Why I Believeಮಾದರಿ

No. 2B – What non-Christians said about Jesus

I am not building the foundation of my faith on what non-Christians say about Jesus. However, it is interesting to see what some well-known non-Christian scholars, scientists, writers, and leaders have said about Him.

Ernest Renan (1823–1892, French Historian and Philosopher of Religion)

"All history is incomprehensible without Christ. All history converges towards Him… Whatever may be the surprises of the future, Jesus will never be surpassed." (Vie de Jésus, 1863)

Sholem Asch (1880–1957, Jewish Novelist and Playwright)

"Jesus Christ is to me the outstanding personality of all time, all history, both as Son of God and as Son of Man. Everything he ever said or did has value for us today, and that is something you can say of no other man, dead or alive. No other man can touch Jesus Christ." (The Nazarene, 1939)

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948, Political Leader, India)

"A man who was completely innocent offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act." (Quoted in Young India, 1927)

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821, French Emperor)

"I know men, and I tell you Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires, and the gods of other religions; that resemblance does not exist… Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for Him." (Quoted in Anecdotes of Napoleon Bonaparte and His Times, 1822)

Will Durant (1885–1981, Historian and Philosopher)

"The greatest question of our time… is whether man can bear to live without God… Jesus is the most extraordinary figure in history, simply because His influence has endured and deepened for two thousand years." (The Story of Civilisation, 1944)

H.G. Wells (1866–1946, Historian and Author)

"I am a historian, I am not a believer. But this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very centre of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history." (Outline of History, 1920)