The historical evidence for Christ

[Author Anita Meyer]

Let me also add to the documented existence of Jesus…

Perhaps the most powerful evidence yet, is astronomical (an eclipse that took place). The gospels recount that the sun was darkened on the day of the crucifixion from noon until 3:00pm in the afternoon. Ancient non-Biblical sources also confirm this. Phlegon Trallianus records in his history of 32-33AD - A failure of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day (noon), so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea.

Which corresponds nicely with scripture:

Mark 15:25 - And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Mark 15:33-39 - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My G-d, my G-d, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of G-d.

[RickD]

Let me also add to the documented existence of Jesus…

Perhaps the most powerful evidence yet, is astronomical (an eclipse that took place). The gospels recount that the sun was darkened on the day of the crucifixion from noon until 3:00pm in the afternoon. Ancient non-Biblical sources also confirm this. Phlegon Trallianus records in his history of 32-33AD - A failure of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day (noon), so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea.

Which corresponds nicely with scripture:

Mark 15:25 - And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Mark 15:33-39 - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My G-d, my G-d, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of G-d.

Anita, what does this mean? G-d ?

[Author Anita Meyer]

Hi Rick, it reveals that the biblical scriptures match with what Phlegon Trallianus also documented outside of the Bible. Notice that it is documented in 32/33AD.

To me this is significant because it clarifies for us the exact hour, day and year that Jesus died.

Its just another piece of clarification and evidence for us.

[CeT-To]

Let me also add to the documented existence of Jesus…

Perhaps the most powerful evidence yet, is astronomical (an eclipse that took place). The gospels recount that the sun was darkened on the day of the crucifixion from noon until 3:00pm in the afternoon. Ancient non-Biblical sources also confirm this. Phlegon Trallianus records in his history of 32-33AD - A failure of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day (noon), so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea.

Which corresponds nicely with scripture:

Mark 15:25 - And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Mark 15:33-39 - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My G-d, my G-d, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of G-d.

Anita, what does this mean? G-d ?

Like the jewish people say YWHW some christians say G-d to not profane God's name but i dont think its needed..i mean God is a title not a name

[RickD]

Let me also add to the documented existence of Jesus…

Perhaps the most powerful evidence yet, is astronomical (an eclipse that took place). The gospels recount that the sun was darkened on the day of the crucifixion from noon until 3:00pm in the afternoon. Ancient non-Biblical sources also confirm this. Phlegon Trallianus records in his history of 32-33AD - A failure of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day (noon), so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea.

Which corresponds nicely with scripture:

Mark 15:25 - And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Mark 15:33-39 - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My G-d, my G-d, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of G-d.

Anita, what does this mean? G-d ?

Like the jewish people say YWHW some christians say G-d to not profane God's name but i dont think its needed..i mean God is a title not a name

I'm not sure I understand. Is it a game where we only use consonants? If Jesus is God, why don't you say J-s-s?

[Byblos]

I'm not sure I understand. Is it a game where we only use consonants? If Jesus is God, why don't you say J-s-s?

Sometimes the obvious escapes but the few. Thank you Rick, that's a darn good question I'd like Christians who use 'G-d' instead of 'God' to answer.

[DannyM]

I'm not sure I understand. Is it a game where we only use consonants? If Jesus is God, why don't you say J-s-s?

Sometimes the obvious escapes but the few. Thank you Rick, that's a darn good question I'd like Christians who use 'G-d' instead of 'God' to answer.

I echo Byblos here- great question Rick!

[Gman]

Why G-D? One reason is if the paper or writing get's lost, erased, or placed in the garbage, God's name has not been fully written therefore it hasn't been defiled. Jews are very careful with God's name.. Even the Torah is considered a sacred object. When a Torah get's replaced with a newer one, they don't just throw the old one away or burn it.. interestingly enough, they actually bury it like as they would a human being.

[DannyM]

Why G-D? One reason is if the paper or writing get's lost, erased, or placed in the garbage, God's name has not been fully written therefore it hasn't been defiled. Jews are very careful with God's name.. Even the Torah is considered a sacred object. When a Torah get's replaced with a newer one, they don't just throw the old one away or burn it.. interestingly enough, they actually bury it like as they would a human being.

So it's a nonsense? What is "in vain"? When the "G-d" person prays to God does he SAY out loud "Dear G, d ? Is it a crime to SAY "Dear God" "The Lord's name in vain" needs to be put in context.

Anybody who refuse to utter GOD needs to be commended for their reverence, but methinks it is an unwarranted step too far ...

[zoegirl]

Again it's a heart issue. One can write it that way all they want and still use the name in vain in their speech or in the heart.

It's great if it acts as a continual reminder, but like the pharisees that had innumerable rules and regulations that allowed them to declare their righteousness, it doesn't mean that one actually does revere the name...it becomes simply the thing thta you do...

[cslewislover]

Well, I don't understand Gman's post either, and it's good that a regular poster is not afraid to question a mod. I understand what the Jews did, and do, within their religion. But what we're talking about here isn't Jewish practice, it's contemporary Christian practice. That's been the point of the discussion, as far as my understanding goes.

[zoegirl]

I don't mind the "ritual"...like many rituals it can be a good reminder....I think a lot of liturgy and traditions have their root in good intentions and proper spirit. But any practice or ritual runs the danger of losing the ultimate meaning.

"Do this in remembrance of me" shows a good example of something corporal and real and concrete to help of focus our minds and ponder our sin and His redemption of our sins.

As long as we don't bring the writing into the realm of "have to"... because ultimately it's our heart that's the isse.

[Gman]

So it's a nonsense? What is "in vain"? When the "G-d" person prays to God does he SAY out loud "Dear G, d ? Is it a crime to SAY "Dear God" "The Lord's name in vain" needs to be put in context.

Anybody who refuse to utter GOD needs to be commended for their reverence, but methinks it is an unwarranted step too far ...

Danny... There is no problem in uttering God's name. The issue is writing God's name.. God's name can be disgraced if the paper it is written on is damaged therefore damaging God's name..

[zoegirl]

But gman, the name on the paper will eventaull decompose, be eaten and damaged...why is burying not considered in vain?

And it is just ink on paper...if the name was revered when writing, isn't that what matters?

[Gman]

I really don't have any problem how people write God's name, whether it's God or G-d.. If anything G-d seems more of a reverence.. Something holy.. We should probably do the same with Jesus name too since He is God...

I try to do my best with capitalizing the H in "he".