Philip Pullman on the historical Jesus

Philip Pullman, Martin Saunders, Anthony McRoy

In his Premier Christian Radio programme Unbelievable?, transmitted on 8th May 2010, Justin Brierley and his guests discussed issues raised by Philip Pullman's new book about Jesus entitled "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ".

"The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" is the latest book from the pen of prominent atheist author Philip Pullman. It re-imagines the story of Jesus as the story of two twins – one called Jesus, the other Christ. It is the twin Christ who writes the history of Jesus, turning him into the God-man of the Gospels.

Philip Pullman joins Justin Brierley to discuss whether we should believe the Biblical stories of Jesus as historical fact or whether myth and invention are inevitable in the 2000 year old Gospel accounts. If you think you know what Pullman thinks about Jesus, you may be in for a surprise.

Christian journalist Martin Saunders engages with Pullman on his view of the Church and his scepticism of the miraculous, while Bible Scholar Anthony McRoy challenges Pullman's view that the Gospels are the product of mythologising and re-interpretation of its historical core.

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Links to explore further:

Further debate between Philip Pullman and Rt Revd Lord Richard Harries courtesy of English Pen.
Martin Saunders is a contributor to Christianity Magazine and reviews Philip Pullman's book in their June edition.
Anthony McRoy on the historical Jesus.

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© 2010 Premier Christian Radio
This programme is reproduced here by the kind permission of Justin Brierley and Premier Christian Radio.