Secular Evidence for Jesus (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Flashcards
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What is secular evidence?
What is secular evidence?
Evidence from non-religious, unbiased, objective sources
Why is secular evidence valuable for historians?
Why is secular evidence valuable for historians?
It presents facts without religious bias or motivation
Who was Pliny the Younger?
Who was Pliny the Younger?
Governor of Roman Province of Bithynia (modern-day Turkey)
Who did Pliny the Younger write to about Christians?
Who did Pliny the Younger write to about Christians?
Emperor Trajan
What did Pliny reveal about Christians and Jesus?
What did Pliny reveal about Christians and Jesus?
Christians worshipped Christ (Jesus) as a god
Who was Tacitus?
Who was Tacitus?
Roman historian born in 56 CE, after Jesus's death
What was Tacitus's attitude towards Christianity?
What was Tacitus's attitude towards Christianity?
Hostile and suspicious; called it a 'depraved superstition'
What event did Tacitus write about mentioning Jesus?
What event did Tacitus write about mentioning Jesus?
The burning of Rome in 64 CE
What did Tacitus say about Jesus's death?
What did Tacitus say about Jesus's death?
Executed by Pontius Pilate during Emperor Tiberius's reign
Why is Tacitus's hostile attitude significant?
Why is Tacitus's hostile attitude significant?
It makes his testimony credible - no motive to embellish
Why do Pliny & Tacitus's accounts matter?
Why do Pliny & Tacitus's accounts matter?
Independent non-Christian evidence for Jesus's existence
What key detail do both secular sources confirm?
What key detail do both secular sources confirm?
Jesus's execution under Pontius Pilate