Two thousand years ago, people worshiped Osiris, Glycon, Simon, Apollonius of Tyana, Pythagoras, Orpheus, Dionysus, Zalmoxis, Kore, Samothrace, Attis, Adonis, Horus, Mithras and others. Just like Jesus, these gods’ claims to fame included being born of a virgin, walking on water, healing lepers, raising the dead, turning water into wine, and dying and rising again. However, my argument is not that Jesus was copied from “pagan” religions (though these certainly had an influence) but was a character created largely from the Old Testament itself and in particular, the escapades of the god-like characters, Elijah and Elisha.
Elijah is such an important character that he is mentioned 75 times in the Old Testament and 29 times in the New. God promises to send Elijah as a savior (Ml 4:5), an angel says that John the Baptist would have “Elijah’s spirit and power” (Luke 1:17) while Jesus suggests John the Baptist “is Elijah” (Mt 11:14). Jesus says Elijah (as John the Baptist) was mistreated just as he would be mistreated (Mt 17:11-12), speaks about Elijah coming to get everything ready for him (Mt 17:11-12) and compares himself to Elijah and Elisha (Lk 4:25-27). Elijah even makes an appearance and converses with Jesus (Lk 9:30-31). Some people think Jesus is actually Elijah (Mt 16:14) and as Jesus dies, others think he is calling Elijah and that Elijah may come take him down from the cross (Mk 15:35-36). Even the names mean the same thing — Elisha being “God (Jehovah) is salvation” and Jesus, “Jehovah saves” while Elijah is “my God is Jehovah.”
The New Testament accounts are obviously not word for word copies of these earlier stories, but there are over 60 themes common to both Elijah/Elisha and Jesus. When considered collectively, the following comparisons along with parts 2, 3 and 4, are convincing evidence that the Jesus of the bible was not a historical person, but a literary Frankenstein, cobbled together from dozens of pre-existing myths.
1. MIRACLE BABY
Old story: A woman with an old husband was miraculously impregnated with a son by Elisha (2K 4:8-17)
New story.1: A woman with an old husband was miraculously impregnated with a son (John the Baptist) promised to be “like the prophet Elijah” (Lk 1:5-17)
New story.2: A virgin was miraculously impregnated with a son (Jesus) (Lk 1:26-31)
2. FASHIONISTA
Old story: Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah, wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (2K 1:8)
New story: Jesus’ predecessor, John the Baptist, wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (Mk 1:6)
3. PASSING THE MANTEL
Old story: Elijah passed the mantel to Elisha to carry on God’s work (2K 2:9-16)
New story: John the Baptist* passed the mantel to Jesus to carry on God’s work (Lk 3:1-22)
*Elijah (Mt 11:14)
4. BEHEADING
Old story: The king wanted to behead Elisha (2K 6:31)
New story: The king beheaded John the Baptist (Mt 14:10)
5. SENT SAVIOR
Old story: Elijah is to be “sent” to save people from God’s wrath (Ml 4:5-6)
New story: Jesus was “sent” to save people from God’s wrath (Mk 9:37, 16:16)
6. PRECIOUS GIFTS
Old story: Elisha was given precious gifts because of his remarkable power (2K 8:8-9)
New story: Jesus was given precious gifts because of his remarkable power (Mt 2:9-11)
7. HUNTED
Old story: A wicked king ordered an extensive search for Elijah to kill him (1K 18:1-10)
New story: A wicked king ordered an extensive search for Jesus to kill him (Mt 2:3-20)
8. SENT INTO HIDING
Old story: Elijah was commanded by God to travel afar and hide (1K 17:2-3)
New story: Joseph was commanded by God to travel afar and hide Jesus (Mk 1:1)
9. HOLY RIVER
Old story: Elisha received the spirit at the Jordan (2K 2:9)
New story: Jesus received the spirit at the Jordan (Mk 1:1)
10. FORTY DAYS & FORTY NIGHTS
Old story: Elijah went 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food (1K 19:4)
New story: Jesus went 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food (Mt 4)
11. MINISTERING ANGELS
Old story: An angel helped Elijah before his wilderness trip (1K 19:5-9)
New story: Angels helped Jesus after his wilderness trip (Mk 1:12-13)
12. GROUPIES
Old story: Elisha had a group of followers (2K 6)
New story: Jesus had a group of followers (Mk 13)
13. THE CALLING
Old story: Elisha was busy working when called to stop and follow Elijah (1K 19:19-21)
New story: Several men were busy working when called to stop and follow Jesus (Mk 1:16-20)
14. GOODBYES
Old story: Elisha said he would follow Elijah after saying goodbye to his parents (plow in story) (1K 19:20)
New story: A man said he would follow Jesus after saying goodbye to his family (plow in story) (Lk 9:61-62)
15. PROPHET
Old story: Elijah was called a “prophet” (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus was called a “prophet” (Lk 7:16)
16. MASTER
Old story: A group of men called Elijah, Elisha’s “master” (2K 2:3-5)
New story: A group of men called Jesus, “master” (Mk 13)
17. SERVANT
Old story: Elijah is called God’s “servant” (2K 9:36)
New story: Jesus is called God’s “Servant” (Acts 3:26)
18. YES MAN
Old story: Elijah did as God commanded (2K 1:4)
New story: Jesus did as God commanded (Jn 4:34)
19. GOD’S SPOKESMAN
Old story: Elijah spoke for God (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus spoke for God (Mt 7:21-23)
20. TRAVELING MAN
Old story: Elijah traveled town to town doing God’s work (1K, 2K)
New story: Jesus traveled town to town doing God’s work (Lk, Mk, Mt, Jn)
21. DRINK OF WATER
Old story: Upon entering a distant town, Elijah asked a woman to “bring me a drink of water”, worked a miracle of abundance and the woman called him a prophet (1K 17:10)
New story: Upon entering a distant town, Jesus told a woman to “give me a drink of water”, promised a miracle of abundance and the woman called him a prophet (Jn 4:5)
22. CROSSING THE WATER
Old story.1: Elijah walked across divided water (2K 2:8)
Old story.2: Elisha walked across divided water (2K 2:14)
New story: Jesus walked across the top of water (Mk 6:45)
23. SEEING IS BELIEVING
Old story: Elisha made the blind see (2K 6:20)
New story: Jesus made the blind see (Mk 8: 21-26)
24. HEALING THE LEPER
Old story: Elisha healed a man with leprosy (2K 5)
New story: Jesus healed a man with leprosy (Mk 1:41)
25. FEEDING THE MULTITUDE
Old story: Elisha used loaves of barley bread (brought to him by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (2K 4:42-44)
New story: Jesus used loaves of barley bread (brought to him by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (Jn 6:1-13)
26. VINEYARD MAYHEM
Old story: Elisha says a king will be killed as punishment for wanting to take over a vineyard after the owner was murdered (1K 21:1-19)
New story: Jesus says tenants will be killed as punishment for wanting to take over a vineyard and murdering the owner’s son (Lk 20:9-18)
Note: The words in the new story, “come let us kill him” echo the words of Joseph’s brothers as they plot to kill Joseph: “Come, let us kill him”.
27. ARMY OFFICER
Old story: An army officer approached Elisha for a supernatural healing (2K 5:1-15)
New story: An army officer approached Jesus for a supernatural healing (Mt 8:5-13)
28. SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE
Old story: Elijah knew details of a person’s private life (2K 6:12)
New story: Jesus knew details of a person’s private life (Jn 4:17-18)
29. SUPERNATURAL SIGHT
Old story: Elisha could see a man in another place (2K 5:26)
New story: Jesus could see a man in another place (Jn 1:48-49)
30. IMMINENT SEIZURE
Old story: Elisha knew he was about to be seized (2K 6:30-32)
New story: Jesus knew he was about to be seized (Jn 6:15)
31. COMMANDER OF THE ELEMENTS
Old story: Elijah controlled the weather (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus controlled the weather (Mk 4:39)
32. AUDIENCE OF THOUSANDS
Old story: All of Israel gathered to hear Elijah (1K 18:19-21)
New story: 5,000 gathered to hear Jesus (Mk 6:30-44)
33. JARS OF WATER
Old story: Elijah instructed people to fill 4 jars with water as part of a miracle (1K 18:33)
New story: Jesus instructed people to fill 6 jars with water as part of a miracle (Jn 2:7)
34. MAGIC NUMBER
Old story.1: Elijah used 12 stones to rebuild the altar (1K 18:32)
Old story.2: Elisha used 12 teams of oxen to plow (1K 19:19)
New story: Jesus used 12 disciples to build the Church (Mt 10:1)
35. FAMILY MATTERS
Old story: Elijah will be sent to unite the family (Ml 4:5-6)
New story: Jesus was sent to divide the family (Mt 7:36)
36. AT THE FOOT OF THE MASTER
Old story: A distraught woman held Elisha’s feet (2K 4:27)
New story: A distraught woman held Jesus’ feet (Lk 7:36)
37. SIGN OF SUBJECTION
Old story.1: A man bowed down before Elijah (1K 18:7)
Old story.2: 50 men bowed down before Elisha (2K 2:15)
New story: A man knelt down before Jesus (Jn 9:38)
38. HEARTLESS DISCIPLES
Old story: Elisha’s servant wanted to push away a mother distraught over her dead child but Elisha worked a miracle (2K 4:27)
New story: Jesus’ disciples wanted to send away a mother distraught over her suffering child but Jesus worked a miracle (Mt 15:21-28)
39. MAGIC MOUNTAIN
Old story: Elijah experienced a supernatural change after he and a servant climbed a mountain (cloud in story) (1K 18:42-46)
New story: Jesus experienced a supernatural change after he and 3 disciples climbed a mountain (cloud in story and Elijah appears) (Mt 17:1-13)
40. WORDS FROM ON HIGH
Old story: Elijah climbed a mountain where God spoke (1K 19:9)
New story: Jesus climbed a mountain where God spoke (Mt 17:5)
41. FINANCIAL WIZARD
Old story: Elisha worked a financial miracle (2K 4:1-5)
New story: Jesus worked a financial miracle (Mt 17: 24)
42. SAVIOR OF THE PARTY
Old story: Elisha transformed food for a group of people (2K 4:38-41)
New story: Jesus transformed water for a group of people (Jn 2:6)
43. GO IN PEACE
Old story: Elisha said “Go in peace.” (2K 5:19)
New story: Jesus said “Go in peace.” (Lk 7:50)
44. PROPHET OF DOOM
Old story: Elijah saw the future and told of coming horrors (2K 8:12)
New story: Jesus saw the future and told of coming horrors (Lk 21:10-33)
45. CURSE OF DEATH
Old story: Elisha’s curse caused death (2K 2:24)
New story: Jesus’ curse caused death (Mk 11:21)
46. RAISING THE DEAD I (The Widow’s Son)
Old story: Elijah raised the dead son of a widow (who meets him at the city gate), gave him to his mother & was called a prophet (1K 17:21)
New story: Jesus raised the dead son of a widow (who meets him at the city gate), gave him to his mother & was called a prophet (Lk 7:11-16)
The Greek for "and he gave him to his mother" is exactly the same in both accounts "kai edoken auton te metri autou".
48. RAISING THE DEAD II (The Child)
Old story: Elisha raised a dead child in a home (2K 4:27-37)
New story: Jesus raised a dead child in a home (Mk 5:22-43)
Note: Jairus means "he awakens" which indicates the name of the father was chosen by the author to fit the story’s theme.
49. RAISING THE DEAD III (The Man in the Tomb)
Old story: Elisha’s bones raised a dead man in a tomb (2 K:21)
New story: Jesus raised a dead man in a tomb (Jn 11)
50. FIRE FROM HEAVEN
Old story: Elijah called down fire from heaven to kill people (2K 1:10)
New story: Jesus’ disciples asked to call down fire from heaven to kill people (Lk 9:54)
51. DUPLICITOUS UNDERLING
Old story: Elisha’s duplicitous servant asked for 3,000 silver coins & suffering followed (2K 5)
New story: Jesus’ duplicitous disciple accepted 30 silver coins & suffering followed (Mt 26:14)
52. TROUBLEMAKER
Old story: Elijah was considered “the worst troublemaker in Israel” (1K 18:17)
New story: Jesus was considered the worst troublemaker in Israel (implied) (Jn 2:13-18, 19:6)
53. WANTED MAN
Old story: The Jewish people wanted Elijah killed (1K 19:10)
New story: The Jewish people wanted Jesus killed (Mt 27:20)
54. HEAVEN BOUND
Old story: It was revealed Elijah would soon ascend to heaven (2K 2: 1-12)
New story: Jesus revealed he would soon ascend to heaven (Jn 20:17)
55. ANGUISHED PRAYER
Old story: Afraid for his life, Elijah went off by himself, sat and prayed for God to take his life and was strengthened by an angel (1K 19:3-6)
New story: Afraid for his life, Jesus went off by himself, knelt and prayed for God not to take his life (but that his will be done) and was strengthened by an angel (Lk 22:39-43)
56. DOUBLE PLEDGE OF LOYALTY
Old story: As Elijah’s “death” approached, Elisha swore (twice) he wouldn’t leave him (2K 2:4-6)
New story: As Jesus’ death approached, Peter swore (twice) he wouldn’t leave him (Mk 14:4-29-31)
57. MOCKED
Old story: Elisha was made fun of (2K 2:23)
New story: Jesus was made fun of (Mk 15:20)
58. DEATH CRY
Old story.1: As Elijah “died,” Elisha cried out, “My father, my father!” (2K:2:12)
Old story.2: As Elisha died, the king cried out “My father, my father!” (2K 13:14)
New story: As Jesus died, he cried out, “My God, my God...” (Mt 27:46)
59. TORN CLOTH
Old story: Upon Elijah’s death, Elisha tore his cloak in two (2K 12)
New story: Upon Jesus’ death, the Temple’s curtain tore in two (Mt 27:51)
60. UP, UP AND AWAY!
Old story: Elijah was visibly taken up to heaven (2K 2:11)
New story: Jesus was visibly taken up to heaven (Lk 24:51)
more to come...
IN CONCLUSION
The True Believer may rationalize all of this away, but there’s no disputing that there is clearly little about Jesus that is unique. Further study of comparative religions reveals Christianity took all of its ideas—from the virgin birth to Jesus’ prophesied thousand year reign—from “pagan” religions. In fact, Christianity IS a pagan religion. It simply has outlasted most of its competition, aided by two millennia of persecuting them.
Further evidences that Jesus is a myth can be found in Part 2: Likely OT Sources, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources and Part 4: Extra-Biblical Sources.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment