« Did Jesus Really Exist ? »

Richard Dawkins tells us what he thinks.

Who Raised the 'Son of God' | Jesus's Family Tree | BBC Select

Jul 25, 2023 | Jesus was the single child of a nuclear family with his parents, Mary and Joseph. At least, that’s the traditional image. But Jesus lived 2000 years ago in a society where an extended family was the norm. This fascinating two-part documentary reveals evidence from both the gospels and archaeology showing that Jesus not only had a vast family network, but this network inspired and supported him.

Watch the full series here.

Controversial Views on Jesus: Violence, Wealth, & Ideologies. | #shorts

Listen to Dr. Bart Ehrman talk on this here.

Dr. Bart Ehrman on Jesus | #shorts

Did Jesus think of Himself as God? Listen to what this world-renowned professor of theology has to say on the topic here.

Did Jesus Even Claim to Be God? Bart Ehrman Says No...

Jun 19, 2023

Evidence of Jesus' Biological Father (by Dr. James Tabor)

Jan 27, 2022 | In this video we discuss Pantera, the Roman Soldier who may be the real biological father of Jesus of Nazareth. Professor James Tabor breaks down all the sources we have that suggest this.

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This is a highly controversial subject. It should therefore be well noted that I neither endorse nor dismiss this material. I am not a theologian, a historian or a specialist in the historicity of the Bible narrative. I am, however, a truth seeker; so, such discussions, however polemical, are of great interest to me. I trust they are of great interest to you too. – Mark Alexander

Jesus Son of Pantera: Ancient Slander or Historical Probability?

Jun 4, 2023 | Contrary to what is often asserted by scholars as well as general readers, the early traditions that Jesus had a biological father named "Pantera" has nothing to do with an assertion that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. Further, the name Pantera was never said to be a pun on Parthenos--the Greek word for "virgin"--until it was suggested by a German scholar in the 19th century! No ancient writers who comment on the name "Yeshua bar Pantera" associates it with such a pun--they know the name as a real name from the family of Joseph and Mary. Furthermore, 1st century rabbis living in Sepphoris, just north of Nazareth, use the name in a descriptive way--not as slander at all--referring to Jesus of Nazareth. It was a REAL name, not a pun used in slander. In this interview I offer an overview of the Pantera traditions--what we know and don't know, including what I have discovered about the tombstone of a 1st century Roman soldier from Sidon found Bingerbrücke, Germany, on the Rhine river, in 1859.

Did Jesus Have a Biological Father? Sorting Out the Pantera Traditions

Dec 9, 2022 | Contrary to what is often asserted, by scholars as well as general readers, the early traditions that Jesus had a biological father named "Pantera" has nothing to do with an assertion that Mary was raped by a Roman soldier. Further, the name Pantera was never said to be a pun on Parthenos--the Greek word for "virgin"--until it was suggested by a German scholar in the 19th century! No ancient writers who comment on the name "Yeshua bar Pantera" associates it with such a pun--they know the name as a real name from the family of Joseph and Mary. Furthermore, 1st century rabbis living in Sepphoris, just north of Nazareth, use the name in a descriptive way--not as slander at all--referring to Jesus of Nazareth. It was a REAL name, not a pun used in slander. In this interview I offer an overview of the Pantera traditions--what we know and don't know, including what I have discovered about the tombstone of a 1st century Roman soldier from Sidon found Bingerbrücke, Germany, on the Rhine river, in 1859.

The Village in Syria Where They Speak Jesus' Tongue: Aramaic

May 25, 2016 | Aramaic (2008): In a village in the Syrian countryside, Muslims and Christians live side-by-side and keeping the language of Christ, Aramaic, alive.

James D. Tabor: An Unnamed Father of Jesus

May 15, 2023 | Jesus is known in Hebrew non-polemical sources as "Yeshua ben Pantera," that is "Jesus son of Pantera." The later scandalous tales of Mary, his mother, being raped by a Roman soldier, or guilty of adultery, are just that--attempts to malign both her and her "illegitimate" son. However, another possibility, that fits our earliest references to a Jewish man named Pantera, who is close to Mary's age and related to her family, remains an intriguing possibility. In this short overview I survey the main questions and what we know and don't know about Jesus' biological father.

Mark, our earliest narrative of Jesus, includes no birth story whatsoever and never mentions Joseph, husband of Mary, at all in his entire gospel--but he does call Jesus the "son of Mary." Here is my take on things.


Please note that I do not place this video here because I necessarily believe it; rather, I place it here out of interest and intellectual stimulation. There is much in religion that we still know nothing or little about. I keep an open mind. As, indeed, I try to do about all things. New evidence brings new understanding. Beware the man/woman who is sure about everything! – Mark

James D. Tabor.

What Did Jesus Say about Homosexuality?

Sep 28, 2011 | Jay Michaelson, author of God vs. Gay: The Religious Case for Equality, looks at what Christ had to say about homosexuality.

The myth that the Bible forbids homosexuality—the myth of "God versus Gay"—is behind some of the most divisive and painful conflicts of our day. In this provocative, passionately argued, and game-changing book, scholar and activist Jay Michaelson shows that not only does the Bible not prohibit same-sex intimacy, but the vast majority of its teachings support the full equality and dignity of gay and lesbian people, from the first flaw it finds in creation ("It is not good for a person to be alone") to the way religious communities grow through reflection and conscience. In short, Michaelson observes, religious people should support equality for gays and lesbians—not despite their religion, but because of it.

With close readings of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, the latest data on the science of sexual orientation, and a sympathetic, accessible, and ecumenical approach to religious faith, Michaelson makes the case that sexual diversity is part of the beauty of nature and that the recognition of same-sex families will strengthen, not threaten, the values religious people hold dear. This is an important book for anyone who has wrestled with questions of religion and homosexuality: parents and pastors, believers and skeptics, advocates of "gay rights" and opponents of them. Whatever your views on religion and sexual diversity, God vs. Gay is a plea for a more compassionate, informed conversation—and a first step toward creating one.


MY ESSAY WHICH EXPRESSES A VERY SIMILAR SENTIMENT:

Jesus, Christianity, and Homosexuality »

Bart Ehrman: Evolution of Jesus in Early Christianity

The Birth of Jesus in History & Legend | Bart Ehrman

Ehrman-Licona Debate on Proving Jesus Rose from Dead

Bart Ehrman flew to Kansas City, Missouri where he debated Christian apologist Mike R. Licona on the topic, "Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead." Is there historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? The event took place on February 28, 2008 at 7 p.m. held at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. R. Philip Roberts, the seminary's president and the debate's moderator commented previous of the event, "We are thrilled to have both Bart D. Ehrman and Mike R. Licona on campus addressing the questions many people ask these days. Apologetics, the science of defending the Christian faith, are very important. Our culture is looking for an answer. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Christian community and others to learn if the claims of Christ are defensible."

The debate is discussed in the book "Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics" edited by Paul Copan, William Lane Craig. Chapter 9 is written by Michael Licona, which reviews this debate extensively from his perspective.

The Historical Jesus by Bart D. Ehrman: Other Sources

The Gospel Truth: Sometimes a Little Hazy

Terry Gross is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview format radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed throughout the United States by National Public Radio (NPR). She interviews Bart on March 4th, 2009 and centers the discussion to reflect on Bart's book "Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (and Why We Don't Know About Them)." The conversation addressed such questions as; what is the story of Jesus' birth? How did Judas die? What did Jesus say when he was crucified? The answers to those questions vary depending on which Gospel you read, says Bible scholar Bart Ehrman. He says that each Gospel writer had a different message — and that readers should not "smash the four Gospels into one big Gospel and think that [they] get the true understanding."

Misquoting Jesus in the Bible – Professor Bart D. Ehrman

Listen to the lecture here »

Justin Bass vs Bart Ehrman | Did the Historical Jesus Claim to Be Divine?

On September 18th, 2015, Dr Justin Bass and Dr Bart Ehrman engaged in a debate on the topic, "Did the historical Jesus claim to be divine?" The debate took place at Collin College in Frisco, Texas.

Caesar’s Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus – Official Version

Did Jesus Die on the Cross? | BBC Four Documentary