Well aside from the obvious (my avy), this is a fair question. Historically I would like to know about Jesus, not just what is written in the Bible.
To me, it boils down to whether or not you believe in the God of the Holy Bible. If you do, then the Bible has all the answers you need to know about Jesus: His foretelling; His birth; His life on Earth; His plan of Salvation; His death; His resurrection; His ascension into Heaven; and His plan of return and ultimate glory.
Here you go My Man, A book about the Everyday Life of Jesus, Written by a non-believer and mathematical genius: http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nazaret...r_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325091774&sr=1-11 He also happen's to be the director of Basic Instinct, Robocop, and Starship Troopers! Don't let that deter you though, he's a very smart man. I was lucky enough to hear him speak at Powell's when the book came out. http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/...esus-of-Nazareth-by-Paul-Verhoeven-887267.php Jesus was The Man, the most special to ever walk this earth, regardless your beliefs.
that's just his interpretation of what is written in the bible. the question was what is there besides the bible. the answer is other than the bible (and associated non-canonical writings) there are no known historical references to jesus contemporaneous to his life, and no references at all to him from anyone who claims to have met or seen him.
"Other than all of these stories about the guy, there is no evidence." The same can be said for most historical figures prior to medieval times. Still, I can't be sure that Jesus Christ existed, either, so I'm with you there. Plus, you're wrong in your post, because letters do exist outside of the religious realm that reference the man. http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMN...dence_for_Jesus_from_NonChristian_Sources.htm
I think some posters are having trouble handling the concept of faith. As I posted earlier, at times I wish I had it, but my mind and belief system is unable to accept things based on faith alone. I certainly don't disparage those of you who have faith, though. It's not my duty to tell people what they should and shouldn't believe in, and I don't judge people who have faith. I tend to view atheists a bit more harshly, simply because they don't realize that they are exercising a faith of their own, and seem very quick to demean and belittle those who practice religious faith.
Fantastic answer. Thanks for that. BTW, hope you can make one of the next Blazer functions I put on...namely, the M&G and/or Wheels Happy Hour. It'd be nice to finally meet you.
he might be looking at culture at the time and judging what jesus might have really been like from that or something, but there is absolutely no "historical" data on jesus (other than the bible) - no contemporaneous references to jesus in roman history, no non-biblical source that claims to have met or seen him etc.
