Bart Ehrman on the Historicity of Jesus

With respect to Jesus, we have numerous, independent accounts of his life in the sources lying behind the Gospels (and the writings of Paul) — sources that originated in Jesus’ native tongue Aramaic and that can be dated to within just a year or two of his life (before the religion moved to convert pagans in droves). Historical sources like that are pretty astounding for an ancient figure of any kind. […] the claim that Jesus was simply made up falters on every ground.

—Bart Ehrman
Bart Ehrman is an agnostic scholar whose writings frequently attack Christianity and its truth claims. For resources answering Ehrman’s claims, click here.