PROOF IS THERE IF YOU LOOK FOR IT

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Proof is there if you look for it

Alan R Pendragon is still waiting for evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ, in his letter, "Historical Proof Not Forthcoming" (Mailbox, September 1). A very reasonable request, I would suggest.

Of course, the Bible is the principal source of evidence that Jesus is an historical person. The record of the Gospels state clearly times, places and events in detail.

However, for someone who cannot accept just the Bible's accounts, other sources must be found.

The first century Jewish historian, Josephus, referred to the stoning of "James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ," in his publication The Jewish Antiquities, Josephus, Book XX sec. 200.

Tacitus, a Roman historian of the first century AD, wrote "Christus, from whom the name Christian had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius."

These two are not the only non-Christian, first century historians to have referred to Jesus in their writings. I sincerely hope his evidence provides the answers Mr Pendragon is seeking.

As to the other matters he raised, such as the virgin birth, the answers are all contained in the Bible.

Jesus is not Almighty God. He never claimed to be. The Bible does not say that he is. He is the "son of God". Perhaps that is a discussion for another time.

Keith Coleman, Worthington