Introduction to Jesus Mythicism
Jesus mythicism, also known as the “Christ myth theory,” is the argument that the story of Jesus Christ is largely or entirely mythical, and that there is little to no historical evidence to support the claim that Jesus existed as a real person. This theory has been debated among scholars for centuries, with some arguing that the stories about Jesus are rooted in pagan mythology and others claiming that Jesus was a real person who was later mythologized.
Enter McKay Coppins
In recent years, McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic, has written extensively on the topic of Jesus mythicism. Coppins’ work offers a unique perspective on the debate, as he approaches the topic from a neutral, journalistic perspective. Through his research and interviews with experts, Coppins debunks many of the common myths surrounding Jesus mythicism. Here are five ways Coppins challenges the theory:
1. The Lack of Contemporary Evidence is Not Conclusive
One of the primary arguments made by Jesus mythicists is that there is a lack of contemporary evidence to support the existence of Jesus. However, Coppins points out that this argument is not as conclusive as mythicists claim. In fact, many historians agree that the lack of contemporary evidence is not unusual for figures from ancient times. As Coppins notes, “the absence of contemporary evidence does not necessarily mean that Jesus did not exist.”
2. The New Testament Accounts are Not as Contradictory as Claimed
Mythicists often point to the contradictions between the different New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life as evidence that the stories are mythical. However, Coppins argues that these contradictions are not as significant as mythicists claim. In fact, many of the contradictions can be explained by the fact that the different accounts were written for different audiences and purposes. As Coppins notes, “the contradictions between the accounts are not necessarily evidence of fabrication, but rather evidence of the complexity and nuance of the historical record.”
3. The Existence of Jesus is Supported by Non-Christian Sources
Mythicists often claim that the only evidence for Jesus’ existence comes from Christian sources, which are naturally biased. However, Coppins points out that there are several non-Christian sources that support the existence of Jesus, including the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus. While these sources do not provide conclusive evidence, they do offer independent confirmation of Jesus’ existence.
4. The Mythological Parallels are Not as Significant as Claimed
Mythicists often point to the parallels between the story of Jesus and pagan mythology as evidence that the story of Jesus is mythical. However, Coppins argues that these parallels are not as significant as mythicists claim. In fact, many of the parallels can be explained by the fact that the ancient world was culturally and intellectually interconnected. As Coppins notes, “the parallels between the story of Jesus and pagan mythology are not necessarily evidence of borrowing or fabrication, but rather evidence of the shared cultural and intellectual heritage of the ancient world.”
5. The Argument from Silence is Not Conclusive
Finally, mythicists often argue that the silence of certain ancient sources on the topic of Jesus is evidence that he did not exist. However, Coppins points out that this argument is not conclusive. In fact, the silence of ancient sources can be explained by a variety of factors, including the fact that many ancient sources have been lost or destroyed over time. As Coppins notes, “the argument from silence is not necessarily evidence of anything, but rather a reminder of the limitations and uncertainties of the historical record.”
🔍 Note: While Coppins' work offers a compelling critique of Jesus mythicism, it is essential to note that the debate is ongoing, and many scholars continue to argue that Jesus mythicism is a viable theory.
What is Jesus mythicism?
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Jesus mythicism is the theory that the story of Jesus Christ is largely or entirely mythical, and that there is little to no historical evidence to support the claim that Jesus existed as a real person.
Who is McKay Coppins?
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McKay Coppins is a staff writer at The Atlantic who has written extensively on the topic of Jesus mythicism.
What are some of the primary arguments made by Jesus mythicists?
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Some of the primary arguments made by Jesus mythicists include the lack of contemporary evidence, the contradictions between the New Testament accounts, and the parallels between the story of Jesus and pagan mythology.
In summary, McKay Coppins’ work offers a compelling critique of Jesus mythicism, challenging many of the common myths surrounding the theory. While the debate is ongoing, Coppins’ research and interviews with experts provide a nuanced and balanced perspective on the topic.
