Jesus is NO Myth
Jesus is NO Myth
There's far more evidence that Jesus is Who He and His followers said He is, than there is to the contrary. In point of fact, there is none that proves that He is not. The evidence of the four Gospels is far more proof than most people realize. The writings of Dr. Greenleaf, who was asked to weigh the evidence found in the four Gospels for himself, and prove or disprove Jesus' claims, are very interesting, at the very least. He did so, came to the conclusion that Jesus existed, was born of a virgin, taught in Israel, was crucified, buried and ressurrected, and then ascended. He promptly, upon discovering this evidence for himself, became Christian. :thumb:
-- Aimiel
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He said: "Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.
"In matters of public and general interest, all persons must be presumed to be conversant, on the principle that individuals are presumed to be conversant with their own affairs.
"According to this rule, we must allow that in copying manuscripts, the Christians did not corrupt the text, since they must be presumed to be conversant with their own affairs. Now that we have fragments of manuscripts from as early as A.D. 130, we have excellent evidence that such a presumption is indeed justified.
"In trials of fact, by oral testimony, the proper inquiry is not whether it is possible that the testimony may be false, but whether there is sufficient probability that it is true.7
A proposition of fact is proved, when its truth is established by competent and satisfactory evidence.8
"In the absence of circumstances which generate suspicion, every witness is to be presumed credible, until the contrary is shown; the burden of impeaching his credibility lying upon the objector.9
"The credit due to the testimony of witnesses depends upon, firstly, their honesty; secondly, their ability; thirdly, their number and the consistency of their testimony; fourthly, the conformity of their testimony with experience; and fifthly, the coincidence of their testimony with collateral circumstances.10
"After a witness is dead, and his moral character is forgotten, we can ascertain it only by a close inspection of his narrative, comparing its details with each other, and with contemporary accounts and collateral facts. This test is much more accurate than may at first be supposed. Every event which actually transpires, has its appropriate relation and place in the vast complication of circumstances, of which the affairs of men consist; it owes its origin to the events which have preceded it, is intimately connected with all others which occur at the same time and place, and often with those of remote regions, and in its turn gives birth to numberless others which succeed. In all this almost inconceivable contexture, and seeming discord, there is perfect harmony; and while the fact, which really happened, tallies exactly with every other contemporaneous incident related to it in the remotest degree, it is not possible for the wit of man to invent a story, which, if closely compared with the actual occurrences of the same time and place, may not be shown to be false." *1
Dr Greenleafs concluding statement included the following quote:
"It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact." *2
*1 Excerpts from, "The Bible and the Rules of Legal Evidence, " an article by Richard Riss, quoting Dr. Simon Greenleaf, a 'Royal Professor,' of Harvard Law School, also know as the top authority on evidence; one of the greatest American attorneys. Article here.
*2 Quoted from, "Histoicity of Christ," article, on: THIS website.
