Ben Wilson

Okay, so I think you can make a pretty good comparison between then and now. I think Judaism at the turn of the millennium was in a similar place that Christianity is in right now. It's sort of obviously in decline and in need of reform. But the question is, what direction will that reform take? There are the rainbow flag denominations trying to make Christianity now more liberal.

And then you have the rise of consciously reactionary Christian movements as well. So the question at the time of Jesus is, does Judaism adapt or resist? Herod and the Sadducees, okay, that's the religious movement that sort of validated his rule. They represented those who wanted to adapt, okay, to become more Greek.

And then you have the rise of consciously reactionary Christian movements as well. So the question at the time of Jesus is, does Judaism adapt or resist? Herod and the Sadducees, okay, that's the religious movement that sort of validated his rule. They represented those who wanted to adapt, okay, to become more Greek.

For those who wanted to resist, the Pharisees was the religious group that represented them, and the Messiah is their great hope. A great man who will come and sweep away Roman rule and set up an independent Jewish religious kingdom and usher in a golden age of righteousness and freedom. Okay, so you have all these movements that are preparing for the Messiah and Israel's restoration.

For those who wanted to resist, the Pharisees was the religious group that represented them, and the Messiah is their great hope. A great man who will come and sweep away Roman rule and set up an independent Jewish religious kingdom and usher in a golden age of righteousness and freedom. Okay, so you have all these movements that are preparing for the Messiah and Israel's restoration.

And the Pharisees are the biggest one. They want to prepare the people, make them more holy in preparation for the coming of this Messiah. They think, okay, the reason that the Messiah hasn't come to free us yet and that we're still subjected by the Romans is because we're not righteous enough.

And the Pharisees are the biggest one. They want to prepare the people, make them more holy in preparation for the coming of this Messiah. They think, okay, the reason that the Messiah hasn't come to free us yet and that we're still subjected by the Romans is because we're not righteous enough.

So they're very intense about helping people observe the minutia of every Mosaic law to assure that everyone is in constant compliance with religious rules and protocols. So this is where rabbinic Judaism actually comes from. Judaism before this time period was a little less hardcore about their rules, but the Pharisees are kind of the ones who changed that.

So they're very intense about helping people observe the minutia of every Mosaic law to assure that everyone is in constant compliance with religious rules and protocols. So this is where rabbinic Judaism actually comes from. Judaism before this time period was a little less hardcore about their rules, but the Pharisees are kind of the ones who changed that.

So the Pharisees are not the only Jews who are waiting and looking for a Messiah, but they are the most prominent sect that takes this attitude, and they are the most relevant to our story. So this is the world that Jesus is born into.

So the Pharisees are not the only Jews who are waiting and looking for a Messiah, but they are the most prominent sect that takes this attitude, and they are the most relevant to our story. So this is the world that Jesus is born into.

He comes into the Jewish world at a time when many have a burning expectation of the imminent arrival of a Messiah, a Savior, who will free Israel from their Roman oppressors. Jesus is, of course, born around 0 AD. Most historians now place his birth a little before, around 4 BC. But it's impossible to know with certainty. But he was born sometime around then.

He comes into the Jewish world at a time when many have a burning expectation of the imminent arrival of a Messiah, a Savior, who will free Israel from their Roman oppressors. Jesus is, of course, born around 0 AD. Most historians now place his birth a little before, around 4 BC. But it's impossible to know with certainty. But he was born sometime around then.

According to the Bible, it is a miraculous conception to a virgin mother, as previously discussed. Also, according to the Bible, he was born in Bethlehem. Everyone agrees that Jesus was from a small town called Nazareth. According to the book of Luke, however... Quote, And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

According to the Bible, it is a miraculous conception to a virgin mother, as previously discussed. Also, according to the Bible, he was born in Bethlehem. Everyone agrees that Jesus was from a small town called Nazareth. According to the book of Luke, however... Quote, And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

And so there is a census of the Roman Empire that requires everyone to travel to their ancestral homeland to be counted. So since Jesus's father was a descendant of King David, the family had to travel to Bethlehem where Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for them. And you know the story. Now, it turns out that there are no records for a Roman census at the time of Jesus' birth.

And so there is a census of the Roman Empire that requires everyone to travel to their ancestral homeland to be counted. So since Jesus's father was a descendant of King David, the family had to travel to Bethlehem where Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for them. And you know the story. Now, it turns out that there are no records for a Roman census at the time of Jesus' birth.

The account of Luke is probably referring to the census of Quirinius, which was a few years after Jesus' birth, about eight years, and not during the rule of King Herod. So, I mean, who knows? The point of this episode is not to point out every evidence for and against the New Testament.

The account of Luke is probably referring to the census of Quirinius, which was a few years after Jesus' birth, about eight years, and not during the rule of King Herod. So, I mean, who knows? The point of this episode is not to point out every evidence for and against the New Testament.

Just for the sake of showing both sides, honestly, I'm pointing out that the popular account of Jesus' birth does appear to have some inconsistencies. I think if you're a believer, you know, these accusations are not particularly damning toward the overall veracity of the account. If you're a believer, I wouldn't let it upset you.