While skepticism toward Scripture and the divinity of Jesus Christ continues to spread, a growing body of archaeological evidence is bolstering the case for Christianity’s historical claims.
Appearing on The Michael Knowles Show, Christian scholar and apologist Jeremiah Johnston recounted his visit to Turin, Italy, where he viewed the Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus.
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“The image is fading, Michael, off the shroud,” Johnston said. “And we’re not guaranteed to always have the image with us.”
Johnston emphasized the significance of tangible, physical evidence in a world where faith is often dismissed as blind or irrational. “Unlike any other religion in the world, Christianity puts itself to a historical test,” he said. “Most Christians are unaware that I can build 65 facts, Michael, about the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus using extra-biblical sources… before I ever open the New Testament.”
Among the most compelling discoveries discussed was a first-century artifact known as the “Jesus cup,” bearing a Greek inscription translating to “through Christ the magician.” Johnston noted, “Jesus’ fame spread first and foremost as a miracle worker and as an exorcist.” He added, “When you use the name of Jesus, things happen.”
Johnston also described “Jewish magic bowls” from the 4th to 7th centuries that invoke the name of Jesus for various purposes, healing, curses, even love charms. “These are all Jewish magic bowls that invoke the name of Jesus because the name of Jesus has power,” he said.
Perhaps most striking was his mention of the earliest known fragment of the Gospel of Matthew, dated to the second century and stored quietly in Oxford. “This is the first fragment that we have from antiquity that invokes the name of Jesus,” Johnston explained.
Taking aim at modern cynics who question Jesus’ existence, Johnston didn’t mince words. “If I cannot believe that Jesus existed, I should not believe in any of the Roman emperors,” he said. “We have the same level of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth that we do for Roman emperors of the first century.”
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His conclusion was as clear as it was convicting: “We need to come back to the sources. We need to be Christian thinkers, do the actual great commandment and love God with our heart, soul and mind. And then we’re going to change the world.”
For those still asking, “How can we know any of this is true?” the evidence speaks louder with each discovery.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
