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I posted this back in 2011 on Dr. R Joseph Hoffmann’s blog, but it still bears repeating today: The central drama of the Christian Religion, the crucifixion narrative in Mark, is historical fiction. We can know that Jesus was crucified through other means, but the narrative elements never happened. I want people to understand that … Mark’s Narrative Of The Crucifixion As Historical Fiction

So, last time we were thinking a bit about Mark’s soldier at the cross saying “Now when the centurion who stood facing him saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly (Ἀληθῶς, Alethos) this man was God’s Son!” The word for “truth” in Greek would carry a number of hearings for … (Part 2/2) Jesus and Socrates with Dr Dennis R MacDonald

I just wanted to share this short MythVision interview that came out today where Dennis MacDonald argues Luke’s passion narrative purposefully imitates the death of Socrates: One disagreement I have is how Dennis reads his thesis of the contrast between Mark and Luke into the way he translates Mark 15:39 to be sarcastic. He translates: … Jesus and Socrates with Dr Dennis R MacDonald

Here is a recent short interview Dr Robin Faith Walsh did on the meaning of the empty tomb (see time 1:27 ff) Walsh discusses the History of Greek and Roman literature/culture with bodies disappearing from tombs because the person has become a god, such as in Chariton’s novel.  The empty tomb in Greco-Roman culture was … The Empty Tomb

There are no grounds, as some argue, to think repentance doesn’t sit at the front of the Pauline argument. Schnabel convincingly argues It’s just common sense. Christ on the cross disarmed the power of Satan leading people to God, but this is of no effect if people don’t have a change of heart. Adherents to … (Part 2 Schnabel, Conclusion) Paul And The Problem Of Repentance

I try to show in my 2 essays critiquing the Penal Substitution interpretation of early Christianity that repentance lies at the core, not Jesus vicariously suffering my punishment to satisfy the holy wrath of God and once and for all pay the sin debt. The penal substitution interpretation of the cross is untenable, and must … (Part 1 Schnabel, 1-13) Paul And The Problem Of Repentance

I am very happy to share my new article, “Jesus Mythicism: Moral Influence vs. Vicarious Atonement—and Other Problems“ has passed peer review and has been published by Internet Infidels/Secular Web. The title pays homage to mythicist Robert M Price’s book “The Christ Myth Theory And Its Problems.” The essay is the third and final of … A Critique Of The Christ Myth Theory: My New Article Has Been Published

I have posted before on Keith Augustine and the soul survival debate with his book “The Myth Of An Afterlife,” and subsequent journal debates. In his time, William James was immersed in the various ways consciousness was dependent on the brain: eg, you destroy one part of the brain and it will annihilate feature ‘x’ … William James And The Afterlife/Survival Debate

This interesting essay on the Gospel of Philip was published yesterday which has the novel thesis of how Christianity developed out of Chrestianity! From Chrestian to Christian: Philip Beyond The Grave by Martijn Linssen. See https://www.academia.edu/s/faa7f58532 Some initial thoughts: