Post by snafui on Jul 19, 2006 21:08:33 GMT -5
The Jesus Puzzle: Did Christianity begin with a mythical Christ?
- Earl Doherty
Canadian Humanist Publications
Ottawa, Canada
1999
ISBN: 0-9686014-0-5
Number of pages: 380
Non fiction; Historical - Jesus Christ
This book explains the foundations of Christianity from a historical perspective exposing Jesus' existence as a myth. Doherty covers the lack of material to support the existence of Jesus in historical records and shows that documents that do mention Jesus are interpolations by later Christians. The New Testament writings used by Christians to explain their faith are scrutinized to expose their falacies and outright contradictions showing that Jesus was a creation by men several decades after his supposed existence. Doherty shows how early Christian apologists stated that Jesus never existed.
This is a detailed work with a tremendous amout of support for his theory. The Jesus Puzzle should be read to understand the roots of Christianity and how it is a cultic myth like so many others of it's day.
If you are new to such theories this book can be taxing, it was for me at least, because I had, up to that point, accepted that Jesus was a historical figure. I found myself flooded with data when I read this book and often had to stop and verify what he was saying with some research of my own. As I was reading I looked into apologist's answers to Doherty's arguments and was astounded at his coverage of their point of view.
The book's flow is great, the language usage is well done. The data can, at times, be burdening but it's well worth working through. This is a book that is well worth reading.
If you would like more information on this book and other writings by Doherty you can go to his website:
www.jesuspuzzle.com/
- Earl Doherty
Canadian Humanist Publications
Ottawa, Canada
1999
ISBN: 0-9686014-0-5
Number of pages: 380
Non fiction; Historical - Jesus Christ
This book explains the foundations of Christianity from a historical perspective exposing Jesus' existence as a myth. Doherty covers the lack of material to support the existence of Jesus in historical records and shows that documents that do mention Jesus are interpolations by later Christians. The New Testament writings used by Christians to explain their faith are scrutinized to expose their falacies and outright contradictions showing that Jesus was a creation by men several decades after his supposed existence. Doherty shows how early Christian apologists stated that Jesus never existed.
This is a detailed work with a tremendous amout of support for his theory. The Jesus Puzzle should be read to understand the roots of Christianity and how it is a cultic myth like so many others of it's day.
If you are new to such theories this book can be taxing, it was for me at least, because I had, up to that point, accepted that Jesus was a historical figure. I found myself flooded with data when I read this book and often had to stop and verify what he was saying with some research of my own. As I was reading I looked into apologist's answers to Doherty's arguments and was astounded at his coverage of their point of view.
The book's flow is great, the language usage is well done. The data can, at times, be burdening but it's well worth working through. This is a book that is well worth reading.
If you would like more information on this book and other writings by Doherty you can go to his website:
www.jesuspuzzle.com/