Where did the Jesus myth come from?

[Lion IRC]

teaearlgreyhot,

Jesus during His actual ministry did stuff which pious Jews found controversial. Peter and Paul both understood that Jesus was talking to EVERYONE.

Peter didnt need a vision about kosher and non-kosher to understand that the Gospel message was about love of neighbors - even if they werent Jewish. He already knew who Jesus meant by ''neighbor''. (See the Samaritan parable)

Supposing Jesus did in fact do and say those controversial things, it would not have been controversial for very long among his followers. Those that found it too controversial would have just left following Jesus. What would have been left would be those who got use to Jesus' teachings. Supposing that Jesus was said to have done controversial things like maybe healing a gentile, or getting involved with Samaritans, we wouldn't expect it to be controversial among his followers many years later after his death.

The fact that it was controversial among Christians long after Jesus died, implies that Jesus never said or did those things you mentioned. Peter, who supposedly knew Jesus, needed a vision to know those things we're ok for Christ's sake! (pun not intended)

hock:

I think you and I need to clear up what is meant by ''controversy'' in case we arent talking about the same thing.

I said the ''Jews or Gentiles'' controversy was about what to do with limited time and resources. And that in any case, it was motivated by good intentions;
- where do we start?
- what's most important?
- who is the best person to do what?
- how do we best explain the message to new hearers?

This is NOT a controversy over whether or not to preach the Gospel to all nations.

Could you give me a simple example of something Peter would have thought was unavoidably ''controversial'' except were it not for the vision to which you refer.

Show me, for example, Peter thinking "X" and then the vision contradicting such with an alternative "Y"

Then lets see what the Gospels reveal about Peter's understanding when hearing Jesus much earlier.