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Re: Josephus was a superb LIAR
by Thomas Paine

Cornelius Tacitus

Written early 2nd Century, at least 70 years after the claimed date of the crucifixion

The Jewish Talmud,

Yeshu of the Talmud might have been the same person as the Jesus of the Gospels, but I don't believe most Jewish scholars believe so -- in any case, it was written centuries after the fact.

Lucian

Another 2nd Century writer -- this one a satirist.

The Gospel of Truth, probably by Valentius

Dated 140-180 CE

The Aprocryphon of John, probably by Saturninus

Another 2nd Century Gnostic work, written long after the fact.

Acts of Pontius Pilate, reports sent from Pilate to Tiberius, referred to by Justin Martyr

Quoting Wikipedia:

The well-informed Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea (writing c. 325), although he mentions an Acta Pilati referred to by Justin and Tertullian and other non-canonical Acts, shows no acquaintance with this work. "We are forced to admit that is of later origin, and scholars agree in assigning it to the middle of the fourth century" (Catholic Encyclopedia). Epiphanius refers to an Acta Pilati (c. 376), but the extant Greek texts show evidence of later editing.

Phlegon,

Wikipedia says he was a 2nd Century historian -- I found no indication that any of his existing works mention Jesus

I believe that there were Christian sources who cite his writings but these were well after the fact, and the texts supposedly cited are not currently known to exist.

Clement, elder of Rome

Isn't this another Christian source whose "knowledge" would have been obtained from sources such as Paul and/or other Church fathers? How does it add credibility?

Ignatius,

Still another early Christian father who was born after the alleged crucifixion, whose only knowledge of Jesus would be from earlier Christians, and whose writings have, in any case, been edited and redacted extensively in subsequent years.

Quadratus

Reportedly an early Christian apologist -- virtually nothing of his writings exists.

(Pseudo-)Barnabas

Another early Christian source dated sometime between 70 and 130.

Justin Martyr

And still another Christian apologist -- this from the 2nd Century.

Notice a pattern here? Not one of these sources could possibly have testified to the actual existence of Jesus, and none of the non-Christian sources could have even had 2nd hand testimony to his existence. Plus, there is the matter of the pattern of subsequent editing and redaction of any sources subject to the control of the Church.

I am not personally expressing an opinion as to the historicity of Jesus -- I certainly have no evidence that specifically suggests that he did not, but the absence of any shred of contemporary, secular evidence makes me have serious doubts. As fortunate son likes to say, "absence of proof is not proof of absence" but sometimes the lack of evidence that one would thing should be there at least causes grave doubts.

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