What evidence is there, outside the Bible, that confirms the historical accounts of the Bible? This webpage has the answers!

"The External Evidences of the Authenticity of the writing, considered as a narrative of facts, are too numerous to mention. They are found in allusions to the same facts, or to incidents obviously connected with them, by contemporary authors; in customs, traditions, and institutions, which have come down to later times, and the origin of which cannot be accounted for, except on the supposition that the reported events actually took place; in coins, medals, and inscriptions, belonging to the same age, or one immediately subsequent, and connected by equally close relations with the alleged facts; in the notoriety which such incidents must have obtained, the interest which must have been felt in them, and the consequent probability that falsifications and forgeries respecting them would never have been attempted, or would have been detected and disproved at the time."--Francis Bowen. A Treatise on Logic; or, The laws of pure thought; comprising both the Aristotelic and Hamiltonian analyses of logical forms, and some chapters of applied logic. Second edition. Cambridge [Mass.] Sever and Francis, 1864), pp. 433-435. Available online here.

Anglican bishop of North Sydney, Australia.

• Is the New Testament History? Authentic Media, April 2002.

Distinguished Professor of the New Testament at Denver Seminary in Colorado. Read about Professor Blomberg here.

• When an Argument from Silence Becomes Utterly Meaningless. Posted June 16, 2009.

Biblical scholar. Learn more about Bruce here and see more about him on this page about archaeologists.

• Jesus and Christian Origins Outside the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

• An Appeal to the genuine records and testimonies of heathen and Jewish writers; in defence of Christianity. Part I. 1. An appeal to the works of Phlegon, ... 5. An appeal to the Emperor Julian's attempts to rebuild the Temple ... Part II. 1. A defence of the several testimonies of Phlegon, ... 5. Two test passages, ... London: Printed for Richard Ware, 1733. 485 pp.

New Testament scholar and Anglican Rector. He was Principal of Wycliffe Hall Oxford from 1989 to 1995. Read more about France here.

• The Evidence for Jesus. Regent College Publishing, 2006. 196 pp.

Modern apologist/scholar. Read more about Habermas here.

• Ancient Evidence for the Life of Jesus. Revised edition. College Press Publishing Company, Incorporated, May 1996. 298 pp. Buy this book here.
• The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ. Joplin, MO.: College Press, 1996. 298 pp.
• "Resurrection Claims in Non-Christian Religions". Originally published in Religious Studies v25.n2 (June 1989): pp167(9). Cambridge University Press.

  Introduction: While Christian beliefs are presumably much more widely known, especially in the Western world, some adherents to the major non-Christian religions also make claims that some of their historical rabbis, prophets, gurus or 'messiahs' rose from the dead. Judging from the relevant religious literature, it appears that such non-Christian claims are often ignored, perhaps because there is little awareness of them. Even if the existence of such beliefs is recognized, almost never is there any in-depth answer to the question of whether such claims could possibly be grounded in supernatural events of history.

  This essay is an examination of several sample resurrection-claims in non-Christian religions from ancient to modern times. The primary emphasis will be placed on whether these claims can themselves be said to be historically based on supernatural occurrences. To pursue this goal, historical and other critical criteria will be applied to these religious beliefs. Lastly, a few comments will be addressed to the issue of whether these resurrection claims provide any apologetic basis for non-Christian belief systems.

• Heathen Contact with Christianity during its first century and a half; Being all references to Christianity in pagan writings during that period. Cambridge, Deighton, Bell, and Co., 1923. 124 pp. 19 cm.

Apologist. Read more about Houtteville here. (In French)

• La religion chrétiene provée par les faits, par Mr. l'Abbé Houtteville. Nouvelle éd. Paris: G. Dupuis, 1740. Three volumes. Volume 1. Volume 2. Volume 3. Note: There is no English-language edition.

  Avery Robert Dulles, A History of Apologetics, Ignatius Press, 2005: As the eighteenth century progress, French apologists, like their colleagues in England, showed an increasing tendency to shift their ground from philosophical reasoning to historical evidence. This development is already discernible in the work of the Oratorian Alexandre Claude Franois Houtteville (or Houteville; 1686-1742), who issued in 1722 The Christian Religion Proved by Facts. Book 1, the most original part of this work, demonstrates that the miraculous events narrated in the Gospels are worthy of acceptance according to the general laws of historical evidence. In the first place, he observes, since miracles are not self-contradictory, they are worthy of serious investigation (chapter 6). Further, the Gospel miracles are vouched for by contemporary eyewitnesses (chapter 7) who were sincere and truthful (chapter 8). The Gospel facts, moreover, were public and of general interest (chapter 9). They stand at the basis of certain later facts, such as the willingness of the early Christians to die for their faith (chapter 10). The miracles of Jesus were admitted by the Jews and pagans of the first Christian centuries, although it would have been to the interest of these adversaries to deny them (chapter 11). Finally, the miracle stories have been handed down without corruption (chapter 12). In Book 2 Houtteville sets forth the conventional arguments from Old Testament prophecies of Christ, and in Book 3 he replies to fourteen major objections raised by the deists to the veracity of the Gospels. At the end he appends a dissertation on the systems that the unbelievers propose as alternatives to Christianity.

  Houtteville's work is clear and well ordered. His efforts to apply exact historical method to the Gospels represented a real advance, but the undeveloped state of historical science in his day has, of course, made his work quite obsolete by modern standards. (Footnote: For a good analysis of this work see Monod, De Pascal a Chateaubriand, 219-28).

English theologian. (TM): Nathaniel Lardner (1684-1768) was a dissenting minister who devoted his life to producing the apologetic masterpiece of the 18th century, the multi-volume Credibility of the Gospel History.
Lardner's christological views were not orthodox, though he stated publically that he was not an Arian. These issues, however, do not affect his historical work. Richard Watson included works by Lardner and several other dissenters in his Collection of Theological Tracts, (2nd edition 1791; see especially the Preface, p. xix).
Read more about Lardner here.

• The Credibility of the Gospel History; or, the facts occasionally mention'd in the New Testament; confirmed by passages of ancient authors who were contemporary with Our Saviour or His apostles, or lived near their time. ZIP archive. London: J. Chandler, 1727. 2 v. 20 cm.
  • On Josephus. Extract from Credibility, Part 1, vol 2, 3rd edition.
  • Extract on Luke 2:1-2.
  
  (TM):Lardner's objective may be explained in his own words:
  
  The peculiar design of this work is to enable persons of ordinary capacities, who, for want of a learned education, or of sufficient leisure, are deprived of the advantage of reading over ancient writings, to judge for themselves concerning the external evidence of the facts related in the New Testament. . . .
  The method taken in this work is to set down in the first place the representation, which the sacred writers have given of persons, facts, customs or principles; and then to produce passages of other ancient writers, which confirm or illustrate the account delivered in the New Testament.

  Lardner executes his design with incredible thoroughness. The question of the census in Luke 2:1-2, for example, fills 86 pages (volume 1, pp. 260-345). Virtually every subsequent apologist who takes up the historical argument is explicitly indebted to him.
  In a work of this scope, written this long ago, it is inevitable that there should be some places where modern scholarship diverges from Lardner's opinions or where new discoveries shed a fuller light on issues he discusses. But when he errs, it is generally on the side of being overly critical of the evidence for his own case, as when he rejects the (then recently-discovered) first epistle of Clement of Rome, which is now widely acknowledged to be genuine. And in all cases his massive research remains an invaluable resource, a detailed and scrupulously honest map of all prior thinking on each topic he covers. No one who aspires to be a well-informed student of apologetics can neglect this monumental work, which fills the first four and a half volumes of Kippis's 10 volume edition of Lardner's Works.

  Thomas Chalmers, Evidence and Authority of the Christian Revelation: We offer no reflection against the assiduous Lardner, who, in his credibility of the Gospel history, presents us with a collection of testimonies which should make every Christian proud of his religion. In his evidence for the authenticity of the different pieces which make up the New Testament, he begins with the oldest of the fathers, some of whom were the intimate companions of the original writers. According to our view of the matter, he should have dated the commencement of his argument from a higher point, and begun with the testimonies of these original writers to one another. In the second Epistle of Peter, there is a distinct reference made to the writings of Paul; and in the Acts of the Apostles, there is a reference made to one of the four Gospels. Had Peter, instead of being an apostle, ranked only with the fathers of the church, and had his epistle not been admitted into the canon of scripture, this testimony of his would have had a place in the catalogue, and been counted peculiarly valuable, both for its precision and its antiquity. There is certainly nothing in the estimation he enjoyed, or in the circumstances of his epistle being bound up with the other books of the New Testament, which ought to impair the credit of his testimony. But in effect, his testimony does make a weaker impression on the mind, than a similar testimony from Barnabas, or Clement, or Polycarp. It certainly ought not to do it, and there is a delusion in the preference that is thus given to the latter writers. It is, in fact, another example of the principle which we have been so often insisting upon. What profane authors are in reference to Christian authors at large, the fathers of the church are in reference to the original writers of the New Testament. In contradiction to every approved principle, we prefer the distant and later testimony, to the testimony of writers, who carry as much evidence and legitimate authority along with them, and who only differ from others in being nearer the original sources of information. We neglect and undervalue the evidence which the New Testament itself furnishes, and rest the whole of the argument upon the external and superinduced testimony of subsequent authors.

• A History of the apostles and evangelists, writers of the New Testament: With remarks and observations upon every book of the New Testament, In three volumes. ZIP archive The second edition. London: printed for J. Buckland, and W. Fenner; J. Waugh; P. Davy, and B. Law; and T. Field, 1760.
• With John Hogg. The History of the Heretics of the two first Centuries after Christ. ZIP archive. London: Johnson, 1780. XVI, 468 S.
• A Large Collection of ancient Jewish and heathen testimonies to the truth of the Christian religion, with notes and observations -- ZIP archive. London: sold by J. Buckland and T. Longman and J. Waugh, 1764-. 4 v. ; 28 cm. Volume 1. Containing the Jewish testimonies, and the testimonies of heathen authors of the first century.--Volume 2. Containing the testimonies of heathen writers of the second century.--Volume 3. Containing the testimonies of heathen writers of the third century, and to the conversion of Constantin, the first Christian emperour.--Volume 4. Containing the testimonies of heathen writers of the fourth, fifth and sixth centuries.
• The Works of Nathaniel Lardner, D.D., containing Credibility of the Gospel history, Jewish and heathen testimonies, History of heretics, and his sermons and tracts: In eleven volumes: with general chronological tables, and copious indexes. London, 1788.
  
  Volume 1 of 11. 686 pp. v. 1-5, The life of Dr. Lardner / Andrew Kippis. The credibility of the Gospel history.
  Volume 2 of 11. 560 pp.
  Volume 3 of 11. 555 pp.
  Volume 4 of 11. 524 pp.
  Volume 5 of 11. 426 pp.
  Volume 6 of 11. 681 pp. History of the Apostles and evangelists, writers of the New Testament.
  Volume 7 of 11. 468 pp. Jewish testimonies to the truth of the Christian religion. Testimonies of ancient heathen authors.
  Volume 8 of 11. 483 pp. v. 8-9. Testimonies of ancient heathen authors, concluded. The state of Gentilism under the Christian emperors. The history of the heretics of the two first centuries after Christ.
  Volume 9 of 11. 535 pp.
  Volume 10 of 11. 665 pp. Fifty-three sermons
  Volume 11 of 11. 559 pp. Tracts. Indexes.
  
• The Works of Nathaniel Lardner, To the first volume is prefixed the life of the author, by Andrew Kippis. London: W. Ball, 1838. 10 vol.; 24 cm.
  
  Volume 1 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 2 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 3 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 4 of 10.
  Volume 5 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 6 of 10.
  Volume 7 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 8 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 9 of 10. Also here.
  Volume 10 of 10. Also here.
  

French theologian. Read more about Le Clerc here.

• Bibliothèque ancienne et modern: pour server de suite aux Bibliothèques universelles et choisies. Amsterdam, 1714-1727.
• The Ancient and Modern Library: Vol. I. Containing an account of the following books. (1) Mr. Rymer's fædera, acts publica.(2) Commercium epistolicum D. Joannis Collins, &c. de analysi promota. (3) Dr. Friend's vindication of his chimical lectures. (4) Sr. Isaac Newton's philosophiænaturalis printipia. (5) Antoninus's itinerary of Britain, with notes. By Dr. Gale. (6) The critical library, published by Mr. Sanjore. (7) Nouvelle bilbiotheque choisie. In two volumes. (8) Mr. Bayle's select letters. In three volumes. (9) The life of Cardinal Richelieu, prime minister of state to Lewis XIII. To which is added, a catalogue of books printed abroad and at home, during the months of January, February, and March. . London: Printed for W. Taylor, at the Ship in Pater Noster Row; J. Brown, at the Black Swan without Temple Bar; and W. Lewis, in Great Russel Street near Covent Garden. [2], 226 pp.; 16 cm. (12mo) Note(s): At foot of t.p.: "For the future this account of books will be publish'd every three months"; no more published?/ English edition of Jean Le Clerc's Bibliothèque ancienne et moderne (Amsterdam, 1714-1730; 29 vols.)/ Includes at end: "A supplement to Monsieur Le Clerc's Ancient and modern library. Books printed in foreign parts, in January, February, and March, 1714" (p. [207]-217) and "Books printed in England, in January, February and March, 1714" (p. 217-226).
• An answer to what Dr. Freind has written in his History of physick, concerning several mistakes, which he pretends to have found in a short work of Dr. Le Clerc, intituled, An essay of a plan, &c. Translated from the eighth article of Bibliotheque ancienne, & moderne, vol.27. Part 2. by Mr Le Clerc. To which is added, a preface, by W.Cockburn, M.D. London, 1728.

• J.B. Lightfoot, ed. and trans. The Apostolic Fathers. Macmillan and Co., 1898. 569 pp.

English divine and philosopher. Learn more about Paley here and here.

• A View of the Evidences of Christianity in Three Parts, with annotations by Richard Whately. New York: Miller, 1865. 407 pp.
• A View of the Evidences of Christianity. The seventh edition. In two volumes. London: printed by J. Davis; for R. Faulder, 1800. Volume 1, 397 pp.; Volume 2. Text-searchable edition found here at CCEL.
  (TM): Paley's Evidences is one of the very best summaries of the historical case for Christianity, making good use of the work of his great predecessors Lardner and Douglas. In Part I, which is the heart of the book, Paley sets out to establish two propositions:
  1. That there is satisfactory evidence that many professing to be original witnesses of the Christian miracles passed their lives in labours, dangers, and sufferings, voluntarily undergone in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their belief of those accounts; and that they also submitted, from the same motives, to new rules of conduct, and
  2. That there is not satisfactory evidence that persons professing to be original witnesses of other miracles, in their nature as certain as these are, have ever acted in the same manner, in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and properly in consequence of their belief of those accounts.
  In Part II he considers auxiliary evidences such as prophecy, the character of Christ, and the propagation of Christianity. In Part III he considers some popular objections to Christianity.
  • n.g. A View of the Evidences of Christianity. In three Parts. By William Paley, D.D., Archdeacon of Carlisle. A new Edition, with Introduction, Notes, and Supplement. Review from Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, v. 4. December 1848. p. 1347.
  • n.g. A View of the Evidences of Christianity, in three parts. From Journal of Sacred Literature and Biblical Record, v. 10, n. 20. January 1860. p. 413.
  • Analytical Review, v. 20, 1794. Review.
  • Jeremiah Joyce (1763-1816). Disclaimer: Joyce was a Unitarian minister. An Analysis of Paley's View of the evidences of Christianity. Cambridge [Eng.]: Printed by B. Flower; for W.H. Lunn, 1795. 90 pp.; 21 cm.
    ADVERTISEMENT: "In drawing up the following Analysis, the Editor had no other object in view, than to obtain a more general discussion of this most important of all questions -- Is Christianity true? For the event of the inquiry he is under no apprehension. -- The extensive and accurate view which Dr. Paley has taken of its evidences, merits the applause of every friend to revelation, and, it is hoped, will be the means of exciting that degree of attention, among the friends to freedom of inquiry, which the subject seems to demand.
    "The very able account given of Dr. Paley's work in the Analytical Review, the Editor of this pamphlet had never heard of, till after he had finished his own Analysis. He has compared them, and, in consequence, has altered a few passages.
    April 20, 1795."
    
  • Jeremiah Joyce. An Analysis of Paley's View of the evidences of Christianity. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Printed by B. Flower; for J. Deighton, and J. Nicholson; and for J. March, Norwich; [and 3 others], 84, [2] pp. (8)

Translator and humanist scholar.

• Jean-Baptiste Bullet (1699-1775). [Histoire de l'établissement du christianisme. English.] History of the Establishment of Christianity, Compiled from Jewish and Heathen Authors Only; exhibiting a substantial proof of the truth of this religion. Translated from the French of Professor Bullet, ... By William Salisbury, B.D. with notes by the translater, and some strictures on Mr. Gibbon's account of Christianity and its first teachers. London: printed for Charles Bathurst, 1776. xxxi,[1], 323,[1] pp.

Church of England clergyman and author. Fellow of the Royal Society, and of the Society of Antiquarians.

• An Argument in Defence of Christianity, taken from the concessions of the most ancient adversaries, Jews and pagans, philosophers and historians -- Part 1; Part 2. London: printed for John Millan, 1755. xv,[1], 166,[2] pp.

Professor of New Testament Studies at Western Theological Seminary, in Holland, Michigan. Learn more about Van Voorst here.

• Jesus Outside the New Testament: An introduction to the ancient evidence. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2000. 248 pp. Abstract: "Did Jesus actually exist? Much has been written recently on this subject, including numerous books examining the New Testament record of Jesus' life. Now Robert Van Voorst presents and critiques the ancient evidence outside the New Testament-the Roman, Jewish, pre-New Testament, and post-New Testament writings that mention Jesus. This fascinating study of the early Christian and non-Christian record includes fresh translations of all the relevant texts. Van Voorst shows how and to what extent these ancient writings can be used to help reconstruct the historical Jesus."

Modern Biblical scholar. Learn more about Yamauchi here and see more about him on this page about archaeologists.

• "Jesus Outside the New Testament: What Is the Evidence?" in Jesus under Fire, edited by Michael Wilkins and J. P. Moreland, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.