Letter to the Irish Times

Sir -

Michael Nugent's article (November 1st) about the Jesus myth is superb. It illustrates how difficult it is to try and understand Jesus apart from reading and studying the New Testament first hand. Mr Nugent manages to undermine the Jesus myth constructed by modern scholars like Bart Ehrman. Using information that he has obviously gleaned second hand from such experts, he asks us to dismiss the "fantastic and wildly inconsistent stories" found in the New Testament.

Unfortunately, Mr Nugent's own construction of the Christian faith is wildly simplistic. It lacks the examination of truth that he expects of others. For example, he is right to say that the physical resurrection of Jesus is central to Christianity. But if he believes that the Christian faith itself requires or pleads external evidence for this central tenet, then he has failed to do his homework.

The New Testament claims that its own content is sufficient for faith and godly living. It does not seek to prove anything. Indeed, the New Testament is open in stating that the risen Jesus appeared to disciples and believers. So there is no conspiracy to hide, it is open for all to see and read! The accounts of Jesus and his resurrection were written to record testimony in order that more people might believe. (John 20:30,31)

Sir, I am happy to dismiss all the myths about Jesus. I ask all interested readers to read the New Testament to discover the truth about the New Testament. Is it really fantastic and inconsistent? Does it really present to us more than one Jesus? Does it really start with Jesus the Jewish preacher, only to end up with Jesus, the divine God man? Or does it offer hope to all those who take its message seriously? Thankfully we live in an age and in a country where we are free to answer those questions for ourselves.

Yours sincerely