The Historical Jesus

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"The textual variations in copies of the New Testament are a lot more severe than you seem to think. Estimates - among both religious and secular scholars - range between 200 000 and 400 000." - Boru

And if there was only one copy of the gospel of Mark then how many variations would there be?

"in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, there are 5,500 or so manuscripts; from complete manuscripts to fragmentary copies. 5,500, so that's a lot, that's more than we have for any other book in the ancient world." - Bart Ehrman

Is skepticism a new concept? Was Christianity not born out of controversy and doubt? Did the Jews not have every reason to contest Jesus ministry? What about the Romans, were they bias in favor of the sage that they crucified?

"On the eve of Passover Yeshu was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Any one who can say anything in his favor let him come forward and plead on his behalf." But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he was hanged on the eve of the Passover" Babylonian Talmud Compiled between 70 - 200 A.D.

I’m not sure why you would quote the Babylonian Talmud. The Talmud says he was hanged the day before Passover. The Gospels says he was crucified on Passover. The Gospels make no mention of an heraldic announcement saying he would be stoned.

This doesn’t support your claims of scriptural accuracy.

Boru

Are you going to agree with me that Jesus was hanged within 3 days of the Jewish Passover? Or is a minor disagreement enough to discredit us both.

Lets say that the heraldic announcement actually did happen, would the Gospels need to record it in order for them to be regarded as historically accurate?

Did the Gospels claim that there was no heraldic announcement?

Further beyond that point not all 4 biographies tell all the same stories, but when they do report the same stories the details are different. I'll be impressed if you can tell me why that might be the case.


Side-note: So are we just going to drop the part where you referenced Moby Dick? Or was that going somewhere.

There is a reason, while growing up, that secular history class did not include lessons on Jesus. Religious scripture tends to contain elements that are non-historical.

Okay, so secular history class is your measuring stick? 

"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by solemn oath, not to do any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and them then reassemble to partake of food - but food of an ordinary and innocent kind" - Pliny the Younger Roman author and administrator. in a letter to the Emperor Trajan in about 112 A.D.