dog-on

Can anyone point to any archeological or non-biblical, non-apologetic data that shows any type of "Christain" organizations or, for that matter, Christians themselves living in the general area of Palestine in the first, second, or even the third century AD?

Toto

Earliest Christian Church dated to 3rd century

dog-on

Is there any evidence for Christians, themselves, in Palestine prior to this time? Again, without using circular references.

mountainman

I have conducted a critical review of the christian
"epigraphic habit" and the presence of "christians"
in the papyri, located here.

Needless to say, there is no evidence that I can find
that immediately and unambiguously supports the
(unexamined) postulate of Pre-Nicene christianity.


Best wishes,


Pete

ksen

I would think the NT itself is a pretty good witness that Christians existed in Israel/Palestine way before Nicea. :huh:

andrewcriddle

There are references in the Tosefta (Rabbinic text from C 300 CE) to Jewish Rabbis disputing with followers of Yeshua in Palestine in the early 2nd century CE.

Andrew Criddle

Toto

The OP asked for non-Biblical evidence, for those for whom the NT is not a credible source. But why would you describe it as a pretty good witness? There is the Jerusalem Church, but we don't know if that shadowy institution described itself as Christian. Otherwise, there are indications that Christian churches existed outside of Palestine (at least groups that Paul could write letters to.)

Christians claim that all traces of the Jerusalem Church were destroyed in the Roman destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, which is possible.

ksen

Whoops, I skimmed right over that part. My bad.

Although it doesn't make sense to me to purposefully exclude the biggest bit of evidence. :huh:

Toto

The NT is not very convincing evidence if you are not a believer. Too much of it looks like theological fables, story telling, later forgeries, or just generally unreliable stuff.

ksen

I understand it not being very convincing about the claims of Jesus being the Son of God and Savior of the world and all that if you aren't a believer.

But I don't really understand how it can be unconvincing as proof that Christians existed in Israel/Palestine before the 4th century. Unless the OP is implying that he doesn't think the NT was written until the 4th century but I don't know of anyone that tries to make the case that the NT was written that late.