If Christ’s miracles really happened, why weren’t they reported by historians?
A skeptic asks: “The Bible makes a lot of claims about Jesus' miraculous feats. But if all these amazing things really did happen, why didn't reputable contemporary historians write about them? You'd think that phenomenon like a great darkness at Noon (crucifixion), or bright stars moving across the sky toward Bethlehem (Christmas), would have been reported by other historians. Yet we only have the biased claims of Christ's supporters.”
The reporting of the events around the life and death of Jesus are just about what you would expect in the first century, given that Jesus' following was so small during his lifetime, that He lived in such a remote corner of the Roman Empire, and given the state of astronomy at that time.
Despite these limitations, Josephus (the first century Jewish historian), and Tacitus (an early second century Roman historian) make significant reference to Him. And actually, the very thing that you call for does exist. The mid-first century Roman historian Thallus makes reference to the darkness of the sun at the time of the crucifixion as he tries to refute the apostles’ claim. He argues that the crucifixion had, by chance, taken place during a solar eclipse.
Your position discounts the experience and witness of those who were “biased”—presumably referring to the New Testament writers, biased because they believed in Jesus. But who was unbiased? Can we count on those who rejected Jesus to have been unbiased? Why? Those closest to the events had high stakes in trying to protect their power base. The reports of Jesus' followers [actually] gain a certain authority because of their willingness to die for their witness to the resurrection.
More information on-line
Miracles (our WebBible Encyclopedia)
Has science disproved the miracles associated with Jesus Christ? Answer
“Miracles are not possible,” some claim. Is this true? Answer
What was the Star of Bethlehem? Answer
Does the New Testament provide a reliable history of Christ's life? Answer
INFALLIBILITY - How can the Bible be infallible if it is written by fallible humans? Answer
When we say that the Bible is the Word of God, does that imply that it is completely accurate, or does it contain insignificant inaccuracies in details of history and science? Answer
What about those CONTRADICTIONS in the Bible that I have heard about? Answer
INTERNAL HARMONY - A skeptic questions whether the Bible's internal harmony is evidence of its Divine inspiration - He suggests that the existence of the James Bond film series disproves that argument. See our response…
How can I know the Bible is TRUE? Answer
Discover the HOPE that Jesus Christ provides - GO…
Learn God's Story: From Creation to Eternity - GO…
Is Jesus Christ the answer? GO…
With so many denominations and religions, how can I decide which are true and which are false? Answer
Judging from all the hypocrisy in the church, why would I want to be a Christian? Answer
Author: Richard B. Keyes. Text supplied by AIIA Institute.
Richard Keyes is Director of L'Abri MA, a residential study center in Southborough, Massachusetts. L'Abri was founded in Switzerland by the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer in 1955. Mr. Keyes is also and author and lecturer. Since 1997 he has served as an AIIA Resource Associate (worldviews).
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