Quote:
Originally Posted by RobotElvis
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What this passage reveals and how it confirms the Biblical account:
Jesus did exist
Jesus was the founder of Christianity
Jesus was put to death by Pilate
Christianity originated in Judea (With Jesus)
Christianity later spread to Rome (Through the Apostles and Evangelists)"
No amount of restating this makes it true.
Jesus did exist - No records or contemporary historians during Jesus's life wrote about him.
Jesus was the founder of Christianity - only according to biblical text which we know a great deal of is historically incorrect. Contemporary Christians living during Tacitus's time would be repeating this historically incorrect information.
Jesus was put to death by Pilate - not according to Roman records or contemporary historians.
Christianity originated in Judea (With Jesus) - not according to Roman records or historians. Christianity later spread to Rome (Through the Apostles and Evangelists) - which is part of the controversy. Need I remind you of this? "
However, the date that a "vast multitude" of Christians was discovered and executed would be around 64 CE, and it is evident that there was no "vast multitude" of Christians at Rome by this time, as there were not even a multitude of them in Judea. Oddly, this brief mention of Christians is all there is in the voluminous works of Tacitus regarding this extraordinary movement, which allegedly possessed such power as to be able to burn Rome. Also, the Neronian persecution of Christians is unrecorded by any other historian of the day and supposedly took place at the very time when Paul was purportedly freely preaching at Rome (Acts 28:30-31), facts that cast strong doubt on whether or not it actually happened"
"Skeptic Interjection: Could Tacitus have taken his information from Christian sources?"
Yes, his passage does not reflect the records or historical writings of that time. Tacitus was not infallible. He made mistakes and with this passage there is no evidence on record to verify it. Some parts of it like the burning or Rome and a Christian persecution are easily falsifiable.
"Skeptic Interjection: Could this passage have been a Christian interpolation?"
Yes, his passage does not reflect the records or historical writings of that time. Tacitus was not infallible. He made mistakes and with this passage there is no evidence on record to verify it. Some parts of it like the burning or Rome and a Christian persecution are easily falsifiable.
"Skeptic Interjection: Why is this passage not quoted by the early church fathers?"
The answer you give here is pure conjecture and that is not evidence. Show me the records of Jesus being executed or a record showing Christians burning Rome.
"Skeptic Interjection: Does the incorrect use of title procurator instead of prefect negate Tacitus' reliability?"
It certainly casts doubt or else we wouldnt be having this conversation and historians wouldnt debate it either. It is only one of the questionable items about this passage.