The Birth of Jesus: Truth or Myth?

The narratives of the birth of Jesus are more debated than almost any other part of the Bible. Sceptics often claim that the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke are purely theological and do not represent historical fact. This position is the result of a set of unfounded assumptions made by sceptics, both about the history of the period and about the content of the Gospel narratives.

The census at the birth of Jesus fits well into the historical framework of the period. For detail of this census see this video:

• The Roman Census at the Birth of Jesus

Another issue is the killing of children in Bethlehem shortly after the birth of Jesus. This is not mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus, but Josephus concentrates on events with immediate political significance; the killing of children in the provincial town of Bethlehem would not be expected to be in his history.

A final criticism from sceptics is the idea that the birth narratives were concocted from Old Testament prophecies. However, we know how the passages in the Old Testament were interpreted at the time – there are commentaries in the Dead Sea Scrolls and in Jewish literature from the period. These prophecies were not interpreted at the time as predicting the birth of the Messiah.

The Gospel Accounts of the birth of Jesus are different from one another, but they are compatible; they fit together easily to make a single unified narrative. They fit the political situation of the time and the customs of the people. There is no reason to reject them.
Summary
The video discusses the historical accuracy of the birth of Jesus as depicted in the Bible, comparing it to tradition and historical evidence. It outlines the events surrounding Jesus' birth according to the gospels of Luke and Matthew, addresses common objections to the biblical account, and provides arguments for its authenticity, including biblical prophecies and historical context. The significance of the Virgin birth and Jesus' relationship with God is emphasised, alongside references to Old Testament promises. The video concludes by affirming the belief in Jesus' miraculous conception and resurrection.

Highlights
📜 The video examines the historical accuracy of the Nativity story as described in the Bible, comparing it with tradition and historical evidence.
🕊️ Details from the gospels of Luke and Matthew outline the events of Jesus' birth, including visits from angels, the census, and the massacre of infants by Herod.
🌟 Common objections to the biblical account, such as inconsistencies with historical records, are addressed and refuted.
📖 The significance of the Virgin birth and Jesus' relationship with God is emphasised, supported by biblical prophecies and Old Testament promises, particularly to David.
⚖️ Historical context, including the characters of Herod, Augustus, and Quirinius, aligns with the events described in the gospels, reinforcing their authenticity.
✝️ The belief in Jesus' miraculous conception and resurrection is affirmed as central to Christian faith, supported by the conviction of the gospel writers.
Q: What is the significance of the Nativity story according to the video?
A: The Nativity story holds significant importance as it highlights the historical event of Jesus' birth and emphasizes the authenticity of the gospel records. It delves into the discrepancies between traditional embellishments and the original events recorded in the gospels, aiming to reaffirm the historical accuracy of Jesus' birth.
Q: How does the video address objections regarding the census mentioned in Luke's Gospel?
A: The video tackles objections regarding the census by providing historical context and exploring the timing of Quirinius' governance in relation to Jesus' birth. It discusses the possibility of multiple census events and presents evidence suggesting that Luke's account aligns with historical records and practices of the time.
Q: What evidence does the video present to support the belief in Jesus' miraculous conception?
A: The video presents Jesus' own references to God as his father throughout the gospel records, highlighting over 60 instances where Jesus acknowledges God as his father. It also explores biblical prophecies foretelling the Virgin birth centuries before the event and emphasizes Jesus' intimate relationship with God as a central aspect of his identity.
Q: How does the video address the absence of historical records regarding the massacre of infants in Bethlehem?
A: The video addresses the absence of historical records regarding the massacre by contextualizing Herod's character and actions within the historical context of the time. It explains that Herod's atrocities were not uncommon, citing examples of his brutal regime and suggesting that such events would align with his character, thus providing a plausible explanation for the lack of explicit historical documentation.