“The idea that Jesus never existed is wishful thinking. It’s the view that is so extreme that there’s no reason for a serious historian to take it seriously.” — Bart Ehrman, Did Jesus Exist?
While the vast majority of historians accept that Jesus of Nazareth was a real figure, some skeptics today attempt to erase Him from history entirely. Jesus Mythicism—a fringe theory amplified by the internet—seeks not merely to question His divinity, but to deny His very existence. In doing so, it reveals far more about the modern need for convenient skepticism than it does about ancient history.
The Rise of a Modern Myth
In an age where information is shared in seconds and opinions are formed through memes, it is perhaps no surprise that Jesus Mythicism—the claim that Jesus of Nazareth never existed as a historical figure—has flourished. Scroll through YouTube comments, TikTok videos, or Reddit threads and you’ll encounter the confident claim: “There is no evidence Jesus even existed.”
And yet, this is one of the most easily falsifiable claims in historical studies.
Jesus Mythicism is not a scholarly position. It is a conspiracy theory, dressed in pseudo-intellectual robes, flourishing in an era where skepticism often means little more than distrust of anything traditional. Like flat-earth theory or moon landing denial, it thrives not because it has evidence, but because it appeals to a desire to feel superior to “the masses” who believe.
A New Obsession with Ancient Denial
Though fringe figures have questioned Jesus’ existence before, the modern “Jesus never existed” movement is a recent phenomenon, amplified by social media rather than scholarship. As historian Maurice Casey noted, Jesus Mythicism is built largely on “hopeless misunderstandings of ancient texts and cultures” (Jesus: Evidence and Argument or Mythicist Myths?).
Serious historians—Christian, atheist, and agnostic alike—universally agree that Jesus existed. Bart Ehrman, one of Christianity’s fiercest critics, devoted an entire book to dismantling Jesus Mythicism. Ehrman compared mythicists to “Holocaust deniers” and “flat-earthers,” noting that “we have more evidence for Jesus than for almost any other figure from antiquity.”
This is not a religious statement. It is a statement about historical reality.
The Historical Evidence
The historical evidence for Jesus’ existence is overwhelming:
1. Early Christian Writings
The New Testament documents, especially the Gospels and Paul’s letters, are our earliest sources. They describe a real man, Jesus of Nazareth, who lived, taught, was crucified, and whose followers believed He rose again. Paul’s letters, dated to within 20 years of Jesus’ death, reference Jesus as a historical person—including His crucifixion under Pontius Pilate (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
2. Non-Christian Sources
- Josephus (c. 93 AD): Mentions Jesus twice in Antiquities of the Jews.
- Tacitus (c. 115 AD): Confirms Jesus’ execution under Pontius Pilate (Annals 15.44).
- Pliny the Younger (c. 112 AD): Describes early Christians worshiping Christ “as to a god.”
- Suetonius (c. 120 AD): Mentions disturbances in Rome caused by “Chrestus,” likely a reference to Christ.
None of these writers were Christians. They had no incentive to invent Jesus.
3. The Criterion of Embarrassment
Jesus’ crucifixion—a shameful death—is not something early Christians would have invented if they were fabricating a savior. Crucifixion was a scandal and a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23). That it forms the heart of the message suggests its historical authenticity.
4. Multiple Independent Attestation
Jesus is attested in multiple independent sources—Paul, the Synoptic Gospels, John, and external historians—strengthening the case that He was a real figure.
As historian E.P. Sanders, a secular scholar, concluded: “We know more about Jesus than about almost any figure of antiquity.”
Common Arguments of Mythicists—and Why They Fail
Claim 1: Jesus is just a copy of pagan gods (like Horus or Mithras).
This argument, popularized by films like Zeitgeist, has been debunked countless times. No serious historian supports the idea that Jesus’ story was plagiarized from pagan myths.
- Horus was not born of a virgin.
- Mithras did not die and rise again.
- Attis’ resurrection was very different from Christian claims.
As scholar Edwin Yamauchi noted, “Those who seek to find parallels to Christianity in the mystery religions are exaggerating their similarities and ignoring their fundamental differences.”
Claim 2: The Gospels are too late to be reliable.
The Gospels were written between 30–60 years after Jesus’ death or earlier, within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses. By ancient standards, this is extraordinarily early. By contrast, the first biographies of Alexander the Great were written 300+ years after his death—yet historians rely on them.
As historian A.N. Sherwin-White concluded: “The rate of legendary accumulation in the ancient world is such that the texts of the Gospels are early enough to be trustworthy.”
Claim 3: There’s no archaeological evidence for Jesus.
Absence of direct archaeological evidence is normal for ancient figures. We have no archaeological evidence for many ancient personalities—including philosophers like Socrates—yet no one doubts they existed.
Jesus was a poor Jewish teacher executed by Rome. He left no palace, no monuments. Expecting physical artifacts from His life misunderstands ancient history.
Mythicism Persists
Despite the overwhelming evidence, Jesus Mythicism persists online. Why?
1. Emotional Appeal
Rejecting Jesus entirely—even as a man—can feel like liberation for those hostile to Christianity. If He never existed, there’s no need to reckon with His claims.
2. Confirmation Bias
People accept claims that affirm what they already want to believe. Mythicism offers easy “answers” that fit an anti-Christian narrative.
3. Internet Echo Chambers
Online forums often create bubbles where fringe ideas feel mainstream. In reality, Jesus Mythicism is not a serious academic position—but on Reddit or TikTok, it can seem otherwise.
4. Historical Illiteracy
Few today are trained in evaluating historical claims. Viral memes replace rigorous study. As G.K. Chesterton warned, “When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing. They then become capable of believing in anything.”
Serious Scholars Speak
- Bart Ehrman: “We have more evidence for Jesus than for almost anybody from his time period.”
- Maurice Casey: Jesus Mythicism is based on “misunderstandings of texts.”
- John Dominic Crossan: “That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical can ever be.”
- Will Durant: “The denial of Jesus’ existence seems never to have occurred to the bitterest Gentile or Jewish opponents of early Christianity.”
Even radical critics of Christianity affirm that Jesus existed.
The Real Question: Who Was He?
Ultimately, the historical existence of Jesus is not the real question.
The real question is: Who was He?
Jesus claimed to inaugurate the Kingdom of God, forgive sins, and rise again. His early followers were willing to suffer and die proclaiming that He had defeated death.
As C.S. Lewis famously argued:
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice.” (Mere Christianity)
You cannot honestly dismiss Jesus as a myth. You must reckon with Him.
Seeking Truth in a Noisy Age
The internet rewards quick skepticism and shallow dismissal. But serious historical inquiry demands patience, study, and intellectual honesty. Jesus Mythicism is a hollow attempt to bypass the real, unsettling question: What will you do with Jesus of Nazareth?
He lived. He died. His followers testified that He rose again.
The evidence is there for any who will seek it.
The invitation of Christ remains:
“Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
The question is not whether He can be found.
The question is whether you are willing to seek.
References
- Bart D. Ehrman, Did Jesus Exist? (HarperOne, 2012).
- Maurice Casey, Jesus: Evidence and Argument or Mythicist Myths? (T&T Clark, 2014).
- E.P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus (Penguin, 1995).
- Edwin Yamauchi, “Easter: Myth, Hallucination, or History?” in Christianity Today.
- A.N. Sherwin-White, Roman Society and Roman Law in the New Testament (Oxford, 1963).
- G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man (1925).
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (HarperOne, 1952).
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