WAS JESUS A REAL PERSON? - PART THREE

                                          WAS JESUS A REAL               PERSON?

     PART THREE

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Archaeology

The sands of time have buried many mysteries about Jesus, that have only recently been brought to light.

Perhaps the most significant discoveries are several ancient manuscripts unearthed between the 18th and 20th centuries. We will look closer at these manuscripts in a later section.

Archaeologists have also discovered numerous places and relics that agree with the New Testament accounts of Jesus.  Malcolm Muggeridge was a British journalist who considered Jesus a myth until he saw such evidence during a BBC television assignment 
to Israel.

After reporting on the very places written about in the New Testament account of Jesus, Muggeridge wrote; "A certainty seized me about Jesus' birth, ministry and Crucifixion  .... I became aware that there had really been a man, Jesus ......"

However, prior to the 20th century, no tangible evidence existed for the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate and the Jewish chief priest, Joseph  Caiaphas. Both men were central figures in the trial leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Skeptics cited this apparent lack of evidence as ammunition for their Christ-Myth theory.

However, in 1961 archaeologists discovered a block of limestone inscribed with the name of  "Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea."  And in 1990, archaeologists discovered an ossuary  (bone) box with the inscription of  Caiaphas. It has been verified as authentic "beyond a reasonable doubt."

 Also, until 2009, there was no tangible that Jesus' hometown of Nazareth existed  during His lifetime. Skeptics like Rene Salm, regarded lack of evidence for first century Nazareth as a death-blow to Christianity. In the myth of Nazareth, Salm wrote in 2006; "Celebrate free-thinkers ..... Christianity as we know it, may be coming to an end!"  

However, on December 21st, 2009 archaeologists announced the discovery of first century clay shards in Nazareth, confirming that this tiny hamlet existed during the time of Christ. (See was Jesus really  from Nazareth?)  

Although these archaeology  finds do not prove that Jesus lived there, they do support the Gospel accounts of His life. 
  
Historians note that mounting evidence from archaeology confirms, rather than contradicts, 
the accounts of Jesus.

next post 22nd August