The Origins Of Christianity: A Radical Hypothesis

[poliphilo]

If Jesus died c. AD. 30 how come his name doesn't start appearing in the archaeological record until 100 years later?

There were two Jewish revolts during the reign of Hadrian. Evidence for Jesus  (mostly in the form of fragments of gospels) starts appearing at just this time.

It wasn't that easy to get published in the Roman world. If lots of

Comments

[idahoswede]

Great link, will read it in depth when I get home, but thanks!

[poliphilo]

The material needs systematizing, but it's all there. Perhaps there will eventually be a book.

[idahoswede]

There is dispute as to whether the mention of Jesus in the writings of Josephus are original or a later insert by a Christian scribe who was copying his Jewish Wars, but that seems to be the only mention I have ever heard of before about 100 c.e.

[poliphilo]

I've looked at the arguments for and against and none of them are finally persuasive. The only way this could be solved would be if we dug up first century copies of the relevant texts.

[wolfshift]

That would explain why the gospels are so vicious toward "the Jews", which has irked me every time I read them.

[poliphilo]

Yes. The roots of Western anti-semitism lie here.

[oakmouse]

There's never been a shred of phyical evidence for the existence of Jesus --- which, given Roman bureaucratic records and the claim that he was executed as a criminal under Roman law, is pretty amazing.

[poliphilo]

I have felt for quite some time that the elusiveness of the historical Jesus is best explained by his not being historical at all.

[oakmouse]

Exactly. And that's how it looks, really.

[tinceiri]

One thing to point out, if I may.
Christianity is a radically Hellenized version of Judaism- outward looking and friendly to the Empire. Jesus is a God-man on the Hellenic model- like Hercules, Dionysus, Alexander, Mithras, Antinous, etc. The early Christian texts show the Romans in a favourable light and demonize the Jewish authorities. ("Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.").
Judaism and Hellenism were both cultural "borrowers" off of one another and various other influences in the region. Hellenism in particular was heavily shaped by Judaism starting around 200 B.C.E. with the relocation of the capital of the Seleucid dynasty to Antioch. In particular, Zoroastrian notions of "good and evil" both found their way into Hellenism and Judaism.

[poliphilo]

Northern India was also part of the melting pot. There are provocative posts on the website about the relationship between Christianity and Buddhism.

[endlessrarities]

Sounds perfectly feasible!

[poliphilo]

I can't see any obvious objections to it.