Sheshbazzar

I like that simple and to the point explanation Ktotwf.

I don't think that there was any 'evil trick' or intent to deceive, involved in the origins of the Jesus myth, a distressed populace had long longed for a messiah, one that would deliverer and save them from their misery, and make everything better, even 'heal' all their afflictions; they were all primed for his coming, all it took was for some to say that perhaps he had already came, and the rumor machine would take over like wild-fire from there.
By the time the earliest forms of the Gospels were being finally put into writing, the writers themselves would have been convinced of the 'truth' of what they were writing, and that what they were writing down was a 'true' account, 'midrashing' was a then religiously, ethically, and culturally acceptable practice, it was not looked upon as 'lying' by lights of that day, but as an entirely acceptable way to present greater 'truths'.
Latter 'church' theological interpolations and additions to these texts may have been made without such a clear conscience.

aa5874

Do you understand the difference between "minority" and "evidence".

You must realize by now that virtually all positions regarded as a majority were once in the minority and some positions regarded as the majority are now discarded.

People here are not in a numbers game but evidence or sources of antiquity that can provide support for whatever position is decided.

Now, do you know many scholars who are christians that claim Jesus did not exist at all? And are most scholars christians?

Sheshbazzar

Tim, we realise we are in a minority, shouting about it is not necessary.
The only thing that I stated you were ignorant concerning, was your lack of knowledge of the actual beliefs and positions held by long time posters in this forum.
Are you ready to make a claim that you are well acquainted with and have a good grasp of 'spin's' or my views?
If not then I am correct in stating that you are ignorant of those things.

TimBowe

Fine Im very ignorant

Transient

You are not ignorant. There is no such thing as an ignorant person.
Everyone is ignorant on lots of topics.
I am ignorant of many things and so is the smartest person on the planet.
But we are not ignorant as such.

Toto

William Lane Craig ("Bill") is not a secular historian. He is a Christian apologist who debates for Campus Crusade for Christ and other evangelical groups.

If you search the archives here, you will find extensive discussion of all of his arguments, and extensive discussion of him.

Why are you linking to this article?

Please state in your own words what you think the persuasive arguments are. Someone might respond to you.

Toto

Only one or two people here think that the entire phenomenon of Jesus and early Christianity were an evil trick. Most of us follow a sociological explanation and see Christianity as a response to the social conditions in Palestine at the time.

Why do you want to persuade anyone that Jesus did exist?

dog-on

:boohoo:

Though you are a pretty good surfer.


I suppose it is time for you to make an actual case.

Ktotwf

He isn't here to make a case. He is here to cite quotations from books and assert the point he wants to make over and over and over again until no one even faintly cares anymore.

dog-on

Are we under siege by some enemy forums?

I must say, the past few days have been entertaining.