What is the greatest question in Western history? It is probably safe to assert it's the debate over whether the historical Jesus existed; and, if so -- what was the nature of his person? Easter is a splendid time to revisit this topic. What does current scholarship say about the historical Jesus? Do historians still believe a man named Jesus of Nazareth lived approximately 2,000 years ago?
For Christians, Easter is a time to meditate upon the sufferings of Christ, His payment for sins upon the cross, and revel in His resurrection -- the future hope of all Believers. And yet, if there were no actual Jesus, Christians would have little hope except that of symbolism. So did Christ actually exist, beyond stories and legends? What evidence is there outside of the New Testament? The volume Jesus Outside the New Testament, (2000 Eerdmans) by Robert E. Van Voorst, addresses this topic splendidly. (All quotes in this essay are Voorst's, unless otherwise noted.)
