Malachi151

What about the possibility that "James the Just", the "brother of Jesus", was a real person, who made up the story about having a Son of God as his brother as part of a political ploy?

Paul states that he never saw Jesus, but that he spent time with James, the brother of Jesus. We have several other references to James the Just, perhaps he's the one that made the initial story up, and then it grew from there?

Just an idea, thoughts?

Malachi151

Also, what about John the Baptist as the source of the origin of the Jesus Myth?

Maybe the Jesus story is from a split in the JtB following?

Or, maybe the Jesus story was started by JtB himself, with him saying that he had baptised the Son of God, and then it grew from there, etc?

aa5874

There is a little snag, the Roman Catholic denies that Jesus had a brother. Mary, the so-called mother of Jesus, had one single child, according to the Vatican.

Joan of Bark

If the Vatican says so, it must be true.

I like the theory that it was James, not Jesus, who was seen by His disciples after the crucifiction. This allowed James to take over the movement.

Gamera

Problem is Paul is explicit that he recieved nothing from the church leaders -- meaning James and Peter -- about his knowledge of Jesus.

Galatians 2:6 - And from those who were reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) --those, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me;

Clivedurdle

People who are appointed by Jesus, have lived with him possibly since children, are just rejected out of hand?

Maybe whoever wrote that saw them as another sect who had not got the message he had, and of course his was the true one!

Are the gospels then a reaction to Paul, not complementary at all? Maybe James' lot made up the HJ in dispute with Paul's clearly gnostic MJ?

Is the New Testament actually a collection of writings from very different perspectives, brought together and spun into everyone believing they are a coherent whole?

Malachi151

Well, sort of. He also says that he personally spent time with "James, the brother of Jesus".

Still, I think now that it may be more likely that its an offshoot of John the Baptist.

Gamera

Well, in fact, Paul was in direct opposition with James, and even accused him of trying to sabotage his ministry.

There was no love loss between Paul and James, and history records what happened to the churches established by each.

Galatians 2:12 - For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.

primitivefuture

What proof is there that Jesus is a myth? Speculations by infidels can be laughed off.

aa5874

No-one can find Him!