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Clarifying and Debating the Christ Myth Theory
Was Jesus historical or mythical?
Graham Pemberton has responded to my article, “Assessing the Christ Myth Theory.” I’m grateful for the opportunity to delve further into the intriguing matter of whether Jesus was historical or purely mythical.
The Debate between Jesus Mythicists and Historicists
My article isn’t so much a case for Christ mythcism as it’s a meta-case for what I consider the best way of understanding the debate between mythicists and historicists. That debate is something of a tempest in a teapot, compared to the conflict between theism and the secular or “critical” approach to history.
For those like me who are fascinated by ancient history and religion, the question of whether Jesus existed in history may, of course, be of special interest. But the matter has little bearing on whether the elements of Christianity that are crucial to Christian theists are justified.
This is why Pemberton miscalculates in alleging that mythicists are just as biased as the Christian historians who believe Jesus was historical. The situation is far from equivalent, but we should also be clear on the logical status of the appeal to authority in this context.
