The Historical Jesus

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The Historical Jesus

Birth of Jesus

Jesus was born in Bethlehem as told in the Gospel references Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-20. This is also backed up through historical evidence in terms of the Star of David and the Three Wise Men.

According to Dr Mark Goodacre, on April 17th 6B.C, the planet Jupitor was inside the Ares constellation. This is scientific belief that a very prominent person will be born- the sign of a great king.

Scientific charts also show that the moon was also within Ares at this time and caused Jupiter to appear as a morning star. Historical evidence also shows that the Three Wise Men were astronomers and they saw the Star of David, recognizing it as the sign of a great king.

Luke’s Gospel states that there was no room in the inn at Bethlehem, therefore, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger Luke 2:1-7 Matt 1:18-25. This is enforced by the historical evidence of archeologist Joe Zias who excavated caves in Bethlehem where Jesus may have been born. Furthermore, the video, “Son of God,” told us that in Hebrew the word inn means upper room. This could mean that if the upper room was full, the only space would have been the underground caves that were used to store animals. As these caves were available for human use as well, it would have been the next best place for Jesus birth. This is confirmed by Claire Pafin from the University of Holyland who has discovered evidence of the underground caves and has revealed that they were used as a farm or as stables.

Jesus’ Early Life

Scripture states that when Jesus as 12, his parents visited a temple and he was left to converse with the learned pharoses Luke 2:41-52. This suggests that Jesus’ childhood was spent studying scr...

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...ichael Wakelin. Executive Producer: Ruth Pitt. Narrator: Jeremy Brown

Discovery Channel Co-production in association with Jerusalem Productions and France 3

The Catholic Encyclopedia: the Incarnation

Copyright © 2009 by Kevin Knight

Sacred Documents:

Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, Solemnly Promulgated by his Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 18th 1965

Catholic Insight: Vatican II (1962-1965)

By Father Daniel Callam, C.S.B.

Issue: November, 2005

From the Jesus the Christ textbook:

The Fourth Easter Preface

The Autobiography of St Theresa of Avita

The Nicene Creed (from the Jesus the Christ textbook)

Other Documents:

Textbook- Jesus the Christ

Copyright 1993 by National Centre for Religious Studies

Published by National Centre for Religious Studies

Authorized by NZ Catholic Bishops Conference

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