Reasons to Believe: Newsletter (2019), March/April, Reasons to Believe, Covina, California.
In a very brief article, Krista Bontrager explains that a You Tube presenter opined that there is no more evidence (as much evidence) for the existence of Jesus Christ, as there is for the Easter Bunny. (2019).
I am in basic agreement with her article. (2019). The Apostle Paul documents his belief in the existence of Jesus Christ from 1 Corinthians 15; not only the existence of Jesus Christ, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This Apostle is documented to have seen a resurrected Jesus Christ in Acts 9.
She wisely confirms the credibility of Scripture as well as extrabiblical literature. (219).
In regard to a comparison of the existence Easter Bunny to Jesus Christ. I have dealt with these basic types of assumptions on my second blog and website Satire Und Theology:
May 19 2008
To rephrase my points for this article...
There is not historical documentation from many sources over many years from different geographical areas for the Easter Bunny, or other fictional characters. There is Biblical historical documentation of approximately 3500 years of actual persons, from various regions who experienced God. There are scribes, prophets, apostles and of course, Jesus Christ who are actual documented persons. The Messiah was predicted and prophesied of in the Hebrew Bible and Jesus Christ, as Messiah was well-documented in the Gospels and throughout the New Testament.
Jesus Christ appeared in typical human form (for this present reality and realm) and resurrected human form.
In my archives, I have written on manuscript evidence for the Scripture, especially the New Testament.
Example
May 16 2018
The You Tube presenter has made a false analogy:
Logically fallacious
Description: When an analogy is used to prove or disprove an argument, but the analogy is too dissimilar to be effective, that is, it is unlike the argument more than it is like the argument.
For example
Easter Bunny = fictional literature (non-historical)
Jesus Christ = non-fictional literature (historical)
The writer is correct that Christ's resurrection is not delusional, but is rooted in historical events. (219). Theoretically, I reason, if Christianity and the New Testament is false, it is historically false in central theology and worldview, but it remains non-fictional.
I have noted previously on this website:
October 7 2013
From Historian Earle E. Cairns:
In regard to extrabiblical evidence for the existence of the historical Jesus Christ.
Roman and related
Tacitus (55-117) a Roman historian connected the name and origin of Christians with 'Christus' who under Emperor Tiberius was put to death by Procurator Pontius Pilate. Cairns (1981: 45).
Pliny, the propraetor of Bithynia and Pontus in Asia Minor wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan at about 112 for guidance on how he should deal with the Christians. He noted that they 'sing a song to Christ as to a God'. Cairns (1981: 45).
Suetonius in 'Lives of the Twelve Caesars' writes that the Jews were expelled from Rome because of disturbances over 'Chrestos'. Cairns (1981: 45). He is noted to have mentioned the fire in Rome in 64 under Emperor Nero and that Nero inflicted punishment on Christians. McDowell (1999: 121).
Lucian (ca. 125-190) wrote a satirical review of Christians at about 170 and described Christ that was crucified in Palestine after he began 'a new cult'. Cairns (1981: 46). McDowell adds that he 'spoke scornfully of Christ and the Christians'. McDowell (1999: 121).
Jewish
Josephus (37-ca 100) wrote of James the brother of Jesus the so called Christ. There is some debate in regard to the authenticity of Josephus writings. There may have been according to critics 'interpolation by Christians' but Cairns writes that most scholars accept the writing as from Josephus and as original text. What Josephus wrote demonstrates he was not an ally of Christians or Christianity. Cairns (1981: 46).
McDowell mentions that within the Babylonian Talmud it states 'In has been taught: On the of Passover they hanged Yeshu'. McDowell (1999: 123-124). Hanged being a crucifixion reference. McDowell (1999: 123). Jesus and his disciples, five of them are also mentioned. McDowell (1999: 124). In one section Jesus is also called 'Such-an-one is a bastard of an adulteress'. McDowell (1999: 124).
Christian
Cairns mentions that there are many Christian 'apocryphal gospels, acts, letters and apocalypses' Cairns (1981: 46). These would depend as in predicate on an historical Christ existing. Cairns (1981: 46). I should add that there are also the writings of the Church Fathers that connect to the previous New Testament era.
CAIRNS, EARLE E. (1981) Christianity Through The Centuries, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
MCDOWELL, JOSH (1999) The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Reasons to Believe: Newsletter (2019), March/April, Reasons to Believe, Covina, California.
