Jesus the Christ is Probaby the Result of Creative Writing.

1) The NT and the OT are not identical, the NT tries to explain what the actions in the OT produced. Here is some actual evidence that points to at least the true setting for the New Testament's acts: "Recent archaeological discoveries include both the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1f) and "The Pavement" (John 19:13). Their existence was doubted just a few decades ago. Confirmation of the accuracy of the setting of Jacob's well has also been found (John 4).[4] Such findings have caused many scholars to reverse earlier skeptical opinions on the historicity of the Fourth Gospel. Its author has demonstrated an obvious intimate knowledge of the Jerusalem of Jesus' time, just as we would expect from the Apostle John. Such detail would not have been accessible to a writer of a later generation, since Jerusalem was demolished under Titus' Roman army in 70 A.D. Also, the recent recovery of a Roman census similar to the one in Luke 2:1f, and the historical confirmation of his "synchronism"[5] in Luke 3:1f, underscores the care Luke took in writing his Gospel (Luke 1:1-4). " Here are some of those historical documents, which you claim differ with the NT. "Additionally, outside the Bible, Jesus is also mentioned by his near-contemporaries. Extra-Biblical and secular writers (many hostile) point to Jesus' existence, including the Roman writings of Tacitus, Seutonius, Thallus and Pliny, and the Jewish writings of Josephus and the Talmud. Gary Habermas has cited a total of 39 ancient extra-Biblical sources, including 17 non-Christian, that witness from outside the New Testament to over 100 details of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.[8] " Also, why would these authors of 'creative writing' want to portray their idols in anything but the most rosy hue? "There are also characteristics within the texts themselves which mark the four Gospels as sober history and neither legend nor fictional propaganda. Consider that the Gospel writers set the leading disciples in very poor light (Matthew 14:30, Mark 9:33f, Luke 22:54f). Notice as well that they included hard words by Jesus, which in fact repelled many hearers (Matthew 21:28f, Luke 9:23f, John 8:39f). " To prove that the NT is authentic: "Sir Frederic Kenyon, former Director of the British Museum, comments: "The interval between the dates of the original composition and the earliest extant evidence [i.e. our oldest manuscripts] becomes so small as to be negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed."[11]" http://www.christiananswers.net... 2. Jesus (according to the NT) could write and read, however, that cannot be part of my opponent's argument as it is part of the NT! Whether he could or could not is immaterial to my opponent's argument. I shall try to explain (again). Jesus was a very busy man, right? Jesus had all his disciples and many others who could write for him. Jesus' writings may have been lost, in fact, they were probably lost if there were any. 3) By 'traditional authorship' I suppose my opponent is referring to the Gospels. In which case, I do not see how eponymous they are has to do with their validity. If anything, I think that men are more likely to enhance their involvement in parts of their stories. In any case, as I mentioned above, the Gospels are not always flattering to the apostles and Jesus. 4) Middle Eastern mythology. I agree that the stories may have similar roots but that is possible without making the NT invalid. The events could have happened and multiple battles could have been fought against them. The events could have happened simultaneously (or almost) in different areas and the heroes of the day dealt with them in the most current fashion. The different cultures could have had a different name for the one legend who was the sole hero. 5) As far as mistranslations go, the first recount of facts could have been more off base and influenced by those around. Only when one is away from the general bustle can one look into the actual events. Also, there is little in the OT directly pertaining to Jesus that can be mistranslated. ***************************************************************************** 1) The crucifixion of Jesus was engineered by Pontius Pilate, a notoriously vicious man. Even though the NT tries to portray him as less pugnacious, that, is the result of creative writing. Plenty of historians agree: Pilate was a blood thirsty man. "Information about Pilate comes from the writings of Philo Judaeus and Flavius Josephus. Neither has positive things to say about him: he is described as insensitive, cruel, ready to use brutal force to keep order, and incompetent. Because he kept his post for 10 years, it's unlikely that he was incompetent. Brutality was, however, the norm for people in his position. Pilate was recalled to Rome for brutality, even by Roman standards, when he massacred a group of Samaritans at Mount Gerizim." http://atheism.about.com... "he is the only Roman governor discussed in any detail by the famous chroniclers of that period, Philo and Josephus. Philo describes him as "a man of inflexible disposition, harsh and obdurate" (Legatio, 38, 302). " http://www.answers.com... this is rather long but it tells of 500+ witnesses: 5 that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least 4 of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. http://www.usccb.org... "In my opinion, every book of the New Testament was written by a baptized Jew between the 40's and the 80's of the first century." William F. Albright, archaeologist I was under the impression that the Gospels WERE narratives, not written by avid historians. It's supposed to be in detail about Jesus' life. 3) The empty tomb is mentioned in the Gospels: Empty Tomb Narratives (a few days after Jesus' death, some women find his tomb empty, his body missing): Mark 16:1-8; Matt 28:1-8, 11-15; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-13 here's a timetable: ) Overview of the Resurrection Accounts in the Four Gospels: Event/ Mark / Matthew / Luke / John Some Women Find Jesus' Tomb Empty/ 16:1-8/28:1-8/24:1-11/20:1-2, 11-13 Peter and the Beloved Disciple Run to the Tomb/ --/ --/ /24:12/ 20:2-10 Jesus Appears to the Women (esp. Mary Magdalene) [16:9-11] 28:9-10 -- 20:14-18 The Guards Report to the Authorities -- 28:11-15 -- -- Jesus Appears to Two Disciples on the Way to Emmaus [16:12-13] -- 24:13-35 -- Jesus Appears to the Disciples on Sunday Evening -- -- 24:36-43 20:19-23 Jesus Appears to the Disciples a Week Later (with Thomas) -- -- -- 20:24-29 Jesus Appears to the Eleven as They Sat at Table [16:14-18] -- -- -- Jesus Appears to the Eleven on a Mountain in Galilee [The Great Commission] -- 28:16-20 -- -- Jesus' Last Words and His Ascension to Heaven [16:19-20] -- 24:44-53 -- The Original Ending of John -- -- -- 20:30-31 Jesus Appears again to the Disciples at the Sea of Tiberias -- -- -- 21:1-23 The Second Ending of John -- -- -- 21:24-25 Discovery Channel did a program on Jesus' tomb and how likely it was that people knew about it and revered it. Besides being (probably) a pilgrimage place, it holds a coffin with Jesus' name on it and others, with Jesus' family members on it. http://dsc.discovery.com... Thank you.