THE DARKNESS AT THE CRUCIFIXION (Julius Africanus)

The author referred to

Little is known of Thallus except from the quotes from others. Some date the writings of Thallus to 52 A.D., others to the end of the first century or early second century.

The author

Julius Africanus, an early church father, writing around 221 A.D. commented on what Thallus had said.

About the writing

Africanus correctly points out that the darkness at the time of crucifixion could not have been as a result of a solar eclipse, as the crucifixion took place at Passover, which always occurs during a full moon. During a full moon, a solar eclipse can not occur.

What Julius Africanus wrote

"Thallus, in the third book of his history explains away the darkness as an eclipse of the sun, unreasonably as it seems to me." (Africanus, Chronography, 18:1, Roberts, Alexander and Donaldson, James, editors. The Ante Nicene Fathers. Wm Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1973 American Reprint of Edinburg edition, Grand Rapids, MI)

Thallus was not denying the darkness at the crucifixion. He was simply trying to explain the darkness as a natural event not a supernatural event.

What the writing confirms about the bible

1. Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical person
2. The occurrence of the crucifixion of Jesus
3. The fact that the darkness occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus

CHRISTIANS REJECT THE GODS OF GREECE (Lucian of Samosata)

The author

Lucian of Samosata, a Greek satirist, wrote the following in around 170 A.D.

What Samosata wrote

"The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day-the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account ...

You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the Gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely as common property." (Lucian, The Death of Peregrine 11-13)

What the writing confirms about the bible

1. Christians worshipped and followed a crucified man (John 20.28, Matthew 28.16-17)
2. Christians faced death bravely (Acts 5.29, Acts 5.40–42, Acts 7.54-60, Acts 8.1-3, Acts 12.2, Acts 20.22-24, Revelation 2.9-10)
3. Christians regarded worldly goods as common property (Acts 5.36-37)
4. Christians saw other Christians as brothers (Hebrews 2.11, Revelation 12.10)
5. Faith is involved in the Christian experience (Ephesians 2.8, John 7.31)
6. Christians despised worldly attributes (1 John 15-17, James 4.4, Matthew 6.19-21, Luke 12.14-21)
7. Christians refused to worship Greeks ‘gods’ (Acts 17.16-33, Acts 19.26)
8. Christians believed they would to go to Heaven (be immortal) (John 3.16, John 4.13-14, Revelation 21.1-5)
9. Christians followed what Jesus said (Titus 1.1, Matthew 7.24-27, Revelation 1.1)

Reference

He Walked Among Us by Josh McDowell is a book full of excellent information with regards to the historical accuracy of the bible.

Download a PDF file of “He Walked Among Us” from Josh McDowell's website.

History and the Bible (part 1)
History and the Bible (part 3)
History and the Bible (part 4)

Did Jesus Exist? The Extra-Biblical Evidence (video - 4 parts)