Longfellow
Well-Known Member
Someone was concerned that some people might not know the full story about reasons for thinking that Jesus did not exist, so I'd like to try to gather all the reasons together here. I'll post what I've found, and if anyone knows of any others, I hope they will post them.
1. Absence of Contemporary Non-Christian Sources
- No known writings from the early 1st century (during Jesus’ supposed lifetime) mention him directly.
- Roman historians like Tacitus, Suetonius, and Pliny the Elder—who documented events and figures from the region—are silent on Jesus until decades later.
- Critics argue that a figure who allegedly drew crowds, caused political unrest, and was executed publicly should have left some trace in official records.
2. Nature of the Primary Sources
- The Gospels were written decades after the events they describe, by anonymous authors with theological agendas.
- These texts are seen as faith literature, not historical biographies, often shaped by prophecy fulfillment and symbolic storytelling.
- Mythicists argue that the lack of independent corroboration makes these sources unreliable as historical evidence.
3. Parallels to Mythological Figures
- Some skeptics highlight similarities between Jesus and earlier mythic figures (e.g., dying-and-rising gods like Osiris, Dionysus, Mithras).
- They argue that Jesus may have been constructed as a composite myth, drawing on existing religious motifs to serve theological or political purposes.
4. Silence in Early Christian Writings
- Paul’s epistles—among the earliest Christian texts—rarely mention details of Jesus’ life, teachings, or miracles.
- Mythicists suggest this could imply that Paul’s Jesus was a celestial or visionary figure, not a historical person.
5. Questionable Extrabiblical Mentions
- References in Josephus and Tacitus are often challenged as later Christian interpolations or hearsay.
- Even if authentic, these sources were written after Jesus’ death and may reflect secondhand information.
6. Gnostic Texts and the Absence of a Historical Jesus
- Gnostic writings often depict Jesus as a purely spiritual or symbolic figure.
- Some mythicists argue this reflects early Christian diversity where belief in a historical Jesus was *not* universal.
7. Silence in Early Christian Liturgies and Creeds
- Critics point out that early Christian creeds (e.g., in Paul’s letters) emphasize resurrection and divine status but omit biographical details.
- This could suggest that belief in a historical Jesus was not foundational.
8. The Argument from Embarrassment Reversed
- Historicists often use the “criterion of embarrassment” to argue for authenticity (e.g., Jesus’ baptism or crucifixion).
- Some mythicists flip this: if embarrassing details were included, it may reflect mythic tropes or theological necessity—not historical memory.
9. The Absence of Archaeological Evidence
- No physical artifacts, inscriptions, or verified sites directly tied to Jesus exist from the 1st century.
- While absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence, some mythicists argue this silence is conspicuous given Jesus’ supposed impact.
10. The Argument from Narrative Structure
- Some scholars (e.g., Thomas Brodie) argue that the Gospel narratives are literary constructs, modeled on Old Testament stories.
- If Jesus’ life is a narrative echo of Moses, Elijah, or other figures, it may suggest invention rather than memory.
1. Absence of Contemporary Non-Christian Sources
- No known writings from the early 1st century (during Jesus’ supposed lifetime) mention him directly.
- Roman historians like Tacitus, Suetonius, and Pliny the Elder—who documented events and figures from the region—are silent on Jesus until decades later.
- Critics argue that a figure who allegedly drew crowds, caused political unrest, and was executed publicly should have left some trace in official records.
2. Nature of the Primary Sources
- The Gospels were written decades after the events they describe, by anonymous authors with theological agendas.
- These texts are seen as faith literature, not historical biographies, often shaped by prophecy fulfillment and symbolic storytelling.
- Mythicists argue that the lack of independent corroboration makes these sources unreliable as historical evidence.
3. Parallels to Mythological Figures
- Some skeptics highlight similarities between Jesus and earlier mythic figures (e.g., dying-and-rising gods like Osiris, Dionysus, Mithras).
- They argue that Jesus may have been constructed as a composite myth, drawing on existing religious motifs to serve theological or political purposes.
4. Silence in Early Christian Writings
- Paul’s epistles—among the earliest Christian texts—rarely mention details of Jesus’ life, teachings, or miracles.
- Mythicists suggest this could imply that Paul’s Jesus was a celestial or visionary figure, not a historical person.
5. Questionable Extrabiblical Mentions
- References in Josephus and Tacitus are often challenged as later Christian interpolations or hearsay.
- Even if authentic, these sources were written after Jesus’ death and may reflect secondhand information.
6. Gnostic Texts and the Absence of a Historical Jesus
- Gnostic writings often depict Jesus as a purely spiritual or symbolic figure.
- Some mythicists argue this reflects early Christian diversity where belief in a historical Jesus was *not* universal.
7. Silence in Early Christian Liturgies and Creeds
- Critics point out that early Christian creeds (e.g., in Paul’s letters) emphasize resurrection and divine status but omit biographical details.
- This could suggest that belief in a historical Jesus was not foundational.
8. The Argument from Embarrassment Reversed
- Historicists often use the “criterion of embarrassment” to argue for authenticity (e.g., Jesus’ baptism or crucifixion).
- Some mythicists flip this: if embarrassing details were included, it may reflect mythic tropes or theological necessity—not historical memory.
9. The Absence of Archaeological Evidence
- No physical artifacts, inscriptions, or verified sites directly tied to Jesus exist from the 1st century.
- While absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence, some mythicists argue this silence is conspicuous given Jesus’ supposed impact.
10. The Argument from Narrative Structure
- Some scholars (e.g., Thomas Brodie) argue that the Gospel narratives are literary constructs, modeled on Old Testament stories.
- If Jesus’ life is a narrative echo of Moses, Elijah, or other figures, it may suggest invention rather than memory.
