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The Christ: A Critical Review and Analysis of the Evidences of His Existence cover

The Christ: A Critical Review and Analysis of the Evidences of His Existence

Chapter 258: 246
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About This Book

A skeptical, systematic critique argues that the Christ of the New Testament is a constructed myth rather than a reliably attested historical person. It assesses the silence of contemporary writers, the anonymous and late character of the gospels, and the contradictions within infancy narratives, ministry accounts, crucifixion, and resurrection reports. The author evaluates the moral portrait and teachings attributed to the figure and traces parallels with older pagan religions and divinities as possible sources of the myth. The conclusion asserts that supernatural claims lack sufficient historical support and that veneration rests on literary and theological fabrication rather than firm documentary evidence.

246

Who anointed Jesus?

Matthew and Mark: “A woman” (Matt. xxvi, 7; Mark xiv, 3).

Luke: “A sinful woman” (vii, 37).

John: Mary, the sister of Lazarus (xii, 3).

Luke’s “sinful woman” is recognized as Mary Magdalene. Farrar says: “In the popular consciousness she will till the end of time be identified with the Magdalene.” Matthew and Mark’s “woman” may be harmonized with either Mary Magdalene or Mary the sister of Lazarus; but Luke and John are irreconcilable.