DBT

I think the Christ myth was built around a historical figure, but his actual words and deeds would in reality be unrecognizable from the Gospel descriptions.

spin

And why exactly do you think that the Christ myth was built around a historical figure?


spin

Civil1z@tion

I think that the existence of some guy named Christ is the simplest explanation for what evidence we have (Occam's Razor type deal), and I believe that the gospels probably cover the general idea of Jesus's teachings (if not necessarily the specifics) while the miracles and the "fulfilled prophecy" things are obviously exagerrations or complete falsehoods like with other mythological or legendary figures.

spin

Do you think Paul, the first documented spreader of the Jesus story (who never met a person who might have been the reality behind the story), needed some guy who really existed?


spin

aa5874

Jesus, the disciples and the Pauls are total fiction, fabricated to distort history and mis-lead people into believing that a god named Jesus was on earth in the 1st century.

DBT

Nothing really tangible...Just a few things - off the top of my head, Paul being a near contemporary of 'Jesus' suggests that word of mouth had already started the ball rolling at that early date. As there were many miracle workers, preachers..Simon Magus, etc, getting around at the time it doesn't seem unlikely that one of them hit the jackpot as being the long awaited Messiah.

It was probably seen as an opportunity for those who had an interest in furthering the cause.

spin

Paul specifically tells us in Gal 1:12 he got his gospel not from people but through revelation.


spin

Tuffa Nuff

I settled for "YES", but being atheist, I don't believe that he was the son of a god. He may or may not have existed, but "I DON'T KNOW" wasn't an option. If he existed, and I have no problem with that, he may have been a noble, heroic and wise guy, but divine no.

mit

there should be a few more options. I would put "I don't know". I think that we don't have enough information to say either way.

That's why there are so many theories around about what actually happened in the first century

Solitary Man

He also contrasts that with the Pillars, who presumably then did get their information from humans. Your refusal to acknowledge such a crucial point is nothing but unwillingness to consider the evidence. Doesn't your hand get tired from all the waving?