Steven Carr

According to http://christiancadre.blogspot.com/

J.P.Moreland, wrote in 'Scaling the Secular City'

'"Consider James the brother of Jesus. Josephus, the first Century Jewish historian tells us that he died a martyr's death for his faith in his brother.'

And Moreland allegedly continued
'What could cause a Jew to believe that his own brother was the very Son of God and to be willing to die for such a belief?'

Rather puts Freke and Gandy's 'scholarship' in the shade doesn't it?

jbernier

The reference to James, brother of Jesus, comes from Josephus' Jewish Antiquities, Book 20, Chapter 9. Note that Josephus merely says that James (and others with him) was (were) stoned for breaking the law - not for "faith in his brother". Nor does it say that James believed that Jesus was the Son of God - in fact, the term "Son of God" never shows up in the passage. Quite simply, Moreland is reading something into the text that is not there.

Further, it needs to be noted that there is significant open debate about whether Josephus' references to Jesus are later additions to the text; I would not stake too much on the historical veracity of this text.

Vorkosigan

Actually, the idea that James was stoned is implied, not stated. Josephus merely says he was handed over to be stoned. Even his death is not stated in the text.