History is an abstraction; and it is dilluted by elitist self interest, indoctrination, the need for legitimacy of empire, and of course...religious bias.
So given that neither of us would be justified in citing "history" as it is written; unless of course... there are multiple versions of said history, from multiple interests i.e. not just christian, muslim, or jewish...
you would bias history to your beliefs, as would I. And I assume you are using the single source: The Bible as a historical account?
History affirms through multiple sources, that the truth can be found in the ongoing battle between the people and the moneychangers seeking to enslave them. Its present TODAY; and it is present in the NT; Mat 21:12.
We see it with Ceasar, Lincoln, JFK, Andrew Jackson.... the old war. The Vatican, the Templars. This is where we need to look; not sensationalistic beliefs that abstract and dllute the truth.
Quoting: Dr.DoomLittle Granted that "history is written by the victors" for the most part, but I wouldn't call it an abstraction. I agree that by cross-examining various accounts (which is the purpose and value of four Gospels) we can get a reasonably accurate picture, especially given the sheer volume of manuscripts and quotations of the New Testament. And bias is hardly the exclusive domain of religion; those who immediately dismiss any historical account because it's religious are showing not only bias but a double standard.
The Bible is a viable and accurate historical account, as much as any other, and no more biased than the various king-commissioned or benefactor-ordered histories. People didn't write histories for free, and the materials were not cheap. So pick your bias, but don't expect to find one without it. And it is wise to consider various historical traditions, as I have indeed done.
So let me assure you that I have dared to put the Bible under a microscope, a practice that has been repeated by an incredible number of people over the centuries, and curiously not done to other religious writings to anywhere near the same extent. As someone said, "The Bible is an anvil that has worn out many hammers".
And since I have concluded that the Bible, and thus the Gospels, present an accurate account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, I have a deep personal conviction that this is historical fact. This is my anchor, my measuring rod, my taproot.
