(Published in Faith and Philosophy 2011. Volume 28, Issue 2, April 2011. Stephen Law. Pages 129-151) EVIDENCE, MIRACLES AND THE EXISTENCE OF JESUS Stephen Law Abstract The vast majority of Biblical historians believe there is evidence sufficient to place Jesus’ existence beyond reasonable doubt. Many believe the New Testament documents alone suffice firmly to establish Jesus as an actual, historical figure. I question these views. In particular, I argue (i) that the three most popular criteria by which various non-miraculous New Testament claims made about Jesus are supposedly corroborated are not sufficient, either singly or jointly, to place his existence beyond reasonable doubt, and (ii) that a prima facie plausible principle concerning how evidence should be assessed – a principle I call the contamination principle – entails that, given the large proportion of uncorroborated miracle claims made about Jesus in the New Testament documents, we should, in the absence of indepen
Comments
Dear Stephen,
For several years I've told my family not to get me anything for Xmas, both because Xmas is meaningless and I don't want anything they could get me, but they usually get me stuff anyway. Usually it's stuff I didn't want. This year I'm going to ask them to donate to the Secular Coalition of America for me. I'm donating to my parent's causes for their gifts. I'm thinking of getting my brother a pet nail trimmer to lesson the likelihood of his poodle scratching my legs when I visit. I have no idea what to do for my sister. She has way too much stuff as it is. She could use some more common sense, logic, rationality, a better marriage, a few fewer pets, more free time... things I can't give her. What should I do?
Sighned, Grinch in MA
My wife has banned me from buying philosophy books as I overdo it. Perhaps I need a book on self-control......
*ducks*
Study examines motives behind Santa myth
The researchers seem to be keen to tackle the big one next...