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.
Whether a man chooses to tell the truth in long sentences or short jokes is a problem analogous to whether he chooses to tell the truth in French or in German.
Funk is the unending cycle of life. It's the ultimate concept—wherever your imagination will take it.
God is Love, we are taught as children to believe. But when we first begin to get some inkling of how He loves us, we are repelled; it seems so cold, indeed, not love at all as we understand the word.
Ownership is not limited to material things. It can also apply to points of view. Once we take ownership of an idea - whether it’s about politics or sports - what do we do? We love it perhaps more than we should. We prize it more than it is worth. And most frequently, we have trouble letting go of it because we can’t stand the idea of its loss. What are we left with then? An ideology - rigid and unyielding.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.
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