Uncontroversial evidence

In a court case, it’s helpful to clarify in writing before a trial the facts which both sides agree on. By not having the prosecution and defence present evidence about things that are undisputed, it saves court time, and helps the jury focus on the disputed facts  they actually need to decide upon. 

Iain Gray (a Solicitor and Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute) presents some key points of agreement between Christian and sceptical, non-Christian scholars regarding the life and death of Jesus. Here are three things (almost) everyone agrees on:

That Jesus was a real, historical person.

There is very strong historical evidence from a number of concurring sources that Jesus lived in Roman-occupied Judea, during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, in the early first century. The main historical sources outside of the Bible are the Jewish historian, Josephus; the Roman Senator and historian, Tacitus; and the lawyer and magistrate, Pliny the Younger. Each of these refer to Jesus in their writings in the late first century/early second century. The overwhelming majority of historians today, regardless of their religious beliefs and background, do not dispute this fact. The view that Jesus never existed is a fringe position that finds little support within mainstream scholarship.

That Jesus had an influential teaching ministry, and was reported to have performed miracles.

The evidence we find in John’s Gospel is consistent with other sources, that state Jesus was a widely known public teacher throughout Galilee and Judea. He gathered disciples, taught publicly, attracted crowds, and drew opposition from the religious authorities. Historians also broadly accept that Jesus had a reputation for performing extraordinary acts, particularly healings, which were regarded by his followers and others as miracles. What is disputed is why and how he developed this reputation, and how it might be explained. 

That Jesus was executed by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate.

There is exceptionally strong historical evidence that Pontius Pilate was the Roman Prefect of Judea at the time Jesus is reported to have been executed. That Jesus was sentenced by Pilate and died by crucifixion in Jerusalem is regarded by historians as a secure historical fact.