Earl Doherty

Earl Doherty is a Canadian author and scholar known for advocating the Christ myth theory, which proposes that Jesus did not exist as a historical figure. His most influential work is "The Jesus Puzzle" (1999), which argues that early Christianity began with the concept of a mythical celestial being rather than a historical person. Doherty developed a distinctive version of mythicism that focuses heavily on analyzing early Christian writings, particularly the epistles of Paul. His thesis suggests that the earliest Christians believed in a spiritual Christ who was crucified in the celestial realm rather than on Earth, with the Gospel narratives being later developments. His other significant works include "Jesus: Neither God Nor Man - The Case for a Mythical Jesus" (2009) and numerous articles on the origins of Christianity. While his views remain outside mainstream biblical scholarship, his detailed textual analysis and arguments have influenced subsequent mythicist authors. Doherty's academic background includes studying classics and ancient history at the University of Toronto, though he has primarily worked as an independent researcher. His work has contributed to ongoing debates about Christian origins and historical methodology in religious studies.

Readers frequently cite the detailed textual analysis and methodical arguments in Doherty's works, particularly "The Jesus Puzzle." Reviews note his clear writing style and thorough examination of early Christian documents. What readers liked: - Systematic presentation of evidence - Clear explanations of complex theological concepts - Extensive citations and references - Logical progression of arguments - Accessibility for non-academic readers What readers disliked: - Repetitive passages - Dense academic language in some sections - Length and detail level can be overwhelming - Some readers found the tone too dismissive of opposing views Ratings/Reviews: Amazon: "The Jesus Puzzle" - 4.3/5 from 98 reviews "Jesus: Neither God Nor Man" - 4.1/5 from 42 reviews Goodreads: "The Jesus Puzzle" - 4.2/5 from 127 ratings Notable reader comment: "Presents complex historical analysis in an understandable way, though sometimes gets bogged down in details" - Amazon reviewer "Well-researched but could be more concise" appears frequently in critical reviews.

Jesus: Neither God Nor Man (2009) A detailed argument that early Christianity began with a mythical celestial Jesus, not a historical person, examining evidence from both Christian and non-Christian sources.

The Jesus Puzzle (1999) An analysis of early Christian documents arguing that Paul and other early Christians did not believe in a historical Jesus who had recently lived on Earth.

Challenging the Verdict: A Cross-Examination of Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" (2001) A point-by-point response to Lee Strobel's book, examining the historical evidence and arguments for Jesus's historicity.

The End of an Illusion: How Bart Ehrman's "Did Jesus Exist?" Has Laid the Case for an Historical Jesus to Rest (2012) A critical response to Bart Ehrman's defense of the historical Jesus, analyzing the arguments and evidence presented.

Richard Carrier writes about Jesus mythicism and early Christianity using Bayesian reasoning methods. His work examines the origins of Christianity through historical analysis and probability theory.

Robert M. Price evaluates biblical texts through form criticism and comparative mythology. He focuses on parallels between Christianity and other ancient religions while examining the historical evidence for Jesus.

D.M. Murdock analyzes ancient religions and their influence on Christianity through archaeological and textual evidence. Her work explores astrological and mythological elements in religious development.

Thomas L. Thompson examines biblical historicity through archaeological findings and ancient Near Eastern literature. His research challenges traditional assumptions about biblical narratives and early religious history.

G.A. Wells investigates the development of early Christian beliefs through analysis of Paul's epistles and other early texts. His work traces how Jesus narratives evolved from abstract beliefs to gospel stories.