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The Development of the Jesus Myth Theory in the 19th Century

The Development of the Jesus Myth Theory in the 19th Century

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The “Jesus Myth Theory” (also called the “Christ Myth Theory”) is the view that Jesus of Nazareth was not a historical person but a mythological or literary construct. While skepticism about aspects of the Gospel narratives dates back to the Enlightenment, the fully developed claim that Jesus never existed emerged most clearly in the 19th century. This post examines the intellectual context that gave rise to the theory, its principal proponents during that century, how their ideas were received, and…

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French Revolution
Anti-Clerical Attitudes Among French Philosophers During the French Revolution — And Their Role in the “Jesus Myth” Theory

Anti-Clerical Attitudes Among French Philosophers During the French Revolution — And Their Role in the “Jesus Myth” Theory

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The French Revolution was as much a war against the Old Regime as it was against the Old Faith. While many factors led to the Revolution of 1789, one of its most distinctive features was the deep strain of anti-clericalism that ran through its politics and philosophy. For some intellectuals, the Church was not just an ally of the monarchy—it was the symbol of ignorance, oppression, and superstition. This atmosphere provided fertile ground for radical ideas, including the early emergence…

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Edwin Johnson: Radical or Consistent Mythicist?
Edwin Johnson: Radical or Consistent Mythicist?

Edwin Johnson: Radical or Consistent Mythicist?

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One of the Jesus Mythicists that is not as well know is that of Edwin Johnson. Johnson lived 1842–1901 was known for his radical ideas about Christian historiography. Not surprisingly, Johnson rejected the historicity of Jesus. He used the same methods as other contemporary mythicists: supposed lack of evidence and similarity to pagan myths. But whereas most mythicists stopped at Jesus and possibly the twelve apostles, Johnson went on to doubt the existence of Paul and other early Christian writers….

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Scholars Who Support the Jesus Myth Theory
Scholars Who Support the Jesus Myth Theory

Scholars Who Support the Jesus Myth Theory

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One of the challenges that Jesus Mythicists have in claiming credibility for the idea that Jesus was never a historical figure is the lack of scholars who support their theory. Traditionally, the Jesus Myth was presented by self-taught scholars or scholars with PhDs in fields not directly relevant to the topic. In order for there to be a chance for this theory to go mainstream, they will need scholars with the relevant education and university positions to develop credibility. I…

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Jesus Myth
Why the Jesus Myth Will Likely Never Go Mainstream

Why the Jesus Myth Will Likely Never Go Mainstream

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Peter Clarke, in his article Jesus Mythicism Is About to Go Mainstream, attempts to argue that the Jesus Myth Theory is soon to be widely held, or at least move from its current fringe position. Is he correct in this assessment? It is true that the Jesus Myth has gained some traction. This is for a couple of reasons. One is that the internet has given it a platform like has never been possible before. The other is that society…

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Question Mark
Why Would Someone Want to Be a Jesus Mythicist?

Why Would Someone Want to Be a Jesus Mythicist?

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There are probably more Jesus Mythicists now than at any other time in history. But why? Why would someone want to be a Jesus Mythicist? I don’t want to speak for all Mythicists, nor do I want to suggest that all Mythicists have the same motivations. But I do think I can say something about this topic. I believe that some of the recent popularity of Jesus Mythicism emerged out of the “New Atheism” that came on the scene in…

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Top 5
Top Five Posts in 2023

Top Five Posts in 2023

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Thank you for your support of the Jesus Myth Theory website. I would like to share the five most read posts in 2023. These were not necessarily written in 2023 but were popular this year. If you would like to support my blogs and podcasts, please visit me at Patreon.

Jesus Myth
“But That’s Not the Jesus Myth Theory I Believe in…”

“But That’s Not the Jesus Myth Theory I Believe in…”

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When I share my thoughts on the Jesus Myth Theory, there is a certain response I get from some Mythicists. It goes something like this: “That’s not really the Jesus Myth Theory. Mythicists don’t really believe this. You need to read [author X].” I appreciate those comments but I do need to clarify things. I do not try to straw man the Jesus Myth Theory. The JMT that I am responding to is not something easy to defeat that I…

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Unmasking the Pagan Christ
Clarifying My Position on Talking to Jesus Mythicists

Clarifying My Position on Talking to Jesus Mythicists

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I have received some pushback on my policy of not debating with Jesus Mythicists. I was even accused of being “close-minded.” Is this true? I wouldn’t consider myself close-minded. It’s not as if I limit my reading to a conservative segment of evangelicalism. In fact, most of my reading would be outside of that. In fact the two books I’m reading right not have nothing to do with Christianity. Classical Myth and The Great Asian Religions. When it comes to…

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Hope's Reason Apologetics Journal
A Response to the Zeitgeist Movie

A Response to the Zeitgeist Movie

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A number of years ago, when the online Zeitgeist movie came out, I had a number of people reach out to me. They were quite concerned, because if the claims of Zeitgeist were correct, then their faith was based on a lie. But were the claims of Zeitgeist true? I responded to Zeitgeist in an article for Hope’s Reason: A Journal of Apologetics called “Exposing the Spirit of the Age.” Make sure to check it out.