Several months ago, I had an abortive debate scheduled with a Christian over the "historical Jesus". Unfortunately, it didn't come together but I'll gladly debate anyone else (Christian or otherwise) who wishes to take up the gauntlet.
In advance, here are the bare minimum terms on what we're debating:
"Historical Jesus" means:
We can, with reasonable certainty and intellectual honesty, place the label "based on a true story" upon all four of the Gospel accounts as they are found in the NT of the Bible.
"Base on a true story" means at minimum:
We can claim to know, with reasonable certainty and intellectual honesty, the following details about Jesus based upon the four Gospel accounts:
1. When Jesus was born
2. When Jesus died.
3. When was the ministry of Jesus.
4. What did Jesus teach in his ministry.
The magic, miracles and appearance of supernatural creatures in the story can be set aside for the purpose of this debate. This debate will be about dates, ministry and sayings.
My primary source will be the Bible. My opponent must be ready to defend the reliability and consistency of the Gospels as a historical record of the life of Jesus. My opponent must be ready to assume the burden of proof that the Gospel character existed *and* that we can know with any reasonable degree of certainty what he preached and when he preached.
In advance, here are the bare minimum terms on what we're debating:
"Historical Jesus" means:
We can, with reasonable certainty and intellectual honesty, place the label "based on a true story" upon all four of the Gospel accounts as they are found in the NT of the Bible.
"Base on a true story" means at minimum:
We can claim to know, with reasonable certainty and intellectual honesty, the following details about Jesus based upon the four Gospel accounts:
1. When Jesus was born
2. When Jesus died.
3. When was the ministry of Jesus.
4. What did Jesus teach in his ministry.
The magic, miracles and appearance of supernatural creatures in the story can be set aside for the purpose of this debate. This debate will be about dates, ministry and sayings.
My primary source will be the Bible. My opponent must be ready to defend the reliability and consistency of the Gospels as a historical record of the life of Jesus. My opponent must be ready to assume the burden of proof that the Gospel character existed *and* that we can know with any reasonable degree of certainty what he preached and when he preached.
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
