The Historical Jesus: Myths, Legends, and Seminar Insights

Dr. Ehrman invites everyone to his December 5th seminar on the historical aspects of the Christmas story.

### Exploring Historical and Legendary Aspects of Jesus: Seminar Invitation
* 📅 I want to officially invite everyone to a seminar on December 5th titled "**Did the Christmas Story Really Happen? The Birth of Jesus in History and Legend**," hosted by Dr. Burt Armand.
* 💬 In our previous discussion, I expressed my views on the blend of history and legend surrounding Jesus, noting that while I don't believe he was entirely fictional, there are **inconsistencies in his story**, such as being **born and raised in different places** to fulfill prophecies.
* 📖 I pointed out that certain stories attributed to Jesus, like **cursing the fig tree** and the **woman caught in adultery**, are believed to have been **added later**, raising questions about their **authenticity**, similar to how **Maid Marian** was added to **Robin Hood's legend** centuries after his time.
* 🧠 Dr. Ehrman emphasized that the task of **distinguishing historical facts from legendary elements** in the gospels is a scholarly endeavor, akin to analyzing the lives of other historical figures, as many stories about them may also be **exaggerated or fabricated**.
* 📜 He mentioned that scholars have spent decades studying ancient texts, including non-canonical gospels, to better understand Jesus's life, such as the **Infancy Gospel of Thomas**, which portrays **miraculous acts by a young Jesus**.
* 🔍 We also discussed how the name **Jesus was common during that time**, making it challenging to identify specific individuals in historical texts, as seen in Josephus's writings about different **Jesuses**.
* 📚 In the upcoming seminar, Dr. Armand will delve into the historical aspects of the Christmas story, examining details like the **virgin birth** and the **journey to Bethlehem**, and will encourage participants to **engage in discussions during Q&A sessions** following each lecture.
* 🎤 Thank you for your time, and I hope many will join us to **explore these intriguing topics further**.

Jesus was a  man, a myth, AND just a legend

AronRa

Burt Armand is hosting a seminar on December 5th, titled "Did the Christmas Story Really Happen? The Birth of Jesus in History and Legend.

" The discussion explores the mix of historical and legendary elements in Jesus's life, with some stories being added later, raising questions about their authenticity.

Critical scholars have been examining the gospel accounts since the 18th century, trying to differentiate between historical facts and legendary accretions.

Historical figures, including Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, are often surrounded by false stories and myths.

Historians use the same criteria to study all figures, including Jesus, and spend decades analyzing texts to uncover the truth.

The webinar on December 5th will explore other traditions and stories about Jesus' early life.

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas and Its Impact

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas narrates Jesus' miraculous acts between the ages of 5 and 12, showcasing his uncontrolled power as a child.

The gospel includes dramatic stories, such as Jesus causing a child to fall down dead after being bumped.

The other Gospel of Thomas, written in Coptic and discovered in the Nag Hammadi library, contains 114 sayings of Jesus and is known for its unique and thought-provoking teachings.

The Confusion of Joseph of Arimathea and Josephus

Robert Price suggests a connection between Joseph of Arimathea and Josephus due to their similar names.

However, Josephus's well-documented life and writings predate the mentions of Joseph of Arimathea.

The commonality of the name Jesus in that era complicates the identification of specific individuals, leading to confusion among Christians seeking historical proof of their Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth is the only one referred to as the Messiah, with the Greek word "Christos" meaning the anointed one.

The concept of messiahs is common in Jewish culture, but there weren't many others named Jesus.

The Quran appropriates Jesus' story, depicting him as a forerunner to Muhammad, and also includes stories from Jesus' infancy.

The Story of the Sparrow and the Seminar on the Christmas Story

The Gospel of Thomas includes a story about making a sparrow, drawing from various sources, including the gospels.

The comparison between the Josephus passage and Luke's account of Arimathea is intriguing, with Arimathea's name possibly meaning "best disciple.

" The seminar on December 5th will explore the historical aspects of the Christmas story, including the trip to Bethlehem and the virgin birth, with lectures and a Q&A session for participants.