Episode Summary

In this podcast episode, a diverse array of subjects concerning the origins of Christianity and the historical credibility of the Bible were discussed. Robert M Price put forth his theories about the genesis of Christianity, proposing that it was influenced by mystery religions and the mythical hero archetype. He delved into the historical Paul and his impact on the development of Christianity, alongside conversations about the New Testament canon and the role played by Constantine in shaping the religion. Jeramiah Giehl brought up inquiries regarding the genuineness of the Bible's portrayal of Jesus and his disciples, and the potential associations between the Ebionites, Essenes, and Zealots.

Throughout the podcast, Price and Giehl delved into the intricate nature of comprehending Christianity's historical backdrop and the diverse interpretations of its teachings over time. They engaged in discussions about the veracity of specific texts and the influence exerted by political factions on the faith. Price defended his theories as an alternative lens through which to scrutinize fragments of Christian origins that might otherwise be challenging to reconcile with the conventional orthodox perspective. The dialogue shed light on Price's scholarly work and his methodological approach, while also posing thought-provoking questions for further contemplation.

In essence, the podcast episode encompassed a broad spectrum of subjects tied to the beginnings of Christianity and the historical precision of the Bible. Price and Giehl delved into the intricacies of comprehending Christianity's historical setting and the manifold interpretations of its doctrines throughout history. Their exchanges encompassed debates about the credibility of specific texts and the impact of political entities on the religion. The exchange provided insights into Price's scholarly endeavors and his scholarly approach, while also prompting inquiries that warrant further exploration.

Chapters & Topics

• 2:24 Origins of Christianity and Paul's Role
• 2:42 Origins of Christianity
• 2:53 Paul's identity and his relation to Enochian Judaism
• 15:11 Robert M Price on Christian Origins
• 19:23 The Historical Paul and his Influence
• 38:25 The Historical Paul: Fact or Fiction?
• 43:39 Early Christian Origins and the Influence of Marcion
• 1:00:51 Discussion on the New Testament Canon
• 1:02:28 Inclusion of non-canonical texts in the New Testament
• 1:08:10 Constantine's Conversion and Influence
• 1:09:41 Constantine's influence on Christianity
• 1:15:00 The Historical Jesus and His Disciples
• 1:15:34 The depiction of Jesus in the Cleansing of the Temple and his association with armed men.
• 1:18:30 The Connection Between the Ebionites, Essenes, and Zealots
• 1:27:25 Robert M Price discusses his work and upcoming projects.

Action Items

• Further research and analyze the pseudo Clementine literature, specifically the Epistle of Peter to James and the Dd K, to gain a better understanding of the historical context and authenticity of these texts.

Key Questions

• 2:53 Who is Paul and where does he fit within Enochian Judaism?
• 6:52 What is the connection between Paul and the sect of John the Baptist?
• 16:27 What are the three forms of Christianity that emerged?
• 20:59 Was Simon Magus a double agent with a view to influence people to be more pro-Roman, and what does Robert M Price think of this?
• 35:20 What are Robert M Price's views on the authenticity of the Pseudo Clementine literature and the historical situation of Peter and James?

Keywords:

Paul, Jesus, Gospels, Peter, Simon Magus, Marcion, Epistles, Judaism, Josephus, Christianity, Proto-Orthodox, Old Testament, Gentiles, Barnabas, Constantine