I find that Doherty's argument that Jesus was crucified in some kind of heaven or region of heaven to be hopelessly flawed and contrary to the evidence or the stories from antiquity about the Jesus character.Peter Kirby wrote:Some of the arguments have been telescoped by my initial outline. For example, obviously, Doherty's argument is extensive, detailed, and not (as commonly understood) negative but also based, positively, on the language of the texts as he interprets them. But the details are important, so, like MrMacSon has done, please help fill in some of the details of this outline, or add more points from your own study.
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The story of Jesus is that he was crucified or delivered up to be crucified by the Jews under Pilate after a trial by the Sanhedrin when he was found guilty of death for Blasphemy.
It is imperative that it is understood that the Jesus cult writers argued that it was the Killing of Jesus by the Jews that caused the desolation of Jerusalem and the Fall of the Temple as prophesied in the book of Daniel.
It is true that Jesus of the Bible was purely mythological but there is no story and no tradition anywhere in antiquity that he was crucified in some kind of heaven and never believed to be on earth.
In fact, Jesus cult writers that mentioned the crucifixion of Jesus claimed that it happened on earth and was killed by the Jews.
1. Aristides' Apology
2. Justin's First ApologyThe Christians, then, trace the beginning of their religion from Jesus the Messiah; and he is named the Son of God Most High. And it is said that God came down from heaven, and from a Hebrew virgin assumed and clothed himself with flesh; and the Son of God lived in a daughter of man. This is taught in the gospel, as it is called.................... This Jesus, then, was born of the race of the Hebrews; and he had twelve disciples in order that the purpose of his incarnation might in time be accomplished. But he himself was pierced by the Jews, and he died and was buried; and they say that after three days he rose and ascended to heaven.
3. Justin's Dialogue with TryphoOur teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who also was born for this purpose, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judaea, in the times of Tiberius Caesar.
4. Hippolytus' Against the JewsAccordingly, these things have happened to you in fairness and justice, for you have slain the Just One, and His prophets before Him; and now you reject those who hope in Him, and in Him who sent Him--God the Almighty and Maker of all things--cursing in your synagogues those that believe on Christ.
5. Lactantius' How the Persecutors Died7. But why, O prophet, tell us, and for what reason, was the temple made desolate? Was it on account of that ancient fabrication of the calf? Was it on account of the idolatry of the people? Was it for the blood of the prophets? Was it for the adultery and fornication of Israel? By no means, he says; for in all these transgressions they always found pardon open to them, and benignity; but it was because they killed the Son of their Benefactor...
In the latter days of the Emperor Tiberius, in the consulship of Ruberius Geminus and Fufius Geminus, and on the tenth of the kalends of April, as I find it written, Jesus Christ was crucified by the Jews.