Historians are questioning if Jesus ever existed at all

Whatever you think about him being the Son of God, the fact that Jesus existed as a historical figure has rarely been disputed.

After all, he is referenced across Christian, Jewish and Roman texts. Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews, written around AD 93–94, mentions the biblical Jesus in books 18 and 20. Meanwhile the Roman historian Tacitus, in his Annals, written around AD 116, referred both to 'Christus' and his execution by Pontius Pilate.

However, historians and bloggers are now increasingly questioning whether the man called Jesus actually existed at all. He may be no more a historical figure than Hercules or Oedipus.

Today, several books explore the subject from a fresh angle, including Zealot by Reza Aslan, Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at All by David Fitzgerald, and How Jesus Became God by Bart Ehrman.

Historians point out the lack of reliable historical sources. Most of the accounts of Jesus of course come from Christian sources – and even these are largely third party narratives written years after his death.

In the Bible, there is no mention at all of Jesus’ life between the ages of 12 and 30 – a pretty glaring omission for a man who only lived to be 33.

A further problem is that few of the biblical accounts have a real name attached to them – rather an apostle who “signs off” the manuscript.

Where non-Christian sources exist, even these are problematic.

Fitzgerald argued that for centuries all serious scholars of Christianity were Christians themselves, and so even secular accounts rely heavily on the religious texts that did the groundwork. They therefore cannot be considered independent sources.

Historian Richard Carrier wrote that even references to Jesus in the work of Josephus were additions done by Christian scribes. He points out that one particular passage, the execution of Jesus under Pilate, was obviously lifted from the Gospel of Luke.

Carrier believes that the character of Christ may have derived from earlier semi-divine beings from Near East mythology. These myths would develop over time into the gospels, he argues.

Of course, there may well have been a Jewish preacher called Yeshua ben Yosef, who inspired a great many people with his teachings. Most historians believe a real person existed and became mythicized. But even of this we cannot be certain. 

Christian Media Center CEO: Fewer pilgrims for Easter as terror spikes

(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS) Christian worshippers attend Easter Sunday Mass in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher Church April 21, 2019

One of the leaders of Israel's Christian community has said that fewer Christian pilgrims are expected in the Old City for Easter as a result of the rising number of terrorist incidents in the country.

"Few pilgrims are expected [in Israel], also for reasons of safety," Sobhy Makhoul, a member of the Maronite Church of Jerusalem and CEO of the Christian Media Center, said in an interview with the Asia News website.

Makhoul said that the recent state of attacks is "worrisome.”

On Thursday night, a Palestinian terrorist opened fire in the heart of Tel Aviv, killing three people and injuring multiple others. He was eventually killed by security forces.

The event came only days and weeks after several other deadly incidents, including in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Bnei Brak, the southern city of Beersheba and the northern city of Hadera. 

Makhoul told Asia News that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan often leads to “episodes of violence” by “individuals who want to become martyrs … inciting and forementing [further] violence.”

He said “what is worrisome are the attacks by Israeli Arabs and the inspiration from jihadi groups, like the Islamic State, who want to strike at the heart of Israel. So far, they [the attackers] seem to be lone wolves, single individuals; it is not clear whether there is an organized leadership or a wider movement behind them.”

Police have stepped up security in Jerusalem and particularly around the Temple Mount to help keep the peace and guarantee freedom of worship for Jews and Christians who also come to the Old City to pray on their holidays of Passover and Easter. 

Passover begins April 15 at sundown and Easter on April 17.

Hopefully, Easter will “bring some peace of mind,” Makhoul said. “Holidays are piling up, but few pilgrims are expected, also for reasons of safety.

“On the positive side, services will be open to the public because COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Despite tensions, people want to join in.” 

Essential Oils for the Chakras

Reference: The Fragrant Heavens: Valerie Ann Worwood: 

Chakras and their Related Vertebra and Physical Body Areas - 3

The chakras listed on the left relate to the conditions at the far right, or to their related conditions. Where there is deficiency or excess in the energy/function of one chakra, it will be compensated for by the opposite action in the adjacent chakras.

The spleen chakra, usually considered a 'minor' chakra, has been included here because it actually has a major action on the physical-energetic body. It often over-links with the solar plexus chakra, there being a close energy-compensation action between the two - which is why when the solar plexus is depressed by impoverished emotions, the spleen is given work to do.

In order for the upper chakra to resonate with clarity, the lower chakras need balancing first, providing a strong scaffolding for the clear reception and transmission to and from the upper chakras.

The radiation of energy from any particular chakra blends with the energy of those adjacent to it, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the proximity of the adjacent chakra. 

Reference: The Fragrant Heavens: Valerie Ann Worwood