Jesus is a Fictional Character

[wellwisher]

I think regardless of whether there existed a Jew/Rabbi at the source of the Biblical account. Jesus did not write anything. Can't even be sure, if he existed, what he looked like.

What we have is a fictional character, not a real character. There is simply not enough information about Jesus for Jesus to be real character. Even the name Jesus is a fictional creation.

Are you ok with Jesus as fictional or do you feel a need to insist that Jesus existed as a real person?

Could you name any other fictional character, in any form off media, who has had such a profound and lingering impact on history? Jesus existed over 2000 years ago. Most of his earliest followers who be slaughtered after he and his disciples were also killed. However, some followers would survive and someday their descendant would become part of the official religion of the empire of Rome. In that role, Christianity would grow to become a dominant world empire, the many countries of which would rule the world up to the 19th century. If he was fictional how did the impact of this fictional character linger so long and even be used to drive history?

We have Superman, but he does generate impulse in others to drive history. We have fictional characters in literature and TV with a large following. Once their day in the sun expires, we forget as new characters appear. How was this fiction of Jesus different, such that its impact would linger and lead to centuries of change with his followers in the drivers seat?

My only explanation is this character or person could reach very deep in the operating system of the human brain, such that it fundamentally altered human nature. Other fictional characters cannot go this deep. Even real characters of history, who could reinforce themselves, such as Hitler, would not linger at full strength for more than one generation. Instead with Jesus, we have more followers today than 2000 years ago. What was the difference since this data is readily available.

 

[lukethethird]

Poor historical Jesus doesn't get any respect. It's these stories that got made about him that seem to get the attention.

Could you name any other fictional character, in any form off media, who has had such a profound and lingering impact on history? Jesus existed over 2000 years ago. Most of his earliest followers who be slaughtered after he and his disciples were also killed. However, some followers would survive and someday their descendant would become part of the official religion of the empire of Rome. In that role, Christianity would grow to become a dominant world empire, the many countries of which would rule the world up to the 19th century. If he was fictional how did the impact of this fictional character linger so long and even be used to drive history?

We have Superman, but he does generate impulse in others to drive history. We have fictional characters in literature and TV with a large following. Once their day in the sun expires, we forget as new characters appear. How was this fiction of Jesus different, such that its impact would linger and lead to centuries of change with his followers in the drivers seat?

My only explanation is this character or person could reach very deep in the operating system of the human brain, such that it fundamentally altered human nature. Other fictional characters cannot go this deep. Even real characters of history, who could reinforce themselves, such as Hitler, would not linger at full strength for more than one generation. Instead with Jesus, we have more followers today than 2000 years ago. What was the difference since this data is readily available.

What about God, God is also a fictitious character, poeple believe to this day.

 

[blü 2]

The demiurge is a Platonic concept and was present in the middle Platonism of the time.

The demiurge, at least according to my reading, is found in gnosticism in the context of a remote and pure immaterial God as mentioned. If the Platonists think so too, it's not a teaching of theirs that I'm familiar with ─ nor from any other of the Greek creation myths bar the gnostics. Who, for example, is identified in Platonism as the demiurge, and who the remote God?

A "Logos" as Divine Mediator between the perfect form "God" and the imperfect material world was an idea found in Judaism (for example Philo of Alexandria).

The Jews of Alexandria were, of course, very much influenced by Greek thought, the culture of Alexandria having been Greek since Alexander's time. Jerusalem is where the Jewish conservatives were found, though they weren't free of Greek influences either; in fact the administrative and commercial language of Judea was Greek.

These are trends that started in Judaism, and, to me at least, it seems more plausible that these are the roots of Paul, and that Gnosticism developed out of the same roots (and was perhaps a development partly based on Paul, rather than an influence).

Neoplatonism was certainly an influence on the Church fathers later on. Stoicism also likely had an influence (for example on the idea of a divine Logos underpinning the world)

The Christian idea of taking to the road, engaging in conversation with people you meet, and trusting in the gods / God for food and lodging is straight out of Cynic philosophy, of course.

 

[kaninchen]

Most of his earliest followers who be slaughtered after he and his disciples were also killed.

And we can be sure of that how, exactly?

 

[lukethethird]

Poor historical Jesus doesn't get any respect. It's these stories that got made about him that seem to get the attention.

Yes, literature and nothing but literature.

 

[Nakosis]

Could you name any other fictional character, in any form off media, who has had such a profound and lingering impact on history? Jesus existed over 2000 years ago. Most of his earliest followers who be slaughtered after he and his disciples were also killed. However, some followers would survive and someday their descendant would become part of the official religion of the empire of Rome. In that role, Christianity would grow to become a dominant world empire, the many countries of which would rule the world up to the 19th century. If he was fictional how did the impact of this fictional character linger so long and even be used to drive history?

We have Superman, but he does generate impulse in others to drive history. We have fictional characters in literature and TV with a large following. Once their day in the sun expires, we forget as new characters appear. How was this fiction of Jesus different, such that its impact would linger and lead to centuries of change with his followers in the drivers seat?

My only explanation is this character or person could reach very deep in the operating system of the human brain, such that it fundamentally altered human nature. Other fictional characters cannot go this deep. Even real characters of history, who could reinforce themselves, such as Hitler, would not linger at full strength for more than one generation. Instead with Jesus, we have more followers today than 2000 years ago. What was the difference since this data is readily available.

The name "Jesus" is just a place holder behind which many differing beliefs exists. Even if one of these beliefs happens to be historical, they can't all be historical. This leaves any belief one might happen to have, more likely to be fictional than not.

 

[Flagran]

What he looked like. Did he really believe his father was really God.

I can only answer your second question...He acknowledged His Father God verbally while nailed on the cross at the point of death. Your first question needs a lot more bible studying and reasoning on my part...I don't claim to have all the answers. I have too wondered why?!? .... great question!!! maybe this should help "
Exodus 20:4
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;"
*****I had a think about this so here goes...the Hebrews were very sensitive about graven images to the point of stoning blasphemers claiming to be Prophets or God. The Pharisee's try to catch out Jesus out by hanging on every word He said hoping to have grounds for stoning Him. Jesus knowing what was in their hearts of the Pharisee's reprimanded them either directly or indirectly. The Pharisee's could not explain the miracles He performed and felt their positions in the Temple threatened. They were envious and humiliated at the popularity of Jesus with the common people. Why I'm explaining you this??? is a sculptured image or graven image would have been grounds for stoning...they just did not know.

 

[Quagmire]

"Jesus is a Fictional Character''

Aren't we all..

 

[Muffled]

The problem is IMO, we know nothing about the real physical person. So we are left to fill in what we don't know which will vary from individual to individual.

Whatever image anyone person has in mind of Jesus can only be fictional.

I believe most of the images are fictional but the one I have from Him is not.

 

[Muffled]

"Jesus is a Fictional Character''

Aren't we all..

I believe I keep a lot of things about me to myself. So people know an image of me sort of the way people know God.

 

[Nakosis]

I believe most of the images are fictional but the one I have from Him is not.

Ok but how can you verify?

Maybe my image is correct. Can't prove it is not, even if unlikely.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

I think regardless of whether there existed a Jew/Rabbi at the source of the Biblical account. Jesus did not write anything. Can't even be sure, if he existed, what he looked like.

What we have is a fictional character, not a real character. There is simply not enough information about Jesus for Jesus to be real character. Even the name Jesus is a fictional creation.

Are you ok with Jesus as fictional or do you feel a need to insist that Jesus existed as a real person?

I’m writing a story where the main characters meet several Jesuses and I don’t care if the biblical character is fictional.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Playing devil's advocate, there is secular evidence that verify Jesus was a real person, such as the historical accounts of Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus (37-100 A.D.), and the historical accounts of Roman historian, Cornelius Tacitus (55-120 A.D.)

The Bible Says Jesus Was Real. What Other Proof Exists?

What is the historical evidence that Jesus Christ lived and died?

Tacitus talked about Christians. That’s not the same thing as interviewing Jesus.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

I know right? It’s tempting to go to the mall and preach faith in Harry Potter.

And like Harry Potter, eventually you find out that the originator is a mean person.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

But then you would have Pilate to mock and disbelieve in. Jesus returned to believers not the enemies of God.

I thought the doctor went to the sick, not the well.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

If you don't write a book about yourself, signed off on by a number of today's historians, then in 2000 years you will only be a myth regardless of the influence you have on anyone living today!

The Roman administration would have been literate. Where are the records of Jesus’ arrest and execution?

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

None of those words makes me believe that anybody saw a man three days dead get up and walk around or leave the earth, or that people don't concoct stories or die from believing them. Isn't that the argument - that there must be more than a bunch of mistaken people if so many died willingly for their belief?

Especially since the people who stayed with him for months didn’t recognize their teacher.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Jesus’ interpretation is the only one that matters

It’s cute you think the church would preserve the words of Jesus correctly when supposedly he complained about the apostles not understanding him.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Which you’re not correct in you assumption that Paul was lying. Whether or not the snake was poisonous, the people who lived there seem to think it was. I really am not sure what your point is.

Paul: I got bitten by a snake. Snakes are very mean. And this one, who definitely voted Democrat— I have proof— was YUGE …

 

[ElishaElijah]

It’s cute you think the church would preserve the words of Jesus correctly when supposedly he complained about the apostles not understanding him.

When people use “It’s cute” I will assume you’re just trolling.