Evidence that Jesus is a Myth, Part 1: The Elijah/Elisha Connection

Two thousand years ago people worshiped scores of gods including Osiris, Glycon, Simon, Apollonius of Tyana, Pythagoras, Orpheus, Dionysus, Zalmoxis, Kore, Samothrace, Attis, Adonis, Horus, and Mithras. 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. Even the names mean the same — my God is Jehovah and Jehovah saves. And before anyone heard of Jesus, the Old Testament ends with the promise that Elijah would come again to save the world. In fact, 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 BOY
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 (Lk 1:5-17)
New story.2: A woman was miraculously impregnated with a son (Jesus) (Lk 1:26-31)

2. FASHIONISTA
Old story: Elisha’s predecessor* wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (2K 1:8)
New story: Jesus’ predecessor** wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (Mk 1:6)
*Elijah, **John the Baptist
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 was 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 received gifts because of his great power (2K 8:8-9)
New story: Jesus received gifts gifts because of his great power (Mt 2:9-11)

7. HUNTED
Old story: An angry wicked king ordered an extensive search for Elijah (1K 18:1-10)
New story: An angry wicked king ordered an extensive search for Jesus (Mt 2:3-20)

8. SENT INTO HIDING
Old story: God told Elijah to travel afar and hide (1K 17:2-3)
New story: God told Joseph to travel afar and hide Jesus (Mt 2:13)

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 IN THE WILDERNESS
Old story: Elijah went 40 days in the wild with no food (1K 19:4-8)
New story: Jesus went 40 days in the wild with no food (Mt 4)

11. MINISTERING ANGELS
Old story: An angel helped Elijah with his wilderness trip (1K 19:5-9)
New story: Angels helped Jesus with his wilderness trip (Mk 1:12-13)

12. GROUPIES
Old story: Elisha led a group of men (2K 6)
New story: Jesus led a group of men (Mk 1:29)

13. THE CALLING
Old story: Elisha was working when called to follow Elijah (1K 19:19-21)
New story: Men were working when called to follow Jesus (Mk 1:16-20)

14. GOODBYES TO THE FAMILY
Old story: Elisha said he’d follow Elijah after goodbyes to his family (plow in story) (1K 19:20)
New story: A man said he’d follow Jesus after goodbyes 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 (provided by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (2K 4:42-44)
New story: Jesus used loaves of barley bread (provided 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 healing (2K 5:1-15)
New story: An army officer approached Jesus for a 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 (Mk 14:41-46)

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 gave instructions to fill 4 jars with water as part of a miracle (1K 18:33)
New story: Jesus gave instructions 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 left his servant and 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 left his disciples and 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)
Note: Elijah falls asleep multiple times as do Jesus’ disciples.

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 little about the Jesus character 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.

Evidence that Jesus is a Myth, Part 2: Likely OT Sources

As shown in Part 1, there is reason to think Jesus was largely based on the characters of Elijah and Elisha found in the books of Kings. Following is evidence of common themes found throughout the Old Testament that I believe strengthens the case that writers of the New Testament mined the Old Testament for ideas when creating the character of Jesus.

1. DIVINE BIRTH I
Old story: An angel told Samson’s mother she’d have a son (would save people from Philistines) (Jg 13:2)
New story: An angel told Jesus’ mother she’d have a son (would save people from sin) (Lk 1:30)

2. DIVINE BIRTH II
Old story: An angel told Hagar she’d have a son and what to name him (Gn 30:22)
New story:  An angel told Joseph he’d have a son and what to name him (Mt 1:20-21)

3. DIVINE BIRTH III
Old story: Hannah, who could not have children, was publicly disgraced and desperate for a son, but the Lord answered her prayer with Samuel who was dedicated to God (1Sm 1:9-28)
New story: Elizabeth, who could not have children, was publicly disgraced and desperate for a son, but the Lord answered her prayer with John the Baptist who was dedicated to God (Mt 1:20-21)

3. BRIGHT STAR
Old story: A King is promised to arise from Israel and is likened to a bright star (Nu 24:17)
New story:  Men see a star arise and ask to see the baby born to be king of the Jews (Mt 1:18)

4. WONDER WOMB
Old story: Joseph was a miracle baby (Gn 30:22)
New story: Jesus was a miracle baby (Mt 1:18)

5. JOSEPH, SON OF JACOB
Old story: Joseph, son of Jacob, is righteous, receives messages from God in dreams, and goes to Egypt (Gn 37:1-10)
New story: Joseph, son of Jacob, is righteous,  receives messages from God in dreams, and goes to Egypt (Mt 1:16-25)

6. LINE OF DAVID
Old story: A descendant of David is promised to rule eternally (Is 9:6-7)
New story:  Jesus is said to be a descendant of David (Mt 1:6-16)

7. BETHLEHEM
Old story: David is born in Bethlehem (1S:16)
New story: Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Mt 2:1)

8. FIRST-BORN SON
Old story: God says “Israel is my first-born son.” (Ex 4:22)
New story: Jesus is called God’s “first-born Son” (Col 1:15)

9. SONG OF PRAISE
Old story: Hannah praises God after miraculous conception of son (1 Sm 2:1)
New story: Mary praises God after miraculous conception of son (Lk 1:46)

10. DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU
Old story: When the grain runs out in Egypt, Pharoah tells the Egyptians to go to Joseph and “do whatever he tells you” (Gn 41:55). 
New story: When the wine runs out at the marriage feast in Cana, Mary tells the servants to go to Jesus and do “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).

11. GLORY OF THE LORD
Old story: Isaiah writes of the shining “glory of the Lord” (Is 60)
New story: Luke writes of the shining “glory of the Lord” (Lk 2:9)

12. GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH
Old story.1: Solomon received gifts of gold and myrrh (1K 10:10)
Old story.2: Isaiah said kings shall bring gold and frankincense (Is 60:1)
Old story.3: Kings come with gifts and bow down to the king (Ps 72: 10-11)
New story: Jesus received gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Mt 2:11)

13. SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS
Old story: A king orders the murder of male children but Moses is saved
(Ex 1:9)
New story: A king orders the murder of male children but Jesus is saved
(Mt 2:16)

14. RETURN HOME
Old story: Moses returns to birthplace on divine command (those trying to kill him are now dead) (Ex 4:19)
New story: Jesus returns to birthplace on divine command (those trying to kill him are now dead) (Mt 2:20)

15. HOLY SPIRIT
Old story: Isaiah writes “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him...” (Is 11:2)
New story: Jesus saw “the Spirit of God” resting on him. (Mt 3:16)

16. 30 CANDLES
Old story: Joseph began his public work at age 30 (Gn 41:46)
New story: Jesus began his public work at age 30 (Lk 3:23)

17. SON OF MAN
Old story: Ezekiel is referred to as “son of man” (93 times)
New story: Jesus refers to himself as “Son of Man” (Mk 2:10)
 
18. SHEPHERD
Old story: Joseph was a shepherd (Gn 37:2)
New story: Jesus was a shepherd (Jn 10:11)

19. SCATTERED SHEEP
Old story: God speaks of Israel as sheep without a shepherd (Ez 34:5)
New story: Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9:36)

20. HIGH PRIEST
Old story: A king would become a high priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4)
New story: Jesus became a high priest forever in the “order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 6:20)

21. WORDS FROM ON HIGH
Old story: Moses spoke to crowds about God from a mountain (Dt 5)
New story: Jesus spoke to crowds about God from a hill (Mt 5)

22. WORDS FROM ON HIGHER YET
Old story: “You are my Son: today I have become your Father” (Ps 2:7)

New story: A voice from the sky said “ This is my Son, whom I love...” (Mt 3:17)

23. NESTING BIRDS
Old story:God tells parable of a sprout becoming a tree and sheltering birds (1S 16:14-23)
New story: Jesus tells parable of a seed becoming a tree and sheltering birds (Mt 13:32)

24. DEMON POSSESSION
Old story: David cast out an “evil spirit” (1S 16:14-23)
New story: Jesus cast out an “evil spirit” (Mk 5:8)

25. PROFITABLE BETRAYAL
Old story: Judah (& bros) made 20 pieces of silver by betraying Joseph (Gn 37:28)
New story: Judas made 30 pieces of silver by betraying Jesus (Mt 26:15)

26. MIRACULOUS HEALER
Old story: God heals the blind, deaf and lame (Is 35:5)
New story: Jesus heals the blind, deaf and lame (Mt 21:14, Mk 7:31)

27. BOAT IN A STORM
Old story: Asleep on a boat, Jonah is awakened and thrown overboard to calm a storm. (Jon 1)
New story: Asleep on a boat, Jesus is awakened and he calms a storm. (Mk 4:35)

28. EVIL GENERATION
Old story: God speaks of an “evil generation” (Dt 1:35) “crooked and perverse generation” (Dt 32:5)
New story: Jesus speaks of an “evil and adulterous generation” (Mt 21:12)

29. FIG TREE
Old story: A hungry man finds no fruit on a fig tree (Mi 7:1)
New story: A hungry Jesus finds no fruit on a fig tree (Mt 21:18)

30. PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD
Old story: A fenced vineyard produces sour grapes/murderous people (Is 5:1-7)
New story: The tenants of a fenced vineyard prove murderous (Mt 21:33-41)

31. TEMPLE “CLEANSING”
Old story: Zechariah writes of no more traders in the Lord’s house (Zec 14:21)
New story: Jesus drives out traders in the Lord’s house (Mt 21:12)

32. SHINING FACE
Old story: Moses’ face “was shining” after going up a high mountain where God spoke (Ex 34:29-35)
New story: Jesus’ face “was shining” after going up a high mountain where God spoke (Mt 17:1-10)

33. RESURRECTION / ETERNAL LIFE / HEAVEN & HELL
Old story: An angel said some will enjoy eternal life and others suffer eternal disgrace (Dn 12:1-2)
New story: Jesus said some will be sent to eternal life and others to eternal punishment (Mt 25:46)

34. THE BOOK OF LIFE
Old story: God said sinners will have their names removed from his book and be punished (Ex 32:32-34)
New story: Those whose names are not found written in the book of the living are thrown in fire (Rev 20:15)

35. FLESH-EATING WORMS
Old story: Isaiah said worms and fire await the disobedient (Isaiah 66:24)
New story: Jesus said worms and fire await the disobedient (Mk 9:48)

36. PERFECT LAMB
Old story: Moses said a flawless lamb must be killed to save people (Ex 12:5)
New story: Jesus is said to be a flawless lamb killed to save people (1 P 1:19)

37. MID-DAY NIGHT
Old story: The sky is darkened at noon (Am 8:8-9)
New story: The sky is darkened at noon (Mt 27:45)

38. ZOMBIES
Old story: The dead climb out of their graves (Ez 37:12)
New story: The dead climb out of their graves (Mt 27:52)

39. SCAPEGOAT/LAMB
Old story: A goat carried away all the sins of the people (Lv 16:28)
New story: Jesus carried away all the sins of the people (1 P 2:24)

40. SUFFERING SERVANT I
Old story:The suffering servant was silent before his accusers (Is 53:7)
New story: Jesus was silent before his accusers (Mt 27:12-14)

41. SUFFERING SERVANT II
Old story: God’s servant is beaten, insulted and spat upon (Is 50:6)
New story: Jesus is beaten, insulted and spat upon (Mt 27:30)

42. HYSSOP BRANCH
Old story: A hyssop branch was used to wipe the blood of a slain lamb on doorposts (Ex 12:22)
New story: A hyssop branch was used to lift a wine-soaked sponge to Jesus (slain lamb) (Jn 19:29)

43. GALL
Old story: A distressed man is given poisoned food (Ps 69:21)
New story: A distressed Jesus is given poisoned drink (Mt 27:34)

44. GAMBLING FOR CLOTHES
Old story: “They gamble for my clothes and divide them among themselves” (Ps 22:18)
New story: Men gamble for Jesus’ clothes and divide them among themselves (Mk 15:24)

45. ASCENSION TO HEAVEN
Old story: God goes “up to the heights”...“God will live there” (Ps 68:17-19)
New story: Jesus was taken up into heaven (Lk 24:51/ Eph 4:8 quotes Ps 68)

46. SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
Old story: God said “sit here at my right side” (Ps 110:1)
New story: Jesus says he’ll be “sitting at the right side” of God (Mt 26:64)

47. IRON ROD
Old story: God said his son will break the nations “with an iron rod” (Ps 2:9)
New story: Jesus will rule over the nations “with a rod of iron” (Rev 19:15)

48. INTO YOUR HANDS
Old story: “Into [the LORD’S] hand I commend my spirit” (Ps 31:5)
New story: Jesus says, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” (Lk 23:46)

49. KING SAUL & SAUL-PAUL
Old story: On his way to arrest David (servant of God) and bring him back to Jerusalem, King Saul is overcome by the power of God, then laid naked all day and night. (I Samuel 19:18-24)
New story: On his way to arrest Christians (servants of God) and bring them back to Jerusalem, Saul-Paul is overcome by the power of God, and laid blind and helpless for three days (Acts 9:1-18)

In this case the similarity between New and Old Testament stories is overwhelming. In both cases the object was to capture the servant or servants of God and bring them back to Jerusalem. In both cases the individuals are overcome by the power of God as they approach the person or people they seek to capture.

50. DO UNTO OTHERS
Old Story: Leviticus 19:18 says “...you shall ove your neighbor as yourself.”
New Story: Jesus says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:39)


We see there was nothing unique about the Jesus character's birth being heralded by angels. Nothing unique about his mother's pregnancy being of divine intervention. Nothing unique about his healing lepers, controlling the elements, raising the dead, or feeding the multitudes. We see the source for ideas like heaven and hell, the casting out of demons, sacrificial 'lamb,'ascending to heaven, and sitting at the right hand of God. The Jesus of the bible was not a real person of history but a character who’s story was created from bits and pieces of the Old Testament.

More to come...


Evidence that Jesus is a Myth, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources, is in progress.

Evidence that Jesus is a Myth, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources

Note: This is in the early stages of development ...

As shown in parts 1 and 2, there is a small mountain of evidence showing the life of Jesus depicted in the bible was based on stories found in the Old Testament. In fact, dozens of the stories in the New Testament cite specific scriptures in the Old Testament showing the indisputable source used to create the Jesus myth.

VIRGIN BIRTH
Old story: A young woman will give birth to a son named Immanuel (Is 7:14)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 1:22) Note: Matthew mistranslated “young maiden” as “virgin”
 
BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Old story: God said he will bring forth a ruler from Bethlehem (Mic 5:2)
New story:  OT verse is cited (Mt 2:6)

RAISED UP LIKE A PROPHET

Old story: God said he will raise up a Prophet (Dt 18:15)

New story:  OT verse is cited (Acts 7:37)

ESCAPE TO EGYPT 
Old story: God said he called Israel (his son) out of Egypt (Ho 11)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 2:14-15)

WENT TO LIVE IN NAZARETH
Old story: He shall be called a Nazarene (xxxx)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 2:23)

WENT TO LIVE IN CAPERNAUM
Old story: The future king brings honor to Galilee (Is 9:1-2)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 4:12-17)

PREPARE A ROAD!

Old story: Clear a way in the wilderness for God (Is 40:3)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 3:3)

HEALING THE SICK
Old story: The servant endures suffering (Is 53:4)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 8:16-7)

DAVID’S BREAD
Old story: David and his men eat holy bread (1S 21:1-6)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mk 2:25-26)

3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS
Old story: Jonah spent 3 days and nights in the belly of a fish  (Jon 1:17)
New story: OT verse is cited (Mt 12:40)

BURNING BUSH
Old story: God in the form of a burning bush talks to Moses (Ex 3:1-4:17)
New story: OT verse is cited (Lk 20:37)

KILL THEM ALL!
Old story: God kills people with flood and fire
New story: Jesus cites the Old stories of Noah and Sodom and says when the Son of Man is revealed it will be like in the time of Noah when The Flood came and “killed them all” and when fire and sulfur rained on Sodom and “killed them all.” (Lk 17:22-30)

KILL THE CURSERS
Old story: God commands those cursing their parents must be killed (Ex 21:17)
New story: Jesus notes God’s Law that demands those cursing their parents must be killed. (Mt 15:4)

UNBROKEN BONES (Ps 34:20, also Ex 12:46) (Jn 19:34)
The Psalmist’s words that the righteous won’t have any bones broken
is cited and Jesus’ bones aren’t broken

PIERCING (Jn 19:34) (Zec 12:10)
Jesus is pierced by a soldier and Zechariah’s words that people will look upon the pierced is cited

DONKEY DONKEY (Zec 9:9) (Mt 21:1)
Matthew cites Zechariah’s words that a king comes riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey and Jesus mounts both a donkey and a colt

SCATTERED FLOCK (Zec 13:7) (Mt 26:31)
Jesus says his disciples will run away and cites Zechariah’s words that God said kill the shepherd and the sheep will scatter

UNROLLING THE SCROLL (Jn 4:16-20)
Jesus quotes OT scripture and says it has come true with his reading

ELIJAH AND ELISHA (1K 17:8-24, 2K 5) (Lk 4:23-27) Jesus cites the miracles performed by Elijah and Elisha

FATE OF CRIMINALS ( ?) (Lk 22:37)
Jesus cites OT scripture about sharing the fate of criminals

Paul cites David (Acts 4:25-26)