Is Jesus a real person or a myth?

Answer 1

Some more answers from our community:

• The idea has been put forward many times that Jesus didn't exist. There will always probably be those who put forward this idea, or support it, or believe it for various reasons. In terms of the reality of Jesus, there is more support for His existence than many other ancient persons who no-one doubts to have existed. This indicates a particular bias against Jesus Christ, including a possible desire to avoid the implications of His existence.

  Making the statement such as "Jesus' real existence is impossible" such as is made by one of these 'anti-Jesus' people (Remsberg), reveals the bias. To say something is impossible means that the author of such a statement has a criteria against which some things are possible and other things are deemed impossible. In other words he has a bias. Specifically, this often includes a bias against miracles and the supernatural.

  G K Chesterton in addressing this type of issue said the following, and such a comment is still relevant today: 'The believers in miracles accept them (rightly or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles deny them (rightly or wrongly) because they have a doctrine against them.' G K Chesterton, Orthodoxy, ch.9, 'Authority and the Adventurer.'

• Jesus is real but only in the minds of the believers; not in the physical realm.

• Many people believe, including non-Christian historians, in well-known ancient people who have much less evidence for their actual physical existence than Jesus Christ. These same historians also acknowledge it is quite unreasonable, therefore, to reject the actual physical existence of Jesus Christ.

• With all the evidence, including that of Julian the Apostate, a Roman Emperor opposed to Christianity, it could be truly said that those who doubt Jesus' reality have great faith. Quite probably more faith than Christians.

• Some say Jesus is just myth--there is too little "hard evidence" to be found. It is all second-hand knowledge--what we know for sure.

• For Christians, what is important is faith, and not objective evidence, as there is little to be found!

• Some Biblical scholars do not accept Josephus' comments as proof of the Historicity of Jesus. They are believed to be a later addition. Certainly, there was no Jewish Rabbi named "Jesus". Jesus was a Greek name given to a Jewish Rabbi named "Yeshua" who is generally believed to have been a real person. The consistency the words in his teachings, both canonical and apocryphal, point to a common oral history and written documents more ancient than those available to us now. This is the most convincing evidence that he really did exist.

• It is it true. Jesus is real. If you look it The Bible, Jesus is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and He died to save people from their sins. Answer Although everyone must make their own decision regarding this, I believe yes he is real and he loves everyone and wants them to love him as well, but can't do anything for you unless you let him by accepting him in your life. Think of it like this, if you knew someone who wanted something from you all the time but whenever they were around other people they ignored you or denied even knowing you, would you help them? With Jesus it's a bit different because he actually wants to help, even if you are stubborn and refuse it.

• Yes, Jesus was a real person. As far as religion and the Bible go, you'll have to decide whether you want to believe Jesus is the son of God. But, historically speaking, Jesus was a real person.

• A plagiarized myth would probably not appear in Roman texts, as Jesus was purported to be a major thorn in their side. However, Jesus is mentioned not only in early Christian writings but by historians and those cultures that wished Jesus hadn't been a real person.

• Yes, I believe he is. Sure, I've had my doubts, but I always come back to the same answer: He was, still is, and always will be, real. Answer I believe that Jesus is real and He died for us at the cross.

• Jesus is real and even if you do not believe he died and rose again for you that does not stop him from being real. He was a real person and lived a real life. Answer Yes. Do you think some guy just said "I'm Jesus!"? It is difficult to explain him rising from the dead. Yes, he was dead - they hit him, put a crown of thorns around his head, nailed his hands and feet to the cross ... he was definitely dead.

• Jesus is so real! The reason they say have faith is because Faith is to believe in something that you cannot see. If you say that Jesus and God are not real then how are we here alive and living. If he isn't real than why are we so blessed by His love and compassion.

• No. Humans get very uneasy when something random happens and can't be explained, so they just say it must have been Jesus unless of course it was bad then it must have been the devil. Humans are the root of good and evil, there is no higher power. Answer There is no evidence Jesus existed. Josephus lived after Jesus making his works hearsay at best and some believe Christians altered his works. Jesus is a plagiarized myth. Answer Jesus is real and He lives which people discover when they ask Him into their heart.

Answer 2

Scholars are divided on whether Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person, but the majority accept his historicity if only because there is not yet sufficient evidence to the contrary. Some of those who disagree believe that Jesus may have been a Jewish sun god, or that he entered the Jewish milieu from Graeco-Egyptian mystery religions. Others think that he may have evolved within Essene belief, related to the Teacher of Righteousness. Still others simply say that Jesus of Nazareth was invented by the author of Mark's Gospel, although Paul's epistles demonstrate that Jesus was already worshipped when Mark's Gospel was first written, even if Paul's Jesus was different from the one portrayed in the Gospel.

Answer 3

Historical evidence supports that Jesus of Nazareth was a real person who lived in the 1st century. While there is debate over his divinity, most scholars agree that Jesus was a historical figure.