
The book opens with a sweeping survey of the scholars who have questioned the historicity of Jesus, from Strauss and Bauer in the nineteenth century to more recent figures across Europe and America. By cataloguing their arguments—whether rooted in mythic parallels, Stoic philosophy, or social‑economic analysis—it sets the stage for a rigorous re‑examination of the Gospel narratives. Readers are introduced to a diverse cast of thinkers who have traced the story of Christ to earlier pagan motifs, astronomical allegories, and cultural borrowings.
In the first act, the author positions these critical voices against the entrenched positions of traditional theology, highlighting how many academic institutions have largely ignored or dismissed the mythic perspective. The tone is scholarly yet accessible, inviting listeners to follow the evidence and consider whether the foundations of Christianity might rest more on myth than on a historical founder. This introductory survey promises a thoughtful journey through the contested origins of one of history’s most influential religions.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (442K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2014-04-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1935
A German philosopher best known for arguing that Jesus was not a historical figure, he became one of the most talked-about religious critics of the early 20th century. His work mixed philosophy, religion, and cultural debate in ways that still draw attention today.
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