Jesus and Christian Apologetics. A class taught by John Oakes PhD 9/26/09, on question, Who is Jesus Christ and evidence that the real Jesus is the Jesus of the gospels. See the notes below and the attached Power Point.

1. Who Was Jesus ofWho Was Jesus of
Nazareth?Nazareth?
John OakesJohn Oakes
9/26/099/26/09

2.  ARS recent debate: Jesus: Man,ARS recent debate: Jesus: Man,
Myth or Messiah?Myth or Messiah?
 The trilemma (C. S. Lewis) Liar,The trilemma (C. S. Lewis) Liar,
Lord, LunaticLord, Lunatic
 More modern version (Doug Jacoby)More modern version (Doug Jacoby)
Liar, Lord, Lunatic, LegendLiar, Lord, Lunatic, Legend

3.  SageSage
 ProphetProphet
 LiarLiar
 Crazy personCrazy person
 MessiahMessiah
 Son of ManSon of Man
 God in the fleshGod in the flesh
 Legend/MythLegend/Myth
 Man (ie. mere man)Man (ie. mere man)
 An important religious leader amongAn important religious leader among
manymany

4. I Claims of Jesus
II Jesus and Other Religious Leaders
III Extra-Biblical sources on Jesus
IV The Miracles of Jesus
V Reliability of the Witnesses
VI Messianic Prophecies
VII The Jesus Myth Hypothesis
VIII Transformed Lives (IX The Resurrection)
Our Outline

5. Grading (if you are getting credit)Grading (if you are getting credit)
 The Reading 30%The Reading 30%
• Required Reading: Reasons ForRequired Reading: Reasons For
Belief J. Oakes IPIBooksBelief J. Oakes IPIBooks
 Exam 30%Exam 30%
 Paper 40% A research paperPaper 40% A research paper
of 5 or more pages on a specialof 5 or more pages on a special
topic of your choice.topic of your choice.

6. Two categories of Apologetic TopicsTwo categories of Apologetic Topics
 Defending the FaithDefending the Faith
• History andHistory and
ArchaeologyArchaeology
• How We Got the BibleHow We Got the Bible
(including response to(including response to
form criticism, etc.)form criticism, etc.)
• Science and the BibleScience and the Bible
• Contradictions in theContradictions in the
BibleBible
 Creating FaithCreating Faith
• World ViewWorld View
• ProphecyProphecy
• Miracles/ResurreMiracles/Resurre
ctionction
• Claims of JesusClaims of Jesus

7. I. The Claims of JesusI. The Claims of Jesus
 If we can assume the gospels faithfullyIf we can assume the gospels faithfully
record the claims of Jesus then he is either:record the claims of Jesus then he is either:
• CrazyCrazy
• A manipulative liarA manipulative liar
• OrOr
• The Messiah and Son of God.The Messiah and Son of God.

8. Jesus:
“ These are the scriptures that testify about
me” John 5:39
Imagine the audacity!

9. Claim of JesusClaim of Jesus ScriptureScripture Hearer’s ResponseHearer’s Response
Fulfilled all the O.T.Fulfilled all the O.T.
prophecies of the Messiahprophecies of the Messiah
John 5:39John 5:39 Refused to come to himRefused to come to him
I am the bread of lifeI am the bread of life John 6:35John 6:35 GrumbledGrumbled
A life without sinA life without sin John 8:46John 8:46 Jesus is demon-possessedJesus is demon-possessed
(crazy)(crazy)
I AM GodI AM God John 8:58John 8:58 Attempted to stone himAttempted to stone him
I and the Father are oneI and the Father are one John 10:30John 10:30 Attempted to stone himAttempted to stone him
I am the resurrection andI am the resurrection and
the lifethe life
John 11:25John 11:25 Plotted to murder himPlotted to murder him
I am the only way to GodI am the only way to God John 14:6John 14:6 No negative response (JesusNo negative response (Jesus
talking to disciples)talking to disciples)
JESUS’ CLAIMS ABOUT HIMSELF IN THE BOOK OF JOHN

10. Mark 3:22-30
His family: “He is out of his mind.”
Rabbis: “He is possessed by a demon.”
Jesus: This is totally illogical
Was Jesus Insane?

11. Was Jesus a Liar?
What do liars do?

12. II. Is Jesus just one of many similarII. Is Jesus just one of many similar
religious leaders?religious leaders?
Confucius Joseph Smith

13. God
Islam
Buddhis
m
Mysticism
Ba’hai
Another Point of
View: Different
Paths to the Same
Goal?

14. Is Jesus a Guru?
A Great Prophet?
One of Many
Important Spiritual
Leaders?
Lao Tzu
Buddha
Muhammad?
Baha’u’llah
Moses

15. III. Jesus and Extra-Biblical SourcesIII. Jesus and Extra-Biblical Sources
 Roman (7)Roman (7)
 Jewish (2)Jewish (2)
 Christian (33)Christian (33)

16. Not all the relief that could come from the man, not all the bounties that the
prince could bestow, nor all the atonements which could be presented to the
gods, availed to relieve Nero from the infamy of bbeing believed to have ordered
the conflagration, the fire of Rome. Therefore, to squelch the rumor, Nero
created scapegoats and subjected to the most refined tortures those whom the
common people called ‘Christians,’ [a group] hated for their abominable crimes.
Their name comes from Christ, who, during the reign of Tiberius, had been
executed by the procurator Pontius Pilate. Suppressed for the moment, the
deadly superstition broke out again, not only in Judea, the land which originated
this evil, but also in the city of Rome, where all sorts of horrendous and shameful
practices, from every part of the world converge and are fervently cultivated.
Annals 15.44
Cornelius Tacitus approx AD 114

17. About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call
him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a
teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many
Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon
hearing him accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had
condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to
love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he
appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied
these and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of
Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.
Antiquities 18:3:3
Josephus AD 38-100

18. On the eve of Passover they hung Yeshu and the crier went forth for forty
days beforehand declaring that "[Yeshu] is going to be stoned for practicing
witchcraft, for enticing and leading Israel astray. Anyone who knows
something to clear him should come forth and exonerate him." But no one
had anything exonerating for him and they hung him on the eve of Passover.
Ulla said: Would one think that we should look for exonerating evidence for
him? He was an enticer and G-d said (Deuteronomy 13:9) “Show him no
pity or compassion and do not shield him.” him? He was an enticer and G-d
said (Deuteronomy 13:9) "Show him no pity or chow him no pity or
compassion,”
Babylonian Sanhedrin 43a-b
Talmud (1st
and 2nd
Century AD)

19. "As the Jews were making constant disturbances at
the instigation of Chrestus, he (Claudius about AD
50) expelled them from Rome”

20. Lucian of SamosataLucian of Samosata
The Christians, you know, worship a man to thisThe Christians, you know, worship a man to this
day—the distinguished personage who introducedday—the distinguished personage who introduced
their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…
You see, these misguided creatures start with theYou see, these misguided creatures start with the
general conviction that they are immortal for allgeneral conviction that they are immortal for all
time, which explains the contempt of death andtime, which explains the contempt of death and
voluntary self-devotion which are so common amongvoluntary self-devotion which are so common among
them; and then it was impressed on them by theirthem; and then it was impressed on them by their
original lawgiver that they are converted, and denyoriginal lawgiver that they are converted, and deny
the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage,the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage,
and life after his laws.and life after his laws.
(Lucian(Lucian The Death of PeregrineThe Death of Peregrine))

21. Pliny the Younger AD 112Pliny the Younger AD 112
Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when
they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer
with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be
brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and
moreover cursed Christ — none of which those who are really
Christians, it is said, can be forced to do — these I thought
should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared
that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they
had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others
many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all
worshiped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed
Christ

22. Christian SourcesChristian Sources
 Papias, early 90s AD (Eusebius,Papias, early 90s AD (Eusebius, Ecc History)Ecc History)
• ……if by chance anyone who had been inif by chance anyone who had been in
attendance on the elders should come myattendance on the elders should come my
way, I inquired about the words of theway, I inquired about the words of the
elders — that is, what according to theelders — that is, what according to the
elders Andrew or Peter said, or Philip, orelders Andrew or Peter said, or Philip, or
Thomas or James, or John or Matthew orThomas or James, or John or Matthew or
any other of the Lord’s disciples, andany other of the Lord’s disciples, and
whatever Aristion and the elder John, thewhatever Aristion and the elder John, the
Lord’s disciples, were saying.Lord’s disciples, were saying.

23. Quadratus (wrote AD 117-124)Quadratus (wrote AD 117-124)
…if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the
elders should come my way, I inquired about the words of
the elders — that is, what according to the elders Andrew or
Peter said, or Philip, or Thomas or James, or John or
Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever
Aristion and the elder John, the Lord’s disciples, were
saying.

24. IV. Jesus and MiraclesIV. Jesus and Miracles
 Four Possibilities:Four Possibilities:
1. He neither worked miracles at all,1. He neither worked miracles at all,
nor claimed to work miracles.nor claimed to work miracles.
2. He claimed to work great2. He claimed to work great
miracles, but was a charlatan.miracles, but was a charlatan.
3. He worked genuine miracles, but3. He worked genuine miracles, but
he was a sorcerer/worked forhe was a sorcerer/worked for
Satan.Satan.
4. He worked genuine miracles.4. He worked genuine miracles.

25. Reasons to believe Jesus worked miraclesReasons to believe Jesus worked miracles
1. A great number of the miracles were done publicly, often in front of the
greatest skeptics and harshest critics of Jesus.
2. There were tens of thousands of eyewitnesses from every background to
these events.
3. The apostles openly proclaimed that Jesus worked a great variety of
miracles during the lifetime of those who could have refuted the claims.
4. Both Roman and Jewish histories report at least the general fact that
Jesus worked “wonders.”
5. Pharisees and Rabbis did not deny miracles, but instead claimed Jesus
did his signs by the power of demons.
6. Those who recorded the miracles as eye-witnesses (the gospel writers
except Luke) have every appearance of being credible.

26. V. Are the Gospel Witnesses Reliable?V. Are the Gospel Witnesses Reliable?
 Martyrdoms. (Romans 5:6-8)Martyrdoms. (Romans 5:6-8)
• James, the brother of Jesus AD 62 (JosephusJames, the brother of Jesus AD 62 (Josephus AntAnt
20.9.1)20.9.1)
• Apostle James, brother of John (Acts 12:1-2)Apostle James, brother of John (Acts 12:1-2)
• Peter and Paul in Rome about AD 64Peter and Paul in Rome about AD 64
• Tradition: all but JohnTradition: all but John
 Compare to the Book of Mormon.Compare to the Book of Mormon.
• Three witnessesThree witnesses
• Eight witnessesEight witnesses

27. Reliability of the Gospel writersReliability of the Gospel writers
 The embarrassment factor.The embarrassment factor.
 Written and read in Jerusalem when could beWritten and read in Jerusalem when could be
refuted.refuted.
 Galatians AD 49 1 Corinthians AD 55 Mark ADGalatians AD 49 1 Corinthians AD 55 Mark AD
60?60?
 Independent attestation.Independent attestation.
 Luke the historian.Luke the historian.

28. Luke: An Accurate Historian?

29. Sir William RamsaySir William Ramsay
I found myself brought into contact with the Book of Acts as an authority for the
topography, antiquities, and society of Asia Minor. It was gradually borne upon me
that in various details the narrative showed marvelous truth. In fact, beginning
with a fixed idea that the work was essentially a second century composition, and
never relying on its evidence as trustworthy for first century conditions, I gradually
came to find it a useful ally in some obscure and difficult investigations.
Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact
trustworthy; he is possessed of the true historic sense; he fixes his mind on the
idea and plan that rules in the evolution of history, and proportions the scale of his
treatment to the importance of each incident. He seizes the important and critical
events and shows their true nature at greater length, while he touches lightly or
omits entirely much that was valueless for his purpose. In short, this author should
be placed along with the very greatest of historians.
Sir William Ramsay, St. Paul, the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, (Hodder and
Stoughton, 1920).

30. Archaeological Evidence

31. The Pool of Siloam

32. Caiaphas
Ossuary

34. VI. Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by JesusVI. Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus
 Luke 24:44, Acts 2, Acts 3:18, Acts 4:11, 1Luke 24:44, Acts 2, Acts 3:18, Acts 4:11, 1
Cor 15:3-4 “…according to the Scriptures.”Cor 15:3-4 “…according to the Scriptures.”
AD 55 This claim goes back to the veryAD 55 This claim goes back to the very
beginning of the church.beginning of the church.
 Questions:Questions:
 Are the messianic prophecies?Are the messianic prophecies?
• Were they written beforehand (or were theyWere they written beforehand (or were they
Christian interpolations)Christian interpolations)
• Is the fulfillment attested to outside the NT?Is the fulfillment attested to outside the NT?
• Did Jesus do this to support his messianic claims?Did Jesus do this to support his messianic claims?

35. Messianic Prophecies FulfilledMessianic Prophecies Fulfilled
 Isaiah 53:1-12. Despised, rejected, silentIsaiah 53:1-12. Despised, rejected, silent
when accused and pierced.when accused and pierced.
 Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem.Micah 5:2 Born in Bethlehem.
 Isaiah 9:1 From the land of Zebulun andIsaiah 9:1 From the land of Zebulun and
NaphtaliNaphtali
 Psalms 22:14-18 crucified, garmentsPsalms 22:14-18 crucified, garments
divided and gambled overdivided and gambled over
 Zechariah 11:12-13 betrayed for 30 piecesZechariah 11:12-13 betrayed for 30 pieces
of silver, money thrown to the potter.of silver, money thrown to the potter.
 Daniel 9:24-25 The Messiah to come toDaniel 9:24-25 The Messiah to come to
Jerusalem about AD 33Jerusalem about AD 33..

36. Jesus Fulfilled Historical ForeshadowsJesus Fulfilled Historical Foreshadows
 Prophet, Priest and KingProphet, Priest and King
 One like Moses (Deut 18:17-19)One like Moses (Deut 18:17-19)
 Genesis 22 Abraham and IsaacGenesis 22 Abraham and Isaac
• Raised from the dead on the 3Raised from the dead on the 3rdrd
day 1 Cor 15:4 ,day 1 Cor 15:4 ,
Heb 11:19Heb 11:19
 Moses and the snake (Numbers 21:4-9)Moses and the snake (Numbers 21:4-9)
 Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40)Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40)
 JosephJoseph
 DavidDavid

37. VII. The Jesus Myth MythVII. The Jesus Myth Myth
 Is the biblical Jesus an interpolated “Christian”Is the biblical Jesus an interpolated “Christian”
myth?myth?
 Adonis (Greek)Adonis (Greek)
 Osiris (Egypt)Osiris (Egypt)
 Tammuz (Egypt)Tammuz (Egypt)
 Dionysus (Greek)Dionysus (Greek)
 Mithra (Persia)Mithra (Persia)
 Krishna (India)Krishna (India)
 Appolonius of TyanaAppolonius of Tyana
 PeregrinusPeregrinus
 EmpodoclesEmpodocles
 AttisAttis
 HerculesHercules
 RomulusRomulus
 BaalBaal

38. Parallels to God/Man MythsParallels to God/Man Myths
 miraculous birthmiraculous birth
 tested by demonstested by demons
 worked miraclesworked miracles
 execution on a hilltopexecution on a hilltop
 betrayal by brothersbetrayal by brothers
 12 disciples12 disciples
 killed and resurrectedkilled and resurrected
 ascensionascension

39. Problems with this theory:
1. It requires cherry picking.
2. Most of these stories were written AFTER Jesus
lived.
3. Most of these “people” never lived!
4. When one looks as the supposed parallels, the case
is really exaggerated.

40. OsirisOsiris
An Egyptian god/man. Very obviously aAn Egyptian god/man. Very obviously a
mythical figure.mythical figure.
Killed by his brother. Body cut up intoKilled by his brother. Body cut up into
13 pieces. His wife Isis reassembles and13 pieces. His wife Isis reassembles and
sews back together 12 of the 13 piecessews back together 12 of the 13 pieces
(see the parallel to the apostles?) He(see the parallel to the apostles?) He
comes back to life and goes to rule in thecomes back to life and goes to rule in the
underworld to judge the living and dead.underworld to judge the living and dead.

41. Appolonius of TyanaAppolonius of Tyana
 A miracle worker. A Pythagorean in the cityA miracle worker. A Pythagorean in the city
of Tyana in 1st century AD. Saves a friendof Tyana in 1st century AD. Saves a friend
in Corinth. Predicts a plague in Ephesus.in Corinth. Predicts a plague in Ephesus.
Says: stone this beggar to death to end theSays: stone this beggar to death to end the
plague. The do so, and when they removeplague. The do so, and when they remove
the stones they find a large dog alive andthe stones they find a large dog alive and
well. Appolonius disappears and is neverwell. Appolonius disappears and is never
seen again.seen again.
 No death. No resurrection. No ascension.No death. No resurrection. No ascension.
 Only one very unreliable source. 100+Only one very unreliable source. 100+
years after he died. No eye witnessyears after he died. No eye witness
testimony. Which story is mythical?testimony. Which story is mythical?

42. Christian MythsChristian Myths
 Acts of Peter (3rd century) Peter squaresActs of Peter (3rd century) Peter squares
off with Simon Magus. A dog tells Simonoff with Simon Magus. A dog tells Simon
Magus to repent. Jesus raises a smokedMagus to repent. Jesus raises a smoked
fish to life.fish to life.
 Gospel of Thomas. Jesus works whackyGospel of Thomas. Jesus works whacky
miracles as a baby which seem quite silly.miracles as a baby which seem quite silly.
Jesus kills a child for carelessly bumpingJesus kills a child for carelessly bumping
into him.into him.
 There is nothing like this is the NewThere is nothing like this is the New
Testament.Testament.

43. ConclusionConclusion
 Given Jesus’ claims about himselfGiven Jesus’ claims about himself
 Given the historical evidence, both from ChristianGiven the historical evidence, both from Christian
and Pagan sourcesand Pagan sources
 Given the strong evidence that Jesus workedGiven the strong evidence that Jesus worked
wonders and signs.wonders and signs.
 Given the quality and quantity of the witnessesGiven the quality and quantity of the witnesses
 Given the fulfillment of clear messianicGiven the fulfillment of clear messianic
propheciesprophecies
 and... Given the evidence for the resurrectionand... Given the evidence for the resurrection
 I conclude that Jesus is the Son of God, theI conclude that Jesus is the Son of God, the
Messiah. Jesus is who he said he was.Messiah. Jesus is who he said he was.

44. One More Point: VIII. Changed LivesOne More Point: VIII. Changed Lives
 Jesus has had more influence onJesus has had more influence on
human history than any other person.human history than any other person.
 How to explain the vitality and growthHow to explain the vitality and growth
of a religious movement started byof a religious movement started by
uneducated, ordinary men.uneducated, ordinary men.
 Millions of lives transformed by aMillions of lives transformed by a
personal experience with Jesuspersonal experience with Jesus
Christ.Christ.