The existence of Jesus
DID JESUS LIVE? AN ILLUSTRATION ESSAY
The existence of Jesus
Jeffrey Menard
Columbia Southern University
EH1010
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Arguments about the existence of Jesus are common. Individuals from every walk of
life, have asked for an explanation on the existence of Jesus. Who is with the correct response
to the question about the presence of Jesus? This is a hard question to handle. As we know,
the allude of Jesus is a direct reference to the faith of Christians. The religion of Christians
counts their hopes on Jesus. The Christianity foundation sways without the acknowledgment
of Jesus. This paper will discuss what confirms Jesus existed according to the scholars and
the Bible.
Scholars have had serious disagreements about the life of Jesus of Nazareth for a
prolonged period. Some have braced the argument about Jesus life while some have opposed
(Strobel, 1998). The misunderstandings among the scholars have left the Christians in the
state of uncertainty. Nevertheless, evidence that affirms the existence of Jesus has been there.
The first correct proof on the being of Jesus is the Bible. In the Old Testament,
Prophet Isaiah Prophesied about the forthcoming of a Messiah (Ehrman, 2013). Prophet
Isaiah gave an understandable explanation of the Messiah. As a well-known book, the Bible
is presumed to have been written by individuals that existed and saw what exactly transpired.
Furthermore, gospel books in the New Testament record the life of Jesus thus confirming in
totality that Jesus lived. Also, the historical presence of Kingdoms named in the Bible has
proof.
Jesus existed as a human being. Josephus, a historian, gave correct details about Jesus
Christ. Jesus was brought up in priestly kin in Palestine in the first century, and decades later
he wrote about Him. Josephus had a colleague who was a brother to Jesus. The colleague was
James. This affirms that James a brother to Jesus gave him the details about his brother.
Hence, Josephus was the one to write about Jesus non-existence among the Jewish because
he was a contemporary of James and Jesus.
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He was born a human named Jesus. In affirming his existence, Josephus referred to
him as Jesus (Ehrman, 2013). The application of the name Jesus asserts that Jesus indeed
existed. If he could have applied another name instead, then the debate about his non-
existence could hold water. The name Messiah and Jesus have been used in the Bible to
approve that he existed on earth. Nonetheless, the Greek referred to Jesus as Christos in
which in Hebrew meant Messiah. All these summations support the existence of Jesus Christ.
Presence of a brother. He was not the only child in his family. He had brothers, James
being one of them. It was not possible for a sibling to lie to the whole world about the
existence of Jesus. The explanation from James that Jesus existed provides first-hand
information. As an associate to Josephus, James must have provided accurate details about
his brother.
The presence of Jesus tomb. The place of Jesus burial still exists in Israel confirming
that Jesus was present. He is believed to have died and buried. After that, he resurrected and
rose up to heaven. The presence of the tomb, confirms that indeed Jesus was present on this
earth.
The Jewish Leaders had adverse opinions about Jesus. Jewish present at the time of
Jesus is known to have furiously had unfavourable views that made them be against Jesus
actions (Ehrman, 2013). From history, the Jewish leaders existed. Therefore, their divided
opinions about Messiah not only tell us about his existence but also the hostility he received.
Pilate permitted for his execution. His existence is documented, and the kingdom he
governed is well known. According to the Bible, during the crucifixion of Jesus, he had to
decide on whether Jesus should be executed or not. Nevertheless, he agreed to the execution
of Jesus. Afterward, Jesus was beaten and crucified beside two villains. According to Tacitus
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and Josephus, Pilate permitted for the crucifixion. This event confirms that Jesus Christ was
present and the description of his death by the Bible is factual.
Even after his death followers are stuck to him. The Bible documented that he had
followers known as disciples. After Jesus crucifixion, his followers never abandoned him but
were left united with him. The proceeded with spreading Jesus Christ teachings across the
world.
Nonetheless, various evidence accompanies the conversations about the existence of
Jesus. Though in some cases, the proof may not be comprehensible the point remains that
Jesus existed. Presently, Jesus Christ believers are spread worldwide.
In conclusion, scholars such as Tacitus and Josephus have historical details that affirm
the existence of Jesus. Also, the Bible confirms that indeed Jesus existed, by the evidence that
have been provided.
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References
Ehrman, B. D. (2013). Did Jesus Exist?: The historical argument for Jesus of Nazareth. New
York: HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.
Strobel, L. (1998). The case for Christ: A journalist's personal investigation of the evidence
for Jesus.
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Comment Summary Page 1
1. Jeffrey - your Title Page needs work on formatting. Be sure to consult the CSU Citation Guide for further assistance, instructions, and examples.
Page 2 2. No comma is needed after the word "life". 3. I'm not quite sure what you mean here. What other word might you use to help clarify your meaning? 4. Nice job on your introduction and thesis. 5. The word "who" should be used here (instead of "that"). 6. A comma is needed after the name "Jesus". 7. Great points here! There is eye-witness proof that Jesus existed through the Disciples who knew Him. 8. This sentence is somewhat hard to follow. How might you reword/revise it for clarity? 9. A comma is needed after the name "James".
10. A comma is needed after the word "Jesus". 11. The possessive form Jesus' should be used here. 12. Did you mean to use the word "existence" here (instead of "non-existence").
Page 3 13. The word "prove" should be used here. 14. The plural form "Greeks" should be used here. 15. A comma is needed after "Christos". 16. The words "which in" should be used here (instead of "in which"). 17. This is a sentence fragment. 18. This is a sentence fragment. 19. The word "been" should be used here. 20. No comma is needed after the word "tomb". 21. The possessive form Jesus' should be used here. 22. The word "for" should not be used here.
Page 4 23. The word "for" should not be used here. 24. A comma is needed after the word "death". 25. The possessive form Jesus' should be used here. 26. This sentence is somewhat hard to follow. How might you reword/revise it for clarity. 27. This is a run-on/fused sentence. 28. The conclusion needs a bit more development. Remember that the conclusion should summarize what you have
discussed in your essay and provide more of a "wrap up" for your reader. Page 5 29. The second entry needs work on formatting. Be sure to consult the CSU Citation Guide for further assistance,
instructions, and examples.