Jesus Vs. Mythology

[john832]

A few times, when trying to undermine the credibility of Jesus, Atheists have brought to my attention the similarities between mythological gods and Jesus. These similarities would include: Born of a virgin, died for the world, did miracles, etc. The similar gods mentioned are Oriris, Dionysus, Adonis, Attis, and Mithra. There's probably more.

That's not the part that worries me. The part that worries me is that it's said that the written miracles of these gods were written before the New Testament. This concerns me because obviously that would mean that the story of Jesus was copied from stories of Pagan gods.

If someone can help me find a sound answer to this, I would much appreciate it because it's a pretty major concern to the validity to the Christian faith and I want to know how to respond to Atheists that bring this up.

Thanks,

Lecrae

No, the story of Christ was not copied from them. There is a real but invisible enemy who knew the plan of God prior to the Word becoming flesh. He has always had couterfeits and used deceptive practices to undermine God and His plan. These were simply counterfeits perpetrated by Satan to deceive...

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

 

[AvalonXQ]

No no no no, let me correct you right there, you or any "former" Christians were never ever a Christian to begin with...period.

What hateful ignorance this shows. "Never a Christian to begin with"? That's not something you can possibly know; it's certainly not an idea you can get from the Bible.

It is incredibly disingenuous for you to act like someone who no longer has faith cannot possibly have ever been a believer. I know some of these people who at one time believed just as deeply and just as truly as anyone else.

 

[Graybeard]

How could you possibly know that someone was not a former Christian? Where is your evidence? It's denial, obviously, because you hate the implications.

At one time I "believed in the Lord Jesus Christ". I was raised by Christian parents, and thus was encouraged at a very young age to become a Christian. I prayed to God for forgiveness for my sins and asked to become saved. I then did this several times more, because at such a young age I didn't "feel saved" from anything because I hadn't done anything regrettable. I "displayed the fruit of the spirit" by going to church every week, studying the bible vigorously (I've read it cover to cover 5 times), and always consciously trying to do what I felt God wanted, which included avoiding sin. I was a Christian as much as any of my peers, except that I realized around the age of 20 that none of translated to real life. I'm an atheist because I'm not in denial... not anymore.

What are my intentions here? To discuss religious matters. You have a golden opportunity to testify about your God to someone who doesn't believe, and to convince me that He is real, but you're certainly not going to do it with denial. Do you really think you're going to convince me that I wasn't a Christian? I lived it. I know better. Your certainty without evidence leads me to think that this is also why you believe in God, as I continue to see in many of your peers. If communication with God yielded any real knowledge, then you'd already know better just by asking Him.

The better question is "why are you trying to drive me away"?

Luk 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

 

[MidniteWelder]

What hateful ignorance this shows. "Never a Christian to begin with"? That's not something you can possibly know; it's certainly not an idea you can get from the Bible.

Oh no???
if I may present something from the bible which is directly relevant to such a dilemma...

1 John 3:6
No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

 

[Elin]

What hateful ignorance this shows. "Never a Christian to begin with"? That's not something you can possibly know; it's certainly not an idea you can get from the Bible.

That is precisely where it comes from:

"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." (1Jn 2:19)

 

[Graybeard]

What hateful ignorance this shows. "Never a Christian to begin with"? That's not something you can possibly know; it's certainly not an idea you can get from the Bible.

There are a few...how about this one:

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
Heb 6:5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
Heb 6:6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.