"As you know, I have always been very critical of anyone who minimizes the holocaust. So one wonders why you imply by association that I deny the holocaust? That is an ignorant way to "argue".
I'm glad you quoted me so people can see that I did NOT say that you deny the Holocaust. I merely pointed out that you use the same methodology the Holocaust deniers do. You say; Any evidence that would sustain the historicity of Jesus is lie perpetrated by the Christians. Holocaust deniers say: Any evidence that sustains the historicity of the Holocaust is a lie perpetrated by the Jews.
See the similarity.
"He did not claim the interpolation was a result of a conspiracy. Thus it is wrong to accuse him of claiming that."
He does not use the word conspiracy but points 8 & 9 leave no doubt that's exactly what he is claiming.
"8. As this single copy was in the possession of a Christian the insertion of a forgery was easy.
9. Its severe criticisms of Christianity do not necessarily disprove its Christian origin. No ancient witness was more desirable than Tacitus, but his introduction at so late a period would make rejection certain unless Christian forgery could be made to appear improbable."
"<<<As to the evidence: I believe he put forward FOURTEEN points to justify his position. You were unable or unwilling to answer even one of those points. Thus, one may assume that the argument is carried.>>>"
Now who's a liar?
Points 1 thru 6 are really just one point. I have already addressed some of them briefly, but unless there was a reason to prove that which was not in question there was no need to quote him. Point seven is irrelevant to the issue.Points eight and nine are unsubstantiated accusations. Points 10 thru 14 are subjective and entirely unconvincing.
As far as Eusebius not mentioning Tacitus I see no reason that he had to or would have considering how innocuous the reference was and the stated purpose of his work.
ccel.org
"Chapter I. The Plan of the Work.
1 It is my purpose to write an account of the successions of the holy apostles, as well as of the times which have elapsed from the days of our Saviour to our own; and to relate the many important events which are said to have occurred in the history of the Church; and to mention those who have governed and presided over the Church in the most prominent parishes, and those who in each generation have proclaimed the divine word either orally or in writing.
2 It is my purpose also to give the names and number and times of those who through love of innovation have run into the greatest errors, and, proclaiming themselves discoverers of knowledge falsely so-called1 have like fierce wolves unmercifully devastated the flock of Christ.
3 It is my intention, moreover, to recount the misfortunes which immediately came upon the whole Jewish nation in consequence of their plots against our Saviour, and to record the ways and the times in which the divine word has been attacked by the Gentiles, and to describe the character of those who at various periods have contended for it in the face of blood and of tortures, as well as the confessions which have been made in our own days, and finally the gracious and kindly succor which our Saviour has afforded them all. Since I propose to write of all these things I shall commence my work with the beginning of the dispensation2 of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.3
4 But at the outset I must crave for my work the indulgence of the wise,4 for I confess that it is beyond my power to produce a perfect and complete history, and since I am the first to enter upon the subject, I am attempting to traverse as it were a lonely and untrodden path.5 I pray that I may have God as my guide and the power of the Lord as my aid, since I am unable to find even the bare footsteps of those who have traveled the way before me, except in brief fragments, in which some in one way, others in another, have transmitted to us particular accounts of the times in which they lived. From afar they raise their voices like torches, and they cry out, as from some lofty and conspicuous watch-tower, admonishing us where to walk and how to direct the course of our work steadily and safely.
5 Having gathered therefore from the matters mentioned here and there by them whatever we consider important for the present work, and having plucked like flowers from a meadow the appropriate passages from ancient writers,6 we shall endeavor to embody the whole in an historical narrative, content if we preserve the memory of the successions of the apostles of our Saviour; if not indeed of all, yet of the most renowned of them in those churches which are the most noted, and which even to the present time are held in honor.
6 This work seems to me of especial importance because I know of no ecclesiastical writer who has devoted himself to this subject; and I hope that it will appear most useful to those who are fond of historical research.
7 I have already given an epitome of these things in the Chronological Canons7 which I have composed, but notwithstanding that, I have undertaken in the present work to write as full an account of them as I am able." |
