show_no_mercy

Could it be that the reason the gospels were anonymous was because no single person wrote them? That they were the effort of multiple people at one time? This could be implied at the redacted ending in John.

Has anyone ever explored this idea?

Tom Sawyer

Isn't it pretty much a given that the gospels were written over the course of a couple centuries and just jumbled together by the Council of Nicena or whatever? Does anyone think that one person wrote it?

bacht

I can't read Greek, but I suspect each gospel would have to be examined on its own for consistency of style, anachronisms etc

I don't think individual authorship had the same meaning as in modern times

Roger Pearse

They could have been written by aliens, or fairies.

If we must have speculation, can we make it interesting please?

Transient

I tend to agree with you that it is nearly as likely that they were written by aliens and fairies as the names nominally attached to them - good point

dog-on

Well, as far as I understand it, many, many people believe that the Gospels were not actually written physically by them, but most certainly were directly inspired by some sort of alien space fairy.


Right, Roger?

aa5874

So, how would this be acheived? You mean different persons were asked to provide fabricated information independently and then later the most plausible supernatural stories were used and then called the gospels?

I think it is likely that one single person started the Jesus story and many other persons wrote different versions when they discovered errors in the original story or to make their versions more believeable.

Solo

Out of curiosity: Am I the only one here who thinks that self-hypnosis is more relevant than fairies and aliens in understanding the gospel-writing techniques ?

Here is a clue: in a famous short story by Stefan Zweig 'The Royal Game', the protagonist finds a way to 'kibbitz' a random patzer to gain a draw against the world-champion on a cruise ship. He reveals he learned to play a master-level chess in prison by absorbing grand-masters games in a chess book, and then playing games against himself in his head to kill time in solitary confinement. He eventually excelled in the game.

Impossible, right ? One would have to split into two players and keep the two "fairies" separate in one's head strategizing, plotting and computing opponent's moves. In order for the game be meaningful, neither of the players could be allowed to cheat, i.e. gain 'access' to the thoughts of the other player. Actually, cheating would destroy the purpose of the exercise: playing against oneself must be done in such a way that prevents the inner players knowing about each other. Only then the activity can result in meaningful 'discoveries' that help the protagonist to develop chess skills and improve his/her game.

That's phantasy, right ? Could not be done, you say ?

Jiri

aa5874

Impossible, right?

Imagine for a moment that you do not know what your left or right hand is doing.

Amaleq13

Not impossible, just atypical. There are folks living in the world who, due to birth defect, brain injury or surgery, actually experience not always knowing what is going on at the end of their arms.

Yes, that is a good way to understand the point Solo was making.