Caesar Augustus' census in Luke 2 - is it a-historical? Fabricated story?
Upvote:3
This question is addressed here: http://www.comereason.org/roman-census.asp
The article cites references that corroborate that Rome periodically conducted censuses, and that Caesar Augustus made frequent use of the practice. Some were widespread, while other were restricted to a single region. A brief quote:
Indeed, it seems that Caesar Augustus was the type of leader who ordered many censuses in his day. Records exist to show that Roman-controlled Egypt had begun a census as early as 10 B.C. and it was repeated every 14 years. And Augustus himself notes in his Res Gestae (The Deeds of Augustus) that he ordered three wide-spread censuses of Roman citizens, one in 28B.C., one in 8 B.C. and one in 14 A.D.2 In between there are several other censuses that happened locally across Rome. Luke's account corroborates the idea of multiple censuses for Judea when he writes "This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria." Certainly, the word "first" implies that more than one census happened.
The article also suggests that Quirinius may have served in Judea on two occasions, once as procurator in charge of the census, and later as governor, in light of the different terms used to describe the two roles.
More post
- 📝 Do Mormons consider participating in game shows to be gambling?
- 📝 Is there a Christian definition of "social justice?"
- 📝 According to Trinitarians, does Tuggy get Jesus' argument at John 10:33-36 right?
- 📝 Hebrew New Testament with cantillation marks
- 📝 What did Paul believe about 1 Corinthians 10:4 with regards to the teaching about bread from heaven, spiritual food?
- 📝 Which are the OT prophesies referred to in the Nicene Creed in relation to Jesus' Resurrection?
- 📝 What evidence is there that Jesus died on the cross?
- 📝 Is it presumptuous to seek to become a priest?
- 📝 Who are the "Sons of Israel" mentioned in Numbers 28
- 📝 Are Catholics expected to bury amputated body parts in a cemetery?
- 📝 Are there verifiable written reports of Christians praying to God about recent events and receiving supernatural knowledge?
- 📝 What is the earliest explicit mention of infant baptism?
- 📝 Clarifications on "Temporal Predestination"
- 📝 Why did God allowed Herod to slay so many newborns?
- 📝 What is the difference between Lutheran and Calvinist beliefs in the apostasy of the Church?
- 📝 Are there any followers of Catharism today?
- 📝 According to Catholicism, can an imprimatur be revoked?
- 📝 What's a reiki infused rosary?
- 📝 Does the Minimal Facts Argument have the potential to the biggest Christian revelation over the last thousand years?
- 📝 Why must God reach the fullness of Glory (reformed theology)?
- 📝 Jesus said I am the Way, how does the Catholic Church best explain this passage?
- 📝 What are some comprehensive, reliable resources to learn about the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church?
- 📝 Why does the Salvation Army not administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper?
- 📝 Which portion of Revelation is the Rapture?
- 📝 According to reformed theologians, was Barnabas an Apostle?
- 📝 Do those who pray to saints ascribe to them the quality of being able to hear many people at once?
- 📝 Why was Jesus crucified in the middle?
- 📝 What argument and/or evidence is there that Jesus sent the disciples out armed?
- 📝 Did St. Paul confess his sins in person?
- 📝 What is the difference between "love one another" and "love your neighbour"?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Caesar Augustus' census in Luke 2 - is it a-historical? Fabricated story?
- 📝 The Luke 2 census - did everyone travel?
- 📝 What are the historical arguments against a literal interpretation of Luke 22:44?
- 📝 How do those who hold Genesis is in a mythic genre but the Gospels historical genre reconcile Luke 3's genealogy which matches Genesis?
- 📝 How is Abraham able to speak to the rich man across the chasm of hell in Jesus' story in Luke 16?
- 📝 Why are Matthew, Mark, and Luke called the synoptic gospels?
- 📝 According to those holding that Lazarus was literally raised from the dead, why did Matthew, Mark, and Luke not mention it?
- 📝 Why was taking census a bad thing?
- 📝 What is the story behind a monk’s tonsure?
- 📝 Why does the (N)KJV put Jesus' name in all caps in Matthew 1:21 and Luke 1:31?
- 📝 Historical figures mentioned in the Bible that sceptics doubted existed but were later confirmed by archaeology
- 📝 What is the origin of the idea that Matthew, Mark, and Luke didn't mention Lazarus in order to protect him?
- 📝 Calvinist perspective on Luke 18:18-30
- 📝 How is the historical accuracy of the Bible defended?
- 📝 Are there any secular historical references to the natural phenomena that occurred at the crucifixion and resurrection?
- 📝 Is there a historical reason why the liturgical colour purple eventually replaced black to symbolize penance?
- 📝 What is the Biblical and historical basis for Christian pacifism?
- 📝 What is the source of the story about the melted gold in the destroyed temple in 70 AD?
- 📝 What is the earliest historical testimony of the celebration of the nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for identifying the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead and the Lazarus in the story of the rich man and Lazarus?
- 📝 Would the story of Jesus hold more significance if he were a man like us?
- 📝 What about the story of the "Rich Man and Lazarus" indicates whether it is a parable or not?
- 📝 When did people start to deny Jesus as a historical person?
- 📝 How does one reconcile the sinlessness of Mary with her sin offering in Luke 2:24?
- 📝 Where does the story of the spider on the cross come from?
- 📝 Exorcisms: effective remedy or historical curiosity?
- 📝 Is there any manuscript or historical evidence to support the final 13 verses of Genesis 50 that appear in the Joseph Smith Translation?
- 📝 Where does the story of "the Cross on top of Adam's Skull" come from?
- 📝 What is the origin of the story that James had knees as hard as a camel's, because of his praying?
- 📝 What is the historical origin of the "Last Supper" expression?