Paul George | The University of Western Australia (original) (raw)
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Videos by Paul George
The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the f... more The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the first century of our era. Some Jews expected the Messiah (Christ) to come and save them. When no help came they explained the non-event as their own misunderstanding of the sacred Scriptures. The Messiah did come they argued but not as the political saviour. His coming was re-interpreted as a first coming fulfilling the suffering servant prophecies of Isaiah. He will come again and soon they preached as the victorious lord, defeat evil and rule the world.
The stories about Jesus as recorded in the gospels and other literature were attempts to explain how the religion arose and to give substance to the theology. There was no person called Jesus who instituted the religion. It arose for reasons sociological.
To purchase the book, click on this http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
6 views
The real story behind the origins of Christianity. Click on this link to find out how you can pur... more The real story behind the origins of Christianity. Click on this link to find out how you can purchase the book which describes this thesis in more detail and lists the evidence for the claims made. http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
9 views
Helen Bond takes it as given that a person called Jesus existed in the first century and that he ... more Helen Bond takes it as given that a person called Jesus existed in the first century and that he authored the religion of Christianity. In this video I critically examine her claims as set out in her book "The historical Jesus: A guide for the perplexed" and suggest that an alternative hypothesis better explains the origins of the religion.
"This review offers a very good presentation of the Helen Bond book. Also regardless of your position regarding the kind of solution of the "Historical Jesus" problem offered by Paul George this video is very much worth watching for its contextual historical overview." _NOTAN EMOPROG Dec 2022
My book "On Christian Origins" can be purchased by clicking on this link.
http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
11 views
Papers by Paul George
This summary of the book "On Christian Origins" is made freely available to scholars for academic... more This summary of the book "On Christian Origins" is made freely available to scholars for academic purposes. It is designed to give a general overview of the topics covered in the book and to be read at a single sitting. For a fully referenced and comprehensive discussion of the matters raised, the reader is encouraged to consult the complete edition of the book listed at https://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
The critique of a podcast which discusses the evidence or lack of evidence for Jesus.
A critique of John Dickson's book: Is Jesus History?, 2022
John Dickson is a popular Australian Christian author and apologist, whose work spans several dec... more John Dickson is a popular Australian Christian author and apologist, whose work spans several decades. In this review of one of his later books "Is Jesus History?" we critically examine the arguments and evidence put forward by Dickson to support the orthodox thesis that the person of Jesus instituted the religion of Christianity early in the first century. We conclude that the religion arose spontaneously without the need for a cult leader later in the century. Jesus is an invented literary character who, despite Dickson's protestations to the contrary, had no role in the formation of the religion and no real existence in history.
A review of Sheridan's book, Christians: the urgent case for Jesus in our world. The book aims t... more A review of Sheridan's book, Christians: the urgent case for Jesus in our world. The book aims to convince the Australian public that Church and State can exist together harmoniously. The Church is founded on solid historical traditions and is relevant to today. However, the scholarship which Sheridan presents is below par and a better way to approach the problem is suggested by the reviewer.
Penso que a crença em Cristo teria sido antes consequência de se raciocinar sobre certas coisas, ... more Penso que a crença em Cristo teria sido antes consequência de se raciocinar sobre certas coisas, coisas descritas nos Escritos Sagrados6. Em outras palavras, “Jesus”, foi construído teologicamente construído ex nihilo, do nada.
Tacitus says that Christians got their name from Christus, who had "suffered the extreme penalty ... more Tacitus says that Christians got their name from Christus, who had "suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus." Christians rely on this text to show that Jesus was an historical figure. But Tacitus probably received the information about Christus from Christians who accepted as a matter of faith that Christ had been crucified under Pontius Pilate. Contrary to this position my contention is that belief in Christus was a consequence of reasoning that certain things, things described in sacred writings, must be so. In other words, "Jesus" was theologically constructed ex nihilo, from nothing.
Tácito dice que los cristianos tomaron su nombre de Christus, quien había "sufrido la pena extrem... more Tácito dice que los cristianos tomaron su nombre de Christus, quien había "sufrido la pena extrema durante el reinado de Tiberio a manos de uno de nuestros procuradores, Poncio Pilato". Los cristianos se basan en este texto para mostrar que Jesús fue una figura histórica. Pero Tácito probablemente recibió la información sobre Christus de cristianos que aceptaban como cuestión de fe que Cristo había sido crucificado bajo Poncio Pilato. En oposición a esta postura, nuestro argumento plantea que la creencia en Christus fue una consecuencia del razonamiento6 de que ciertas cosas, cosas descritas en las sagradas escrituras, deben ser así. En otras palabras, "Jesús" fue construido teológicamente ex nihilo, “de la nada”.
Paul George (please, no "John Ringo" jokes!) makes a case for Christianity having begun, not with... more Paul George (please, no "John Ringo" jokes!) makes a case for Christianity having begun, not with an historical Jesus, but as a collective reaction to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Does he succeed in "proving" his case?
The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the f... more The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the first century of our era. Some Jews expected the Messiah (Christ) to come and save them. When no help came they explained the non-event as their own misunderstanding of the sacred Scriptures. The Messiah did come they argued but not as the political saviour. His coming was re-interpreted as a first coming fulfilling the suffering servant prophecies of Isaiah. He will come again and soon they preached as the victorious lord, defeat evil and rule the world.
The stories about Jesus as recorded in the gospels and other literature were attempts to explain how the religion arose and to give substance to the theology. There was no person called Jesus who instituted the religion. It arose for reasons sociological.
There is little to support the idea that a Jewish sage instituted the religion of Christianity ar... more There is little to support the idea that a Jewish sage instituted the religion of Christianity around the year 30. Fredriksen like most theologians is partly right but mostly wrong. The crucial date was AD70. This date marks the birth of the myth, and the emergence of Christians.
The religion of Christianity was instituted as an unintended consequence of the Roman Jewish War ... more The religion of Christianity was instituted as an unintended consequence of the Roman Jewish War of 66 to 70 CE. Jesus is a literary character whose existence was inferred from traumatic events and the Jews' holy books. The gospels are attempts to explain where the religion came from. The New Testament gospels are not uniquely true or even half true. They are part of a larger set of pious forgeries which were created by the early Christians to shore up faith and persuade pagans of the truthfulness of their claims.
The perceived problem: Matthew ─ or rather Jesus ─ quoting Paul does not fit the received paradig... more The perceived problem: Matthew ─ or rather Jesus ─ quoting Paul does not fit the received paradigm. If Matthew relies on Paul, Matthew is not relying on oral tradition. The gospel of Matthew is therefore a literary work and Jesus is a literary character. Although Matthew could be using Paul only in this instance and otherwise be relying on other material and/or oral tradition. This then begs the question ─ why? Why would Matthew feel it necessary to enhance his narrative with borrowed material? If this is the case, we must doubt the reliability and honesty of Matthew as a recorder of actual events. Furthermore, if Matthew found it necessary to use Paul as confabulation maybe he used other sources in the same way.
Thesis Chapters by Paul George
On Christian Origins (una nueva tesis sobre los orígenes cristianos), 2020
Este libro explora la tesis propuesta por primera vez por Whittaker en 1904 de que la guerra judí... more Este libro explora la tesis propuesta por primera vez por Whittaker en 1904 de que la guerra judío-romana del 66 al 70 precipitó el surgimiento de la religión cristiana. La evidencia de esta hipótesis se encuentra en escritos antiguos, cristianos, judíos y paganos, en numismática y en astronomía. El cristianismo se compara con la invención de religiones modernas como el mormonismo. La ferviente expectativa del Mesías de aparecer para salvar a los judíos de los romanos alimentó el rumor de que el Mesías había aparecido pero no había sido reconocido, había sido asesinado y regresado al cielo. La venida política fallida en ese momento se convirtió en la segunda venida predicha. El primer relato del evangelio, que es completamente ficticio, proporcionó la plantilla para los otros evangelios y fue escrito para explicar cómo surgió la religión.
On Christian Origins, 2020
The Introduction and first chapter of the book discusses the methodology to be used and some back... more The Introduction and first chapter of the book discusses the methodology to be used and some background to the study. Arguments by analogy are introduced and how religions are defended.
The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the f... more The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the first century of our era. Some Jews expected the Messiah (Christ) to come and save them. When no help came they explained the non-event as their own misunderstanding of the sacred Scriptures. The Messiah did come they argued but not as the political saviour. His coming was re-interpreted as a first coming fulfilling the suffering servant prophecies of Isaiah. He will come again and soon they preached as the victorious lord, defeat evil and rule the world.
The stories about Jesus as recorded in the gospels and other literature were attempts to explain how the religion arose and to give substance to the theology. There was no person called Jesus who instituted the religion. It arose for reasons sociological.
To purchase the book, click on this http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
6 views
The real story behind the origins of Christianity. Click on this link to find out how you can pur... more The real story behind the origins of Christianity. Click on this link to find out how you can purchase the book which describes this thesis in more detail and lists the evidence for the claims made. http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
9 views
Helen Bond takes it as given that a person called Jesus existed in the first century and that he ... more Helen Bond takes it as given that a person called Jesus existed in the first century and that he authored the religion of Christianity. In this video I critically examine her claims as set out in her book "The historical Jesus: A guide for the perplexed" and suggest that an alternative hypothesis better explains the origins of the religion.
"This review offers a very good presentation of the Helen Bond book. Also regardless of your position regarding the kind of solution of the "Historical Jesus" problem offered by Paul George this video is very much worth watching for its contextual historical overview." _NOTAN EMOPROG Dec 2022
My book "On Christian Origins" can be purchased by clicking on this link.
http://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
11 views
This summary of the book "On Christian Origins" is made freely available to scholars for academic... more This summary of the book "On Christian Origins" is made freely available to scholars for academic purposes. It is designed to give a general overview of the topics covered in the book and to be read at a single sitting. For a fully referenced and comprehensive discussion of the matters raised, the reader is encouraged to consult the complete edition of the book listed at https://www.vividpublishing.com.au/onchristianorigins/
The critique of a podcast which discusses the evidence or lack of evidence for Jesus.
A critique of John Dickson's book: Is Jesus History?, 2022
John Dickson is a popular Australian Christian author and apologist, whose work spans several dec... more John Dickson is a popular Australian Christian author and apologist, whose work spans several decades. In this review of one of his later books "Is Jesus History?" we critically examine the arguments and evidence put forward by Dickson to support the orthodox thesis that the person of Jesus instituted the religion of Christianity early in the first century. We conclude that the religion arose spontaneously without the need for a cult leader later in the century. Jesus is an invented literary character who, despite Dickson's protestations to the contrary, had no role in the formation of the religion and no real existence in history.
A review of Sheridan's book, Christians: the urgent case for Jesus in our world. The book aims t... more A review of Sheridan's book, Christians: the urgent case for Jesus in our world. The book aims to convince the Australian public that Church and State can exist together harmoniously. The Church is founded on solid historical traditions and is relevant to today. However, the scholarship which Sheridan presents is below par and a better way to approach the problem is suggested by the reviewer.
Penso que a crença em Cristo teria sido antes consequência de se raciocinar sobre certas coisas, ... more Penso que a crença em Cristo teria sido antes consequência de se raciocinar sobre certas coisas, coisas descritas nos Escritos Sagrados6. Em outras palavras, “Jesus”, foi construído teologicamente construído ex nihilo, do nada.
Tacitus says that Christians got their name from Christus, who had "suffered the extreme penalty ... more Tacitus says that Christians got their name from Christus, who had "suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus." Christians rely on this text to show that Jesus was an historical figure. But Tacitus probably received the information about Christus from Christians who accepted as a matter of faith that Christ had been crucified under Pontius Pilate. Contrary to this position my contention is that belief in Christus was a consequence of reasoning that certain things, things described in sacred writings, must be so. In other words, "Jesus" was theologically constructed ex nihilo, from nothing.
Tácito dice que los cristianos tomaron su nombre de Christus, quien había "sufrido la pena extrem... more Tácito dice que los cristianos tomaron su nombre de Christus, quien había "sufrido la pena extrema durante el reinado de Tiberio a manos de uno de nuestros procuradores, Poncio Pilato". Los cristianos se basan en este texto para mostrar que Jesús fue una figura histórica. Pero Tácito probablemente recibió la información sobre Christus de cristianos que aceptaban como cuestión de fe que Cristo había sido crucificado bajo Poncio Pilato. En oposición a esta postura, nuestro argumento plantea que la creencia en Christus fue una consecuencia del razonamiento6 de que ciertas cosas, cosas descritas en las sagradas escrituras, deben ser así. En otras palabras, "Jesús" fue construido teológicamente ex nihilo, “de la nada”.
Paul George (please, no "John Ringo" jokes!) makes a case for Christianity having begun, not with... more Paul George (please, no "John Ringo" jokes!) makes a case for Christianity having begun, not with an historical Jesus, but as a collective reaction to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Does he succeed in "proving" his case?
The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the f... more The religion of Christianity resulted from the great war between the Romans and the Jews in the first century of our era. Some Jews expected the Messiah (Christ) to come and save them. When no help came they explained the non-event as their own misunderstanding of the sacred Scriptures. The Messiah did come they argued but not as the political saviour. His coming was re-interpreted as a first coming fulfilling the suffering servant prophecies of Isaiah. He will come again and soon they preached as the victorious lord, defeat evil and rule the world.
The stories about Jesus as recorded in the gospels and other literature were attempts to explain how the religion arose and to give substance to the theology. There was no person called Jesus who instituted the religion. It arose for reasons sociological.
There is little to support the idea that a Jewish sage instituted the religion of Christianity ar... more There is little to support the idea that a Jewish sage instituted the religion of Christianity around the year 30. Fredriksen like most theologians is partly right but mostly wrong. The crucial date was AD70. This date marks the birth of the myth, and the emergence of Christians.
The religion of Christianity was instituted as an unintended consequence of the Roman Jewish War ... more The religion of Christianity was instituted as an unintended consequence of the Roman Jewish War of 66 to 70 CE. Jesus is a literary character whose existence was inferred from traumatic events and the Jews' holy books. The gospels are attempts to explain where the religion came from. The New Testament gospels are not uniquely true or even half true. They are part of a larger set of pious forgeries which were created by the early Christians to shore up faith and persuade pagans of the truthfulness of their claims.
The perceived problem: Matthew ─ or rather Jesus ─ quoting Paul does not fit the received paradig... more The perceived problem: Matthew ─ or rather Jesus ─ quoting Paul does not fit the received paradigm. If Matthew relies on Paul, Matthew is not relying on oral tradition. The gospel of Matthew is therefore a literary work and Jesus is a literary character. Although Matthew could be using Paul only in this instance and otherwise be relying on other material and/or oral tradition. This then begs the question ─ why? Why would Matthew feel it necessary to enhance his narrative with borrowed material? If this is the case, we must doubt the reliability and honesty of Matthew as a recorder of actual events. Furthermore, if Matthew found it necessary to use Paul as confabulation maybe he used other sources in the same way.
On Christian Origins (una nueva tesis sobre los orígenes cristianos), 2020
Este libro explora la tesis propuesta por primera vez por Whittaker en 1904 de que la guerra judí... more Este libro explora la tesis propuesta por primera vez por Whittaker en 1904 de que la guerra judío-romana del 66 al 70 precipitó el surgimiento de la religión cristiana. La evidencia de esta hipótesis se encuentra en escritos antiguos, cristianos, judíos y paganos, en numismática y en astronomía. El cristianismo se compara con la invención de religiones modernas como el mormonismo. La ferviente expectativa del Mesías de aparecer para salvar a los judíos de los romanos alimentó el rumor de que el Mesías había aparecido pero no había sido reconocido, había sido asesinado y regresado al cielo. La venida política fallida en ese momento se convirtió en la segunda venida predicha. El primer relato del evangelio, que es completamente ficticio, proporcionó la plantilla para los otros evangelios y fue escrito para explicar cómo surgió la religión.
On Christian Origins, 2020
The Introduction and first chapter of the book discusses the methodology to be used and some back... more The Introduction and first chapter of the book discusses the methodology to be used and some background to the study. Arguments by analogy are introduced and how religions are defended.