Any Evidence For A Historical Jesus?

[radorth]

I think he was wanting contradictions in the earliest manuscripts we have of the NT. As in, "the NT was perfectly and faithfully preserved through the ages so we know exactly what Jesus said and did..." etc.

Did you even read my posts? I said I probably know more inexplicable contradictions than you do. I don't know why you would say this other than to poison the well when you know I don't believe that.

As I said, I know of two great examples, the second edition of the resurrection account in Mark and the "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" story.

You got the second one right. Mark ended at 16:8 after the empty tomb is discovered. The fact that he doesn't tell of the disciples seeing Jesus means nothing. It's an argumet from silence.

You're also correct that the Gospels and NT seemed to "get better" with each book published. Did you notice, for example, how John the Baptist gets down on his knees before Jesus more and more with each Gospel account?

That involves the presumption they were changed or improved on, with zero proof. Funny how no proof works for unbelievers so often. Are you positive you are more rational and consistent in your thinking than any Christian? Like say, John Locke?

Mark: JtB debases himself, announces himself as a mere forerunner of Jesus and then baptizes Jesus.
Matthew: JtB says "hey, shouldn't you be baptizing me?" Then baptizes Jesus after being ordered to.
John: JtB never baptizes Jesus at all but just recognizes him as the lamb of God.

Um, ever see or hear of genuine humility? Matbe not. And why would anyone care, but a cynic? That's a weak one, very easily explainable. I would think any barely humble human would react like John did. I have way better contradictions than that.

Funny thing, the Mandaens, followers of JtB, continued to be rivals of the early Christians, insisting that JtB was the true Messiah and Jesus was a heretic.

Um exactly how many of these people were there. 12? But I will read any link you can provide, preferably an original source and not an assertion. I can easily find 100 people who think your moral standards are higher than Jesus' standards, and would rather worship you than he. Heh

Odd how they never seemed to get the memo of their sacred leader, huh?

And here I thought John died before he could email all his followers.

But then, Christianity always uses the policy of assimilate what you can't destroy. It's an effective tactic. So effective, the Muslims would later use it on Jesus.

That's one way of interpreting the NT. But don't forget, cynicism is not evidence of genuine skepticism.