It is a well known fact that Jesus Christ is a very
significant figure in world history. While there are attempts by academics to
challenge the reality of his historical existence through the Quest for
historical Jesus, Christ Myth theory and various Biblical criticisms still many
modern scholars of antiquity attest to the fact that he existed historically.
In a 2011 review of the state of modern scholarship, Bart
Ehrman wrote, “He certainly existed, as virtually every competent
scholar of antiquity, Christian or non-Christian, agrees”.(1) Richard
A Burridge states: “There are those who argue that Jesus is a figment of
the Church’s imagination, that there never was a Jesus at all. I have to say
that I do not know any respectable critical scholar who says that any
more”. (2)  Robert M. Price does
not believe that Jesus existed, but agrees that this perspective runs against
the views of the majority of scholars. (3)  Flavius Josephus the first century roman
scholar, historian and hagiographer who was born in Jerusalem had referenced a
historical Jesus. His two significant historical works ‘The Jewish War’ (c.75)
and ‘Antiquities of Jews’ (c.97) provide some of the important insights about
the first century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity. (4)
Louis H Feldman states that “few have doubted the genuineness” of Josephus’ reference
to Jesus in his works and that they are only disputed only by some few numbers of
Scholars. (5) The Roman Historian and Senator Tacitus referred to the
existence Jesus and his execution by Pontius Pilate in his final work, Annals (written
ca. AD 116), book 15, and chapter 44. (6) There are also possible
mentions of Jesus in the Talmud, which is a record of the criminal cases of
Israel gathered in one place from 200 – 500 C.E. As far as the recorded history
is concerned there is no indication of dispute of disagreement upon the writers
in antiquity that he did not exist. The Gospels are also historically reliable
sources as the four gospels are canonical and been in existence as the authentic
history of Jesus as accepted by majority of the World. Some might doubt the
narrative but most do not doubt the historicity of the existence of such a
person. He is the one person who had a major influence on the world history than
any other person. He never had an army; He never wrote any books or changed any
laws. In fact he himself said that he did not come to destroy the law (Matt
5:17) but still he is more significant in world history than the great Roman
leaders of his day and of the past. A very large amount of Literature in world
history is about him or they are based on his teachings. Many great philosophers,
theorists and Scholars have spoken about him and his teachings either agreeing
or attacking them. Many Institutions such as Schools, hospitals and
humanitarian works have been founded in his name. Many great reputed
Universities such as Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth and Oxford
were found by his followers. (7)

(4) Harris, Stephen L. (1985). Understanding the Bible. Palo
Alto: Mayfield.

(5) Josephus XX by Louis H. Feldman 1965, ISBN 0674995023 page
496

(6) P.E. Easterling, E. J. Kenney (general
editors), The Cambridge History
of Latin Literature, page 892 (Cambridge University Press, 1982,
reprinted 1996). ISBN 0-521-21043-7

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