form criticism, etc.)form criticism, etc.)

• Science and the BibleScience and the Bible

• Contradictions in the Contradictions in the BibleBible

Creating FaithCreating Faith

• World ViewWorld View

• ProphecyProphecy

• Miracles/Miracles/ResurrectionResurrection

• Claims of JesusClaims of Jesus

I. The Claims of JesusI. The Claims of Jesus

If we can assume the gospels faithfully If we can assume the gospels faithfully record the claims of Jesus then he is either:record the claims of Jesus then he is either:

• CrazyCrazy

• A manipulative liarA manipulative liar

• OrOr

• The Messiah and Son of God.The Messiah and Son of God.

Jesus:

“ These are the scriptures that testify about me” John 5:39

Imagine the audacity!

Claim of JesusClaim of Jesus ScriptureScripture Hearer’s Response Hearer’s Response

Fulfilled all the O.T. Fulfilled all the O.T. prophecies of the Messiahprophecies of the Messiah

John 5:39John 5:39 Refused to come to himRefused to come to him

I am the bread of lifeI am the bread of life John 6:35John 6:35 GrumbledGrumbled

A life without sinA life without sin John 8:46John 8:46 Jesus is demon-possessed Jesus is demon-possessed (crazy)(crazy)

I AM GodI AM God John 8:58John 8:58 Attempted to stone himAttempted to stone him

I and the Father are oneI and the Father are one John 10:30John 10:30 Attempted to stone himAttempted to stone him

I am the resurrection and I am the resurrection and the lifethe life

John 11:25John 11:25 Plotted to murder himPlotted to murder him

I am the only way to GodI am the only way to God John 14:6John 14:6 No negative response (Jesus No negative response (Jesus talking to disciples)talking to disciples)

JESUS’ CLAIMS ABOUT HIMSELF IN THE BOOK OF JOHN

Mark 3:22-30

His family: “He is out of his mind.”

Rabbis: “He is possessed by a demon.” Jesus: This is totally illogical

Was Jesus Insane?

Was Jesus a Liar?

What do liars do?

II. Is Jesus just one of many similar II. Is Jesus just one of many similar religious leaders?religious leaders?

Confucius Joseph Smith

God

Islam

Buddhism

Mysticism

Ba’hai

Another Point of View: Different Paths to the Same Goal?

Is Jesus a Guru?

A Great Prophet?

One of Many Important Spiritual Leaders?

Lao Tzu

Buddha

Muhammad?

Baha’u’llah

Moses

III. Jesus and Extra-Biblical SourcesIII. Jesus and Extra-Biblical Sources

Roman (7)Roman (7)

Jewish (2) Jewish (2)

Christian (33)Christian (33)

Not all the relief that could come from the man, not all the bounties that the prince could bestow, nor all the atonements which could be presented to the gods, availed to relieve Nero from the infamy of bbeing believed to have ordered the conflagration, the fire of Rome. Therefore, to squelch the rumor, Nero created scapegoats and subjected to the most refined tortures those whom the common people called ‘Christians,’ [a group] hated for their abominable crimes. Their name comes from Christ, who, during the reign of Tiberius, had been executed by the procurator Pontius Pilate. Suppressed for the moment, the deadly superstition broke out again, not only in Judea, the land which originated this evil, but also in the city of Rome, where all sorts of horrendous and shameful practices, from every part of the world converge and are fervently cultivated.

Annals 15.44

Cornelius Tacitus approx AD 114

About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.

Antiquities 18:3:3

Josephus AD 38-100

On the eve of Passover they hung Yeshu and the crier went forth for forty days beforehand declaring that "[Yeshu] is going to be stoned for practicing witchcraft, for enticing and leading Israel astray. Anyone who knows something to clear him should come forth and exonerate him." But no one had anything exonerating for him and they hung him on the eve of Passover. Ulla said: Would one think that we should look for exonerating evidence for him? He was an enticer and G-d said (Deuteronomy 13:9) “Show him no pity or compassion and do not shield him.” him? He was an enticer and G-d said (Deuteronomy 13:9) "Show him no pity or chow him no pity or compassion,”

Babylonian Sanhedrin 43a-b

Talmud (1st and 2nd Century AD)

"As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he (Claudius about AD 50) expelled them from Rome”

Lucian of SamosataLucian of Samosata

The Christians, you know, worship a man to this The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day—the distinguished personage who introduced day—the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account… their novel rites, and was crucified on that account… You see, these misguided creatures start with the You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are converted, and deny original lawgiver that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and life after his laws.and life after his laws.

(Lucian (Lucian The Death of PeregrineThe Death of Peregrine))

Pliny the Younger AD 112Pliny the Younger AD 112

Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ — none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do — these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshiped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed Christ

Christian SourcesChristian Sources

Papias, early 90s AD (Eusebius, Papias, early 90s AD (Eusebius, Ecc History)Ecc History)

• ……if by chance anyone who had been in if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the elders should come my attendance on the elders should come my way, I inquired about the words of the way, I inquired about the words of the elders — that is, what according to the elders — that is, what according to the elders Andrew or Peter said, or Philip, or elders Andrew or Peter said, or Philip, or Thomas or James, or John or Matthew or Thomas or James, or John or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever Aristion and the elder John, the whatever Aristion and the elder John, the Lord’s disciples, were saying.Lord’s disciples, were saying.

Quadratus (wrote AD 117-124)Quadratus (wrote AD 117-124)

…if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the elders should come my way, I inquired about the words of the elders — that is, what according to the elders Andrew or Peter said, or Philip, or Thomas or James, or John or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever Aristion and the elder John, the Lord’s disciples, were saying.

IV. Jesus and MiraclesIV. Jesus and Miracles

Four Possibilities:Four Possibilities:

1. He neither worked miracles at all, 1. He neither worked miracles at all, nor claimed to work miracles.nor claimed to work miracles.

2. He claimed to work great 2. He claimed to work great miracles, but was a charlatan.miracles, but was a charlatan.

3. He worked genuine miracles, but 3. He worked genuine miracles, but he was a sorcerer/worked for Satan.he was a sorcerer/worked for Satan.

4. He worked genuine miracles.4. He worked genuine miracles.

Reasons to believe Jesus worked miraclesReasons to believe Jesus worked miracles

1. A great number of the miracles were done publicly, often in front of the greatest skeptics and harshest critics of Jesus.

2. There were tens of thousands of eyewitnesses from every background to these events.3. The apostles openly proclaimed that Jesus worked a great variety of miracles during the lifetime of those who could have refuted the claims.

4. Both Roman and Jewish histories report at least the general fact that Jesus worked “wonders.”

5. Pharisees and Rabbis did not deny miracles, but instead claimed Jesus did his signs by the power of demons.

6. Those who recorded the miracles as eye-witnesses (the gospel writers except Luke) have every appearance of being credible.

V. Are the Gospel Witnesses Reliable?V. Are the Gospel Witnesses Reliable?

Martyrdoms. (Romans 5:6-8)Martyrdoms. (Romans 5:6-8)

• James, the brother of Jesus AD 62 (Josephus James, the brother of Jesus AD 62 (Josephus Ant Ant 20.9.1)20.9.1)• Apostle James, brother of John (Acts 12:1-2)Apostle James, brother of John (Acts 12:1-2)• Peter and Paul in Rome about AD 64Peter and Paul in Rome about AD 64• Tradition: all but JohnTradition: all but John

Compare to the Book of Mormon.Compare to the Book of Mormon.• Three witnessesThree witnesses• Eight witnessesEight witnesses

Reliability of the Gospel writersReliability of the Gospel writers

The embarrassment factor.The embarrassment factor.

Written and read in Jerusalem when could be Written and read in Jerusalem when could be refuted.refuted.

Galatians AD 49 1 Corinthians AD 55 Mark AD Galatians AD 49 1 Corinthians AD 55 Mark AD 60?60?

Independent attestation.Independent attestation.

Luke the historian.Luke the historian.

Luke: An Accurate Historian?

Sir William RamsaySir William Ramsay

I found myself brought into contact with the Book of Acts as an authority for the topography, antiquities, and society of Asia Minor. It was gradually borne upon me that in various details the narrative showed marvelous truth. In fact, beginning with a fixed idea that the work was essentially a second century composition, and never relying on its evidence as trustworthy for first century conditions, I gradually came to find it a useful ally in some obscure and difficult investigations.

Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense; he fixes his mind on the idea and plan that rules in the evolution of history, and proportions the scale of his treatment to the importance of each incident. He seizes the important and critical events and shows their true nature at greater length, while he touches lightly or omits entirely much that was valueless for his purpose. In short, this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.

Sir William Ramsay, St. Paul, the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, (Hodder and

Stoughton, 1920).

Archaeological Evidence

The Pool of Siloam

Caiaphas Ossuary

VI. Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by JesusVI. Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Luke 24:44, Acts 2, Acts 3:18, Acts 4:11, 1 Luke 24:44, Acts 2, Acts 3:18, Acts 4:11, 1 Cor 15:3-4 “…according to the Scriptures.” Cor 15:3-4 “…according to the Scriptures.” AD 55 This claim goes back to the very AD 55 This claim goes back to the very beginning of the church.beginning of the church.

Questions:Questions: Are the messianic prophecies?Are the messianic prophecies?

• Were they written beforehand (or were they Were they written beforehand (or were they Christian interpolations)Christian interpolations)

• Is the fulfillment attested to outside the NT?Is the fulfillment attested to outside the NT?• Did Jesus do this to support his messianic claims?Did Jesus do this to support his messianic claims?

Messianic Prophecies FulfilledMessianic Prophecies Fulfilled

Isaiah 53:1-12. Despised, rejected, silent Isaiah 53:1-12. Despised, rejected, silent when accused and pierced.when accused and pierced.

Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem.Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem. Isaiah 9:1 From the land of Zebulun and Isaiah 9:1 From the land of Zebulun and

NaphtaliNaphtali Psalms 22:14-18 crucified, garments Psalms 22:14-18 crucified, garments

divided and gambled overdivided and gambled over Zechariah 11:12-13 betrayed for 30 pieces Zechariah 11:12-13 betrayed for 30 pieces

of silver, money thrown to the potter.of silver, money thrown to the potter. Daniel 9:24-25 The Messiah to come to Daniel 9:24-25 The Messiah to come to

Jerusalem about AD 33Jerusalem about AD 33..

Jesus Fulfilled Historical ForeshadowsJesus Fulfilled Historical Foreshadows

Prophet, Priest and KingProphet, Priest and King One like Moses (Deut 18:17-19)One like Moses (Deut 18:17-19) Genesis 22 Abraham and IsaacGenesis 22 Abraham and Isaac

• Raised from the dead on the 3Raised from the dead on the 3rdrd day 1 Cor 15:4 , day 1 Cor 15:4 , Heb 11:19Heb 11:19

Moses and the snake (Numbers 21:4-9)Moses and the snake (Numbers 21:4-9) Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40)Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40) JosephJoseph DavidDavid

VII. The Jesus Myth MythVII. The Jesus Myth Myth

Is the biblical Jesus an interpolated “Christian” Is the biblical Jesus an interpolated “Christian” myth?myth?

Adonis (Greek)Adonis (Greek) Osiris (Egypt)Osiris (Egypt) Tammuz (Egypt)Tammuz (Egypt) Dionysus (Greek)Dionysus (Greek) Mithra (Persia)Mithra (Persia) Krishna (India)Krishna (India) Appolonius of TyanaAppolonius of Tyana PeregrinusPeregrinus EmpodoclesEmpodocles AttisAttis HerculesHercules RomulusRomulus BaalBaal

Parallels to God/Man MythsParallels to God/Man Myths

miraculous birthmiraculous birth tested by demonstested by demons worked miraclesworked miracles execution on a hilltopexecution on a hilltop betrayal by brothersbetrayal by brothers 12 disciples12 disciples killed and resurrectedkilled and resurrected ascensionascension

Problems with this theory:

1. It requires cherry picking.

2. Most of these stories were written AFTER Jesus lived.

3. Most of these “people” never lived!

4. When one looks as the supposed parallels, the case is really exaggerated.

OsirisOsiris

An Egyptian god/man. Very obviously a An Egyptian god/man. Very obviously a mythical figure.mythical figure.

Killed by his brother. Body cut up into Killed by his brother. Body cut up into 13 pieces. His wife Isis reassembles and 13 pieces. His wife Isis reassembles and sews back together 12 of the 13 pieces sews back together 12 of the 13 pieces (see the parallel to the apostles?) He (see the parallel to the apostles?) He comes back to life and goes to rule in the comes back to life and goes to rule in the underworld to judge the living and dead.underworld to judge the living and dead.

Appolonius of TyanaAppolonius of Tyana

A miracle worker. A Pythagorean in the A miracle worker. A Pythagorean in the city of Tyana in 1st century AD. Saves a city of Tyana in 1st century AD. Saves a friend in Corinth. Predicts a plague in friend in Corinth. Predicts a plague in Ephesus. Says: stone this beggar to death Ephesus. Says: stone this beggar to death to end the plague. The do so, and when to end the plague. The do so, and when they remove the stones they find a large they remove the stones they find a large dog alive and well. Appolonius disappears dog alive and well. Appolonius disappears and is never seen again.and is never seen again.

No death. No resurrection. No ascension. No death. No resurrection. No ascension.

Only one very unreliable source. 100+ Only one very unreliable source. 100+ years after he died. No eye witness years after he died. No eye witness testimony. Which story is mythical?testimony. Which story is mythical?

Christian MythsChristian Myths

Acts of Peter (3rd century) Peter squares Acts of Peter (3rd century) Peter squares off with Simon Magus. A dog tells Simon off with Simon Magus. A dog tells Simon Magus to repent. Jesus raises a smoked Magus to repent. Jesus raises a smoked fish to life.fish to life.

Gospel of Thomas. Jesus works whacky Gospel of Thomas. Jesus works whacky miracles as a baby which seem quite silly. miracles as a baby which seem quite silly. Jesus kills a child for carelessly bumping Jesus kills a child for carelessly bumping into him.into him.

There is nothing like this is the New There is nothing like this is the New Testament.Testament.

ConclusionConclusion

Given Jesus’ claims about himselfGiven Jesus’ claims about himself Given the historical evidence, both from Christian Given the historical evidence, both from Christian

and Pagan sourcesand Pagan sources Given the strong evidence that Jesus worked Given the strong evidence that Jesus worked

wonders and signs.wonders and signs. Given the quality and quantity of the witnessesGiven the quality and quantity of the witnesses Given the fulfillment of clear messianic Given the fulfillment of clear messianic

propheciesprophecies and... Given the evidence for the resurrectionand... Given the evidence for the resurrection

I conclude that Jesus is the Son of God, the I conclude that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Jesus is who he said he was.Messiah. Jesus is who he said he was.

One More Point: VIII. Changed LivesOne More Point: VIII. Changed Lives

Jesus has had more influence on Jesus has had more influence on human history than any other person.human history than any other person.

How to explain the vitality and How to explain the vitality and growth of a religious movement growth of a religious movement started by uneducated, ordinary men.started by uneducated, ordinary men.

Millions of lives transformed by a Millions of lives transformed by a personal experience with Jesus Christ.personal experience with Jesus Christ.