Jesus" ... | The Jesus Mysteries : Was The "original

: Critics point out that the authors often cite no primary ancient sources for their claims about "standard" godman myths.

The book by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy (published in 1999) presents a provocative "Jesus Mysteries Thesis". It argues that the Jesus of the New Testament was not a historical person but a mythical figure created by Jewish "Gnostics" who adapted ancient Pagan myths. Core Argument: The "Jesus Mysteries Thesis"

The authors contend that early Christianity was essentially a Jewish adaptation of the ancient . The Jesus mysteries : was the "original Jesus" ...

Did Jesus Exist? | Notes & Review - vialogue - WordPress.com

: The vast majority of scholars maintain that Jesus was a real historical figure, citing early independent sources like the letters of Paul and non-Christian references from Josephus and Tacitus. : Critics point out that the authors often

: Freke and Gandy claim the Jesus story parallels myths of "Osiris-Dionysus"—god-men who were born of virgins, turned water into wine, and rose from the dead.

: The book suggests that "Literalist" Christians later took these allegories as historical facts and brutally suppressed the original Gnostic "True Christians". Critical Reception and Scholarship Core Argument: The "Jesus Mysteries Thesis" The authors

While the book became a popular sensation, it is widely criticized or dismissed by mainstream academic historians.