2. Historicity (Implications) - Does it Matter if Jesus of Nazareth Existed?

What bearing does Jesus' historical existence have on the significance of Christianity?

Some people believe that Jesus’ historical existence is of crucial importance. They believe that Christian moral teachings, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the validity of Christianity as a belief system all hinge on his historical existence. If Jesus did not exist, they argue, the central claims of Christianity are based on a lie. Core beliefs—such as God becoming human and Jesus’ sacrificial death—make little sense and lose their significance detached from Jesus as a real person. The coherence and validity of Christianity is wrapped up in Jesus' existence... If he was not a real historical figure, then Christianity lacks its most critical foundation and should be considered an uncredible worldview and be rejected.

Others, however, believe it is irrelevant whether or not Jesus existed. They reason that the significance of Jesus—his teachings and his work—lies not in his historical existence but in the spiritual and symbolic truths the story of his life represents. Stories have the ability to greatly shape our lives by inspiring hope, purpose, and transformation in profound ways. In a similar way, Christianity’s transformative power comes from its message and the meaning it conveys, not from whether Jesus physically walked the earth or not. Therefore, the teachings attributed to Jesus and the spiritual impact they have can stand independently of historical evidence. The strength of Christianity is in its symbolic and metaphorical nature, regardless of whether its central figure was a real person.

What do you think? Does it matter if Jesus was a real historical figure or not?