The Historical Jesus

We join in the ongoing quest for the historical Jesus -- the struggle to unearth and understand who Jesus really was, what he said and did, and how he inspired a movement. We trace the basic bare-bones facts that can be deduced from early Christian writings and brief references in other texts, including Jesus' baptism and crucifixion. We throw out the flimsy theories of hacks like Reza Aslan and Bill O'Reilly, as well as the junk theory that no Jesus existed at all, and instead examine the new archeological evidence that helps to account for some of the strangest passages in the Gospels.

[Joshuway]

Just found your channel love how informative and in depth you are and I spent three hours listening to you! Thanks so much I feel like I have learned alot already and I am definitely planning to work my way through all your content.

[baldurfreitag]

Listened to your interesting, fascinating and profound lecture several times, thank you Sir!

[christianf]

How much do you dig Ehrman? I’m seeing some similar conclusions from your lecture and many of Bart’s books.

Excellent lecture that made me think critically about what I had thought of Jesus, and reliability of the gospels.

[TheWendybird]

Great job! I have read many, many books on the historical Jesus and early Christianity, and I know it was quite a task to summarize this topic in just under 2 hours. Love how archaeology keeps corroborating little details in our texts. I especially like how you debunked mythicism by looking at consistency/inconsistency... if this was a purely made up myth, then the miracles should be consistent and details about Jesus' earthly life would be inconsistent, but in reality it's the other way around. Yes, the mythological elements were accreted around the historical man. Thank you!

[russell]

With his birthday approaching, i just want to shout out the lord of Lords, the son of man, the second best guy of the Trinity, my savior, the historical Jesus. From being a cute baby. To a dirty hippie, to a guy on a cross and the then a resurrected whatever. Merry Christmas 👶🧑‍🦲🧑‍🎄🕺🚬🐶🎄

[kaegan]

Can you recommend a good book or scholar in regards to the archaeological evidence?

[antondalemma]

I couldn't possibly dispute the validity of methodology or ideas offered here. All sound. Outside of the biblical references the only "proof" I have ever read regarding the existence of a man who fits the Jesus story was found in ancient Roman court records that mentions a trial by a Roman appointed authority/prosecutor (ie: Pontius Pilate) of a Jew for sedition around the period corresponding to the bible.

Recovering Catholic who has long since abandoned "the miracles of Christ" or existence of a "God, " I once explained to my devout Mother that if a person representing the "flesh of" Jesus existed, he was likely a brief but powerful leader of a political/spiritual reformation who became the victim of the ancient equivalent of tabloid hacks over the next few centuries.

[iamyouyouareme]

I hope you find thr Love of Jesus Christ one day ❤

[daodejing]

Your conscientious attention to detail is noteworthy.

There is no Messiah, neither Jewish nor Christian. You are your own Messiah, your own Christ. Religious people are waiting in vain because they are interpreting literally. Scripture is figurative, symbolic. You'll never understand unless you meditate on the symbolism.

When all is said and done, it doesn't matter if Jesus was or wasn't historical. Certainly he wasn't God, and he wasn't a Savior.

Better to meditate on life, on Scripture, through which direct insight can come.

[jamesboswellii]

Other food for thought: Click here for videos.