The Bible Fraud: How Constantine Created a New Religion Based on a Mythical Jesus
Tony Bushby The Bible Fraud Pdf 71: A Controversial Book That Challenges The Christian Faith
Have you ever wondered if the Bible is really true? If it is really the word of God or just a human invention? If it is really a reliable source of history or just a collection of myths and legends?
Tony Bushby The Bible Fraud Pdf 71
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If you have, then you are not alone. Many people have asked these questions over the centuries, and some have even tried to answer them. One of them is Tony Bushby, an Australian author who wrote a controversial book called The Bible Fraud in 2001.
In this article, we will explore what this book is about, why it is controversial, what are its main arguments, how it has been received and criticized, and what are its implications and consequences for Christianity and other religions. We will also give our personal opinion and recommendation of this book.
But before we dive into the details, let us first state our thesis statement:
The Bible Fraud is a book that claims that the Bible is a fabricated document that was manipulated by the Roman Emperor Constantine and his successors to create a new religion based on a fictional character named Jesus Christ.
The Author and His Background
Who is Tony Bushby and what are his credentials? What motivated him to write this book and what sources did he use?
Tony Bushby is an Australian journalist who has worked for various newspapers and magazines in Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada, and the United States. He claims to have a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Queensland University, but this has been disputed by some critics who say that he never graduated from there.
He says that he became interested in researching the origins of Christianity after reading a book called The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh in 1991. This book claimed that there was a secret conspiracy by the Vatican to hide some ancient documents that revealed the true nature of Jesus and his followers.
Inspired by this book, Bushby says that he spent 10 years traveling around the world and visiting various libraries, archives, museums, and monasteries to find and study the original manuscripts of the Bible and other ancient texts. He says that he discovered many shocking secrets and evidence that proved that the Bible was a fraud.
He published his findings in his book The Bible Fraud in 2001, which he says was based on over 15,000 pages of notes and 2,800 photographs of original documents. He also published several follow-up books, such as The Secret in the Bible, The Crucifixion of Truth, and The Twin Deception, which expanded on his claims and arguments.
The Main Arguments of the Book
How does the book challenge the authenticity and reliability of the Bible? What are the main arguments and evidence that the book presents?
The book makes three main arguments that aim to undermine the credibility of the Bible and Christianity. They are:
The fabrication of the New Testament
The invention of Jesus Christ
The manipulation of church history
Let us examine each of these arguments in more detail.
The Fabrication of the New Testament
How did Constantine and his council select and edit the books that became the New Testament? What evidence does the book provide to support this claim?
The book claims that the New Testament, which consists of 27 books that tell the story and teachings of Jesus and his apostles, was not written by eyewitnesses or inspired by God, but was fabricated by Constantine and his council of bishops in the fourth century AD.
According to the book, Constantine was a pagan emperor who wanted to unify his empire under one religion. He saw that Christianity was growing in popularity and influence, but it was also divided by many sects and doctrines. He decided to create a new version of Christianity that would suit his political agenda and appeal to both pagans and Christians.
To do this, he convened a council of bishops in Nicaea in 325 AD, where he ordered them to select and edit the books that would form the official canon of the New Testament. He also instructed them to create a new creed that would define the core beliefs of Christianity.
The book says that Constantine and his council chose only four gospels out of hundreds that existed at that time, and rejected or destroyed the rest. They also altered and added many passages to these gospels to make them conform to their doctrine. They also selected and edited other books, such as the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Revelation, to complete their canon.
The book claims that it has evidence to prove this claim, such as:
The existence of many other gospels that were not included in the New Testament, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, the Gospel of Judas, etc.
The discrepancies and contradictions between the four canonical gospels, such as the different genealogies, birth stories, resurrection accounts, etc.
The absence of any original manuscripts or copies of the New Testament books before the fourth century AD.
The discovery of some ancient manuscripts that show signs of alteration or interpolation by later scribes, such as Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus, etc.
The testimony of some early church fathers who admitted or implied that some books were forged or tampered with, such as Eusebius, Jerome, Origen, etc.
The Invention of Jesus Christ
How did Constantine and his council create the figure of Jesus Christ based on pagan myths and legends? What evidence does the book provide to support this claim?
The book claims that Jesus Christ, who is regarded by Christians as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity, was not a real historical person who lived in Palestine in the first century AD, but was a fictional character who was invented by Constantine and his council based on pagan myths and legends.
According to the book, Constantine and his council wanted to create a new god-man who would appeal to both pagans and Christians. They decided to base their new god-man on an ancient Egyptian deity named Serapis (or Osiris), who was worshiped as a dying-and-rising savior who performed miracles and taught wisdom.
```html The Invention of Jesus Christ
How did Constantine and his council create the figure of Jesus Christ based on pagan myths and legends? What evidence does the book provide to support this claim?
The book claims that Jesus Christ, who is regarded by Christians as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity, was not a real historical person who lived in Palestine in the first century AD, but was a fictional character who was invented by Constantine and his council based on pagan myths and legends.
According to the book, Constantine and his council wanted to create a new god-man who would appeal to both pagans and Christians. They decided to base their new god-man on an ancient Egyptian deity named Serapis (or Osiris), who was worshiped as a dying-and-rising savior who performed miracles and taught wisdom.
To do this, they borrowed many elements from Serapis (or Osiris) and other pagan deities and heroes, such as Mithras, Horus, Dionysus, Krishna, Buddha, etc., and combined them into one composite figure. They gave him the name Jesus Christ, which means "the anointed savior" in Greek.
They also created a fictional biography for him, based on various sources, such as the Old Testament prophecies, the Jewish apocrypha, the Roman histories, and the pagan legends. They placed him in Palestine in the first century AD, during the reign of Pontius Pilate, and made him a Jewish rabbi who preached a new gospel of love and forgiveness. They also made him perform many miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, walking on water, feeding the multitudes, etc. They also made him clash with the Jewish authorities and the Roman governor, who eventually crucified him. They also made him rise from the dead after three days and ascend to heaven.
The book claims that it has evidence to prove this claim, such as:
The similarity and parallelism between Jesus Christ and other pagan deities and heroes, such as their virgin births, their star signs, their 12 disciples or followers, their miracles, their crucifixions or deaths, their resurrections or rebirths, etc.
The absence of any contemporary or independent sources that mention or confirm the existence of Jesus Christ outside the New Testament.
The silence or ignorance of some early church fathers and historians who never mentioned or referred to Jesus Christ or his followers by name.
The discovery of some ancient documents that suggest that Jesus Christ was a mythical or allegorical figure, such as the Nag Hammadi texts, the Clementine Homilies, etc.
The testimony of some modern scholars and experts who question or deny the historicity of Jesus Christ based on historical or textual analysis.
The Manipulation of Church History
How did Constantine and his successors suppress and destroy any alternative views and documents that contradicted their version of Christianity? What evidence does the book provide to support this claim?
The book claims that Constantine and his successors did not only create a new version of Christianity based on a fabricated document and a fictional character, but also tried to erase any trace of evidence or opposition that challenged their version of Christianity. They did this by suppressing and destroying any alternative views and documents that contradicted their doctrine or authority.
According to the book, Constantine and his successors used various methods to achieve this goal, such as:
Banning and burning any books or writings that were considered heretical or blasphemous by their standards.
Persecuting and killing any people or groups that were considered enemies or rivals by their standards.
Falsifying and rewriting any records or histories that were considered unfavorable or inconvenient by their standards.
Inventing and propagating any legends or myths that were considered beneficial or supportive by their standards.
The book claims that it has evidence to prove this claim, such as:
The existence of many books or writings that were banned or burned by the church authorities over the centuries, such as the Gnostic gospels, the Cathar scriptures, the Albigensian crusade chronicles etc.
The existence of many people or groups that were persecuted or killed by the church authorities over the centuries, such as the Gnostics, the Cathars, the Albigensians, the Waldensians, the Templars, the Hussites, the Anabaptists, the Protestants, the witches, etc.
The existence of many records or histories that were falsified or rewritten by the church authorities over the centuries, such as the Donation of Constantine, the Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals, the Acts of Peter and Paul, etc.
The existence of many legends or myths that were invented or propagated by the church authorities over the centuries, such as the Holy Grail, the Shroud of Turin, the Spear of Destiny, etc.
The Reactions and Criticisms of the Book
How did the book receive attention and controversy from the public and the media? How did the book receive criticism and refutation from scholars and experts?
The book received a lot of attention and controversy from the public and the media when it was published in 2001. It was featured in many newspapers, magazines, radio shows, and TV programs around the world. It was also translated into several languages and sold millions of copies worldwide.
Many people were fascinated and intrigued by the book's claims and arguments. Some people were shocked and outraged by the book's accusations and implications. Some people were curious and skeptical about the book's evidence and sources. Some people were inspired and influenced by the book's message and challenge.
The book also received a lot of criticism and refutation from scholars and experts who specialized in various fields, such as biblical studies, history, archaeology, theology, etc. They challenged and disputed the book's claims and arguments on various grounds, such as:
The lack of credibility and qualification of the author and his sources.
The lack of accuracy and consistency of the facts and dates.
The lack of logic and coherence of the reasoning and conclusions.
The lack of balance and fairness of the presentation and evaluation.
They also provided alternative explanations and evidence to counter the book's claims and arguments, such as:
The existence and reliability of many manuscripts and copies of the New Testament books that date back to before or during the fourth century AD.
The existence and diversity of many sources that mention or confirm the existence of Jesus Christ outside the New Testament, such as Jewish, Roman, Greek, Syriac, etc.
The existence and continuity of many traditions and practices that trace back to Jesus Christ and his followers in Palestine in the first century AD, such as baptism, communion, worship, etc.
The existence and complexity of many factors and influences that shaped the development of Christianity over the centuries, such as cultural, social, political, theological, etc.
The Implications and Consequences of the Book
How does the book affect the beliefs and practices of Christians today? How does the book affect the understanding and dialogue of other religions and cultures?
The book has a significant impact on the beliefs and practices of Christians today. It challenges the core doctrines and values of Christianity, such as the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the inspiration and authority of the Bible, the salvation and grace of God, etc. It also challenges the historical and moral legitimacy of Christianity, such as its origins, its development, its influence, etc.
Some Christians may reject or ignore the book's claims and arguments, and reaffirm their faith and commitment to Christianity. Some Christians may accept or consider the book's claims and arguments, and revise their faith and practice to Christianity. Some Christians may doubt or question the book's claims and arguments, and explore their faith and options to Christianity.
The book also has a significant impact on the understanding and dialogue of other religions and cultures. It provides a different perspective and insight on Christianity, that may challenge or enrich other religions and cultures. It also provides a common ground and opportunity for dialogue, that may foster or enhance mutual respect and cooperation among other religions and cultures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Bible Fraud is a controversial book that challenges the Christian faith by claiming that the Bible is a fabricated document that was manipulated by Constantine and his successors to create a new religion based on a fictional character named Jesus Christ. The book presents three main arguments to support this claim: the fabrication of the New Testament, the invention of Jesus Christ, and the manipulation of church history. The book also provides various evidence to support these arguments, such as ancient manuscripts, historical records, mythological parallels, ```html Conclusion
In conclusion, The Bible Fraud is a controversial book that challenges the Christian faith by claiming that the Bible is a fabricated document that was manipulated by Constantine and his successors to create a new religion based on a fictional character named Jesus Christ. The book presents three main arguments to support this claim: the fabrication of the New Testament, the invention of Jesus Christ, and the manipulation of church history. The book also provides various evidence to support these arguments, such as ancient manuscripts, historical records, mythological parallels, scholarly testimonies, etc.
The book has received a lot of attention and controversy from the public and the media, as well as a lot of criticism and refutation from scholars and experts. The book has also had a significant impact on the beliefs and practices of Christians today, as well as on the understanding and dialogue of other religions and cultures.
In our opinion, the book is an interesting and provocative read, but it is not a convincing or credible one. The book has many flaws and weaknesses in its claims and arguments, such as the lack of credibility and qualification of the author and his sources, the lack of accuracy and consistency of the facts and dates, the lack of logic and coherence of the reasoning and conclusions, and the lack of balance and fairness of the presentation and evaluation. The book also ignores or dismisses many alternative explanations and evidence that counter its claims and arguments, such as the existence and reliability of many manuscripts and copies of the New Testament books that date back to before or during the fourth century AD, the existence and diversity of many sources that mention or confirm the existence of Jesus Christ outside the New Testament, the existence and continuity of many traditions and practices that trace back to Jesus Christ and his followers in Palestine in the first century AD, and the existence and complexity of many factors and influences that shaped the development of Christianity over the centuries.
We recommend this book to anyone who is curious or skeptical about Christianity, but we also advise them to read it with a critical and open mind, and to compare it with other sources and perspectives that offer a more balanced and comprehensive view of Christianity.
FAQs
What is The Bible Fraud?
The Bible Fraud is a book by Tony Bushby that claims that the Bible is a fabricated document that was manipulated by Constantine and his successors to create a new religion based on a fictional character named Jesus Christ.
Who is Tony Bushby?
Tony Bushby is an Australian journalist who claims to have spent 10 years researching the origins of Christianity by visiting various libraries, archives, museums, and monasteries around the world.
What are the main arguments of The Bible Fraud?
The main arguments of The Bible Fraud are:
The fabrication of the New Testament
The invention of Jesus Christ
The manipulation of church history
What are some examples of evidence that The Bible Fraud provides to support its arguments?
Some examples of evidence that The Bible Fraud provides to support its arguments are:
The existence of many other gospels that were not included in the New Testament
The similarity and parallelism between Jesus Christ and other pagan deities and heroes
The absence of any contemporary or independent sources that mention or confirm the existence of Jesus Christ outside the New Testament
The existence of many books or writings that were banned or burned by the church authorities over the centuries
The existence of many people or groups that were persecuted or killed by the church authorities over the centuries
The existence of many records or histories that were falsified or