And let's not forget that Celsus, a Greco-Roman writer of the late 2d century who was the first to mention anyone named 'jesus' gives us this tale, as recorded by Origen of Caesarea.
Ehrman is correct when he notes that the Talmud was written centuries later but the earliest part of it, the Mishnah, dates to around 200 AD. What is his explanation for Celsus' writing tales that later appeared in the Mishnah?
Indeed. "Lost Christianities" is a fantastic little book. It is almost impossible to read it without coming to the conclusions that there were a myriad forms of christianity ( or more likely ) "chrestianity" through the Eastern Roman empire long before anyone dreamed up the preposterous story which now dominates.
Quote:"Let us imagine what a Jew- let alone a philosopher- might say to Jesus: 'Is it not true, good sir, that you fabricated the story of your birth from a virgin to quiet rumourss about the true and insavoury circumstances of your origins? Is it not the case that far from being born in the royal David's city of bethlehem, you were born in a poor country town, and of a woman who earned her living by spinning? Is it not the case that when her deceit was uncovered, to wit, that she was pregnant by a roman soldier called Panthera she was driven away by her husband- the carpenter- and convicted of adultery?"
Ehrman is correct when he notes that the Talmud was written centuries later but the earliest part of it, the Mishnah, dates to around 200 AD. What is his explanation for Celsus' writing tales that later appeared in the Mishnah?
Quote: If you read Ehrman more, he makes the point very well that there was not one early Christianity, but multiple Christian beliefs that were fundamentally contrary to each other.
Indeed. "Lost Christianities" is a fantastic little book. It is almost impossible to read it without coming to the conclusions that there were a myriad forms of christianity ( or more likely ) "chrestianity" through the Eastern Roman empire long before anyone dreamed up the preposterous story which now dominates.
