I think the evidence is just so overwhelming that Jesus existed, that it's silly to talk about him not existing. I don't know anyone who is a responsible historian, who is actually trained in the historical method, or anybody who is a biblical scholar who does this for a living, who gives any credence at all to any of this.
Bart D. EhrmanThe search for truth takes you where the evidence leads you, even if, at first, you don't want to go there.
Bart D. EhrmanIn terms of the historical record, I should also point out that there is no account in any ancient source whatsoever about King Herod slaughtering children in or around Bethlehem, or anyplace else. No other author, biblical or otherwise, mentions this event. Is it, like John's account of Jesus' death, a detail made up by Matthew in order to make some kind of theological point?
Bart D. EhrmanDifferent authors have different points of view. You can't just say, 'I believe in the Bible.
Bart D. EhrmanIn Matthew, Jesus declares, โWhoever is not with me is against me.โ In Mark, he says,โWhoever is not against us is for us.โ Did he say both things? Could he mean both things? How can both be true at once? Or is it possible that one of the Gospel writers got things switched around?
Bart D. Ehrman