The Gospel of Philip claimed that Mary Magdalene had a special even intimate relationship with Jesus. ibid.
The Book of Revelation: the most controversial book of the Bible. Within its pages a dire forecast of Apocalypse ... What's the real secret of the Book of Revelation? Riddles of the Bible s2e1: The Apocalypse
Most scholars say Revelation is a product of its time. ibid.
The word rapture appears nowhere in the Bible. ibid.
Rival prophets, messiahs and sons of God: the Olympic gods of Roman mythology – Jupiter, Mars and Venus – collide with the alternative pantheons of Persia, Egypt and Israel. Miracle workers preaching new spiritual truths appear across the empire. New religious figures arise, some said to be born of virgins. Some celebrate sacrificial meals, others are said to have risen from the dead ... Apollonius of Tyana is said to be one of these rivals of Jesus. A man with a strikingly similar profile: Apollonius is born approximately the same time as Jesus in what is now Turkey ... Like Jesus it is reported Apollonius even raised the dead. Riddles of the Bible s2e6: Rivals of Jesus
Simon Marcus: Simon the Magician. He was born in Sumeria, the country next to Judea. But he travels and preaches from Egypt to Rome. He is powerful enough to be mentioned in the Bible ... Simon’s followers believe he is the messiah, but Simon himself says there are two living incarnations of god ... The incident led to the creation of the word Simony – the sin of attempting to buy spiritual benefits. ibid.
In 132 A.D. Emperor-worship would be challenged by another rival to Jesus: a Jewish leader in Jerusalem who did not preach peace, he preached war. His name is Simon bar Kokhba. Many Jews at the time feel bar Kokhba has the better claim to the title of messiah than Jesus. Like Jesus he is a descendant of the Royal House of King David. Like Jesus he is a charismatic leader with a small but loyal following. ibid.
Coins are minted in Jerusalem proclaiming bar Kokhba’s status as Saviour and Redeemer. On one side an inscription reads, Year One of the Redemption of Israel. On the other side the image of the temple is crowned with a star, because bar Kokhba literally means, Son of the Star ... He defeats mighty Rome. ibid.
The Mithra story bears remarkable similarities to the story of Jesus. He was born of a virgin in December 25th, shared a final meal before being called to Heaven, then was resurrected and returned to Earth as the Son of God. By 200 A.D. the followers of Mithra outnumber those of Jesus of Nazareth. ibid.
A collection of 27 compositions, 21 of them letters. All originally written in Greek. We don’t have a single page, nor even the smallest scraps of the original writings. All we have are copies of copies, written many years afterwards. Who Wrote the New Testament? I: What is Truth, 2003
‘Scribes are adding and even deleting.’ ibid. comment
Clearly there are problems regarding Matthew. It’s obvious that well over half his work is borrowed from Mark. ibid.
Luke set out to write the big Jesus story. ibid.
The Gospels were all written anonymously. ibid.
Ever since the death of its founder, Christianity has been torn by internal divisions. Who Wrote the New Testament? II
Ever since the death of its founder, Christianity has been torn by internal divisions. Who Wrote the New Testament? II: Maintaining the Faith
For James’ and Jesus’s followers there was no backturning on the Temple. For them Jesus was the new manifestation of the old faith. Inevitably, there were tensions. ibid.
Paul: The fanatical Jew was now a fanatical Christian. ibid.
The make-up of the early Christian community is not clear. ibid.
Peter: So little is known of his life in Rome. ibid.
Book of Revelation: The last book to be added to the collection of the New Testament … Why was it so difficult? Why was it so hard for scholars to finally agree let’s admit it? Who Wrote the New Testament? III: But Whose Truth Was the Truth? comment