Now, let it be known that it is extremely rare for us to obtain an original copy of any ancient manuscript. Almost all
the historical records of antiquity that we currently have are copies of copies of copies of copies etc. of the real thing.
So some think that passing down ancient history is similar to a big game of telephone where the final product that we have
today is completely distorted from the original manuscript. After all, we all played telephone in Junior High and saw the
results ourselves. History has passed down to us four biographies of Jesus' life. They are what we commonly refer to as The
Gospels, surnamed for their most likely authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The first manuscript we have of the history of Thucydides is dated about 1,300 years after he wrote it. The earliest
copy we have of Aristotle's poetics is 1,400 years after they were written. Caesar composed a history of the Gallic Wars.
It's historical authenticity rests on manuscripts all dating 1,000 years after his death, yet scholars still consider all
these manuscripts very relevant to what we know about ancient history.
earliest dated manuscript describing the history - closer than
anything else in ancient history
copies of copies - why it's better than anything else
Now if Jesus did exist, and he really did claim to be God. According to C.S. Lewis, there are only three possible logical
conclusions as far as the truth is concerned. Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or the LORD. Count 'em. Three. If you want
to hold to the argument that Jesus was simply a good moral teacher, you will be proved wrong in the following
paragraphs.
To the notion that Jesus was in fact the Lord, you have only two options to respond, and those are, "True." or "False."
So,
without further adue, let's explore the possibilities of this statement being false. If the above statement is false,
then there are two options: either Jesus knew he wasn't God and his life was one big lie, or Jesus didn't know that he was
God and yet claimed to be, thus making him a lunatic. This is why Jesus can only be a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. (If that didn't
quite sink in...re-read it and follow the logic until you're on the same page as me before you continue, because it should
make perfect sense.)
If Jesus was a liar, then...
* He knowingly died one of the most torturous deaths in history for something that was a complete
lie.
* He knew that he was a complete hypocrite because he taught others to be honest, no matter
what the cost, knowing that he taught and lived a colossal lie.
Historian Philip Schaff asks, "How, in the name of logic, common sense, and experience could an imposter-that is deceitful...-have
invented, and consistently maintained from the beginning to end, the purest and noblest character known in history with the
most perfect air of truth and reality? How could he have conceived and successfully carried out a plan of...[this]...magnitude...?"
If Jesus was a lunatic, then...
* He probably would have been locked up so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else. (It would
be like somebody walking around today claiming to be Napolean. They WOULD NOT be considered healthy.)
It is obvious that either of the three choices you have are real possibilities. However, the real question is "Which
is more probable?"
People's lives have been changed for the better in his name. Everytime we look at ancient history we are reminded of
his impact due to the note historical note "B.C." 11 of his disciples claimed that Jesus appeared to them after he was crucified,
buried, and found missing from his grave 3 days later. These are the people that were eye-witnesses of Jesus' life, death,
and resurrection. These 11 also died some of the most torturous deaths ever, simply for holding onto the
validity of what
they witnessed. If they were lying, surely at least one of them would have given in and admitted to the truth in order to
spare their life. Good luck finding another 11 people in history dying for something that they knew was a lie.
Josh McDowell writes that because of Jesus, "lives have been changed for good, nations have been changed for the
better, thieves are made honest, alcoholics are cured, hateful individuals become channels of love, [and] unjust persons become
just."
Isn't it more than coincidence that the New Testament has been preserved in it's entirety for nearly 2000 years? (...not
to mention that the Old Testament has been preserved much, much longer)
Don't you think it would take more than Jesus to invent a Jesus?
