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On the Historicity of Jesus
- Why We Might Have Reason for Doubt
- Narrated by: Richard Carrier
- Length: 28 hrs and 8 mins
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On the Historicity of Jesus
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Summary
The assumption that Jesus existed as a historical person has occasionally been questioned in the course of the last hundred years or so, but any doubts that have been raised have usually been put to rest in favor of imagining a blend of the historical, the mythical, and the theological in the surviving records of Jesus. Historian and philosopher Richard Carrier reexamines the whole question and finds compelling reasons to suspect the more daring assumption is correct. He lays out extensive research on the evidence for Jesus and the origins of Christianity and poses the key questions that must now be answered if the historicity of Jesus is to survive as a dominant paradigm. Carrier contrasts the most credible reconstruction of a historical Jesus with the most credible theory of Christian origins if a historical Jesus did not exist. Such a theory posits that the Jesus figure was originally conceived of as a celestial being known only through private revelations and hidden messages in scripture; then stories placing this being in earthly history were crafted to communicate allegorically the claims of the gospel. Such stories eventually came to be believed or promoted in the struggle for control of the Christian churches that survived the tribulations of the first century. Carrier finds this theory more credible than has been previously imagined. He explains why it offers a better explanation for all the disparate evidence surviving from the first two centuries of the Christian era. He argues that we need a more careful and robust theory of cultural syncretism between Jewish theology and politics of the second-temple period and the most popular features of pagan religion and philosophy of the time. For everyone intent on defending a historical Jesus, this is the book to challenge them.
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- placidhead
- 06-01-22
Holy Cow!
I'd always dismissed the christ-myth notion as a crank theory, held only by angry social rejects and conspiracy theorists. Though now I'm forced to admit Carrier opened my eyes to both material I never knew existed, and assumptions I never knew I was operating on. At the very least I now have to accept that the Christ-myth hypothesis is in the arena, and has as much right to fight for its veracity as any other position.
Well done, Richard Carrier. This is an excellent book.
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- kindle reader
- 22-04-16
The definitive work on the subject
A challenging topic that's masterfully and rigorously tackled by RC a must for all true history buffs
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6 people found this helpful
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- Mr
- 31-10-16
Logical and enlightening,highly recommended
I was a Christian for ten years and I know my Bible pretty well. Listening to this made me feel like I was learning the meaning of the verses for the very first time! I haven't listened to Proving History yet which this book seems to be the application of the method he wrote about in his previous book. This book "On Historicity Of Jesus" starts with an explanation of the logical methods, then moves through several arguments about religion in ancient times, then begins a long survey of the Bible, and ends with a very well articulated conclusion.
This audio book would be of most value to people familiar with the Bible but would probably be accessible to someone who's never read it.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Ian
- 17-02-16
Oh my lord
What does Richard Carrier bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
He's such a dweeb (said with affection)
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Be ye warned, this is a really scholarly book. The gist of the book is as much an exercise in historical method as it is in historical content.
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4 people found this helpful
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- John Murphy
- 25-10-18
A rational examination of the myth of Jesus.
A decent, if synical, view on the existence of Jesus. An interesting use of Basal Theory in a historical context. As an audio book, it became difficult to follow due constant reference to previous chapters.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 19-01-19
Indeed we might have reason for doubt
Infact including all the evidence presented by Carrier in this book we might have every reason to rule out that Jesus ever lived on earth as a person.
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- handsheldfast
- 25-11-21
Helter-skelter...
When I get to the end of the book I just start it again. Like painting the Forth bridge? It is like a default go to running in my audible field. I look at other titles and oftentimes start and abandon them just to pick back up where I left this one. I reckon this may be my fourth time around. I expect that they will have to pry the buds from my cold dead ears.
For me this work epitomises the paradigmatic switch that happens when first it is grasped that the gospels did not come first. The time line is upended. The threads unravel.
It is a demanding task keeping up with the narrative but it is always compelling.
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- TripleD
- 27-07-23
Brilliant
Carrier is superb. Both in his method and narration.
A compelling and convincing case. Excellent.
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- Jack
- 14-03-16
Even more convincing than I thought it would be!
Superb in all respects... looking forward to the debate that should ensue.
Bravo Dr Carrier.
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7 people found this helpful
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- MR DAVID R TUCKER
- 24-08-16
Hugely important!
I love this book. In audible it is narrated by the author Richard Carrier so one gets even more of the sentiment and nature of the man. I didn't start reading with a view either way on the Historicity of Jesus but I now agree with the author that an historical Jesus is extremely unlikely. I like how, in conclusion, Richard Carrier guides the reader on how to reassess the conclusion if she decides on different probabilities.
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