Did Jesus Exit? – Part 22
I have argued that the agreement that exists between the seven gospel sources concerning the Minimal Jesus Hypothesis, could be explained on the basis of the common cultural idea of a ‘Messiah’. I conceded, however, that the crucifixion of the Messiah was not a part of the expectation of first century Palestinian Jews, but pointed … Did Jesus Exit? – Part 22
Did Jesus Exit? – Index
Introduction to the issue: Did Jesus exist? Outline of Did Jesus Exist? By Bart Ehrman. Various skeptical points by Ehrman, especially the insignificance of non-Christian historical sources. Keith Parson’s advice and Bart Ehrman on the Minimal Jesus Hypothesis (MJH). Development and clarification of the Minimal Jesus Hypothesis. About 17,000 Jewish males in Palestine were named … Did Jesus Exit? – Index
Did Jesus Exit? – Part 21
I have reviewed Q, M, and L passages, looking for crucifixion-related events. The Gospel of Mark includes several crucifixion-related events in Chapters 14 and 15: 1. The Plot to Kill Jesus 2. The Anointing at Bethany 3. Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus 4. The Passover with the Disciples 5. The Institution of the Lord’s Supper … Did Jesus Exit? – Part 21
Did Jesus Exit? – Part 20
The Minimal Jesus Hypothesis (MJH) can be stated in terms of a list of a dozen attributes: A1. This person was a flesh-and-blood person. A2. This person was an adherent of Judaism. A3. This person was a male descendant of the Hebrew people. A4. This person lived in Palestine as an adult (in his twenties … Did Jesus Exit? – Part 20
Did Jesus Exit? – Part 19
In Part 14, we saw that Mark portrays Jesus as a devout follower of the Jewish faith. In Part 15, we saw that Q portrays Jesus as a devout follower of the Jewish faith. Does L, the special source used by Luke, portray Jesus as an adherent of Judaism? as a devout follower of the … Did Jesus Exit? – Part 19
One Man’s Modus Ponens…Part 3
Here is a Christian argument for the existence of God: 1. If God raised Jesus from the dead, then God exists. 2. God raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore: 3. God exists. There is no need to make this into a modus tollens, because premise (2) clearly begs the question. The claim that ‘God raised … One Man’s Modus Ponens…Part 3
One Man’s Modus Ponens…Part 2
Here is another argument for God, based on answered prayers: 1. If God exists, then it is very likely that prayers to God for healing from injury or disease would usually be immediately followed by instantaneous and complete healing, except when the injury or disease was the result of self-destructive, foolish, or morally wrong actions … One Man’s Modus Ponens…Part 2
Did Jesus Exit? – Part 18
When I was a young boy, I enjoyed watching many episodes of Superman on a black-and-white television. When I was about ten or eleven years old, my family would gather on evenings when the TV show Batman was on; we would eat hot-buttered popcorn while watching the show together. Later in my life Hollywood began … Did Jesus Exit? – Part 18
The Christian Doctrine of the Resurrection of Jesus
Let’s represent the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus as follows: (C) The Christian doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus is true. Sometimes the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus is summed up this way: (R) God raised Jesus from the dead. The Christian doctrine of the resurrection asserts that the resurrection of … The Christian Doctrine of the Resurrection of Jesus
Did Jesus Exit? – Part 17
Does L, the special source used by the author of the Gospel of Luke, represent Jesus as a male descendant of the Hebrew people? Like Mark and Q, L uses masculine nouns, pronouns and verbs of Jesus: L 7:11b-15 “his disciples” “with him” “As he approached” “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion” “he … Did Jesus Exit? – Part 17