The Historicity of Jesus Christ
A Defense and Its Importance
Paul Karsten
PHIL 240_B04_202530
June 9, 2025
Question 1: Responding to a Friend Who Doubts the Existence of Jesus
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The Historical Evidence for Jesus
When confronted with a friend who doubts the existence of Jesus, it is important to approach
the conversation with both empathy and care. The claim that Jesus never existed is not
supported by the vast majority of historical scholars, including that of secular historians. The
first step in responding to such a claim is to present the historical evidence for Jesus’ existence,
which is both extensive and compelling.
The existence of Jesus is confirmed by multiple sources, both Christian and non-Christian alike.
The New Testament itself contains numerous early documents that testify to the life, teachings,
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, though
written from a faith perspective, are based on eyewitness accounts and early traditions that
date back to the first century. As William Lane Craig argues, the Gospels are not mythological
works but rather historical narratives that reflect the events of Jesus’ life (Craig 2010, 223-224).1
When we look beyond the New Testament, there are several secular sources that mention
Jesus.
The Roman historian Tacitus, writing in the early second century, refers to Jesus’ execution
under Pontius Pilate in his Annals (15.44).2 Similarly, the Jewish historian Josephus, writing in
the late first century, mentions Jesus in his Antiquities of the Jews (18.3.3).3 While some scholars
debate the authenticity of certain passages in Josephus, the majority agree that he did refer to
Jesus as a historical figure (Habermas and Licona 2004, 48-49).4
Additionally, early Christian writings outside the New Testament, such as the letters of Ignatius
and Clement of Rome, provide further evidence for the historical Jesus. These writings, which
1 William Lane Craig, On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision (Colorado Springs: David
C. Cook, 2010), 223-224.
2 Tacitus, Annals 15.44.
3 Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.3.3.
4 Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004), 48-49.
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date to the late first and early second centuries, reflect a widespread belief in Jesus’ existence
and significance among early Christians (Komoszewski, Sawyer, and Wallace 2006, 87-88).5
Addressing Common Objections
One common objection to the historical Jesus is the claim that the Gospels are unreliable
because they were written by believers. However, this objection fails to recognize that the
Gospels were written within a few decades of Jesus’ life. During that time many eyewitnesses
were still alive. As Craig notes, the early Christian community would have had a vested interest
in preserving accurate accounts of Jesus’ life, as their faith was based on his teachings and
resurrection (Craig 2010, 227).6
Another objection is that the miracles attributed to Jesus, such as his resurrection, are
impossible and therefore discredit the Gospels as historical sources. However, this objection is
based on a philosophical belief that miracles cannot occur, rather than on historical evidence.
As Habermas and Licona argue, the resurrection of Jesus is best explained by the historical
evidence, including the empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation
of the disciples (Habermas and Licona 2004, 67-69).7
A Thoughtful Response
5 J. Ed Komoszewski, Michael J. Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace, Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss
the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2006), 87-88.
6 C. Cook, 2010), 227.
7 Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004), 67-69.
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In responding to a friend who doubts the existence of Jesus, it is important to present the
historical evidence in a clear and respectful manner. By demonstrating that Jesus’ existence is
supported by both Christian and secular sources, and by addressing common objections, one
can help to dispel misconceptions and encourage further inquiry. As Craig writes, “The historical
evidence for Jesus is so strong that even most skeptical historians accept his existence” (Craig
2010, 225).8
Question 2: Why the Historicity of Jesus is Important for Christians
The Historical Foundation of Christian Theology
The historicity of Jesus is not merely an issue for academics. It is central to the Christian faith.
Christianity is a historical religion, meaning that its truth claims are rooted in real events that
occurred in time and space. If Jesus did not exist, or if the events of his life, death, burial and
resurrection did not occur, then the foundation of the Christian faith would be undermined.
There is a need to explore why the historicity of Jesus is essential for Christians, focusing on the
implications for theology, apologetics, and personal faith.
Christian theology is based on the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth,
lived a sinless life, died for the sins of humanity, and rose from the dead. These claims are not
abstract theological concepts but are rooted in historical events. As Habermas and Licona argue,
“If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then Christianity is false” (Habermas and Licona 2004, 57).9
The historicity of Jesus is therefore essential for the legitimacy of Christian doctrine, including
the doctrines of salvation, the atonement, and the resurrection.
8 C. Cook, 2010), 227.
9 Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004), 57.
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The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the historical nature of Jesus’ life and ministry. For
example, the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For what I received I passed on to you
as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was
buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Paul’s statement
reflects the early Christian belief that Jesus’ death and resurrection were historical events that
fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
The Role of History in Christian Apologetics
The historicity of Jesus is also crucial for Christian apologetics. How we defend our faith. In a
skeptical world, Christians must be able to provide rational and historical evidence for their
beliefs. As Craig argues, “The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian apologetics”
(Craig 2010, 231).10 If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the Christian message loses its
power and credibility. However, if the resurrection is a historical fact, then it provides
compelling evidence for the truth of Christianity.
The historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection includes the empty tomb, his post-resurrection
appearances, and the transformation of the disciples. These facts are not easily explained by
naturalistic theories, such as the claim that the disciples hallucinated or that Jesus’ body was
stolen. As Habermas and Licona demonstrate, the resurrection hypothesis best accounts for the
historical evidence and provides a coherent explanation for the rise of the Christian faith
(Habermas and Licona 2004, 71-73).11
10 C. Cook, 2010), 231.
11 Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004), 57
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The Personal Significance of Jesus’ Historicity
The historicity of Jesus is important for the personal faith of Christians. If Jesus did not exist, or
if his resurrection did not occur, then Christians’ faith would be in vain. As Paul writes in 1
Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your
sins.” The historicity of Jesus assures believers that their faith is based on real events and that
their hope for eternal life is secure.
Jesus is the model for Christian living. His teachings on love, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice are
not merely ideals but are grounded in his historical life and ministry. As Komoszewski, Sawyer,
and Wallace note, “The historical Jesus provides a tangible example of how to live a life that is
pleasing to God” (Komoszewski, Sawyer, and Wallace 2006, 102).12
The Christian faith walk depends on the historicity of Jesus It provides the foundation for
Christian theology, serves as a cornerstone for Christian apologetics, and assures believers of
the reality of their faith. As Craig writes, “The historical Jesus is not an optional add-on to the
Christian faith; he is the heart of it” (Craig 2010, 233)13. By affirming the historicity of Jesus,
Christians can confidently proclaim the truth of the gospel and live out their faith in a way that
honors the life and teachings of their Savior.
12 J. Ed Komoszewski, Michael J. Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace, Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics
Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2006), 102. 13 William Lane
Craig, On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010), 233.
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Bibliography
Craig, William Lane. On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision. Colorado
Springs: David C. Cook, 2010.
Habermas, Gary R., and Michael R. Licona. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus – With CD.
Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004.
Josephus, Flavius. The Antiquities of the Jews. Translated by William Whiston. Grand Rapids:
Kregel Publications, 1960.
Komoszewski, J. Ed, Michael J. Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace. Reinventing Jesus: How
Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture. Grand Rapids:
Kregel Publications, 2006.
Tacitus. The Annals. Translated by John Jackson. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press, 1937.
