Did Jesus exist?
The reality is that we don’t know. There are hardly any historical sources suggesting that he did exist, apart from Christian sources.
Looking at the data, it seems that it’s very possible that he didn’t exist.
And yet, most historians and theologians seem to gloss over this question. They don’t mention it, or perhaps say of course he existed, don’t be silly. (As one theologian did when I asked.)
Why this lack of intellectual honesty and courage? It’s perhaps because aspects of Christian theology, as it was created in the centuries after Jesus may have lived, depends on Jesus having existed as a historical person.
And yet, maybe there is another way. A way where we can be intellectually honest about the historical question, and still benefit as much if not more from the Jesus story, and Jesus’ teachings.
The Jesus story is, as many have realized and pointed out, a metaphor for the awakening process we all may go through. Adyashanti’s Resurrecting Jesus is a clear and insightful book on this topic.
Jesus’ teachings applies to us whatever label we put on ourselves – Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist or whatever else it may be. As any good wisdom teachings, they are pointers. Questions. Experiments.
And, it seems, we can connect with the Christ energy whether or not we know if Jesus existed as a historical person. The Christ presence responds, as it seems to have done for centuries or millennia, to prayer and Christ meditation. (I experience it quite strongly, and know that many others do too.)
Note: Was Jesus a Pagan God, by Freke and Gandi, is an interesting exploration on this topic.
Note 2: Some say that the mutual disagreements between the texts in the New Testament is an indication that Jesus didn’t exist, but that seems a weak argument. Disagreement between historical sources is expected and inevitable, even if they refer to something that did happen.
Also, some point to the striking similarities between the Jesus story and stories from religions and mythologies in the middle east prior to Christianity. It almost seems that someone did a cut & paste job when they created they Jesus story. Again, that doesn’t seem that this is a good argument for the non-historical Jesus.
Finally, there is the Shroud of Turin. From what we know about it today, it’s possible that it’s real. Science can only determine if it’s a fake, and haven’t been able to conclusively do so yet. In any case, it’s an interesting question.
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initial notes…..
– historical jesus
– not any solid data suggesting that he did exist, outside of Christian sources
– if take things literally, and take theology created by the Christian church literally and as important, then it may matter
– if look at the Jesus story, and have an inner connection with Christ, then matters less or not at all
– the Jesus story is a teaching story, a metaphor for the awakening process we all may go through
– also, can connect with Christ anyway, is still present, responds to prayer/Christ meditation
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When historians and theologians ignore this question, it looks like intellectual dishonesty.