spectrum,
thay is a good point. I would like to bring out these points too.
Jesus was really only important to those who were awaiting the Messiah which was the Jewish nation only. Then only a few of them became Christian followers of his and that is why all the records are by early Christians. Think about it - what did Jesus do that would be considered great enough for non-believers to take note of him? We should therefore not be surprised that the only record of him is in the bible.
He came to preach to the nation of Isreal only. During his 3 1/2 year ministry - he for the most part did not even preach to the gentiles. That work did not start until after Jesus Death. so again, he is a person important to believers only, which back then was a very small group of people in relation to the rest of the world. Jesus did not change the world in a political way during his first advent, he did not change human laws for unbelievers, I mean really, what kind of information do you think there would be on record if most people did not even believe he was who he said he was? He was mainly a religious figure only - so why are we surprised that he is only mentioned in religious books?
There are many early historians who do write about Jesus and the information was given by very early sources. It is just that for those who do not believe in the bible or Jesus - no information will be enough. Many of these same sources write about the Apostle Paul as a real person and Peter who is the so called "first Pope" for the Catholics. So, why if THEY believed Christ existed, and they are accepted as real people, would we say Christ did not exist? Were these people and ALL the others who wrote about Jesus under a mass delusion?
Remember there was absolutely no good reason to admit to being a Christian back then. You would be ostracized plus many lost everything for the faith, even their lives. Why would they do this for someone they were not sure existed? Because they had the testimony of upwards of 500 people that is why. Because Christ appeared to his BELIEVERS after he was resurrected.
Also, keep this in mind - in the past there has been lack of secular information to back up beliefs in the existance of other people named in the bible like Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar, and then later it was found that they were historical people after all. So lack of "secular" information does not necessarily prove anything.
There are many early christian writings that are not included in what we call our bible today and many of these name Jesus. Again, how many people are under this delusion if Christ is not a real historical person?
Jesus did impact the world for believers and continues to do so for those ones today, even so many years after his death. What other made up person has affected the world like Jesus?
For Christians who are true believers, in Christ's body, united with him by holy spirit, we know he exists because he is evident in our lives on a daily basis.
