: Humphreys and other mythicists, such as R. G. Price in Deciphering the Gospels , argue that the Gospels are anonymous fictional allegories rather than eyewitness accounts. Historical Context & Scholarly Consensus
: He suggests that the Jesus story is a "peeled onion" that reveals nothing at its core, composed of elements borrowed from other figures like Apollonius of Tyana or Titus Caesar .
is a book by Kenneth Humphreys , which is also the name of his associated website that critiques the historical existence of Jesus. Humphreys argues that the character of Jesus is a composite fictional creation. Key Arguments from the Work Jesus Never Existed
: The work highlights parallels between Gospel stories and older pagan myths. For example: Turning water into wine mirrors the god Dionysus . Healing miracles are compared to those of Asclepius . Calming the storm is seen as an echo of Poseidon .
While Humphreys’ work has gained traction in certain circles, it stands in contrast to the majority of academic historians. : Humphreys and other mythicists, such as R
: Most historians and New Testament scholars—including skeptics like Bart Ehrman —agree that a Jewish man named Jesus did exist and was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
The central thesis of Humphreys' work is based on the "Christ Myth theory," which posits that Jesus was not a historical person but a mythological construct. Historical Context & Scholarly Consensus : He suggests
: Humphreys emphasizes that there are no neutral, contemporary historical records from the 1st century that mention Jesus, his trial, or his execution.