The historicity of Jesus has been discussed in many books and pamphlets.
Whether Jesus lived or not depends upon what is meant by that phrase. If
one is satisfied that there was a peripatetic philosopher named Jesus
who was the son of a woman named Mary and who lived and taught around
Jerusalem, uttering some, but not all, of the words attributed to him,
then Jesus may be said to have lived. There can be no serious objection
to the acceptance of that Jesus as an actual personage even though he
was ignored by secular historians and though the time and place of his
birth and death are in doubt.
On the other hand, if there never was such a person as the Jesus
described in the New Testament--a man born of a virgin, superior to
natural laws, able to walk on the water, and change the course of
nature, performing miracles, casting out devils, a man who never erred,
who was crucified, rose from the dead and ascended bodily into heaven
where he now sits to judge the world--if there was no such man-God as
the Jesus of the gospels, some may hesitate to say that Jesus ever
lived.
_Jesus a Myth_
Sincere Evolutionists who discredit miracles, must needs consider the
gospel Jesus as a myth. This does not mean that Jesus had no reality,
but that the original facts have been so enlarged upon that the
principal features of his life are more fanciful than real. If you
eliminate from the life of Jesus as unhistorical his birth, his
miracles, his theological teachings, his resurrection, ascension and
messianic mission, the Christ no longer exists. Jesus would have
attracted no attention were it not for the very circumstances which
Modernists admit were mythical.
_Judged by His Works_
Whether Jesus was God, or man, or myth, he can be judged by his works,
as he himself recommended. If he is found to be perfect in word and
deed, it makes little difference whether he lived or not. As a symbol he
can be revered and copied. But if Jesus is now seen to be the product of
his times, representing the virtues and defects of his biographers, with
no vision beyond their ken, his authority is gone.
Not only will the divinity of Jesus be discredited if he was found to
have been occasionally in error, but his value as a guide to life will
be impaired. What will be the result of this radical change? None of the
beautiful ideals or sound ethical principles attributed to Jesus will
be lost. Not one saying or counsel of valuable advice need go. Not one
evil thought need take the place of that which was good. In fact, the
finest qualities of existence will be more vital in our lives when their
realization becomes of primary importance instead of being subordinate
to worship of the supernatural. Principles are superior to persons. A
dead personality remains unchanged; live ethical principles can be
developed by more complete knowledge of evolutionary processes.
_Ethical Evolution_
Evolution has been progressing along ethical as well as physical lines.
To the teachings of Jesus, once considered perfection, have been added
many newly discovered principles of value, for knowledge is cumulative.
All the best thoughts of the ages are ours forever, no matter who first
originated or expressed them.
Whatever the plan of the universe may be, it is more nearly comprehended
now than in Jesus' time. Twentieth century events are more dependable in
forming our philosophy of life than those of the first century. The
failure to grasp this fact is the death knell of orthodox religion.
Every existing religious sect has founded its spirituality upon events
supposed to have occurred in the past. Christianity depends upon the
direct creation, fall of man and life of an atoning Savior, all physical
in character. Our new metaphysics will be based upon conditions existing
today and that will be revealed by science in the future. The
geologists, embryologists, biologists and astronomers of 1932 have more
information about nature than Jesus had. On that knowledge can be
founded a system of living superior to the Sermon on the Mount.
Our own time is the most dependable era of revelation. We can safely
accept whatever stands accredited after thorough examination, including
all teachings of Jesus that are admirable. A modern person with
religious zeal has confidence that the world is ordered along consistent
lines and will respond favorably to man's best efforts to solve the true
way of living. The scientific mind and the religious spirit are
complementary. Religion, instead of being a system of handed-down
sanctity, may become an inspired revelation to each individual--a
religion of the spirit of the modern world.
As the spirit derived from Truth is superior to that based upon
credulity, the new doctrines that supplant the old may be expected to
excel any that have preceded them. Anyone may be as spiritual as the
proved facts permit.
If the world has been improving physically and ethically, we can have
confidence that whatever knowledge is necessary for our salvation is
available to each of us now. No living God has died; no great principle
has been lost. Instead of depending upon Jesus in an unthinking manner,
we must seek the Truth wherever it is found and follow wherever it may
lead regardless of consequences. This requires more courage than
professing Jesus, whose teachings can be construed to mean whatever the
reader desires. While the majority regard Jesus as an ascetic, a
reformer, opposed to business and joviality, Bruce Barton has convinced
thousands that Jesus was the great business man, rotarian and
advertiser.
_Gains, not Losses_
Among the compensations that may supplant the loss of Jesus as an ideal
are the thrill at being a pioneer in striving for the welfare of the
human race rather than for individual salvation; the satisfaction at
having a consistent creed that can be maintained against all criticism
without hypocrisy or evasion; emancipation from inhibitions required by
a supposedly divine teacher. Every pleasure is not a sin, but rejection
of theology does not imply indifference to evil. Science warns against
excess as strongly as any ancient command. The fear of natural or
man-decreed punishment in this world is as potent as the dread of
eternal torment threatened by Jesus.
If Jesus really was the sort of personage described in the Bible; if he
really was born of a virgin, controlled the elements and had power to
condemn unbelievers to eternal damnation, all people should obey his
every word. He should be followed literally; we should sell all our
possessions and take no thought for the morrow. But if Jesus was not
that sort of a person; if he was neither a supernatural God nor an
infallible man, he should not be worshipped as a redeeming Savior nor be
followed as a true guide for human conduct.
Our faith shifts with careful examination of the scriptures from belief
in Jesus to confidence that the world is a far pleasanter abode than
Jesus imagined. Without reliance upon the authority of Jesus we can
adopt a code which will prove comparatively effective in leading towards
a wholesome life.