[veritas]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

We were talking about the historical Jesus though.
Have you ever heard of Frank "Rocky" Fiegel? He was a sailor who lived in Chester, Illinois in the 1920's and 30's. He was a bachelor and was said to be good with his fists.
A comic artist named Elzie Crisler Segar sent him checks in the 1930's.
Why? Because he was the basis for Popeye the Sailor.
Does this mean Popeye was a real person? Even now, 80-some-odd years later? Given how much the character has evolved over that time?
Now look at the character of Jesus in the bible. It's 2000 years later. Is it really correct to say that that character was a real person?

It suffers from the "my friend Bob" problem.

My friend Bob is a great guy. He's 6'4", blonde, a corporal in the army and can nail the center of the ace of spades from 500 yards.

Well, OK. He can't actually nail the ace of spades. He's never shot a gun in his life.

And, OK. He isn't a corporal. He tried to enlist but was turned away.

And, OK. He was turned away because he's 4'3" and weighs 350 pounds.

And, OK. His name isn't Bob. It's Charlene. And she's a woman and not that great.

At what point does this no longer become "my friend Bob"?

It's the same with the character of Jesus.

There's no evidence to support that the historical person existed and when people start talking about the "historical Jesus", all the major pieces of his life get wiped out just like with Bob.

OK, he wasn't from Nazareth.

OK, he wasn't born in Bethlehem.

OK, he didn't actually do this, that, or the other think he's said to have done.

And, OK. His name wasn't Jesus.

At some point, you have to admit that whatever "historical" person the character in the bible may or may not have been based on bears no actual resemblance to the person it may or may not have been based on.

Why? And have you ever studied the Bible?