In case that all seemed a bit theoretical, let's develop the point.
So Carrier has a Vietnam hero saviour. Where and when did he operate? Let's say Nha Trang during the Tet offensive. We should have no problems tracking down vets that were there at the time and can comment on what the stories were.
“Ah, but this is a theoretical situation, and maybe a modern conflict wasn't the best choice. Perhaps the Napoleonic War is a better choice”, Carrier replies.
So how did these documents come to our attention? Were they stuffed in a drawer, and have just come to light? That's VERY different to the NT documents, which were a dynamic product of vibrant communities with eyewitnesses around until after many of the documents were written.
“No, the Napoleonic documents were also part of a community”. Tell us about the community. What was their historical footprint? How did the hero saviour events impact on the founders? What were their beliefs?
“They never existed. It's a theoretical exercise”.
Exactly. The documents, the community, the worldview never existed because the events never happened. That's where Carrier's approach, and his theories on the early Xians go all wrong.
The Early Church existed, and the Gospels are there to explain the reasons why. Paul writes to these people about events which he, and they, are convinced actually happened.
So Carrier has a Vietnam hero saviour. Where and when did he operate? Let's say Nha Trang during the Tet offensive. We should have no problems tracking down vets that were there at the time and can comment on what the stories were.
“Ah, but this is a theoretical situation, and maybe a modern conflict wasn't the best choice. Perhaps the Napoleonic War is a better choice”, Carrier replies.
So how did these documents come to our attention? Were they stuffed in a drawer, and have just come to light? That's VERY different to the NT documents, which were a dynamic product of vibrant communities with eyewitnesses around until after many of the documents were written.
“No, the Napoleonic documents were also part of a community”. Tell us about the community. What was their historical footprint? How did the hero saviour events impact on the founders? What were their beliefs?
“They never existed. It's a theoretical exercise”.
Exactly. The documents, the community, the worldview never existed because the events never happened. That's where Carrier's approach, and his theories on the early Xians go all wrong.
The Early Church existed, and the Gospels are there to explain the reasons why. Paul writes to these people about events which he, and they, are convinced actually happened.
