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I think it's probable that Jesus was the most influential human being who ever lived (and I do believe he was a flesh and blood human being and not fictitious as others do) and yet we know so little about him.
Basically we're told the story of his birth and the main focus of the Bible is Jesus as an adult, his philosophy,and his death. It makes it even more peculiar when you consider the fact that there were individuals who lived at the same time, his followers and disciples, and yet there are no written records from the time that Jesus was still living, that happened much later.
This is truly unique when you compare lesser known figures who we have a wealth of information about. Why isn't the central figure in the Christian religion represented in history by a larger body of literature, works of art, sculptures or anything that we would expect from an individual of such historical importance?
Basically, the answer you are seeking is essentially contained in the above.
From what June understands, (now bear in mind, this is heathen June here...) it is precisely the nature of Jesus's life(who He was, how He was understood and perceived) that would account for the lack of "historical" documentation.
--However, it is also that very same fact that accounts for how Jesus's life was historically documented, as well.
For one thing, Jesus's ministry was very short. (No more than one to three years?) As well, if you look at the overall context of Jesus and his ministry, taken as it was in the context of His time, therein lies your answer. Jesus was viewed as, and recorded/documented as an eschatological figure. Meaning that his ministry was future-oriented. The crux of Jesus's ministry (and life) was concerned with the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies, and was concerned with the Second Coming, the Last Judgement. As such, in being future oriented or directed, the summation of Jesus's ministry and life were really only understood against the backdrop or context of his death and subsequent resurrecton. That was the "historical context" within which he was understood and thereby recorded. First by Mark, in his gospel.
"...We learn that the words of Jesus, precisely because they are based on an eschatological world-view, that is to say were unrelated to all historical and social circumstances, are appropriate to any world, since they raise man in every world about his world and time."
As well, the gospels were not written down until many, many years after the defining historical moment of Jesus's life: His resurrection. It would therefore stand to reason that oral tradition would in and of itself not be altogether too concise in terms of historical documentation. Oral tradition both leaves out, as well as adds to. It is not exactly precise in it's "documentarian" aspects. The discples (like Jesus himself) were not literate. As such, written, historical documentation would have been problematic. As regards the earlier post stating that Jesus read from the scriptures, it has always been my understanding that while Jesus would have been knowledgeable (educated) as regards the OT prophesies and scriptures, He more than likely recited them from memory, as opposed to having had the ability to read them. Very few individuals were literate; in all likelihood, Jesus was not.
If Jesus's life was understood within an eschatological context, if the "defining element" of His life was the fulfillment of the OT prophesies, against the backdrop of His resurrection, then it would stand to reason that His "documented" life would be recorded as such. --The gospels are future oriented in their message and content.
How Jesus was perceived historically determined how His life was documented (historically) by those who perceived Him within their own (historical) oral tradition and times.
In short: It was the resurrection that was the defining historical element, and thus, was recorded as such....
(Long winded post, but this "heathen" is stumbling over her own thoughts and words this morning...)
Montana: I bought, (but have yet to begin reading) the book linked below. I remember having read it in high school. It's incredibly well written. I'll send it on to you when I'm done, if you'd like. Let me know.
The Catholic Church holds those documents that tell of the life and times of Jesus. When the "born agains" stop trying to save uninterested parties, those documents will be revealed by the Catholic Church.
Well, I was going to respond to this post, but Heathen June (her words, not mine) seems to have a better understanding of the reasons for not having written accounts of Jesus childhood..Well done June..You have a really good understanding of the bible
June, your post is very good, but it left out one very important issue...All the scriptures about Jesus were inspired by the Holy Spirit, so they are only the things that God and the Spirit deemed important.
The Catholic Church holds those documents that tell of the life and times of Jesus. When the "born agains" stop trying to save uninterested parties, those documents will be revealed by the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church holds those documents that tell of the life and times of Jesus. When the "born agains" stop trying to save uninterested parties, those documents will be revealed by the Catholic Church.
I have read some things about the childhood of Jesus..No reason for me not to believe they could be true, simply because so much was discarded as "not applicable" when the books to be included in the bible were chiosen..
10 years old to 30 is a big gap. somebody has done some editing. if the roman libraries had not been burned we would not at all be in the dark. any court case would have been well documented esp of this magnitude, the romans great administrators.
As well, the gospels were not written down until many, many years after the defining historical moment of Jesus's life: His resurrection. It would therefore stand to reason that oral tradition would in and of itself not be altogether too concise in terms of historical documentation. Oral tradition both leaves out, as well as adds to.
It's interesting to note that the four gospels in the New Testament were all written in Greek by men who were probably very educated long after the actual events in Jesus's life took place. Even though the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the titles as though they actually wrote the gospels it's very likely that they they were either very elderly men or already dead when the real authors wrote the gospels. It seems highly probable that the process of oral tradition made the information in the gospels second hand information, third hand information or worse. Maybe the reason for this is the probability that the Christian religion didn't really get established until long after Jesus had been crucified and that's the point when those who were educated and literate finally wrote the book we're all familiar with today. I'm certainly no expert on the subject but that seems like a plausible explanation.
June, your post is very good, but it left out one very important issue...All the scriptures about Jesus were inspired by the Holy Spirit, so they are only the things that God and the Spirit deemed important.
June is an atheist..She did not leave out anything that she considers true..She has an understanding of literature if you notice her mention of "Oral tradition" which is a form of literature..I understood the writings of the 66 different books of the bible so much better after a study of literature..Most believers study history along with the bible which is also a valuable tool...along with different forms and genre of literature..
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it is precisely the nature of Jesus's life(who He was, how He was understood and perceived) that would account for the lack of "historical" documentation. 
I remember having read it in high school. It's incredibly well written. I'll send it on to you when I'm done, if you'd like. Let me know.
