The Cold-Case Christianity Podcast · J. Warner Wallace

Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Other Than What We Can Find in the Bible?

·28 min·2 clips

Why do skeptics demand evidence for Jesus outside the Bible, and what does that reveal about their trust in the Gospels?

This episode examines historical evidence for Jesus from non-Christian ancient sources. Host J. Warner Wallace, a former cold-case homicide detective, applies investigative techniques to this question. He addresses the common skepticism toward biblical accounts by presenting external corroboration. Wallace categorizes the evidence into unfriendly pagan sources and unfriendly Jewish sources. He begins with the Greek historian Thallus, who, as quoted by Julius Africanus, referenced a darkness at Jesus's crucifixion and attributed it to a solar eclipse. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that "Christus" suffered under Pontius Pilate and that his followers, called Christians, were persecuted by Nero. Syrian philosopher Mara Bar Serapion described the execution of the "wise king" of the Jews and the subsequent downfall of their kingdom. The historian Phlegon, cited by Origen, noted Jesus's ability to predict future events and mentioned his post-resurrection appearance showing nail marks. Pliny the Younger's letter to Emperor Trajan reported that early Christians worshipped Christ "as to a God" and followed a strict moral code. The Jewish historian Josephus called Jesus a wise man and "doer of startling deeds" who was accused by Jewish leaders and crucified by Pilate. A key insight is that even skeptical scholars like Bart Ehrman accept Jesus's historicity based on such sources. Wallace argues that asking for evidence "outside the Bible" often stems from dismissing the Gospels as unreliable eyewitness testimony. He counters that Gospel authors like Matthew were not initially followers, becoming believers only after observing Jesus's life. The collective non-Christian accounts alone establish numerous details: Jesus performed miraculous acts, claimed divinity, was crucified under Pilate with accompanying darkness, and his followers fervently believed in his resurrection. These sources, though written decades after Jesus, are compared to a modern historian recounting Abraham Lincoln's life using available records. The tone is educational and methodical, mirroring a detective's presentation of case evidence. Wallace structures the discussion as a logical rebuttal to doubts about Jesus's historical existence. Listeners interested in historical apologetics or logical defenses of Christian claims will find this episode compelling. Those seeking theological reflection or narrative storytelling might find its forensic approach less engaging.

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