What are the arguments for 'Jesus historical fiction'?

Well, for the 'jesus fiction' theory, there are a few key arguments. Firstly, the scarcity of independent historical verification. In other words, apart from the religious texts of Christianity, there's not much else from that era that directly attests to Jesus' existence in the way described in the Bible. Secondly, the fact that the Gospels, which are the main sources about Jesus in the New Testament, were written some time after the supposed events. And during that time, stories could have been embellished or even fabricated. Also, some elements of the Jesus story seem to parallel older religious and mythological tales from other cultures, which could imply that Jesus was a fictional creation based on those pre - existing stories.

The argument that Jesus is fiction often stems from a view that the Gospels, which are the main sources about Jesus, were written long after his supposed life. Some believe that during this time, the stories could have been embellished or even made up entirely. Also, the idea of a virgin birth, resurrection, and other miracles are hard for some to swallow, leading them to think the whole Jesus story is fictional.

One common argument is about the accuracy of historical details. Some believe historical fiction should be as precise as possible in depicting the time period, like getting the costumes, language, and social norms right. Others think a bit of creative license can be taken to make the story more engaging.

Others might say that the idea of Jesus as a divine being is a human construct used for social and political control. They look at how the early Christian church developed and spread, and see the elevation of Jesus to a God - like status as a way to gain power and influence. For instance, by making Jesus the central figure of a new religion, the church leaders could impose certain moral and social codes on people.

The historical Jesus is a fact. There are numerous historical sources outside of the Bible that mention Jesus. For example, the works of the Jewish historian Josephus contain references to Jesus. Also, the fact that a new religious movement based on Jesus' teachings sprang up and spread rapidly in the 1st century is evidence that there was a real figure at its core. Archaeological findings in the region related to early Christian communities also support the existence of a figure around whom these beliefs centered.

Yes. Some people consider it so because there is a lack of conclusive historical evidence outside of religious texts regarding many of the events and details about Jesus. However, many religious scholars firmly believe in his historical existence based on religious accounts and some historical references.

On the other hand, those with a more lenient view believe that historical fiction can be a blend of fact and imagination. They think that as long as the overall essence of the historical period is captured, some changes are okay. So, they might support a story that invents a minor character to illustrate a common social situation of the time, even if that specific character didn't exist in history. This difference in views can lead to intense arguments about what is acceptable in historical fiction.

One argument against reading fiction is that it's seen as a waste of time. Some people think that time could be better spent on non - fictional works like self - help books or educational textbooks that directly contribute to knowledge acquisition or career development.

Fiction is important in defense as it stimulates creativity. Writers create entire new worlds, characters, and plots from their imagination, and readers are also inspired to think creatively. Moreover, it has educational value. Many historical fictions, for example, can teach about different eras in an engaging way that textbooks might not be able to do as effectively.

One reason against science fiction could be that it's often seen as too far - fetched. Some people think that the concepts like time travel or alien invasions are completely unrealistic and have no basis in real life, so they consider it a waste of time to engage with such stories.