Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
I chose, "No he is a work of fiction.", but I do have to say I'm not 100% certain of this opinion. It's possible that such an individual existed, but I find it to be extremely unlikely given what I've been able to read up about the historical evidence. The fact that his story so closely resembles those of mythological figures from before his supposed time combined with the fact that there are no references to the individual until many decades after his supposed ascension make me think that the evidence for Jesus is about the same as the evidence for Horus or Apollo. Perhaps there was a historical Horus upon which the legend was based, but stating today that he existed either as fact or as a reasonable possibility seems unfounded.
|
so you think it is likely that no individual named Yeshua ben Josef was born round about 5/4BC and became a religious leader in rural communities around his home town for a couple of years before he was executed?
Disputing the Bible is not the same as saying that the person had no historical validity at all.
_
Was Josephus just writing fiction?
Where all of the gospels (even those written between 0-50 years after his death) just reworking of Greek mystery stories?
I think we should be clear whether we are arguing as to whether Jesus was the son or incarnation of God, or whether a person known as Jesus really walked the earth.