Quote:Did Christianity really have its roots in Judaism? Or was the pagan origin of Christianity and Jesus in particular carefully intertwined with the Israelite traditions to somehow depict a successor belief system? I have already read a few materials describing the pagan origin of Jesus but looking for an alternative view on this issue.

I do not know any books about this. I could present my own views, but I guess that's not what you're looking for.

Did anyone who criticized me actually read what I said? I never said the dead sea scrolls mentioned Jesus and I don't see any other critique that really dealt with my response substantively.

Apo mentioned the DSS and you chimed in with the "teacher of righteousness" a now discredited idea.

(September 1, 2012 at 10:01 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Apo mentioned the DSS and you chimed in with the "teacher of righteousness" a now discredited idea.

Do you deny that the scrolls talk about a teacher of righteousness? All I said is that it is possible it is John the Baptist or Jesus as more of a side comment because I thought it was interesting. It had really little to nothing with my response.

The teacher of righteousness is a discredited theory essentially based on air. Call me suspicious when a self-styled jesus freak tries to sneak such nonsense into the discussion.

This whole "Essene" shit has taken a number of serious hits in the last 10 years.

(September 1, 2012 at 10:31 pm)Minimalist Wrote: The teacher of righteousness is a discredited theory essentially based on air. Call me suspicious when a self-styled jesus freak tries to sneak such nonsense into the discussion.

This whole "Essene" shit has taken a number of serious hits in the last 10 years.

As I said, I just thought it was interesting. And I don't know what you mean by "the whole essence shit."

"Essene" not "essence."

(September 2, 2012 at 1:05 am)Minimalist Wrote: "Essene" not "essence."

I know, it auto-corrected me.

I hate it when that happens.