: Written within 25 years of Jesus' death (c. 48–62 AD), these letters are the earliest surviving sources. Paul personally knew Jesus’ brother, James, and his lead disciple, Peter.
: This 1st-century Jewish historian mentions Jesus twice in Antiquities of the Jews . While parts of one passage are debated for later Christian edits, the reference to James as the "brother of Jesus, who was called Christ" is widely accepted as authentic. Did Jesus Exist?: The Historical Argument for J...
: The descriptions of Jesus' life align with the specific geography, social customs, and political climate of 1st-century Roman-occupied Judea. : Written within 25 years of Jesus' death (c
Historians use specific criteria to determine what is "highly probable": : This 1st-century Jewish historian mentions Jesus twice
Scholars rely on accounts from Roman and Jewish historians who had no religious motivation to invent Jesus.
: These function as ancient biographies (similar to Xenophon’s Memoirs of Socrates ) and are based on independent oral and written traditions that date back to within a few years of Jesus' death. 3. Historical Principles of Evidence
: Written within 25 years of Jesus' death (c. 48–62 AD), these letters are the earliest surviving sources. Paul personally knew Jesus’ brother, James, and his lead disciple, Peter.
: This 1st-century Jewish historian mentions Jesus twice in Antiquities of the Jews . While parts of one passage are debated for later Christian edits, the reference to James as the "brother of Jesus, who was called Christ" is widely accepted as authentic.
: The descriptions of Jesus' life align with the specific geography, social customs, and political climate of 1st-century Roman-occupied Judea.
Historians use specific criteria to determine what is "highly probable":
Scholars rely on accounts from Roman and Jewish historians who had no religious motivation to invent Jesus.
: These function as ancient biographies (similar to Xenophon’s Memoirs of Socrates ) and are based on independent oral and written traditions that date back to within a few years of Jesus' death. 3. Historical Principles of Evidence