A Trail of Great Design

Oh how I've search for the truth,
even since the days of youth.

Taking things apart to find,
if it worked as it had in my mind.

The mysteries were always there,
drawing me to stop and stare.

Then one day it occurred to me,
the lure was not to all the mystery.

For in all those wonders so divine,
there laid a trail of great design.

For behind a design there must be a mind,
so this became my quest for to find.

Always on the edge of my belief,
yet, the design lay in one great motif.

Then I found what seemed to be His plan,
but was it the work of common man.

Now my search since from my youth,
was focused on what's called His truth.

Closer and closer to truth I'd find,
chipping away at the doubt in my mind.

But my search of truth was not complete,
until I fell before His feet.

By: Preston Pittman

I love you.

Well, dear friend... I hope my other two letters have got you really digging now. As I promised, I have brought with me some examples of non-Christian writings, which add to the reliability of biblical truths. These writings are from ancient documents found, just as similarly as the original bible writings were. And too, these have undergone the same tests of identification of dates, authenticity, etc., as biblical writings. But I think it is important for us to listen to what these non-Christian writers say about Jesus, Christians, and events of their day.

Cornelius Tacitus was a Roman historian who wrote two major works... the "Annals" and the "Histories". Tacitus refers to Christ in the Annals, which he wrote in 115 AD. In this passage he records the great fire that occurred in Rome. Nero, looking for a scapegoat placed the blame on the Christians. Tacitus wrote,

Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. (Tacitus, Annals, 15.44)

From this passage we learn several facts. First, we see that the community at large hated Christians for their "abominations." Second, Christians received their name from Christ (Christus in Latin). Third, We see Christ was a historical figure. And Fourth, that Christ died during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD). Fifth, that Christ was put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate. Keep in mind that there was no physical evidence of Pilate until 1971, when a stone tablet was found that marked a building he had made as a monument of some kind. The tablet says it was from Pontius Pilate. Anyway, we continue... Sixth, Christ's death ended the spread of Christianity for a short time. Seventh, Christianity originated in the land of Judea. And finally, that Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire beginning in Judea and spreading even to Rome.

These facts recorded by Tacitus affirm several facts mentioned in the Gospels and the book of Acts.

Thallus in 52 AD, wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean world from the Trojan War to his day. Although much of his work is lost, Julius Africanus writing in 221 AD quotes Thallus. Regarding the death of Christ Thallus wrote,

One the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. (Julius Africanus,Chronography 18.1)

Thallus reveals several facts in this passage. First, the crucifixion account was known in the Mediterranean world. Second, darkness covered the land on the hour of Christ's death. Third, an earthquake shook the city. Fourth unbelievers knew of the supernatural events surrounding the death of Christ and were offering a naturalistic explanation.

Pliny was the governor of Bythnia in Asia Minor. In 112 AD, Pliny writes a letter to Emperor Trajan regarding the Christians. His province was experiencing financial difficulties because his economy depended on the religious festivities surrounding the pagan religions and temples. The spread of Christianity was hurting this industry and he was seeking a way to deal with the Christians. He wrote in his letter the following:

They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food – but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. (Pliny the Younger,Letter, 10:96)

From this passage we learn several facts about early Christianity. First, the Christians worshipped Christ as God. This strikes a serious blow to skeptics who attempt to promote the idea that Christ was a man who was promoted to divine status by Christians in the fourth century AD at the Council of Nicea. Second, the Christians followed closely the ethical code taught by Christ. Third, the "food" Pliny refers to is probably the sacraments of communion which would show this meal was celebrated by the Christians.

Seutonis was the chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). Seutonis first mentions the Christians when he refers to a series of riots that broke out in Rome in 49 AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41- 54 AD). He wrote,

"Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city." (Seutonius,Life of Claudius, 25.4)

In a second reference, he writes regarding Nero's persecution of the Christians.

"After the great fire at Rome …. Punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief." (Seutonius,Life of Nero, 16)

From these two brief references we learn the following. First, the Jews were expelled from Rome during the reign of Claudius (which coincides with Acts 18:2). Second, Christ was the reason for the Jewish riots. Christians referred to believers who followed Christ.

Finally, Lucian was a second century Greek satirist. He spoke very negatively of Christians accusing them of being gullible and believing in a charlatan. He wrote,

The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day – the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…. You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original law giver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely a common property.

There are many more writings like this, my friend, but these should raise the hair on your neck, if you think about it. I will come back to you soon, but I will also be praying for you to consider what I have shared with you and "come on in". There are a great number of believers whom have not heard some of what I am sharing with you, yet they believe. But I know it's important that YOU totally believe or you're just not gonna do it, and that will mean a lot to God when you finally do! Remember... Take your time.

I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV