Did Jesus Even Exist?

Did Jesus actually exist or was Jesus based on a myth? New Testament scholar Dr. Bart Ehrman explores the historical evidence for Jesus Christ and debunks mythicist claims about him. Dr. Ehrman is a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the author of 30 books including, Did Jesus Exist? and Misquoting Jesus.

In recent years, mythicism has become increasingly popular, especially in atheist circles, with books by Dr. Richard Carrier, Dr. Robert Price, and others, but is there any validity to mythicist claims? Is Jesus mythicism just a kooky conspiracy theory, or is there reason to doubt the existence of Jesus?

Recommended books by Dr. Ehrman:

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Thank you so much for your ongoing support. Science is greater than Dogma. Dare to be curious, but don't Drink the Koolaid!

[shadowscalestudios]

I want to weep watching this. I can't believe I lived for 30 years "believing." I was adopted and raised in a southern baptist household where it was, "believe in god or find another place to live." I was taught that the bible was historically accurate and I honestly believed it for longer than I want to admit. I wish I had come across these kinds of videos back then. Thank you for all of your amazing hard work.

[TheRealLucifer_Morningstar]

I always found it odd that the Abrahamic god could make a man from mud, a woman from a rib, yet HAD to impregnate a Jewish minx to have a child. So he impregnates the girl WITH himself then sacrifices himself TO himself to save us all FROM himself.

Makes perfect 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[rebekahdavis]

I feel like one of the main reasons so many people even take christianity seriously is because of how it was brutally forced onto all of Europe. I wish people discussed this time in history more. It could have been ANY religion.

[grapeshot]

I've always thought even if he is a historical figure he was nothing more than a first-century Galilean cult leader. No superpowers and no resurrection.

[MatthewCaunsfield]

Good interview. I think this is the longest anyone's ever got Bart to discuss mythicism in one stretch!

[unicyclist]

Great work on arranging the interview, asking the right questions in the right way, and fantastic work on the animation!

[hypervious]

Bart Ehrman is quite a character! Well done for scoring such a fascinating interview with him.

[MichaelYoder]

Love Dr. Bart. He makes complicated theological history easy to understand and has a great sense of humour

[anthonypc]

This guy really cracks himself up! XD

[kevinswanson]

Paul saying he knew the brother of somebody named Jesus by no means proves the existence of Jesus SoG. Knowing somebody named Joshua in 1st Century Palestine is akin to knowing somebody named Bob or Mike in 21st Century America.

[rloomis]

Very interesting discussion, and I really appreciate the fact that your knowledge of and familiarity with the subject allowed you to ask highly relevant and probing questions.

[RickReasonnz]

You got the animation for Br Dart's chuckles perfect! Love your interviews, you ask really good questions and are so engaged with your guests. Nicely done.

[pvthitch]

When I was a boy in The 60s, Superman appeared in Action Comics, Superman Comics, World's Finest, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Justice League and Adventure Comics (as Superboy.) That's a lot of manuscripts!

[PaulThompsonPaulyWog]

I've read several of Dr. Ehrman's books. This is the first time I've seen him interviewed. Very enlightening! I've heard arguments about the existence of Jesus and always wondered where they stemmed from. This interview has shed some much needed light on the subject. Thanks so much. Now I want to read Heaven And Hell.

[Dominus_Augustus]

Debate between Dr. Richard Carrier and Bart Ehrman needs to happen.

[barbara]

When I married a Jewish man, and raised our children Jewish, people would ask me how I could just "stop" believing in Jesus. I usually laugh and say, "that's personal but since you asked... who says I ever believed in Jesus in the first place?" smh. Magic

[mykhalable]

Thomas really needs to do a collab with Jesus sometime.

[reeseexplains]

Wow. This is amazingly researched and well done. Congrats on getting Bart Ehrman on your channel. I have read two of his books and there very scholarly and informative

[boblyle]

Always look forward to your content!!!

[uprightape]

Thanks, HK. Love the long form interview.