Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Some critics point out that stories of dying and rising gods existed before Christianity.
And that’s true —
there are a few examples in pagan myths that predate the Christian movement.
But similarity does not equal dependence.
The real issue isn’t whether other stories existed.
The issue is whether the earliest Christians borrowed from them.
And when we examine the historical context, the Jewish background of the first disciples, and the nature of the resurrection claim itself, there are strong reasons to reject that idea.
Christianity didn’t emerge from pagan mythology.
It emerged from a historical claim: that Jesus of Nazareth was seen alive after his crucifixion.
So the question remains:
More info here: youtube.com/watch?v=eQOWw8cB-uQ
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#Resurrection #ChristianApologetics #HistoricalJesus #EarlyChristianity #FaithAndReason #ChristianHistory
____________________
Mike Licona is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University. HCU offers an accredited Master of Arts degree in apologetics that may be completed entirely online or on the HCU campus in Houston.
📜For more information, visit bit.ly/2Wlej6Z
🎓You can also earn a Master of Divinity degree that can be completed entirely online at bit.ly/3po5uEX
👨🏻🎓 HCU offers a rigorous Doctorate of Ministry degree: https://hc.edu/houston-theological-seminary/dmin/
🌐WEBSITE: risenjesus.com
💻FACEBOOK: facebook.com/DrMikeLicona
📱TWITTER: twitter.com/DrMikeLicona
📚 Buy “Jesus, Contradicted”: bit.ly/48H0FNM
📚 Buy "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus": amzn.to/38vTfNU
📚Buy "The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach": amzn.to/2NOOZkT
📚Buy "Paul Meets Muhammad": amzn.to/2RdEFoB
📚Buy "Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?": amzn.to/36dzc5C
🅿️ If you like Mike's work, become a patron by visiting his new Patreon page at patreon.com/RisenJesus or make a tax-deductible contribution(s) as allowed by law by going to Mike's secured website:
✋risenjesus.com/donate
Some critics point out that stories of dying and rising gods existed before Christianity.
And that’s true —
there are a few examples in pagan myths that predate the Christian movement.
But similarity does not equal dependence.
The real issue isn’t whether other stories existed.
The issue is whether the earliest Christians borrowed from them.
And when we examine the historical context, the Jewish background of the first disciples, and the nature of the resurrection claim itself, there are strong reasons to reject that idea.
Christianity didn’t emerge from pagan mythology.
It emerged from a historical claim: that Jesus of Nazareth was seen alive after his crucifixion.
So the question remains:
More info here: youtube.com/watch?v=eQOWw8cB-uQ
.
.
.
#Resurrection #ChristianApologetics #HistoricalJesus #EarlyChristianity #FaithAndReason #ChristianHistory
____________________
Mike Licona is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University. HCU offers an accredited Master of Arts degree in apologetics that may be completed entirely online or on the HCU campus in Houston.
📜For more information, visit bit.ly/2Wlej6Z
🎓You can also earn a Master of Divinity degree that can be completed entirely online at bit.ly/3po5uEX
👨🏻🎓 HCU offers a rigorous Doctorate of Ministry degree: https://hc.edu/houston-theological-seminary/dmin/
🌐WEBSITE: risenjesus.com
💻FACEBOOK: facebook.com/DrMikeLicona
📱TWITTER: twitter.com/DrMikeLicona
📚 Buy “Jesus, Contradicted”: bit.ly/48H0FNM
📚 Buy "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus": amzn.to/38vTfNU
📚Buy "The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach": amzn.to/2NOOZkT
📚Buy "Paul Meets Muhammad": amzn.to/2RdEFoB
📚Buy "Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?": amzn.to/36dzc5C
🅿️ If you like Mike's work, become a patron by visiting his new Patreon page at patreon.com/RisenJesus or make a tax-deductible contribution(s) as allowed by law by going to Mike's secured website:
✋risenjesus.com/donate
