Historical Jesus facts for kids
Historical Jesus is a way of studying the life and teachings of Jesus using facts and evidence, much like how historians study any other important person from the past. This is different from how people might understand Jesus through their religious faith. It also looks at the world Jesus lived in, including the history and culture of that time.
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What is the Historical Jesus?
The idea of the Historical Jesus focuses on finding out what we can know about Jesus as a real person who lived in the past. Historians use old writings and other clues to understand his life. They try to learn about his family, where he lived, what he taught, and what happened to him. This study is like solving a puzzle using pieces of information from a long time ago.
Why Study the Historical Jesus?
People study the Historical Jesus for many reasons. Some want to understand the beginnings of Christianity better. Others are curious about the history of the Middle East during that time. It helps us see how Jesus's teachings might have been understood by people living in his own era. It's about exploring history, not just believing in faith.
How Do Historians Study Jesus?
Historians use special methods to learn about Jesus. They look at very old documents and archaeological finds. They compare different stories and try to figure out what is most likely to be true. It's a bit like being a detective, looking for clues from the past.
Looking at Ancient Writings
The main sources for studying Jesus are the Gospels in the Bible. These are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Historians read these carefully, along with other ancient texts. They also look at writings by non-Christian historians from that time, like Josephus and Tacitus. These writings can give us small pieces of information about Jesus and his followers.
Understanding the Time Period
To understand Jesus, historians also study the world he lived in. This includes the politics of the Roman Empire, the culture of Judaism in the Middle East, and the daily life of people in Galilee and Judea. Knowing about the customs, beliefs, and challenges of that era helps historians understand Jesus's messages and actions better. For example, understanding the role of a rabbi or a prophet in that society is very important.
Historical Jesus vs. Christ of Faith
It's important to know the difference between the Historical Jesus and the "Christ of Faith." The Christ of Faith is how Jesus is understood by people who believe in him as the Son of God and savior. This understanding comes from religious teachings and personal faith. The Historical Jesus, on the other hand, is about what historians can discover about Jesus using historical evidence. Both are important, but they are different ways of looking at Jesus. One is about history and facts, the other is about belief and religion.
Images for kids
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Hermann Samuel Reimarus (1694–1768) studied the historical Jesus.
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The Pilate Stone from Caesarea Maritima, now at the Israel Museum
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John Dominic Crossan
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Two Dead Sea Scrolls in the cave they were found, before being removed by archaeologists.
See also
In Spanish: Jesús histórico para niños
