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Title: The Jesus Problem: A Restatement of the Myth Theory

Author: J. M. Robertson

Release date: November 27, 2016 [eBook #53616]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JESUS PROBLEM: A RESTATEMENT OF THE MYTH THEORY ***

THE JESUS PROBLEM

BY THE SAME AUTHOR

THE HISTORICAL JESUS: A Survey of Positions.

CHRISTIANITY AND MYTHOLOGY. Second edition.

PAGAN CHRISTS. Second edition.

A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY. Second edition.

A SHORT HISTORY OF FREETHOUGHT. 2 vols. Third edition.

RATIONALISM.

THE DYNAMICS OF RELIGION. (Out of print.)

STUDIES IN RELIGIOUS FALLACY. (Out of print.)

LETTERS ON REASONING. Second edition.

Original Title Page.

THE JESUS PROBLEM
A RESTATEMENT OF THE MYTH THEORY
[ISSUED FOR THE RATIONALIST PRESS ASSOCIATION, LIMITED]
London:
WATTS & CO.,
17 JOHNSON’S COURT, FLEET STREET, E.C. 4
1917

CONTENTS

PAGE
Prefatory Note vii
Chapter I.THE APPROACH 1
Chapter II.THE CENTRAL MYTH 24
§ 1. The Ground of Conflict 24
§ 2. The Sacrificial Rite 31
§ 3. Contingent Elements 39
§ 4. The Mock-King Ritual 50
§ 5. Doctrinal Additions 53
§ 6. Minor Ritual and Myth Elements 57
§ 7. The Cross 61
§ 8. The Suffering Messiah 64
§ 9. The Rock Tomb 67
§ 10. The Resurrection 70
Chapter III.ROOTS OF THE MYTH 72
§ 1. Historical Data 72
§ 2. Prototypes 91
§ 3. The Mystery-Drama 96
Chapter IV.EVOLUTION OF THE CULT 107
§ 1. The Primary Impulsion 107
§ 2. The Silence of Josephus 121
§ 3. The Myth of the Twelve Apostles 126
§ 4. The Process of Propaganda 135
§ 5. Real Determinants 148
Chapter V.ORGANIZATION AND ECONOMICS 157
§ 1. The Economic Side 157
§ 2. Organization 162
Chapter VI.EARLY BOOK-MAKING 170
§ 1. The “Didachê” 170
§ 2. The Apocalypse 173
§ 3. Epistles 176
Chapter VII.GOSPEL-MAKING 182
§ 1. Tradition 182
§ 2. Schmiedel’s Tests 188
§ 3. Tendential Tests 192
§ 4. Historic Summary 202
Chapter VIII.SUPPLEMENTARY MYTH 207
§ 1. Myths of Healing 207
§ 2. Birth Myths 209
§ 3. Minor Myths 217
Chapter IX.CONCLUSION 223
Appendix A.TRANSLATION OF “THE TEACHING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES,” WITH NOTES 235
Appendix B.THE MYTH OF SIMON MAGUS 248
Index 261

PREFATORY NOTE

Most of the propositions in mythology and anthropology in this book are founded on bodies of evidence given in the larger works of the author. It seemed fitting, therefore, to refer to those works instead of repeating hundreds of references there given. Readers concerned to investigate the issues are thus invited and enabled to do so. For brevity’s sake, Christianity and Mythology is cited as C.M.; Pagan Christs as P.C.; and the Short Histories of Christianity and Freethought as S.H.C. and S.H.F. respectively. In the first three cases the references are to the second editions; in the last case, to the third. The Evolution of States is cited as E.S. Another work often referred to is Sir J. G. Frazer’s great thesaurus, The Golden Bough, which is cited as G.B., the references being to the last edition. Other new references are given in the usual way. The Ecce Deus of Professor W. B. Smith is cited in the English edition.

Passages in brackets, in unleaded type, may be passed at a first perusal by readers concerned mainly to follow the constructive theory. Such passages deal controversially with counter-polemic.