This is a book that I would recommend for anyone interested in the Jesus Myth Theory even though it does not address the JMT directly. Howard Kee’s Miracle in the Early Christian World looks at miracles in the Egyptian, Greco-Roman and Christian world but does so in a way that respects actual context.
See begins by looking at the development go the German history of religions school which sought to demonstrate that Christianity emerged out of the hellenistic religions and not just eery Judaism. The chapter title, “When the Golden Bough Breaks” is masterful. One of his observations is that “A striking feature of Frazer’s encyclopedic work is the complete absence of historical consciousness.” (p. 22)
This is one of Kee’s most important additions to the conversation. He explains that it is not enough for historians to gather symbols, images, parallels, and similarities across a wide range of eras and then blend them as if they were telling one story. There must be a respect for the development and evolution of traditions and myths.
Too often Mythicists have looked to a later Greco-Roman text as the supposed source for an earlier New Testament story. Mythicists also often distort what an actual myth might have looked at in a particular place and time as opposed to the blending of every mention.
Kee touches on numerous stories that are relevance to those interested in the Jesus Myth Theory. These include scholarly treatments of Asklepios, Isis, and Apollonius of Tyana. I found the differences between the narratives of Apollonius, who is often held up as a parallel to Jesus, and that of the Gospels that to be very interesting. We are definitely in different worlds when it comes to historicity.
Kee’s goal is not to dismantle the Jesus Myth Theory as he never directly addresses it. But his socio-historical method for looking at ancient texts is one that sheds important light on the weaknesses of what Mythicists are trying to do.
