The Myth of the Resurrection and Other Essays

By Joseph McCabe

Book Overview

In one of his most celebrated assertions the Apostle Paul wrote: "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised;

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

(From 1 Corinthians 15)

In this collection of essays skeptical scholar Joseph McCabe examines three contentious issues related to the assertions of the apostle:

The historicity of the Resurrection

The historicity of Jesus

The rapid spread of Christianity

Using the tools of historical analysis, McCabe concludes that the claims about both the identity and resurrection of Jesus rest on shaky ground, and that myths about dying and rising gods occur frequently in pre-Christian history.

• Format: Audio CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GVPNDZ55
• ISBN13: 9798228965096
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Voices of Today Pty Ltd
• Length: 1 Pages

Customer Reviews

Classical work on biblical criticism

Another reviewer has criticized this book for its lack of reference, and I agree. McCabe should've given citations, so that we can check the reliability of his sources and their methods. Also, there are a lot of good ideas scattered throughout this book, that Prometheus should have an index placed at the back.The content of the book itself is very well written and thoroughly engaging. In the first part, McCabe documents specific beliefs and practices of the pagan cults, and draws parallels with christian beliefs and practices. He rightfully concludes that the gospel resurrection myth is a pagan derivative, and that it did not happen.The Second part concerns the historicity of Jesus. While very skeptical of the gospel narratives, McCabe shows that it is more plausible that there was a hstorical Jesus behind the stories, than to believe that it is all myth. He reviews contemporary Jesus Mythicists like arthur Drews, who wrote The Christ Myth, and finds them wanting.The last part of the book chronicles the rise of christianity, and how it was instrumental in the downfall of the Roman Empire shortly after gaining power via Emperor Constantine. It is definitely an eye-opening look at how christianity is vastly different from, an intolerant of, other beliefs. Rome was better off with Paganism as their official national religion.

Good Read

I have to tell you...This book is moving..the similaries between ancient religions and the jesus story are interesting..One thing I've found is that when you tell christians what you've discovered they state that it's just "tricks of the devil"...Ask them this...Wouldn't it have been easier just to have a room at the inn????

The Myth of the Resurrection and Other Essays

McCabe does a wonderful job taking the reader through the true histories of religion and man. He emphisizes strongly on the falacies which the Bible has been based upon; as well as how the ignorance of the ancient world led to a basis of Christian beliefs that would bloodily take over the world. McCabe also provides proof that Christianity is a direct representation of several other older, pagan beliefs. If there is a doubt in your mind, this book will leave you confident that Christianity is not what it seems to be.