Iasion

Greetings all,

Vork -
thanks, good idea, I see Andrew has given some details.


Andrew -
why did Jesus' reputation not start building until his ministry?
What about his early years?
Are you saying that Jesus and his teachings were completely unknown until then?

I do not think the letter of Mara mentions Jesus - do you?


GakuseiDon -
a good point.

My crude list shows -
1st century : 30 authors (plus a dozen or so anon.)
4th century : 30 authors (plus a dozen or so anon.)

On these figures,
I think the comparison is fair - what do you think?


Iasion

CX

This has probably already been mentioned, but in my mind the entire argument is moot owing to the length of each individual's public career. If we accept the gospel narratives at the level only of the barest outline (granted mythcists would say even that is too much), Jesus was cut down before he really started. He had anywhere from 18 to 36 months of "primetime" while Mani had better than 3 decades. That the latter is better known in antiquity than the former is hardly surprising.

GakuseiDon

But out of how many authors whom you would have expected a mention of the respective parties? It is the ratio that matters, not the raw figures.

andrewcriddle

Apart from the story of Jesus in the temple in Luke (and late weird stuff like the infancy gospel of Thomas) there is no hint that Jesus as a young man aroused any public interest whatsoever before he was baptised by John the Baptist

A 'wise king' executed by the Jews shortly before the destruction of the Jewish state who lives on in the teaching he gave; either refers to Jesus or to someone otherwise totally unknown. Using Occam's razor I would say it probably refers to Jesus.

Andrew Criddle

gregor

CX

I believe your point is well taken when discussing the topic with everyone, except Christians. Apologists can't prop up their candidate saying he's well attested, then when faced with the facts hide behind a limited earthly ministry defense.

Chili

That is something Billy Graham has been preaching for over 4O years but never once showed his wounds to prove his worth as the messenger of Christ on earth. He's our modern day Mani who proclaims that it is a great honor to die in the saved sinner complex (while singing the "patient endurance" song).