Yes, Jesus was a failed apocalyptic prophet, the position outlined by Schweitzer way back in 1906 and endorsed by Ehrman and numerous other NT scholars. There are ways to determine to some degree of probability what he did say and what was added by later Christians. When you see him as an apocalyptic preacher, the statements which are probably authentic all hang together.
1. The gospels record him as saying the end will come within the lifetime of his contemporaries. "Remember that all these things will happen before the people now living have all died." (Matthew 24:34)
2. His extreme moral teaching is based on the belief that the end is nigh. Sell all that you have and give it to the poor. ... It's better not to marry. ... Take no thought for the morrow.
The parables are almost all based on the theme of urgency—the kingdom of heaven is at hand, be ready for it. e.g, the bridesmaids who did not have enough oil to keep their lamps burning.
1. The gospels record him as saying the end will come within the lifetime of his contemporaries. "Remember that all these things will happen before the people now living have all died." (Matthew 24:34)
2. His extreme moral teaching is based on the belief that the end is nigh. Sell all that you have and give it to the poor. ... It's better not to marry. ... Take no thought for the morrow.
The parables are almost all based on the theme of urgency—the kingdom of heaven is at hand, be ready for it. e.g, the bridesmaids who did not have enough oil to keep their lamps burning.
If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people — House
