Where did the Jesus myth come from?

[Lion IRC]

...If Jesus had really said this, how can we imagine the controversy over Peter preaching to the Gentile Cornelius (Acts 10-11) ever having arisen?

Show me the controversy. I see Peter willingly going to Cornelius - a devout and God-fearing man who gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. What would bother Peter about THAT?

...How can Peter have been initially reluctant?

Where in Acts 10 is Peter reluctant?
Show me the verse.

...How can his colleagues in Jerusalem have called him on the carpet, questioning his orthodoxy?

Does it say ''questioning his orthodoxy'' in Acts 11?
No. They were criticising his apparent lack of judgement in spending valuable time with, what turned out to be, a valuable group of people in the House of Cornelius. Peter didnt need to justify spending time with lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, etc. any more than Jesus did.
What he did need to explain was the use of his short remaining time on earth. (ie. look at my avatar.)

...If the parting words of the Risen Christ were a command to preach to Gentiles, whence the dispute?

Exactly!

There was no dispute about what Jesus commanded. (And continues to command.)
There was dispute about how best to go about doing that. (And continues to be.)

...Notice, too, that Peter is not simply stubborn: he is readily convinced by the vision of the animals and the sail-cloth (Acts 10:9-16) that he ought to heed Cornelius's invitation. But why did it take even this, if Jesus had not long before made it clear that the chief business of the apostles was to convert the heathen nations?

This is like saying that Jesus is prevented from repeating the same message because if He does then it must mean He never really said it the first time. Thats not logical. Again, Peter's vision persuades him to visit Cornelius at the expense of what he may have otherwise been inclined to do closer to home.

...Clearly, then, the Great Commission sayings were coined only once the great Gentile Mission debate began, as an attempt by the liberal pro-mission faction to win their point...

No. Whats clear is that someone has a wacky theory that Jesus;

* Never in His entire ministry EVER did or said anything which was controversial to Jewish kosher and ritual cleanliness laws.

* Neglected to share His concerns about misguided legalistic Judaism.

* Never intended All Nations to hear the Good News

* And that only late in the piece after He had been Resurrected, did He realise that the Gospel of salvation (which comes from the Jews) might need to be shared OUTSIDE OF JERUSALEM.

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Is this a later...new wine into old wineskins, addition to the Gospel?

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18 (NIV)


Fishers of men?
What men? Jews? Gentiles? Samaritans? Roman tax collectors?