The Historical Jesus

[Rivers]

If Mary was always a virgin, it must have been tough for Joseph.  But doesn't Matthew say that Joseph didn't "know" Mary until after Jesus was born?

[Abulafia]

mfbukowski, thanks.  That's interesting.  I remember there being a documentary which included an overview of Catholic beliefs regarding the possibility of Jesus having 'literal' brothers and sisters over here in the UK a while ago.  

Robert Beckford (theologian who taught at my old college for a while) presented it.

Well worth a watch.  

(Edited to add that I don't agree with all of Robert's conclusions!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjHTWw8fYSw&list=PL91784C93B4B641A7&index=1

Edited September 23, 2013 by Abulafia

[Robert F. Smith]

And Van Voorst's "Jesus Outside the New Testament" may not point out clarity outside the NT as to the historical Jesus, but it does collect a sizable body of early literature, none of which remotely supports the earliest Christians believing in a "Jesus of outer space" paradigm. In every bit of early reference to Jesus (by whatever specific name variant), they are disciples of a mortal man....

Of course Jesus was a mortal man, Beast.  That was the whole point!!

[Rivers]

So Richard Carrier is on the fringe when it comes to this topic. Thanks for the responses.

[Abulafia]

Just in case anyone is still following this thread, I found a discussion between Mark Goodacre (Duke) and Carrier.

http://ntweblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/did-jesus-exist-with-richard-carrier.html?commentPage=1

 

[Robert F. Smith]

Just in case anyone is still following this thread, I found a discussion between Mark Goodacre (Duke) and Carrier.

http://ntweblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/did-jesus-exist-with-richard-carrier.html?commentPage=1

 

Thanks, Abulafia.  A great discussion.

You and others might also be interested in a Muslim point of view on Jesus as a historical person (but not a Messiah):

 

Reza Aslan, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (Random House, 2013).  Aslan is interviewed on PBS here http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/july-dec13/zealot_09-24.html .

[Rivers]

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Edited September 30, 2013 by Rivers

[Abulafia]

Here's a better link, which also lists a discussion with Bart Ehrman on the historical Jesus.  Haven't listened to it yet, but it looks interesting.

 

http://www.premierradio.org.uk/shows/saturday/unbelievable/Topics/Christianity.aspx