Did Jesus Exist? (2)

Introduction

One of the most persistent claims in modern popular skepticism is that Jesus of Nazareth never existed and that Christianity began as a purely mythological movement. This view—commonly called Jesus Mythicism—argues that Jesus was invented as a supernatural figure, modeled on pagan gods and later historicized by early Christians.

This handout examines that claim through historical method, scholarly consensus, and ancient evidence, showing why Jesus Mythicism is rejected by virtually all professional historians of antiquity and early Christianity.

Scholarly Consensus

Modern scholarship is remarkably united on one point: Jesus of Nazareth existed.

The prominent American New Testament historian Bart Ehrman summarizes the consensus clearly:

“I should say at the outset that none of this (Jesus Mythicism) literature is written by scholars trained in New Testament or early Christian studies teaching at the major, or even the minor, accredited theological seminaries, divinity schools, universities, or colleges of North America or Europe (or anywhere else in the world). Of the thousands of scholars of early Christianity who do teach at such schools, none of them, to my knowledge, has any doubts that Jesus existed.”

This consensus includes Christian, Jewish, atheist, and agnostic scholars. Agreement on Jesus’ existence does not depend on belief in miracles or theology, but on historical reasoning.

The Core Problem with Mythicism

The fundamental flaw in Mythicism is methodological.

Rather than following the evidence where it leads, Mythicism often:

Begins with the conclusion that Jesus did not exist

Works backward to reinterpret or dismiss evidence

Treats all contrary data as fabrication or conspiracy

This is the opposite of responsible historical inquiry.

A Crucial Historical Observation

From the first century until the eighteenth century, every source that mentions Jesus—

Christian

Jewish

Pagan

Hostile or sympathetic

assumed he was a real historical person.

No ancient critic argued that Jesus was mythical. This leads to an important conclusion:

The idea that Jesus did not exist is itself a modern myth.

It arises not from ancient evidence, but from modern speculation.

Common Mythicist Claim

“It is simpler to believe Jesus never existed and was invented as a supernatural being.”

According to this view:

Christianity is founded on myth

Jesus is copied from pagan gods like Osiris, Mithras, Horus, or Krishna

But when these alleged parallels are examined historically, they collapse.

Alleged Pagan Parallels Examined

1. Virgin Birth

Ehrman notes:

“There is no evidence that dying-and-rising gods were believed to be born of virgins.”

Historical facts:

Mithras: born from a rock

Horus: born to Isis through Osiris

Krishna: born naturally to Devaki and Vasudeva

Conclusion: There is no genuine pagan virgin birth parallel.

2. Twelve Disciples

Historian Maurice Casey observes that parallels are often asserted without evidence.

Mithras: associated with twelve zodiac signs, not disciples

Horus and Krishna: no group of twelve followers

Symbolism is not historical borrowing.

3. Death and Resurrection

Ehrman again:

“Claims of pagan resurrections are greatly exaggerated or simply false.”

Mithras: never dies

Horus: symbolic solar myth, not resurrection

Krishna: dies accidentally, no resurrection

No pagan god undergoes crucifixion followed by bodily resurrection.

4. Salvation Through Sacrifice

Jesus’ death:

Occurs in a specific historical context

Is a public execution

Is interpreted through Jewish theology

None of the pagan figures:

Die for sins

Are executed historically

Are rooted in first-century Judaism

If Parallels Existed… So What?

Even if similarities existed, parallels do not prove non-existence.

By that logic, Mahatma Gandhi would also be a myth:

Titled Mahatma / Messiah

Known for ethical teaching and non-violence

Surrounded by close disciples

Killed by his own people

Final words invoking God

Life popularized through film

Parallels alone prove nothing about historicity.

The Apollonius of Tyana Claim

Some claim Jesus was copied from Apollonius of Tyana.

Problems with this claim:

Apollonius lived after Jesus

Main source: Philostratus (~AD 225)

Written ~150 years later

No eyewitnesses

Commissioned by the Empress

Uses cautious language (“it is reported…”)

The Gospels, by contrast:

Assert events directly

Show no hesitation

Are much earlier

Apollonius did not rise from the dead.

How Historians Evaluate the Past

Types of Evidence

Hard evidence: photographs (none for antiquity)

Physical evidence: inscriptions, objects, writings

Literary evidence: references, reports, quotations

There is:

No writing by Jesus himself

No physical remains

But this is normal, not exceptional.

The Archaeological Reality

We have no archaeology for non-elite Jews in 1st-century Palestine

Over 99.99% of ancient people left no writings

Absence of evidence ≠ evidence of absence

If archaeological evidence did exist, Mythicists would likely dismiss it as Christian fabrication.

“No Roman Records?”

This objection misunderstands Roman history.

Roman records were selective

Jesus was:

Poor

Rural

Executed as a low-level criminal

We lack records for thousands of crucifixion victims

Expecting modern-style archives is anachronistic

Even major figures are scarcely attested

Pontius Pilate:

One inscription

A few coins

No writings

Expecting more evidence for Jesus than for Pilate is unreasonable.

Earliest Records of Jesus

The best-attested sources:

The Gospels

The letters of Paul

Comparative silence is normal:

Josephus: no autobiographical narratives

Caiaphas: none

Pilate: none

Jesus is the best-attested Palestinian Jew of his time.

Independent Non-Christian Sources

Within 100 years:

Approximately 14 independent sources

Includes:

Paul

Peter

James

Josephus

Tacitus

Suetonius

Pliny the Younger

Roman Historians

Tacitus (c. 115 CE)

“Nero falsely accused those whom the populace called Christians. The author of this name, Christ, was put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate while Tiberius was emperor; but the dangerous superstition, though suppressed for the moment, broke out again not only in Judea, the origin of this evil, but even in the city of Rome.” — Annals 15.44

Tacitus is hostile, independent, and non-Christian.

Suetonius (c. AD 120)

“Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus [Christ],​ he expelled them from Rome.”

mentions disturbances connected to Chrestus.

Pliny the Younger (AD 112),  Book 10, Letter 96.

Christians worship Christ as a god

Moral commitments

Some had followed Christ for over 20 years

Jewish Sources

Josephus:

Mentions Jesus

Mentions John the Baptist

Mentions James, “the brother of Jesus”

Testimonium Flavianum (Antiquities 18.3.3)

About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, [if indeed one ought to call him a man]. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. [He was the Messiah.] When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not give up their affection for him. [For he appeared to them alive again on the third day, the divine prophets having foretold these and countless other marvellous things about him.] And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.

Conclusion

Even hostile, Jewish, and Roman sources:

Affirm Jesus’ existence

Confirm his execution

Confirm the persistence of his followers

Jesus is not a myth born of speculation. He is a historical figure embedded firmly in first-century history.