Proofs of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection

OPINION:

Scholars uniformly back the historical authenticity of Jesus of Nazareth, as there is near-universal agreement — even in secular quarters — that the man at the center of the New Testament, at the least, existed.

Although a fringe perspective remains that Jesus was a figment of ancient peoples’ imaginations, there’s certainly debate over more specific claims made about Christ — that he was God incarnate, that he died on a cross and rose again, and that he performed miracles.

With Christmas upon us, celebrating Jesus’ birth brings forth many conversations about these matters, as people ponder the astonishing events that redefined, refined and transformed every facet of human history.

What proof do we have that Jesus lived, died — and rose again? 

While much of the Christian belief system is predicated upon faith in the unseen, it’s important to extrapolate and triangulate data to help bring together evidence that can powerfully point us toward a verdict.

For the few who might deny Jesus’ existence, it’s essential to understand that documents besides the Bible record his presence. First and foremost, Flavius Josephus, a historian who lived from A.D. 37 to 100, mentions Jesus in his “Antiquities of the Jews.”

“Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works — a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure,” he wrote, going on to reference his death on the cross and his resurrection on “the third day.” 

In a separate writing in the same work, Josephus references Jesus and his brother James.

“He convened a meeting of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus, who was called the Christ, and certain others,” he wrote. “He accused them of having transgressed the law and delivered them up to be stoned.”

Critics have argued that later Christian writers interpolated the Jesus references into these texts, though there is no definitive proof this unfolded. Regardless, Josephus wasn’t the only ancient writer to speak about Jesus.

Pushing that aside for a moment, one must remember the context of Christ’s birth: He wasn’t born to a wealthy or prominent family and, as the New Testament explains, at his birth was laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.  

These circumstances show he wasn’t an earthly king who would demand the attention or accolades of royalty. It was Jesus’ miracles — and his death and resurrection — that changed the tide, drew hearts and minds to him and upended assumptions about morality and rightfulness.

As we explore the evidence of Christ, let’s look at the Bible itself, which is the baseline for most of the information we have about Jesus’ life. Critics have spent two millennia trying to dispel Scripture, yet there are some remarkable realities with which we must contend. 

There is definitive evidence that early Christians were already circulating and publishing the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in the years after these events. They not only believed the stories in the text, but they also lived out the associated lessons.

And these teachings were already spreading like wildfire. A papyrus found in 1961 containing the Gospels of John and Luke dates to A.D. 175-225, and we could explore other such proofs showcasing the early adaptation of New Testament teachings.

People will haggle over dating techniques and how much evidence there is to back the Gospels, though there is, without a doubt, plenty of corroboration that early Christians shared the same beliefs and stories devotees revere today.

Even if people reject this reality, consider Tatian the Assyrian, a biblical writer who penned the “Diatessaron.” This was a work that, according to Britannica, provided “a version of the four Gospels arranged in a single continuous narrative.” 

Tatian lived from A.D. 120 to 173, again showcasing that the basic details about Jesus’ birth, death and ministry were already prevalent and well-known at the time. And the “Didache,” written around A.D. 100, quotes the Lord’s Prayer from the Book of Matthew, adding more fuel to the fire.

In other extra-biblical works critical of Jesus, we see detractors pointing to Christ being a sorcerer. The lack of denial about his supernatural acts recorded in the Bible is fascinating, to say the least. Most of these people don’t waste time proclaiming Jesus concocted or embellished. They simply accuse him of using magic or relying on evil.

But let’s circle back to the biblical text itself, as we see examples of Bible writers making bold proclamations no sane person would scribble if he were concocting a story. Just consider the Apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, which were likely written in A.D. 55, around two decades after Jesus’ death around A.D. 33.

Paul makes the remarkable claim that Jesus appeared to hundreds of people after his resurrection — hordes of people who were still alive at the time of Paul’s writing.

“Jesus appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve,” Paul wrote in these verses. “After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”

Again, one of the most compelling proofs for Jesus centers on the silence — and focus — of his critics. Paul is boldly writing about a radical event and notes many people alive have witnessed it — but where are those at the time to dispel these claims? There’s only silence.

Plus, tradition tells us the majority of Jesus’ apostles died horrific deaths because they refused to stop sharing Christ’s incredible story with the world. For generations, others were martyred for the same reasons, recognizing that the truth was more valuable than their own lives. 

Even today, Christians are murdered and tormented for the same reasons, as there’s something about Jesus, his life and ministry, they simply cannot — and will not — deny. Why are so many sane people over the past 2,000 years so definitively convinced this narrative is true?

Ultimately, these facts point us toward a reality I believe is undeniable: The baby placed in the manger was a promised Messiah who came to earth to save humanity from its sins and to offer a path to salvation — a gift for every man and woman who chooses to embrace it.

When you follow the breadcrumbs and explore the evidence, it’s impossible to include anything otherwise.

• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” He is the author of four books.