By
Kennedy Tembo
Ambassador International University
Advanced Apologetics
Professor: Kris Bjorgen, Ed.D.
I. INTRODUCTION
I have learned that history is generally significant in all circles of life. It always amazes me when I look at Christianity today and the remarkable work it has done for the good of this world. Nevertheless, it shocks me that people today still challenges the historicity of the founder and the foundational event from which Christianity builds and holds. With what Christianity claims and such a huge following it has, it’s critically important that it is proven accurate historically; otherwise, its followers would be perishing. This is because ideas have an influence on behavior and behavior has consequences. “A 2015 survey conducted by the Church of England, for instance, found that 22 percent of adults in England did not believe Jesus was a real person.”[1] Therefore, this research is aimed at highlighting some of the most plausible and rational evidence of the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. This work will heavily center on the identity, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ because it’s where the hope of Christianity hinges.
Stressing the importance of history in Christian Theology, Wright says that there may be some kinds of ‘theology’, even with a strong pedigree within the tradition, which neither need nor want history; but specifically, Christian theology has no choice. Christian theology needs history, even though it hasn’t always known how to do it or what to do with it. It isn’t just that biblical exegesis; it’s a branch of ancient history. It goes to the heart of the central Christian claims.[2] That being said, perhaps the big question now would be; does the bible have enough rational historical evidence of what it claims about Jesus Christ of Nazareth that we should trust. Consequently, the paper will begin with the evidence for the historicity of Jesus’ birth and life; what he claimed about himself; the witnesses to His claims; the evidence of his death and resurrection. Then it will be concluded with what the fate of the world is with regards to the validated evidence, and how that has impacted my personal life and purpose. Depending on the availability of rational evidence in various cases about Jesus, it must be noted that evidence will be drawn from both the Bible and any extra-biblical historical documents written by either Christian historians or secular historians. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (NKJV); I invite you as the Lord does in Isaiah, come now, and let’s reason together.
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