Once we discard Josephus' Testimonium Flavianum as a rank forgery, the most powerful piece of evidence we have is the Annals of Tacitus.
This piece is second century, it's an oblique reference to a "Christus" (translates to "anointed one"; it's so oblique that Jesus isn't even mentioned by name) who is named as the founder of the Christian faith crucified by the "procurator" Pilate (his actual title was "prefect", they weren't called "procurator" until later centuries). For all we know, Tacitus might have just been passing along information he'd heard from the Christians (he was known to pass along fanciful legends and myths, including his fascination with mythical beings).
This is as good as the evidence gets. Late, oblique, brief and one suspicious error.
So even if there was a historical Yeshua, good luck ever knowing anything about him. All we have is Christian mythology.
This piece is second century, it's an oblique reference to a "Christus" (translates to "anointed one"; it's so oblique that Jesus isn't even mentioned by name) who is named as the founder of the Christian faith crucified by the "procurator" Pilate (his actual title was "prefect", they weren't called "procurator" until later centuries). For all we know, Tacitus might have just been passing along information he'd heard from the Christians (he was known to pass along fanciful legends and myths, including his fascination with mythical beings).
This is as good as the evidence gets. Late, oblique, brief and one suspicious error.
So even if there was a historical Yeshua, good luck ever knowing anything about him. All we have is Christian mythology.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
