Undeceptions with John Dickson 166. Jesus Proof?
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Nov 16, 2025 Tom Schmidt, an Associate Professor and expert on the historical Jesus, dives into the intriguing world of Flavius Josephus, a first-century historian. He discusses Josephus's crucial yet contested 90-word mention of Jesus, unraveling its implications. Schmidt presents his groundbreaking research, suggesting that Josephus may have had connections to Jesus's trial and highlights nuanced interpretations of key phrases. The conversation challenges prevailing views on the authenticity of Josephus's account, making a case for a more intricate understanding of this pivotal historical figure.
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The Famous 90-Word Puzzle
- The Testimonium Flavianum is a ~90-word paragraph in Josephus often debated for authenticity.
- Most scholars think it has an authentic core but was later embellished by a Christian scribe.
How The Research Began
- Tom Schmidt started investigating the Testimonium while at Yale combining interests in Arabic and Syriac Christianity.
- A short seminar paper on Arabic and Syriac translations put him on the trail that became his book.
Josephus Mentions Jesus Twice
- Josephus refers to Jesus twice in Antiquities: a fuller contested passage and a brief mention naming James 'the brother of Jesus called Christ'.
- The James passage supports early Jewish reference to a Jesus movement still active in 62 AD.
