How We Know Jesus and the Early Church Existed

How do we know things about the distant past? How do we know details about the lives of the most famous historical figures? What about Jesus? Outside the Bible, how do we know anything about Jesus or the early Church?
In this episode, I talk about how studying the ancient past works, and then I take a look at a bunch of writers who mentioned details about Jesus and early Christianity in the 1st and 2nd centuries. I also compare the amount of documentation that exists to confirm details about the lives of ultra-famous Greek and Roman figures with the amount of documentation that exists to confirm details about Jesus and the Church. In addition, we'll consider some of the common criticisms of the reliable historicity of Jesus.
In just 30 lousy minutes, you can learn about history, the Bible, Jesus, Caesar, and why there's every reason to believe that Jesus existed, did remarkable things, gained a following, was executed, and then was the object of worship for a new religion immediately after his life and death.
This is the full, uninterrupted 30 minute version of the three part series also published on this channel.

[@ventriloquistmagician4735]

As someone who was atheist for a few years, raised by atheist parents, and studied atheist arguments for a long time, this video is great. You were honest about the quality of the evidence and it makes me proud to consider you a brother.

[@monkiram]

What is/are the main thing(s) that made you realize that Christianity is true? I have a friend who was previously Muslim but stopped believing in Islam, and she has talked to me about Christianity and said that she is intrigued by Christian teachings but is not sure whether she is atheist or accepts Christianity. She is the kind of person that wouldn't be pressured into anything, but she needs to come to her own conclusions via logic. Do you have any advice?

[@ventriloquistmagician4735]

@@monkiram Actually, my background is muslim as well. I think eventually many former muslims turned atheists become christians, because a life without God is not satisfactory, especially after having but a taste of it under Islam.

[@TimberWulfIsHere]

@mrjo2thec Yes, lets jusr assume that those who are fully confident in their faith and knowledge are arrogant and unwise. typical athiest.

[@TimberWulfIsHere]

@mrjo2thec You just made an argument from ignorance. New Athiesm is very much like a cult today, anyone can see that, even if its not a "formal religion". You stil have certain biases and worldview restrictions which are shaped by your "lack of belief." For example, as an athiest, justify objective morality or anything to do with metaphysical certainty. You can't, because you have restrictions and thus are shaped by these restrictions, thus I can generalise based on the knowlegde of these restrictions.

[@TimberWulfIsHere]

@mrjo2thec you didn't address anything i have said without a mere ramble. You argued against my point in your very 1st sentence. "Im simply saying its ignorant of you to make assertions, all religions do." Mind if i ask you about all the assertions of the 1000+ religions make? Or is that an assertion in itself. Ironic. "Atheism isn't a religion" never said it was. "Do all people who wear the same pair of trainers think the same" they usually are attracted to the same appeals of said shoe. "Objective morality doesn't need to be justified because blah blah blah i assume subjective morality exists and that is all and it is true because im an atheist" yea dude, you literally keep proving my point. I get it, you are an atheist and you assume your beliefs are true.

[@DavidLaRosafieldofpotential]

Something amazing, yet somewhat disturbing happened to me today, and it has to do with this incredible video. Yesterday I was immersed in a most uncomfortable debate with one of my pastors about the historicity of Jesus, I claim that 99% of the information in the gospels has been preserved and established according to scholars like William Lana Craig. The pastor refuted that by saying even so, there’s no evidence regarding the life of Jesus, his ministry or (I’m afraid) his very existence. This morning I prayed and went about my day with the certainty that I have great arguments for believing in the historicity of Jesus, what was my surprise when I stumbled upon this video without even looking for the subject!!!! I was trying to find a conversation between David Berlinsky and a group of researchers.I could not be more elated to have found this material, my faith was never compromised, but I needed support for my arguments and I found them. Thank you brother, you’re legit! Keep it up, for you never know how the Lord is using you for the benefit of believers and non believers as we run this much too difficult race and face insurmountable challenges throughout our Christian life, even from our own churches.

[@joesteele3159]

Your pastor said those things? Wow. I hope you can present this video to him and help him see the truth about the historical evidence. It's important stuff. God bless

[@KKJae187]

He is not a real pastor. I'd leave that church

[@Felipe-sw8wp]

@Kelly Of course, how about the Shroud of Turin, that's a pretty solid physical evidence! And I have the same thought about these strange phenomenom of people denying Jesus, however instead of going secular atheists, they turn into pagans and worship satan, makes no sense! Or perhaps, makes all the sense...

[@studiobencivengamarcusbenc5272]

David La Rosa your pastor is a disgrace and a problem

[@onlimi616]

David LaRosa, you have one of the BEST pastors in the world! He is one of the extremely rare clergy who is actually willing to tell you the truth! People who have really academically studied the bible and the historicity issue will easily come to the conclusion that he told you. However, most who know it will never admit it for sake of hurting their own selfish interests such as their position in the church. He is a jewel and you should keep him as your pastor.

[@andrewlewarne4547]

Best video I’ve ever seen by a Christian. Thanks for not trying to evangelize like crazy and your scrutiny of these sources seems very honest. Excellent examination of facts and you’ve changed my belief on the existence of Jesus by bringing me a ton of undeniable evidence of his life.

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

Andrew Lewarne Now grab a Bible and randomly open it. Read the first thing your eyes see. Write back what you found.

[@kylethedalek]

Andrew Lewarne what about those that have been Christians and then became non believers?

[@kylethedalek]

Sean Hurley but what about all those who say their religion and God is right and the truth? They get the same feelings and such. Also what those who once were and now believe these things aren’t real or whatever? Why do people go away from religion? If God is real he should be there helping and showing people.

[@kylethedalek]

Sean Hurley I don’t get why God would let fallen angels have kids with woman? I though he loved us and was just? And I have never heard that one about Greek mythology, plus we’re are the giant remains? And Noah’s time, we have records from other people in the world who have said there was no flood or disasters back then. Plus a big boat with all those animals? No way. Food, fighting and repopulating the earth? No chance. Inbreeding is bad once or twice imagine doing it over a few thousand years? Yes and no never went to church.

[@brianpe6704]

@@kylethedalek People walk away, so to speak, from faith for various reasons - Choice - they simply were part of an expected group for a period of time - and, once finished or the law of diminshing returns, they leave. B. They have faith but ,in Christianity and as explored by Job among others, sometimes their faith is tested or weakened by life in a world that does not exist outside of Disney. But,any honest Christian willl tell you that we don't have all the answers as to God and HIs overall working, C.People grow, mature, and change opinion as they age or are exposed to to different viewpoints - they explore and,as happened throughout history, have their basic faith but add too it as new philosophies seem to make sense- especially since we ant answers and as B point, we don't always have specific answers from God as to our individual lives and why He allows things to occur or natural consequences occur and He doesn't miraculously spare us. AS far as the Genesis accounts, well there are few cultures that don't record a flood disaster, Was it global or local to the 'then known world' that's a debate - Genetically, well we have enivdidence of 1000's of years of occurence in Eygpian succession for Pharohs , Royal European family - Doesn't mean that genetic traits that are bad haven't been the consequence but there are instances of . For better explanations of alternates but plausible try Bio Logos or REasons to Believe - both explain using modern science ,not Young Earth nonsense , much clearer the genetic ,geological,biological, and astronomical explanations better than I .

[@sosassteelstrings9623]

00:00 Agreed upon figures of Antiquity with varying degrees of evidence to support 01:11 ~ Julius Ceasar, lived from 100 BC - 44 B.C. 02:17~ Alexander the Great, lived from 356 - 323 B.C. 02:48 ~ Socrates, 06:09 Challenges when studying the past ~ Writings and artifacts perish with time. Becomes difficult to study this era ~ Early church did document and believed to have done a good job 08:09 Excerpts from authors from the 1st Century that mention the early church and Jesus 08:19 ~ Tacitus, wrote in around 100 A.D. 09:10 ~ Lucien, A mid 1st century Greek author 10:13 ~ Suetonius, wrote around 100 A.D., biographer of Claudius, and was a Roman 10:38 ~ Thallus, lived in the mid 1st century, only know of him and what he said based on other people mentioning him (Thallus) in their own works. 11:32 ~ Pliny, representer of the Emperor of modern day Turkey 13:26 ~ Talmud, is a Jewish source written around the 3rd century A.D. 14:07 ~ Mara Bar-Serapian, Jewish source 15:24 ~ Celsus, a harsh Roman critque of Christiinaity who wrote in the mid 100's 16:39 ~ Josephus, 1st cenutry Jewsih historian 19:29 Extrabiblical Christian sources 20:13 ~ Clement of Rome, wrote letters to the Corinthian church 20:22 ~ Ignatius of Antioch, died about 100 A.D., wrote from about 70 A.D. to end of life 20:44 ~ Quadratus 20:47 ~ Justin Martyr 20:58 - 21:51 Recap of all details extrabiblical 22:22 -24:50 Responding to objections *I could have transcribed every detail, BUT I aint that dedicated haha*

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

My friend, you are amazing. This should be pinned!

[@joshuatrott193]

Thanks for the timestamps

[@cybersquaregaming]

@@PatrickKQ4HBD Yeah, people like this are very helpful

[@Elsupermayan8870]

"Jesus existed whether we like it or not". -Bart D. Ehrman from his book: Did Jesus Exist?

[@TNK8]

He believes there is evidence for a historical Jesus, not a supernatural, resurrected Jesus.

[@philosophersbench6595]

@@TNK8 Their is no distinction

[@TNK8]

@@philosophersbench6595 it so happens that the distinction is quite clear. One is a mortal, apocalyptic preacher, and the other is a legendary figure of myth.

[@philosophersbench6595]

@@TNK8 Did you even consider the fact that These historians also affirmed the resurrection and miracles of Jesus ,Even not been a Christian , It not an opinion thing ,its a fact

[@Yungtay0]

It's Just Kyle quick question, what happens to your soul when you die? Or do you even believe you have a soul. If you believe you have a soul then Jesus can be this supernatural, resurrected jesus. And also if you don’t believe we have souls then why can’t we create another living human, with free will as well? Think and stop living your life ignorantly

[@TheHarberHangar]

Dude. DUDE. This, BY FAR has been the most helpful video you've done so far (I'm catching up on your Acts series now). Why? 1. I'm an engineer, NOT a historian, but I AM super interested in history and how we know what we know about our world. I love how you went point-by-point through a bunch of 'non christian' authors, pulling out writings that externally confirmed the writings in the Bible. 2. I'm a "grown up Christian" who's heard most of the Bible stories my whole life, and honestly I don't have a great defense for questions like the ones you made this video to answer. At least now I have a modern reference that I can go to, and branch out from there. THANK. YOU.

[@bryanbridges2987]

Ben Harber Hey brother, if you are interested you can go to SermonAudio and find a Sunday school series on Church history from Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church. You can also find Ryan Reeves on KZbin. He's a professor at Gordon Conwell university.

[@BornAgainRN]

Love the series from Ryan Reeves, especially from the early church and the Reformation.

[@FoggyBadger]

I have been interested in archaeology my entire life. A few years ago (probably around five years ago) I discovered biblical archaeology and it changed my life. The Quran says this, science and archaeology says that. The Bible says this, science and archaeology says...this! It matches! It's always exciting to me to see the Bible proved through these means. But when I started posting about these things, several Christians scolded me, saying that it's a sin to study the Bible outside of the Bible. They always pointed to this verse: Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29 KJV They say it's a sin to look up biblical archaeology because it's a sin to need proof to believe. But... Jesus didn't actually say that. He said you're blessed if you believe without seeing. Besides, I already believe in Jesus. I'm not looking this up as proof so I'd believe. First and foremost, I'm doing it because I find it fascinating. Also, I can tell other people about what I find. Especially when nonbelievers say things like, "There is absolutely no proof that any of it actually happened", I can say, "Hold my non-alcoholic beverage..."

[@vejeke]

@@FoggyBadger What do you mean? The Bible and science disagree since Genesis 1.

[@FoggyBadger]

@@vejeke Okay, sure. Tell yourself that. Whatever makes you feel better. But once you actually start looking at the real evidence with an actual open mind and not just try to disprove it, it's undeniable that science and archaeology prove the Bible.

[@DanWindibank]

I’ve been binging your videos all day from new to old, and honestly this is one of the most impressive Christian channels I’ve come across; it’s not just preaching, it’s truly open, researched and explained, funny and intelligent, it reaffirms my faith so much, especially as someone who loves history and early church history. God bless you man, keep up this great work!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

That's a very kind review. Glad you're enjoying it!

[@jermainedobbins9421]

I kind of “stumbled” over this video and felt like watching it to the end. I ended up being inspired. Thank you

[@JackeKarashae]

Back in college, a random classmate claimed Jesus didn't exist. It sounded ridiculous to me, but I had never questioned it, and neither has anyone I know. As a result, it rattled around in my brain for years. Thanks for sharing!

[@ghostriders_1]

Maybe you'd like to hear the argument framed in such a way as to not sound ridiculous? On the Historicity of Jesus by Dr Richard Carrier PhD.

[@whiskeredtuna]

@ghostriders_1, why do mythicist like yourself always point to Richard Carrier or Robert Price? It’s because no serious scholar believes as they do.

[@infinity4evr]

@@whiskeredtuna What makes a "serious scholar"? Is it one that discounts and denies Christ? That's rich.

[@ericwilliams626]

@@infinity4evr They suffer from bias of ignorant bias.

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

Good scholarship. Intelligent presentation. Concise language. Thank you, sir.

[@Malik-hz5fg]

John Daedalus so what’s your conclusion argument? You have the burden of proof when it comes to making a positive claim. He made it using Historical evidences, and reason what’s your rebuttal?

[@1of650]

John Daedalus some people would rather by a lie than believe the truth.

[@Dorkeydaze]

John Daedalus Atheist: so us proof outside the Bible Christian does that: Noooooooo you can’t show dozens of accounts on the life and death of Jesus from no both gentile, and Jewish accounts giving evidence as to the existence of Jesus!

[@ds525252]

John Daedalus 🤣😂. If I was an Atheist it would make me also pout.

[@juilianbautista4067]

@Steve Doud unfortunately your assertion is baseless garbage.

[@WillGaylord]

Crazy to realize that this video perfectly encapsulates the journeys of men like C.S. Lewis and Lee Strobel in just 30 minutes.

[@sageseraph5035]

Well, there’s more than their conversion than this. There are other powerful arguments for the resurrection and Christ being the messiah.

[@yolandesolomons7611]

@@sageseraph5035 please copy those links here. I am preparing for being questioned and need as much knowledge as I can retain

[@rithvikdsouza1705]

@John Daedalus That... that's just not true?

[@josiahriggins4117]

@@rithvikdsouza1705 You will never be able to reason with someone like that im afraid. Only someone who really truly wants to find the truth will be open to being wrong. He probably did not even watch the video.

[@TheFofotron]

@Steve Doud Wrong

[@fraudfish]

Atheist before and after this video, and while I did do enough research behand, and came to the belief/knowledge I guess, that jesus existed and that the early church was like that, this video was amazing, subscribing. Very concise, and a good listen for people of any side. Now to go read the sources, i love historical writings.

[@laiquende9971]

Very good. I just finished am early Church History class so it was fun knowing what you were about to say after naming the source. It would be so good for Christians to be encouraged to read these original sources. They’re very easy to read and helpful for these conversations

[@Roman_21]

the early church still exists unchanged and it is Orthodoxy there is no doubt on this

[@KarmaKraftttt]

@@Roman_21 And Catholicism

[@itguy13]

I was an agonist but after doing what in the video then meeting the holy spirit my eyes were opened..praise the lord

[@sirius_2dm]

Hallelujah

[@josephshipman6587]

Tf is an agonist

[@gennymikel4296]

I think you mean agnostic. An agonist likes to inflict pain. If you are an agonist, please leave me alone. I spent last night on a club dance floor in stilettos so I have some pain already.😄

[@TheChurchIsLikenUntoTheMoon]

Just dont join catholicism

[@itguy13]

Guys I've been born again for years ..I'm saying that this is part of how I saw the truth... I walk in an anointing..seeing people saved and healed the lord is doing mighty things through those who walk in him with signs following

[@lorrieharkey3383]

Watching this in 2019 ..... I am so grateful you did this. Subbing based on this and I look forward to listening to some of your additional teaching. I sure hope your channel is still currently active. Thanks and take care.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks for jumping in, and yep, the channel is very active. I do a daily podcast where I work through the book of Matthew for ten minutes a day, and I also make three or four videos a month here.

[@lorrieharkey3383]

The Ten Minute Bible Hour yes! I ran one of your playlists last night. I am so impressed at the studies you are passing along .... also shared to FB. You are providing good sound info for conversation with nonbelievers.... I’m not fond of heated exchanges, solves nothing, and I’m looking forward to research in the directions you put out there... so, cool beans and thank you for the reply.

[@ds525252]

Dd S 🍷

[@ds525252]

Dd S just to be clear I was offering you more whine. I’m a “christTard” as you put it. No worries we can disagree. I wish you and your family all the best.

[@malleusmaleficarum6004]

0:27 He says scientific poll and shows a picture of nicholas copernicus whom in fact was, a scientific "Pole". Hahaha lol man, that was a good one

[@cabletelcontar5440]

I didn't get that at first. Thanks for pointing it out. His play with puns is remarkable. I'm still giggling at Tiberius with the picture of Capt Tiberius Kirk

[@Xfranman]

No it wasn't, warlock 🤭🤣

[@malleusmaleficarum6004]

@@cabletelcontar5440 No worries. I wasnt expecting it since it was the very first video of his that I saw, so it kinda caught me off guard when I heard it. He is pretty clever

[@malleusmaleficarum6004]

@@Xfranman Warlock? Is that supposed to be in reference to my name, cause if it is, I dont think you get it. It's pretty much the exact opposite of what you're saying.

[@Xfranman]

@@malleusmaleficarum6004 Isn't the MM the guide for dealing with witches and warlocks? Are you a coven leader or stand you on the side of the angels? 👼

[@seanmeehan4867]

This video brought me to Christ. Thank you my Brother 🙏🙏🙏

[@farhan00]

Nah man, we have to be super skeptical of the existence of Julius Ceasar's existence while wearing a fedora.

[@antemesinMisericorde]

@@nezumi6554Roman Empire is a fictional entity used to promote European colonialism :-)

[@BillyJack85]

Ceasar was a black ✊

[@lifewasgiventous1614]

These comments progressively got funnier, started out with a nose laugh and when I got to Caesar was black with the balled up fist I lost it.

[@fisharepeopletoo9653]

This is true. Julius Caesar existed long before fedoras. If you see an image of julius caesar in a fedora, you should be highly skeptical

[@AFFI909]

@@lifewasgiventous1614 he is kind of right. All these idol statues/ immages are black. I wonder why

[@sunshineschulte193]

Matt, I love that you are digging into Christian history. But be careful, you may become Catholic 😘. I have to quote a Church Father, please read it until the end: Ignatius of Antioch (d. 110 AD) on Apostolic Authority: In his Letter to the Smyrnaeans, Ignatius writes, “You must all follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles. Reverence the deacons as you would the command of God. Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one whom he appoints. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

I hope he reads this.

[@Carl_Cornelius]

true

[@joshmacias6]

I am so thankful that this video exists. Thank you, Matt, for taking your time to make this! And thank You, JESUS, for blessing us with the Holy Spirit!!

[@DanielAnchondo]

Subscribed, great first video I've seen of your channel. I'll look around on your channel a bit more but you should make a video that while external corroboration is important, our best sources are found in the New Testament and can't simply be dismissed because they are biased.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Daniel Anchondo Thanks so much. As you watch more, you'll see that my entire series on Acts is advancing exactly the thesis you just threw out there. Thanks for checking out the show!

[@isaachuerta1077]

I wish you would have gone in deeper on the Church Fathers, but I like your take on using non-Christians to verify Christianity.

[@inbetweennames4438]

If he went into the successors of the apostles, he would not be able to be Protestant so easily. He would have to look to Orthodoxy. May God grant!

[@misererenobis8900]

Catholicism/Orthodoxy ;)

[@inbetweennames4438]

@@misererenobis8900 Well...Orthodoxy anyway. Where would one look for a monarchial pope ruling the world in the first millennium? No. Just Orthodoxy.

[@misererenobis8900]

In Between Names Central authority and all that, rather than having to deal with break-away patriarchs..;)

[@inbetweennames4438]

@@misererenobis8900 Christ is the central authority of the Church. The pope was a break-away patriarch.

[@FrancisSpaghetti]

Come home to the Catholic Church, the one True Church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ! We need you! Great video and clear explanation

[@skipper2888]

Ex satanists exposed catholicism as satanic.On yt you can go on the channel peniel ngonde and watch the video ,,exposing the church of satan" and guess what that church is

[@jamesgossweiler1349]

Jesus and first century Judea are most extensively and exhaustively studied topics in human history...literal millions of historians, theologians, archaeologists, sociologists, geographers, and you name it have been examining same for 1,900-years...that's pretty compelling to me.

[@rekcah3dgrace561]

Woah! This guy is fabulous at clarity. Amazing.

[@Z0mbicore]

What helps is that Jesus and the Catholic Church still exist. The Orthodox Church proves this, becasue the two oldest churches have so much in common.

[@TracyW-me8br]

I love to learn about the early church. We need that courage and unity again! I recently read a book with primary sources from Justin Martyr, Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Ireneaus of Lyons Just found your channel by the way. Really liking it

[@tauvid9798]

The body of Christ is the one United church no matter what church they are in there are even some in sects that truly believe in Jesus and are born again, but stay in their sect because of many reasons like family and so on, we really don't need a true world wide church made by man there is one global church all ready made by Christ himself

[@hzoonka4203]

see richard carrier on the topic,

[@ReinaShine]

Tracy Walker Yes, I agree! 😁 Fantastic early Church fathers and their superb writings. There are many others to read and explore.

[@luism.7481]

Amazing Video! At least 9 secular sources support the existence , behaviour , and actions of Jesus and His followers . Keep up the good work! 3 people hate historical facts.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+lbmc 493 Ha! Great comment. Thanks so much.

[@torbreww]

@Sarah H why do you discount the accounts of Jesus that are in the New Testament such as the four gospels and the letters? They are early, they are from the time when eye witnesses lived, and they corroborate each other. There are extremely early fragments of gospel texts that have been confirmed.

[@alancrook1034]

" The Gospels are biographical information on Jesus and his ministry and were preached orally immediately after his ascension into heaven ". The Gospels can't agree on when the crucifixion was or where the ascension took place. @Brian Farley

[@junelledembroski9183]

Alan Crook Hoenstly they do agree. Have you read it? The place is called two different things but one of the guys, probably Luke, explains. One says they walked through a garden but it doesn’t say he was crucified there. The was crucified at the place of the skull. That’s just what I remember off hand. If you look at what that cold case guy says he says it better. He says they actually prove it and not disprove it. He’s a cold case detective. He went from atheist to Christian based on his knowledge of cold cases.

[@alancrook1034]

I've read it ALL. I started it as a christian duty and finished it 100% atheist! There are many more discrepecies. It's fiction. @@junelledembroski9183

[@nastassjaloots4717]

The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel is a great book for anyone who enjoyed this video. An atheistic journalist set about fact checking the reliability of the gospels as we have them today and determining if there is credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God. It’s an unbiased project that culminated in him accepting Christ. It features some of the same material mentioned here

[@mzavros]

It's questionable whether Strobel was an atheist and whether he was an atheist for the right reason. Robert M. Price's "The Case Against the Case for Christ" will wipe that taste out of your mouth.

[@nastassjaloots4717]

mzavros Well, regardless of whether he was an atheist or not, the facts in the book remain, and that’s the most important part

[@GhostMonkey772]

@@mzavros hahaha the case against the case for christ? thats so dumb "he wasnt an atheist for the right reason?" seriously that's the argument? thats sounds like ad hominem. Have you ever read the Case for Christ? because he actually uses historians and theologians open-mindedly like the guy in this video does. "wipe that taste out of your mouth" condescending much? militancy from atheists is annoying and small minded just like you.

[@MikeHunt-sx2zh]

@@mzavros The way you talk, "Atheist for the right reason". I thought Atheism was just lack of religion. But I see Atheists say this type of thing all the time. You guys have just become another organized belief system. So much for all that individualism, right?

[@madmonkee6757]

The early Church also thought they were living at the end of history. They didn't think there would be future generations for whom they needed to preserve the story.

[@rickhale4348]

When evidence is found it is a reassuring Joy to the faithful and a blow to the skeptic. It is disappointing that the skeptic can't accept the facts but formulate new ideas and scenarios to support their resistance.

[@JohnSmith-fz1ih]

I’m a skeptic and I find it hard to see what facts you refer to. It’s common for believers to push this notion, like you have, that being skeptical is really some form of resistance. As if we have some sort of bias stopping us from accepting what is clearly the truth. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve looked at the historical evidence for the important aspects of Jesus’ life and found it entirely wanting. I’m no expert but for me Tacitus’ writings and common sense are enough to make me think it’s more likely that Jesus was a real person than a myth. It seems much easier to build a religion when there’s some basis than to just conjour it up from nowhere. But the historicity of Jesus tells us absolutely nothing about whether he was the son of God, performed miracles, and ascended to heaven after his death. For these things there is absolutely no credible evidence.

[@monkiram]

@@JohnSmith-fz1ih The accounts from the seven sources mentioned in this video are extremely similar to the new testament accounts of the same events, so to me, it really supports the idea that the new testament is quite an accurate historical account of Jesus' life and the early church. Of course, the conclusions made from the secular vs. biblical accounts are different, but I encourage you to read the new testament to compare the accounts for yourself and then come to a conclusion for yourself. You may not have a specific agenda for rejecting facts that are contrary to what you previously believed, but perhaps Rick is referring to confirmation bias, which we all have. All of us have a tendency to accept and internalize information that supports what we already believe, while rejecting information that is contrary to our beliefs. We all just need to do our best to look at everything with as little bias as possible and realize we have confirmation bias so that we can look at things from a more open-minded perspective.

[@JohnSmith-fz1ih]

@@monkiram *All of us have a tendency to accept and internalize information that supports what we already believe, while rejecting information that is contrary to our beliefs.* I agree. I know I am fallible. I know I can be fooled. That's why I care so much about evidence. What I believe, and how strongly I believe it says nothing about whether that belief is actually true or not. For that we need evidence. *...so that we can look at things from a more open-minded perspective.* I'm not suggesting you've used it in this way, but I often see atheists being accused of not being "open-minded" when it's clear they are not being closed minded at all. Being open-minded means being willing to change your mind based on evidence. Usually when I see theists talk of open-mindedness this isn't what they want at all. What they are really asking for is gullibility. "Yeah, I know there's no evidence for any of the core, extraordinary claims I'm making, but you should believe it anyway!". I feel I've gotten quite negative in my last two posts. That's not something I intended, but I find it impossible not to be negative because this seems such a clear-cut topic. There's no credible evidence for any of the miraculous claims the bible makes (and we know some of them, like the creation story, are completely wrong) so none of them should be believed. I wanted to finish on a more positive note though. It's something I don't often do in these sorts of discussions so I'm sure I often come across more strongly against religion than is actually the case. I see value in the bible. It's in my opinion by far the most comprehensive and best collection of early poetry we have. I also think there are many good messages in the bible, some of which were quite novel for the time. (I also think there are many awful messages, which is why I like being an atheist. I'm free to take on the good messages while dismissing the bad ones and the dogma). On a practical level, I have no doubt that religion fills a hole that is missing for many people by providing brotherhood and a sense of something greater than ones self (in fact I think this is the greatest benefit of religion. There's no secular group that is comparable). My personal (non-online) experience has been that religious people are good people that use their religion to try to better themselves. (I live in Australia. My online experience has been very different, but I don't know how much of that is due to a higher percentage of idiots being online and how much is due to more extreme views that may be more common in America than Australia).

[@monkiram]

@@JohnSmith-fz1ih I'm sorry if I came off as attacking your beliefs or calling you closed-minded, that was not my intention. I was just suggesting that maybe Rick, as a Christian who desires the salvation of others was expressing sadness that some skeptics might not accept Christian ideas based on confirmation bias, rather than suggesting that all skeptics are closed-minded. I think for an atheist to watch this video means they're likely open to other perspectives. I definitely understand your skepticism and have had my doubts and there are still things I'm searching for answers for. But when I read about Jesus, what He taught, how He loved and what all His contemporaries had to say about Him, and also how He fulfilled all the old testament prophecies, and the work He did and continues to do in people's lives, etc. I can't see how He could have been just an ordinary man. We can agree to disagree :) I'm Canadian, I also find that online discussions are usually pretty toxic. I assume it's the anonymity that allows people to feel they're not socially accountable, but I'm not sure

[@JohnSmith-fz1ih]

@@monkiram Thanks for another thoughtful reply. *I'm sorry if I came off as attacking your beliefs or calling you closed-minded, that was not my intention.* It sounds like I wasn't very clear in what I wrote (I can waffle on a bit!). I didn't feel you were attacking me at all, and your closed-minded comment didn't feel like an attack. I've got baggage from a lot of conversations with others on this topic. After a while you see some common fallacies pop up again and again, and one I see consistently is "closed-minded" being used falsely because there was no credible evidence presented... what the person is really asking for is credulity. So I guess my comments on it were me flagging early on that possible, fallacious, use of "closed-minded". *I was just suggesting that maybe Rick, as a Christian who desires the salvation of others was expressing sadness that some skeptics might not accept Christian ideas based on confirmation bias, rather than suggesting that all skeptics are closed-minded.* Yeah, that's actually my point. Comments like that are a poisoning of the well. It's suggesting that people that don't accept what is being presented must have an agenda, or a bias or some reason other than "That doesn't make sense" or "That's possible, but there's absolutely no evidence for it so I don't accept it". *...I can't see how He could have been just an ordinary man. We can agree to disagree :)* Yeah, I think so. I can see why you would feel that way about most of the reasons you just gave (the exception being the prophecies... they are something that need good evidence). I see no point in getting into that here though. A year ago I probably would have been more eager to get into it, but a while back I started questioning why I had come to oppose religion, and felt that some of my exchanges I came across far more one-sided than my position really is. I realised pretty quickly that's it's not religion that I oppose. I oppose indoctrination. I oppose dogma. Needing to accept things on faith and not worrying about, or actively rejecting demonstrable truths. I oppose extreme views, especially when those views are based on faith and not evidence. I oppose people trying to impose their beliefs onto others through law or violence. I oppose claims that others are less human or less moral because they don't believe the right things. I oppose rejection of science and evidence. These things were all very clear to me before, I just somehow hadn't actively thought about them and applied them well enough. So the realisation was I don't actually oppose religions per-se, it's just that many people use their religion as a way to do many of the things I just listed. I most definitely don't want to ban religions or anything along those lines (and have never met an atheist that does). I think the vast majority of people use their faith to better themselves and not to oppress others. With that said, there is one thing I oppose that seems universal among theists - the idea that it is a virtue to accept something for which there is insufficient evidence. If there was one thing I could somehow convince everyone of, it would be to drop this notion. I believe it's a poisonous idea because once you allow yourself to believe one thing for which there isn't justification, it opens the door to believing other things that also aren't justified. So while a religious person might follow a non-violent religion that helps them better themselves, they are more susceptible to believe other things on faith and be convinced of even extreme views. *I'm Canadian, I also find that online discussions are usually pretty toxic. I assume it's the anonymity that allows people to feel they're not socially accountable, but I'm not sure* I agree. And it's something I feel myself. I write things online that I wouldn't say to people face-to-face. There are a combination of reasons: * Anonymity isn't a big one for me personally. * But not knowing the person or having to face them makes it easier for both parties I think. I like to provoke people to think about the beliefs they hold and I feel online I can be more abrupt, which can be more effective. But I feel safe that if I've overstepped a boundary the other person won't be strongly affected by it. They'll very likely brush me off as an online idiot and proceed to forget about me. Whereas if I overstepped the line face-to-face, even with a stranger, I think there's a greater chance of that person being genuinely offended and maybe even affected by it. * I also use online as a bit of a testing ground and learning area. I generally take the time to verify things for myself before accepting it as my belief. But even now I still sometimes take a shortcut and take things someone I trust has said and accept them because they sound reasonable to me and I trust the person that told me. And sometimes I'm caught out overstating something, or asserting something as fact when it actually isn't. I learn a lot from the few times when this happens, but I admit it's easier being caught out like this by a stranger. Anyway, I don't really have an over-arching point in this reply! Just a bit of a stream-of-consciousness in response to what you wrote!

[@jjbradian3834]

Am I the only one that sees a problem with this? He is reading from different sources and all it is telling me is what people BELIEVED at that time. Not whether it is true or not. There are people right now writing that the Earth is flat and vaccines cause autism. Plus, when you compare the writings of Jesus vs Socrates, Alexander and Caesar there is one glaring difference.......the supernatural. If the writings of the other 3 people claimed something like "he flew through the sky toward the horizon" or "he lifted the mountains out of the way so we could pass" then that changes everything. Also, there is no one on the planet that decides to organize their life to following Julius Caesar. No one is making decisions in the daily life to pleasing him. It all comes down to evidence but all I heard him read was more of "the claim".

[@NickElliottOutdoors]

Okay. So if you apply that same standard to other historical figures won't you have to accept that people like Julius Caesar didn't exist?

[@nikostheater]

How do we know that you exist? How people can know that you existed let’s say 150 years from now? Imagine a world with no paper, no internet, no fast travel, on a poor backward place in a vast empire. If you lived in such a world, how can anyone believe you existed and how? What would be acceptable evidence for your existence?

[@carlosf3421]

I read the verses and videos like yours and it makes my chest fire up. I know it to be true. Keep spreading the good word brother. God bless.

[@loslucky]

AffiliatePro haha good one. Keep grinding for that affiliate money. God bless you brother. One day you’ll read the New Testament and see the truth. If you haven’t read it or lived it then you really can’t comment on it.

[@hzoonka4203]

god won't bless you,its all in your'e mind.see richard carrier.

[@kenamesthewatcherchronicle6746]

The 10 minute Bible hour: Elapsed time - 29:01 Lol

[@amgineco]

..yeah, but it FELT LIKE 10 minutes!

[@BrianJonson]

This is the best summary of this subject I have ever seen.

[@johnmay4576]

One wonders what Tacitus was referring to when, with a clear tone of antipathy, he mentions that 'most mischievous superstition' ... the claim of Jesus' resurrection, perhaps?

[@patrickfoster4586]

Cannibalism was never practiced by Christians. That rumor was a vicious attack by the enemies of Christ based on lack of spiritual understanding of Jesus's teaching that His believers must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to enter the kingdom. This was only in reference to Himself, the Christ, and was describing a spiritual act and obviously not meant to be taken literally.

[@pinesandtraplines]

@@patrickfoster4586 When He talked of eating of His flesh and drinking His blood, it was a play on Him being the "Word of God made flesh". While some denominations will say its evidence of the eucharist being important to salvation, its actually a way of saying "read your Bible and believe in the blood atonement".

[@xaviervelascosuarez]

@@pinesandtraplines it's not just "some denominations"... A quick review of the Church Fathers will give you plenty evidence that they truly believed in the real presence of the body of Christ in the forms of bread and wine. You have to skip forward about 15 centuries to start finding Christians who doubted the real presence. So, Sarah is right: Christians were (some of us still are) cannibals, in a sense...

[@xaviervelascosuarez]

@gillecroisd 92 that's fine. It's your prerogative to interpret it the way you wish. Yet, I would encourage you to read John 6 over a couple of times and ask yourself if somebody speaking figuratively would allow his disciples to leave based on a misunderstanding. It seems that even among the twelve there were some hesitating about it, and would probably have left as well is it wasn't for Peter...

[@kellybrown6988]

Jesus even says what he’s saying about eating his flesh and drinking his blood is on a spiritual level not physical. So yeah

[@avoice2348]

when the "world library" was destroyed in "Alexander Egypt" by fire a great amount of history around 1900 yrs. ago vanished.

[@imkluu]

The Library was unlikely to have held much in the way of Christian history as the library was destroyed in 48 AD. The movement had grown quite a bit, but it was only 15 years after the Resurrection, and only one of the writings, as far as we know, was written yet, Galatians. Galatians speaks of the Gospel that Paul had been teaching but not that he had written it down, or used anyone else's written word. It is thought that the Gospel of Mark may be the earliest, but it is thought to have been written no earlier than 53 AD, and more than likely closer to 66 to 70 AD. There is some conjecture that the Gospel of Mathew may have been written as early as 40 AD to 45 AD. This is based on the writings of Clement who gives the tradition of the earliest presbyters, knowing the genealogies of Christ, because he says, they were written first in the Gospel. It is Mathew's Gospel that includes these. So there is some possibility of some writings that were lost.

[@EQOAnostalgia]

@@imkluu I'm sure nobody had all of those stories bouncing around in their heads for 50+ years without writing any of it down. It was probably written down, but like he said in the video, its old material that didn't survive the ages, and had to be copied onto NEW material over and over again. I highly doubt nobody wrote of Jesus in that library, it was THE pinnacle of information and it was a great tragedy when it was razed to the ground.

[@casperhowell8738]

I'm not religious but this is extremely interesting and informative. Thanks for putting in your time to look through primary sources - It's not an easy or particularly fun or interesting thing to do but it really does help show what the objective truth on any matter is.

[@sjappiyah4071]

Casper Howell I respect your intellectual curiosity & objectivity 👌🏿

[@jackedvette8258]

Is says in the Bible that people will suffer because lack of knowledge... the truth is out there for us to find we must put trust in jesus

[@joshuaabels6066]

The writers you gave didnt smash miracles into all of their writing. Making the world seem like a giant conspiracy theory against christianity is not a good presentation. There are hundreds of these videos and if you will believe in miricles written thousands of years ago are enough evidence god exists, how do you not take other religions with similar stories seriously?

[@hzoonka4203]

see richard carrier.

[@EQOAnostalgia]

@@joshuaabels6066 Because their practices don't make sense. When i read the words of Jesus Christ they make sense, they might not be comfortable, and i might not end up with a bunch of virgins for killing people but i mean... my heart tells me what is right and wrong and that's god. What makes more sense? "Love one another as i have loved you" which almost nobody is doing, or the rest of the nonsense? Seems pretty cut and dry to me.

[@jung9399]

Jonny sins teaching me about Christ

[@marineFR3A]

check out jerryrigeverything there jhonny sins breaks phones and does other stuff

[@no.8466]

Damnit man. We here getting saved and you talmbout (and making me ashamed of my knowledge on) porno. Get it out the gutter player... idk if I can even finish watching this now 🙄

[@paulgray9558]

Men who don't exist don't change the world .Enjoyed this video.

[@shaolinshowdown1123]

You got it man!!!!! 🙌🙏

[@432cdu]

Anyone spreading Yeshuah's Word, is a true Christian and a friend in my book! Good video thanks!

[@sjappiyah4071]

Absolutely incredible. I always knew about Tacitus and Josephus, but I never knew there were 7 other sources as well. That’s incredible!

[@utubepunk]

There are no contemporary historians for Jesus.

[@j.gstudios4576]

@@utubepunk no duh

[@mrshankj5101]

I believe in Jesus and the Bible, but i didn't know there are other sources outside the Bible that talks about Jesus!

[@classicrocklover5615]

Oh yes, plenty! And the Islamic religion regards Jesus as a prophet and important teacher, but not the Savior, not the Lamb of God. They do not believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. Interestingly enough, they DO believe in Mary's virgin birth of Jesus, and they honor Mary and hold her in high regard.

[@rtanidean4931]

Classic rock Lover Lol. All Believing in Believing is psychosis. Period.

[@user-Strong.Trinitarian]

​The quran doesnt get the historical fact of jesus being crucified. Nexttr!@@classicrocklover5615

[@user-Strong.Trinitarian]

​@@rtanidean4931here's a fallen mortal not saved. Your loss entirely

[@DarkDennis1961]

I understand the need to ask the question 'Was Jesus real?". its a good and necessary question. The evidence points to: Yes. Yes he did.

[@Jbug890]

DennisBlaine61 Jesus did real?

[@src3360]

Possibly but the bigger question is.... was he supernatural? Was he god in the flesh? 💁🏻

[@shaolinshowdown1123]

@@src3360 a more important question. Is the evidence suggested in this video, and Apologetics theological debates across the world; enough for you to believe and follow him? And if not why ?

[@src3360]

Shaolin Showdown Tis not an important question for me as I do not believe but can you answer my question or will you again ask questions in regard to my question? 🙏🏻

[@shaolinshowdown1123]

@@src3360 answer to your question... Yes. What he did was real and evidence is enough if you find the right sources. And even opposing sources dont seem rational enough. You see Truh IS NOT subjective. Truth just IS. It's always been. So we can see and feel if somthing is write or wrong by the fruit of the spirit of people. But if they're spirit dark ofcourse they would think truth is perspective.

[@fbcpraise]

I'm a pretty educated Christian, and a lot of this I have heard; but you gathered it and ordered it and made a great case with it. This video is a gift, and I thank you for it.

[@punksevenfold93]

I know this is an old video but it was absolutely something ive always needed to hear. God bless.

[@joecastillo8798]

Who is "they"? The one "they" that holds documents, relics, artifacts and successors is The Catholic Church, as you know. I recommend the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch, written in 107 AD. Polycarp 110 AD, St. Irenaeus of Lyon who identified, by name, the four Gospels., He also identified each Pope since St. Peter to his time in 182 AD. By the way, the archeology in existence are the tombs of Apostles with the paintings and writings on the walls that tells their story and history. God bless.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

I am praying that he finally gets there with an open mind which I feel this guy has...

[@joecastillo8798]

@@ProximaCentauri88 Lester, He sounds like he has an open mind. Of course, he has an evangelical subscriber base to consider. I hope he "discovers" and reveals the facts, nevertheless. Thanks for your comment.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

@@joecastillo8798 I am very picky in subscribing or following a Catholic convert since I know some Catholic converts or reverts who are loud in social media who suddenly decided to leave the Church despite them claiming that they have "fully understood and studied" the Catholic Church. Still, we should continue to pray for their return and for this guy's amazing journey.

[@ProximaCentauri88]

@@joecastillo8798 I am myself a revert. I was born Catholic but grew up a typical ignorant Catholic which lead me to join a cool "Christian" group. I must say they really gave me good jams but the Holy Spirit lead me to the truth. Sadly a quarter of my batch in college became "Born Again". I am trying my best to learn more about the Church and to be a good disciple of Jesus but I think if I cannot become as knowledgable as Catholic apologists, I'm OK with that. For me, what every Catholic should really know and understand are: The Holy Trinity, Jesus as the God-incarnate/ His divine and human nature, The real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, Mary's role in the Church, Primacy of the See of Rome (as affirmed by Early Church Fathers including St. Ignatius of Antioch which I never heard when I was in a Catholic school).

[@joecastillo8798]

@@ProximaCentauri88 Lester, What you wrote reveals your journey. Let The Holy Spirit guide you through the faith of the early fathers. Read St. Ignatius letters, St. Irenaeus, St. Jerome letters to Damasus to begin your journey of spiritual nutrition. God bless.

[@jtcunningham7589]

“Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” ‭‭St John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭

[@thanksyahweh8777]

Caesar didn't have anything extraordinary said about him. He wasn't written about in 4 different Gospels in the same style that other gods of the day would have been written about... i.e. in a legendary style. The reason that the evidence for Jesus has to be scrutinized greater is because there are a /lot/ of magical claims about him within the gospels, and those require extraordinary evidence. Also, the Gospels were around before the time that every single document you referenced as proof of Jesus are dated to. They were literally just regurgitating either what the gospels themselves said, how they observed Christians acting, or what Christians at the time may have said about how they practiced their religion. And yes, I can think of a Legend that transpired quickly. Actually two. The Roswell UFO sightings and Elvis sightings after his death. Humans are faulty, and the Mandela effect demonstrates this perfectly. There are a significant number of people in my generation that think the "Berenstain" Bears were the "Berenstien" Bears, despite every single book in that series being clearly printed as "Berenstain." Legends and incorrect opinions don't take that long to surface, and they can still happen in our modern era where everything is documented meticulously, thus, references 60 years after the fact? Meh. They 100% work to establish that the early church existed, I won't argue with you there. This is an absolute fact, but they don't validate the extraordinary claims made about Jesus. They just don't. I could also write something right now about Harry Potter, and make it seem as if he was magical, but I would just be regurgitating the books and what I have heard fans of this series say about him. This doesn't validate any claims that Harry Potter is real or that he could actually do magic. The evidence that would convince me? Something... ANYTHING from BEFORE the Gospels were written that gave details about Jesus. Someone writing from back then about how they saw a miracle happen and it was attributed to a guy named Jesus, or how they saw large crowds following Jesus... That would be a bit more convincing than all these references that came at least a couple centuries after Jesus supposedly lived. There may have been a guy named Jesus back then... but the Jesus in the gospels? That Jesus never existed.

[@charltonconnett9242]

So, you want Paul's writing in 1 Corinthians then? This letter of Paul, even according to skeptical scholars, was written about A.D. 54. Paul records there an early creed, which he passes on using a technical formula for a memorized teaching (I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received...). 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul there records there the death of Christ and his resurrection and notes that those who saw him were alive at the time of his writing. He also states that he saw the risen Christ and thus preached the message. This would satisfy your demands. It is within 20 years of Jesus' death, references hundreds of witnesses, and claims first hand experience with the risen Lord. I mean, I'm not sure what miracle would be bigger than "I saw a dead man who was raised back to life!" Of course you can claim this doesn't count because Paul was a believer, but then that would make your whole pursuit meaningless. Why would someone who thinks the whole thing is balderdash bother to waste the time and money on writing about it, even if just to ridicule a miracle? And why would you think such a document would be saved and kept safe for 2000 years? The letters of Paul are the best early hostile witness testimony we have, because he himself claims he was against the church. It wouldn't make much sense to claim to be against what you now preach if it wasn't so, especially in the ancient world where that would only make you look foolish.

[@smharrington]

Matt - I've watched and shared this video countless times in the past few years since my conversion to Christ, and have yet to find a more impactful, quick-hitting look at the early Church. While I've since been confirmed as a Catholic and become a university missionary, you remain an instrumental part of my faith journey and an incredible weapon for the Kingdom. Your channel and podcast is timeless and interdenominational, and I can't thank you enough. Prayers for the student I'm about to send this to... Godspeed, brother!

[@AlexandreSchwarz]

Why do you say "conversion to Christ"? Weren't you baptised as a kid? Or were you an atheist? I ask as an atheist who was originally a Catholic and I have a genuine interest because I'd like to understand what made you convert.

[@smharrington]

Sorry for the late response! I was baptized in middle school in a Methodist church but was just going through the motions, understood and cared little for it, and immediately stopped practicing along with my family; I was a practical atheist through the back half of college, even if I maintained a loose belief in a god who might be out there but doesn’t have much to say about how to live life. By “conversion to Christ” I mean that eventually, through various life circumstances, I was confronted with the person of Jesus. Intellectually, experientially, and socially, Christianity-the Gospel, the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ-finally made sense to me, and my life changed in giving it to Him. The base reason I’m still practicing more than ever today is that despite any intellectual difficulties I might wrestle with in faith, the historical Christ and Christian orthodoxy seems inevitable and the most reasonable explanation for history and my own life experiences… Maybe the most I can explain in a KZbin comment but I appreciate the questions and encourage you to keep seeking in good faith! If Christ is who He claims to be and you remain genuinely open, He’ll find you in His timing and it’ll click. But faith is ultimately a gift which we can’t generate ourselves; the most we can do is ask for it and be receptive! Godspeed!

[@brodysdaddy]

The belief comes from faith rather than corroborating accounts of the Bible. "because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" John 20:29

[@harleyjordan7959]

This is a fantastic video, and highly educational. Thank you for your efforts, and God bless.

[@hzoonka4203]

god won't bless you ,its all in your'e mind.see richard carrier on the topic,

[@ServantJoe]

Wow. Thank you very much. Tjhis is one of the best videos I have seenf on this subject. Again Thank you!!

[@bonniejohnstone]

You did a very good job with this topic. It’s a question I’m asked over and over again. As a kid, I was told that nothing happened between the Bible and the reformation. Wow! I was 45 before I found out what happened during those ‘empty’ years and discovered Church History! 28 years later… I’m still learning.

[@like.a.hairbrush6083]

Matt Whitman, in case you stilBl get notifications of videos being newly viewed after almost eight years, I want you to know this one--and all the others I've been binging are still hugely valuable! In the past week, I've wandered with you through the schisms and orthodoxy, visited a wide variety of denominations, and am just about to take in your studies of the gospels and Acts. As a bit of background, I'll let you know I'm a prodigal returning Home after a fairly lengthy desert trip, and listening to your clear, kind, friendly videos are helping me to connect again not only with my faith, but also with all those years of studying to present Sunday school lessons! Still so much more to learn, but thanks a million for providing a faster track! Thanks also to your family and any others who help you bring us these videos. Peace, Brother. Happy Holy Week.

[@hermangonzalez3460]

Good analysis and research! I like that you mention the early church's Fathers such as Saints Ignatius of Antioquia, Clemons, etc... Not only do they confirm the movement, but they also describe how they carried out and followed the teachings. Good job!

[@inlifenolimits]

This video is so cool. I love the way you don't try to convince or persuade but plainly delivering the facts! I'm hooked! SUBSCRIBED!!!

[@qwertyqwerty4097]

My goodness, why am I finding this just now! This is was so eye opening, thank you brother!

[@michaelnapper4565]

Oh and I subbed because of this video. I am one of the people that is extremely stingy on my hitting the sub button. I follow maybe 8 channels, and now you are one of them. I stopped watching TV and now research biblical (mainly) content on KZbin as my main source of entertainment/information. My point is, the fact that I subbed you is a very high compliment.... For whatever that is worth. God bless my brother, and keep up the God's work. Lol

[@michaelnapper4565]

@El Draque I think these are fair questions, and they come up regularly in the Q&A section of apologetics. The real question is are you willing to accept the answers. It's perfectly legit to ask questions and probe into beliefs, but it's not OK to hear sufficient answers and then totally dismiss them because they weren't what you wanted to hear. Opinions have no affect or power over truth. Are you truly asking questions, with the sole intent on finding the answers you seek, or have you already created the only answer you will accept in your mind, and simply refuse anything that doesn't fit with your preconceived conclusion? You think you have good arguments for the non-existence of God, but that's only because you have not thought them through all the way. I used to agree with your position, but then I allowed myself to actually hear the opposing sides position, and I found it to be a far better position than my own. You are on a journey my friend. Do not limit yourself in your thinking and analyzing just because you think that God could have done a better job. Remember, this is the fallen world, not the perfect one. That comes after this one. This one is made to struggle, and in this one, love is possible. We live in the testing grounds. Do you want to know God? If so, you have the opportunity to prove it here in this fallen world, where it is easy to ignore God, pretend He doesn't exist. God is purposefully hidden so that we can choose to seek Him. Wouldn't be much of a choice if God were clearly visible in the sky, or whatever. The Bible describes heaven in this way : To know God. That's it. If you don't want to know Him, then He's not going to force you into a place where He is. God respects your choice. But remember this my friend, NO ONE will be able to blame God and say "You didn't provide me enough evidence that proved that You are real, so my unbelief is really your fault God". You can pretend there is no evidence all you want, but that's all your doing, pretending. If there's a painting... There's a Painter. If there's a creation..... Come on bro, this one is really easy.

[@michaelnapper4565]

@El Draque I apologize for my sarcasm. I wish you well.

[@idkwhats9872]

Wow I always knew God was real but I never really understood the whole history of Jesus but I also knew he resurrected and healed many because idk which bible to real, thank you so much brother👊 God bless!

[@utubepunk]

How did you always know god was real?

[@infinity4evr]

This is just the kind of historical info I had been wishing for. The world would have us believe that Christ was produced in a vacuum while at the same time demanding proof of his existence. So thank you for all your hard work. You’ve provided new ammunition to an ongoing discussion about Christ’s legitimacy. One thing. I would make my editing easier and faster by forgoing including pop culture imagery and reference. I didn’t feel that it added to your video. What you say is so interesting and you have such an engaging way, you really don’t need it. Please save yourself the trouble of adding when the content is more than enough. You’re welcome;)

[@boomnailedit1609]

Debbie Suarez I enjoyed the pop culture references. I thought they were funny. They are not in all his videos but added a smile to my face without being overly distracting. I also really enjoyed this video and will be researching the names he gave. We should always do our own research/further study. Not saying you don’t but giving readers a reminder to do your own homework so you are not deceived.

[@chrisrenaissance]

Thank You, words cannot express how much this meant - it came at a critical time for someone important to me. Bless you. Beautiful presentation.

[@Johnny-Smarts]

Great video, thank you for doing the research to show evidence for the existence of Jesus!

[@jaggedcut8603]

Best "apologetics debate ammunition" video EVER! Remarkable work! Thank you and God bless you and yours in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

[@geoffreyschotte9028]

Jesus is a plagiarized Egyptian myth fabricated by Rome for political propaganda. Faith isn't fact

[@katiem9923]

I think this is still the greatest video you've ever made. I first saw it 8 years ago, and it's the main reason I became a Christian. Thank you, Matt :)

[@simplyobserver1]

Great defense of the historicity of our Lord Jesus! Not that we lack evidence though since we are all LIVING WITNESSES of His everlasting, life-changing LOVE, POWER, AND GLORY!

[@hansfayette2370]

Channel is terribly underrated beautiful presentation this video has just made my faith even stronger thank you brother keep up the good work

[@drewwilson6639]

Agree 100%! Very encouraging

[@larryjung2031]

Actually their are New Testament archeological finds such as the pool Jesus went to,His empty tome and Saint Peter's house ect.,. Also Saint Paul information regarding Jesus Christ witnessed being alive by more than 500 people plus by the Apostles after His crucifixion dates to about AD 38 of the first century.Plus ancient philosopher Justin Martyr thoroughly checked into Christianity and his account known as The First Apology of Justin Martyr from about 160 AD coincides with the New Testament information !.

[@timothyaylesworth8752]

I'm an athiest and whether a man we call Jesus existed is a non-issue for me - Maybe he did, but that's still a long way from proving he is the son of God or that any of the things the Bible says he did are true.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Thanks for watching, and for the comment. For what it's worth, I completely agree with you. this video is about demonstrating the overwhelming historical likelihood that a person named Jesus existed and that people believed he did the things ascribed to him in the Bible. Many from my camp would say that proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the son of God and everyone should be a Christian. Even though I believe Jesus is the son of God, and I'd love it if everyone were Christian, I have to acknowledge that there's a much longer process to thinking that through that cannot be accomplished with a simple 10 minute video nor a few dashes of historical evidence. I greatly respect the honest process of thought about faith, or in some cases not faith, and I thank you for the insightful remarks.

[@timothyaylesworth8752]

@@lil-al Non-sequitur - what are you even talking about? My comment was crystal clear...

[@RonSafreed]

Preaching on modern Isreal (1948) being fulfilled Bible prophecy stopped me going agnostic as a teen in the seventies!! Since 1948, other prophecies on Isreal & the Jews have come to pass & still others are to be fulfilled in the future!!

[@jackjones3657]

Great point you make here. We have much more evidence of Jesus Christ than Socrates, Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Furthermore, the fact His body was never found and many people would have loved to prove his death by displaying it is powerful suggestion of His resurrection.

[@AlexanderTheGr8er]

That wasn't a weird episode at all. It was very insightful and I appreciate your research. Great information!

[@nashvillain171]

29 minute video on a channel called Ten Minute Bible Hour...I'm so confused

[@xceptioncreations8595]

10-60 minutes?

[@nashvillain171]

10? 29? 60?

[@ThisGuyfashoo]

Sauce? Lol jk. Awesome video. As a catholic, I love watching your channel.

[@kirkjohnson2924]

Hey you should learn about the 4th commandment. "If ye Love me keep my commandments" John 14:15

[@oraclehaveacookie9737]

I have nonidea how a stumbled on you but I am glad i did. Thanks. I am catholic, your arguments are great. And i will send it to everybody I know. I am bing watching your channel lol

[@benrex7775]

It appears I've watched that video 3 years ago as I found a comment of mine. It is still a good video.

[@spencerphillips5023]

0:19 Julius Cesar is in the Bible. "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.” ~ Matthew 22:21

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

At the time Jesus said that, he was talking about Tiberius Caesar (the term Caesar had morphed into a title like emperor by this point). Julius Caesar, who we were specifically talking about in this video, was assassinated in 44 BC.

[@smileyShiiZniTZ]

the early Christians are super interesting, cause they are actually so different from what Christians have become today.

[@zarnoffa]

Shqipe joh 17 17 Catholics and Orthodox are too into nationalism. It’s more about culture preservation to them.

[@smileyShiiZniTZ]

@@zarnoffa Remember that Catholics live all over the world, in many different nations, including many races and cultures. I'm not a practicing catholic, but I was lucky enough to go to the Vatican for an Easter mass, and there was no divide between race or culture, there where Black, White, Asian and Middle Eastern peoples from all around the world there, all singing and preying together.

[@zarnoffa]

smileyShiiZniTZ The same can be said of Pentecostals since the early 1900s. Pentecostalism was actually peculiar for the mixing of races in an age when races were very divided. It’s one thing to be in a country where races naturally mix thru history, such as Rome. It’s another thing mixing races where it’s actually considered taboo.

[@smileyShiiZniTZ]

@@zarnoffaWell the Rome of today is far different then the Rome of 2000 years ago, the entho mixing is not prominent like it use to be, as trade in antiquity was very different then it is today. Majority of the people attending the mass were not even Italian (including me), however I believe its the nation that drives indifference not the religion. US Catholicism for example is dictated by how the nation thinks, so it will slightly be different than that of Catholicism in say Turkey.

[@zarnoffa]

Shqipe joh 17 17 Someone said Evangelicals are different from the early church, but my point was that some are and some aren’t... and that Orthodox and Catholic are generally more concerned with culture and nationalism and the state and family tradition than following the teachings of Christ and knowing the Scriptures.

[@marychong4999]

Very interesting, loved your video, well put together. Well done!!😜😎

[@ChristopherWarring]

To me the most compelling evidence is, the most influential person in the history of humanity was a man who was unjustly and tragically crucified on a a cross, died without a dollar to his name, who only talked about love. Not a king with all riches of the world. It is beyond perfection.

[@kimjensen8207]

Amen, brother It's the stuff Jesus says that strikes you as - pure light. The love of Jesus Christ is on a scale to match the size of the universe - and beyond - to the glory of His Father, to be sure... Kind regards Kim

[@Seattleduck2]

I liked your coverage of historical sources very much. What you could have also mentioned is some of the additional early Christian sources t, some of which almost made it into the bible, like the Didache, the Shepard of Hermas, and some of which were not necessarily as close to what the bible taught but still confirm his existence, like the Gospel of Thomas. BTW, I discovered you because of your visit to the Catholic Cathedral in Utah, when I was looking for materials for a Catholic Facebook community page I run. Thanks for your objectivity.

[@akuko2]

New subscriber here, I love this video! Can I have permission to use it to show the youth biblestudy I teach? If not I'll probably still show it and ask God for forgiveness, lol!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

+Prasad Akula Glad to meet you Prasad. You're welcome to use whatever you'd like anytime amigo. Hope it turns out to be a good thing for your students.

[@aaronjs99]

I frankly like the way you've said: "Yeah you may not wanna trust him 'cause he had a Christian angle." You got down into the shoes of the non-believer, not something that every evangelist these days would do. God bless!

[@esausjudeannephew6317]

Not bad. Not bad at all.

[@WarnerVH]

The Four Witnesses by Rod Bennett is excellent book for learning from some of the earliest eye witness accounts from as far back as the first century AD, Justin Martyr, Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Ireneaus of Lyons.

[@TracyW-me8br]

WarnerVH I love his writing style. I’ve read 3 of his books

Richard Dawkins in a debate with John Lennox said, "Jesus probably never existed" then after 10 min when he realised how stupid that was he retracted and "i am sorry yes Jesus did exist". What we have here ladies and gentlemen is, Atheists taking themselves to absurdity to deny the Lord Jesus Christ. Its a psychological issue.

[@maxfarley2519]

1:26 that's a bit of an understatement - Suetonius wrote an entire biography on Julius Caesar, plus all of the other roman emperor's up until his time. Suetonius' account of Caesar's life is probably the closest we can come to an accurate and honest, firsthand account of Julius Caesar's life.

[@hastyscorpion]

Well it wasn’t first hand. Suetonius lived about 100 years after Julius Caesar.

[@thomast6741]

Still so many issues here. First, the gospels don't agree with each other and when put into chronically order snowball in additional supernatural claims (watch Bart erhmans comparison) . Where the gospels do agree are known to be lifted from mark, in many times word for word in the Greek. None of the writers in the bible including Paul claim to be eye witnesses. The gospels were all written in the third person anomously. Paul only received his messages through revelation. Second the sources cited only claim that Christians of the time believed in Jesus. Not that their belief is true or even historically accurate. Another issue is that the jews just had their temple destroyed by Rome. They were literally unable to practice their religion without the temple. Jesus offered an option to continue Judaism without the need for animal sacrifice or a temple. In short, the early church existed. Nobody will deny that. However this didn't begin to address the historicity of Jesus, much less the claims of divinity, miracles, or even many of the known stories about his life directly lifted from Jewish and other traditions such as the story of Brabus and Yom Kippur. Historical events we know could not and did not happen, like a empire wide census requiring everyone to return to their Homeland from 1000 years prior. The historical picture presented is so full of holes, the only way to fix it is with confirmation bias.

[@joecalbery1919]

Read my comment. It allows for all you say.

[@thuscomeguerriero]

Before I even reply..I would like to introducel you to a little something called The Paragraph..

[@thuscomeguerriero]

For starters I would like to mention Paul's meeting with the Apostles..including Peter, James, and John "who seemed to be pillars". Paul tells us they added nothing to his message. Isnt that interesting? Paul gives us, in his preaching, the selfsame message proclaimed by those who knew Christ and follwed him from the onset. Now, you may not believe that Christ rose from the dead. But that WAS the proclamation from the earliest. That is not "proof" that it happened. But it is, however, evidence that his followers said it did happen offering ther own testimony as eye witnesses.

[@markcrawford4239]

The same people who deny Jesus existed are the same type of people who if lived two thousand years ago and saw the miracles would deny him, you believe or you don't it's that simple..

[@carbon273]

That’s not entirely a 1 to 1 but ok

[@markcrawford4239]

@@carbon273 think about it, there were people who witnessed his miracles and said we was a devil and still didn't believe.

[@micdesir16]

@@markcrawford4239 it's crazy that they saw him do miracles and saw some of his teachings and come to that conclusion

[@markcrawford4239]

@@micdesir16 not really, there are always critics of every age..

[@xaviervelascosuarez]

@@markcrawford4239 I know, right? Judas saw Him bring Lazarus back to life, and then he betrayed Him. Go figure!

[@nijoyjohn4366]

This is right up there with the best Videos i have ever seen on KZbin...Its so detailed and well narrated ...Loved it

[@mry5892]

No mention of the Eucharist?

[@ProximaCentauri88]

I also wonder why. Early Church Fathers always mention the Eucharist, which is the very core of Christianity.

[@gerald3375]

Wow. Very very good video. Thank you. And GOD Bless you.

[@charlieallansen9763]

Absolutely brilliant video presentation on the historical FACTS of the existence of Jesus. Thank you and don't stop what you're doing.

[@sometimesicryinthebasement5121]

The early church still exists today, but in the form of the Eastern Orthodox Church

[@2john149]

Wrong it's the Catholic Church. Catholic meaning universal. Go Google Catholic Church at Wikipedia and it will say founded by Jesus in 33 AD.

[@sometimesicryinthebasement5121]

Conrad T incorrect. The Roman church was founded when it split off from the original Christian church. The dates are unclear but the most common date used was 1054 ad

[@2john149]

@@sometimesicryinthebasement5121 yeah that's when the Eastern orthodox church separated. Watch KZbin video " Church History Complete Documentary AD 33 to Present.

[@sometimesicryinthebasement5121]

Conrad T it was the bishop of Rome who decided to claim superiority over all the other patriarchates. Rome left because the bishop of Rome wanted supreme power that any and all church doctrine at the time wouldn’t allow.

[@KironVB]

The early church is nothing like modern Churches really. Early christian's lived communally, had no private or personal property and here's a big triggering for Modern Christians, didn't believe in a soul at conception (but instead at quickening) and even had to (like most poor at the time who could barely support themselves) engage in infanticide, which was a sin they saw on the level of like Gluttony.

[@Pickup_man_1973]

Lets see what Church the Early Church Fathers belonged to..................………………………………………………………………………… Ignatius of Antioch (Turkey) Epistle to the Smyraeans ch 8 [107 AD] (He was taught by the Apostle John) and appointed the Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter “See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery(priests) as ye would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” Irenaeus of Lyon Book 2 ch 9.1 (120-180 ad). (taught by Polycarp, who was taught by the Apostle John) “For even creation reveals Him who formed it, and the very work made suggests Him who made it, and the world manifests Him who ordered it. The Catholic Church, moreover, through the whole world, has received this tradition from the apostles.” Clement of Alexandria Stromata book 4 ch 15 (150-215 ad) ‘For the apostle says, “All other things buy out of the shambles, asking no questions," with the exception of the things mentioned in the Catholic Epistle of all the apostles.’ Tertullian Prescription Against Heretics ch 35 (160- 240 ad) “Catholics appeal always to evidence traceable to apostolic sources.” Tertullian Prescription Against Heretics ch 36 (160- 240 ad) “Catholics never change the Scriptures, which always testify for them.” Origen Commentary on the Gospel of John book 6 ch 18 (185-254 ad) ‘As to the descent into Hades, we read in the sixteenth Psalm, "Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades," and as for the journey in prison with the Spirit we read in Peter in his Catholic Epistle,’ Origen de Principiis book 3 preface (185- 254ad) Let such things, however, be lightly esteemed by him who is desirous of being trained in divine learning, while retaining in its integrity the rule of the Catholic Faith. Cyprian of Carthage Epistle 40 par 2 [200-270 AD] ... they are striving here also to distract the members of Christ into schismatical parties, and to cut and tear the one body of the Catholic Church, so that, running about from door to door, through the houses of many, or from city to city.. Eusebius of Caesarea Church History book 4 (265-340ad) But the splendor of the Catholic and only true Church, which is always the same, grew in magnitude and power, and reflected its piety and simplicity and freedom, and the modesty and purity of its inspired life and philosophy to every nation both of Greeks and of Barbarians Augustine of Hippo Confessions Book 6 Ch 1 par 1 [354-430 AD] But when I had disclosed to her that I was now no longer a Manichaean, though not yet a Catholic Christian.

[@fmraene3010]

Wow it took me two years to find this video again!!!! Saw this as a high schooler and i took alot of this with me in life! Thanks man

[@arroyoruy]

WOW!! Bravo! great video brother. will start watching more of your stuff.

[@dianaperez6369]

God bless you brother, your channel and videos are such a blessing and so insightful. Thank you for all the effort you put into these videos and Praise God!

[@j0nnyism]

Pliny is considered a very reliable source. He witnessed the destruction of pompeii and described pyroclastic flow something that wasnt believed until the eruption of st helena. Interestingly a Christian word square puzzle was discovered at pompeii suggesting that Christians lived there at the time of destruction. I'm not a Christian btw

[@fisharepeopletoo9653]

Ok but even if jesus exists, is there any proof that he is gods son as he claims and not in fact the son of satan, convincing people that he is god and if people worship him then they forsake god?

[@DR3W_TH3_ARTIST]

The best way to approach this question would go something like this: studying the Prophecy of the coming messiah. See to know if Jesus is the Son of God we need fo first understand the circumstances of his birth, his up bring, and his ministry. Once you go through the 4 Gospels with the knowledge of what the old testament prophesied then you'll have your answer.

[@AndDiracisHisProphet]

or that he is simply lying?

[@TheSergio1021]

Me: *Shows atheist all these facts* Atheist: "None of these guys lived during the times of Jesus so its ALL WROOOOONG" Me: 🤦‍♂️

[@nauticalnovice9244]

None of these are facts, you'd know if you'd study it

[@TheSergio1021]

@@nauticalnovice9244 case and point.