Jesus is a Myth!

[POI]

The Gospels are fiction and the Jesus character is a myth. There may have been a Jesus upon whom the character is based, but I doubt it.

Loosely, there was a church already in existence when Paul became an apostle (Galatians 2). I don't think we know anything about it, because that church was effectively destroyed by the sack of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Paul's Asian churches were effectively unmoored and they absorbed a sort of second- or third-hand tradition left over from the Jerusalem church. That tradition was allegorically retold in the Synoptics. Acts is a sort of theological textbook, allegorically describing the fusion of the Pauline churches and what little remained of the Jerusalem church through the conflict between its Peter and Paul characters and the resoliution of that conflict.

For debate: Was Jesus a real character from antiquity? If so, how do we know?

The stakes are very high for the Orthodox believer. Why? If Jesus never existed, it's completely game over. Christianity is dead before we ever get to ask if Jesus ever rose. If Jesus did exist, then we can still question his claimed actions(s) all the way up to him rising again....

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At the moment, I'm personally agnostic to this topic position. But I would sure love to see how this topic fleshes out among all the smarties who exchange within this arena

[POI]

It was about why I trust the Bible.

You trust the Bible for prophetic reasons?

It is one of the reasons. One of the other reasons is that the book has wisdom that I don't think humans would have without God.

Since you believe the Bible is prophetic, and this topic is to demonstrate that Jesus was not a myth, please show me the prophetic Old Testament passage which mentions Jesus's name?

[Realworldjack]

[Replying to POI in post #21]

and this topic is to demonstrate that Jesus was not a myth

My friend, it is easy "to demonstrate that Jesus was not a myth" and that is by forcing you to explain to us how in the world you can know that the resurrection story was not made up.

[POI]

[Replying to POI in post #21]

and this topic is to demonstrate that Jesus was not a myth

My friend, it is easy "to demonstrate that Jesus was not a myth" and that is by forcing you to explain to us how in the world you can know that the resurrection story was not made up.

I'm not currently a mythicist. Others are. Did you see the OP? Allow me to elaborate. In this thread, I'm going to grab some popcorn and watch as others duke it out. Maybe you can pick a fight with Difflugia or something? Or maybe someone will address what you just stated? Fingers crossed, as I am very curious as to how all the smarties here fare against one another?.?.?.?

[Realworldjack]

[Replying to POI in post #23]

NO! You are not going to grab some popcorn. In the OP you claim to be agnostic toward Jesus being a myth, but I am insisting that this is not possible if you know for a fact that this could not be the case, and you know this could not be the case, if you know that the story of the resurrection could not have possibly been made up. There is no way to be agnostic toward Jesus being a myth on the one hand, and on the other admit to the fact that the story of the resurrection could not have possibly been made up.

[POI]

[Replying to Realworldjack in post #24]

I'm starting to wonder about your reading comprehension RealJack? I simply conceded to your position, in the other thread, because it's completely irrelevant to argue either way. So why even waste time with it.... I'll just let you have it regardless. Meaning, "sure, it could not have been made up."

However, we know rotting rising bodies are impossible, with absolutely no wiggle room (or) varying degrees for the term "impossible". Hence, I'll just concede your assertion, as it doesn't matter whether or not it is even true. I just gave it to you because it does not matter.

And yes, I am currently agnostic to this mythicist position. Maybe you can change some minds here? Fingers crossed, again.

[Realworldjack]

[Replying to POI in post #25]

You need to keep in mind that it is you who insists that the topic of this OP is whether Jesus is a myth. If you are conceding the fact that the resurrection could not have possibly been made up, then this necessitates that Jesus could not have possibly been a myth.

BTW, I am running out of time, and it may take me some time to respond, but I will, I assure you!

[POI]

[Replying to Realworldjack in post #26]

Another shining example as to why I question your reading comprehension.

[POI]

it may take me some time to respond, but I will, I assure you!

I'm touched that my input here in this arena riles you up so much, and merits so much of your time to be invested. I'm both flattered and touched. Thank you kindly. However, please address the mythicists in this thread. I would love to see an intellectual exchange between smarties of opposing asserted positions here.

[Realworldjack]

[Replying to Realworldjack in post #26]

Another shining example as to why I question your reading comprehension.

Okay? Let us see? You claim to be agnostic toward Jesus being a myth. You are conceding that the stories of the resurrection could not have possibly been made up. How in the world can you be agnostic toward Jesus being a myth.

[POI]

[Replying to Realworldjack in post #26]

Another shining example as to why I question your reading comprehension.

Okay? Let us see? You claim to be agnostic toward Jesus being a myth. You are conceding that the stories of the resurrection could not have possibly been made up. How in the world can you be agnostic toward Jesus being a myth.

Post 17 (viewtopic.php?f=8&t=42567&start=10)