Did Jesus exist, Part II

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If something bad happens to us, that was during one of those periods when He didn't exist. If something good happens to us, that's one of those times when He does exist.

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Or vice versa.

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt

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... they discuss and debate the contents of technical papers prepared and circulated before the meetings.

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In regards to the subject at hand, someone should add that the Jesus Seminar (at least to my knowledge) does not deny the existence of a historical Jesus. In fact, my understanding is that their work is based on the existence of a historical Jesus.

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt

Has any historian ever presented evidence for the existence of Jesus in a scholarly paper published in a reputable journal? If so, what was the evidence, and what was the reaction, if any?

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt

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Here is what the historian Sherwin-White said about the book of Acts which does state that Jesus appeared and he appeared in many infallible proofs:

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"For Acts the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming. Any attempt to reject its basic historicity even in matters of detail must now appear absurd." (Sherwin-White, Roman Society, p. 189).

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Good. Now what is Dr. Sherwin-White's arguments and/or evidence that the "confirmation of historicity is overwhelming?"- Again, very good. What are some of these "numerous arguments"?

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt

You really do need to learn to use the proper reply buttons.

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According to Sherwin-White, the writings of Herodotus enable us to determine the rate at which legend accumulates, and the tests show that even two generations is too short a time span to allow legendary tendencies to wipe out the hard core of historical facts.

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Sounds nice, but what does it mean to "wipe out the hard core of historical facts"? The question is whether or not there is evidence that Jesus existed, or whether or not there is evidence that Jesus did not exist. Is there or is there not good, verifiable evidence that Jesus existed? Is there or is there not good historical evidence that Jesus did not exist?

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt