it's been figured for some years already that flavius josephus' writings were either altered or completely forged by christians around the second century
mostly because he was an orthodox jew his entire life speaking positively of the christians, which is the *big* tip off that it was tampered with to make it look like christianity existed BEFORE the year 70
Yeah, it's true that Christians rely on circumstantial evidence to suggest that an earlier census was possible - or even plausible. However, I find it truly bizarre that atheists could possibly condemn that form of reasoning when, for example, their entire theory of the origin of life is based on the same method: "life could conceivably have naturally self-assembled in a mindless universe - therefore it DID!"
This later census is the same one that the historian Josephus described, which occurred in 6 C.E. Second, the governorship of Quirinius does not force us to assign Jesus' birth to that late date. Why? Because Quirinius evidently served in that post twice. Many scholars recognize that his first term fell about 2 B.C.E.Some critics say that Luke invented the census to create a reason for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2.
Critics widely attack this passage as a blunder or, worse, a fabrication. They insist that this census and the governorship of Quirinius took place in 6 or 7 C.E. If they are right, this would cast serious doubt on Luke's account, for the evidence suggests that Jesus was born in 2 B.C.E. But these critics ignore two key facts. First, Luke acknowledges that there was more than one census—note that he refers to "this first registration." He was well aware of another, later registration.(Acts 5:37
HOW could Jesus, who grew up in Nazareth and was commonly known as the Nazarene, have been born in Bethlehem, some 90 miles [150 km] away? Luke explains: "Now in those days [before Jesus' birth] a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city."—Luke 1:1; 2:1-3.
HOW could Jesus, who grew up in Nazareth and was commonly known as the Nazarene, have been born in Bethlehem, some 90 miles [150 km] away? Luke explains: "Now in those days [before Jesus' birth] a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city."—Luke 1:1; 2:1-3.
I'm confused! Josephus dates the census issued by Quirinius to 7 AD (the year after Quirinius became Governor of Syria). As I understand it, this was a census of the entire Roman world, also referred to as such in Luke 2. There were two earlier censuses by Caesar Augustus in 24 and 8 BC, but these were censuses of Roman citizens alone, and hence could not mark the time of Jesus' birth.
it's been figured for some years already that flavius josephus' writings were either altered or completely forged by christians around the second century
mostly because he was an orthodox jew his entire life speaking positively of the christians, which is the *big* tip off that it was tampered with to make it look like christianity existed BEFORE the year 70
infernalone666 2 weeks ago
Yeah, it's true that Christians rely on circumstantial evidence to suggest that an earlier census was possible - or even plausible. However, I find it truly bizarre that atheists could possibly condemn that form of reasoning when, for example, their entire theory of the origin of life is based on the same method: "life could conceivably have naturally self-assembled in a mindless universe - therefore it DID!"
The1066Al 1 year ago
Well done
EruditeScythian 1 year ago
This later census is the same one that the historian Josephus described, which occurred in 6 C.E. Second, the governorship of Quirinius does not force us to assign Jesus' birth to that late date. Why? Because Quirinius evidently served in that post twice. Many scholars recognize that his first term fell about 2 B.C.E.Some critics say that Luke invented the census to create a reason for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2.
pskerin 3 years ago
Critics widely attack this passage as a blunder or, worse, a fabrication. They insist that this census and the governorship of Quirinius took place in 6 or 7 C.E. If they are right, this would cast serious doubt on Luke's account, for the evidence suggests that Jesus was born in 2 B.C.E. But these critics ignore two key facts. First, Luke acknowledges that there was more than one census—note that he refers to "this first registration." He was well aware of another, later registration.(Acts 5:37
pskerin 3 years ago
HOW could Jesus, who grew up in Nazareth and was commonly known as the Nazarene, have been born in Bethlehem, some 90 miles [150 km] away? Luke explains: "Now in those days [before Jesus' birth] a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city."—Luke 1:1; 2:1-3.
pskerin 3 years ago
HOW could Jesus, who grew up in Nazareth and was commonly known as the Nazarene, have been born in Bethlehem, some 90 miles [150 km] away? Luke explains: "Now in those days [before Jesus' birth] a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city."—Luke 1:1; 2:1-3.
pskerin 3 years ago
CPXB--You sir, are an historical goldmine. I tip my hat.
thisisitornot 4 years ago
I'm confused! Josephus dates the census issued by Quirinius to 7 AD (the year after Quirinius became Governor of Syria). As I understand it, this was a census of the entire Roman world, also referred to as such in Luke 2. There were two earlier censuses by Caesar Augustus in 24 and 8 BC, but these were censuses of Roman citizens alone, and hence could not mark the time of Jesus' birth.
psandbergnz 4 years ago
Do your homework man. Whether you believe God exist or not, there is nothing in the Bible that can be debated otherwise.
pstephanou 4 years ago
does this guy breath? I couldn't follow a word he said.
pjsteer47 4 years ago
OWN!
rowsdowersavesus 4 years ago