Some writers may toy with the fancy of a ‘Christ-myth,’ but they do not do so on the ground of historical evidence. The historicity of Christ is as axiomatic for an unbiased historian as the historicity of Julius Caesar. It is not historians who propagate the ‘Christ-myth’ theories.
Interpretation
The quote asserts that the existence of Christ is as historically certain as that of Julius Caesar, dismissing the theories that deny Christ’s historicity.
F. F. Bruce defends the historical existence of Jesus Christ by comparing it to a well-established historical figure, Julius Caesar. He emphasizes that credible historians do not propagate the so-called 'Christ-myth' theories, implying that these theories lack a solid foundation in historical evidence. The quote serves to affirm the argument that historical figures should be evaluated based on the same reliable evidence, thus reinforcing the belief in Christ's reality as a significant figure in history.
In practice
In a debate about the historical validity of religious texts, one could use this quote to support the argument for Christ's historicity.
The evidence for our New Testament writings is ever so much greater than the evidence for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no one dreams of questioning. And if the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt.
The soul’s deepest thirst is for God Himself, who has made us so that we can never be satisfied without Him.
In the big picture, it doesn't really matter if we never made a record, or we never sang a song. That isn't important.
Many might go to Heaven with half the labor they go to hell.
And I hope I'm forgiven for Thug Livin when I die.
We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect the nation.
Definition, rationality, and structure are ways of seeing, but they become prisons when they blank out other ways of seeing.
It is a light thing for whoever keeps his foot outside trouble to advise and counsel him that suffers.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.