Gospel truth?

Steuart Campbell (Letters, 23 October) asserts that Christianity “cannot be based on established and indisputable facts”. The Jewish writer and historian Josephus, born in Jerusalem about AD37, in his history of the Jewish nation mentions a number of New Testament figures including Jesus Christ, known as a wise and good man, whom some called the Messiah.

He mentions that Pilate condemned him to death by crucifixion and that his disciples reported He had risen from the dead and that he had appeared to them on the third day.

The Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus (AD55-120), known as the greatest historian of ancient Rome, informs us that Christians were named after their founder, christ, who was put to death by Pontius Pilate, during the reign of the Emperor Tiberius (AD14-37). While his death ended the “superstition” for a short time it soon broke out again where it spread to Rome.

There are other historical accounts in addition to the most compelling, which is the New Testament itself, where historians advise there are some 13,000 ancient Greek manuscripts, more than any other ancient writing.

Christianity is based on solid, established facts. Jesus really did live and die... (and he rose from the dead – the authorities must have tried everything to locate his body but never could). This remains the greatest event in human history. To look into it can be life changing.

DAVID WHITLIE Gillespie Road, Edinburgh