The mythological character of the Gospels: A critical examination of Richard Carrier’s theories

The figure of Jesus Christ has been central to Western civilization for nearly two millennia, yet the nature of the New Testament narratives remains a matter of intense debate. Richard Carrier, an American historian and philosopher, has argued that early Christian texts, particularly the gospels, are not historical biographies but mythological constructs designed to convey theological truths. This hypothesis places the gospel accounts within a broader tradition of ancient religious storytelling, where myth and symbolism often served as vehicles for spiritual meaning.

The “Invention of Jesus”, interpreted by DALL•E.

This post critically examines Carrier’s theories regarding the mythological character of the gospels. While his broader argument about the non-historicity of Jesus is addressed in a separate article, here we focus on the literary nature of the gospel narratives and the evidence supporting the idea that they were constructed primarily for theological purposes.

The gospels as literary and theological constructs

Carrier challenges the traditional assumption that the gospels were intended as factual historical records. Instead, he argues that they were written as theological works, using narrative and symbolism to convey specific religious messages. This perspective is supported by several key observations:

Heavy reliance on Old Testament motifs

One of the most striking features of the gospels is their extensive use of Old Testament prophecies and stories. Carrier and other scholars note that many events in Jesus’ life appear to be modeled on earlier scriptural narratives. For example:

• The nativity story in Matthew and Luke incorporates elements from the birth stories of Moses and Samuel.
• Jesus’ baptism and subsequent time in the wilderness echo the experiences of Israel in the Exodus.
• The passion narrative draws heavily on Psalms and Isaiah, presenting Jesus as the suffering servant foretold in Jewish scripture.

These parallels suggest that the gospel authors were not merely recounting historical events but crafting their narratives to align with Jewish theological expectations.

Allegorical interpretation of key episodes

Carrier highlights numerous gospel stories that seem implausible if taken as literal history but make sense when interpreted allegorically. A notable example is the cursing of the fig tree in Mark’s gospel, where Jesus condemns a fig tree for failing to produce fruit out of season. Scholars have long noted that this story appears nonsensical as a literal event but functions well as a symbolic critique of the Jewish Temple and its leadership.

Other examples include Jesus walking on water, the feeding of the 5,000, and the transfiguration. These episodes are rich in symbolic meaning and reflect themes central to early Christian theology, such as faith, divine provision, and Jesus’ messianic identity.

Late composition and community agendas

The canonical gospels were composed between 40 and 70 years after the events they describe. Carrier argues that this time gap allowed for significant theological development and mythologization. By the time the gospels were written, early Christian communities had diverse theological concerns and agendas, which shaped the way they presented the story of Jesus.

• Mark, the earliest gospel (c. 70 CE), emphasizes Jesus as the suffering servant, likely addressing a community experiencing persecution.
• Matthew (c. 80–90 CE) portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, appealing to a Jewish-Christian audience.
• Luke (c. 80–100 CE) emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and concern for the marginalized universalizes Jesus’ message, making it accessible to Gentiles.
• John, the latest gospel (c. 90–110 CE), presents a highly theological vision of Jesus as the divine Logos, reflecting a more developed Christology.

These differences indicate that the gospel authors were not simply documenting history but engaging in theological interpretation to address the needs of their respective communities.

Contradictions and historical implausibilities

Carrier and other critics point to numerous contradictions and historically implausible elements in the gospels as evidence of their mythological nature. For instance:

• The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke differ significantly, both in terms of names and the number of generations.
• Key events, such as the massacre of infants by King Herod or the darkness at noon during the crucifixion, are not corroborated by contemporary sources.
• The resurrection accounts vary widely in details, such as who first witnessed the empty tomb and what they saw there.

These discrepancies suggest that the gospel writers were less concerned with historical accuracy and more focused on crafting narratives that conveyed theological truths.

Implications for the study of early Christianity

Carrier’s theories about the mythological character of the gospels have significant implications for our understanding of early Christianity. Rather than being straightforward historical accounts, the gospels can be seen as theological documents shaped by the beliefs and needs of early Christian communities.

Theological plurality and narrative construction

The diversity of the gospel narratives reflects the theological plurality of early Christianity. The canonical gospels are only a subset of the many writings produced in the first few centuries, including texts like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, and various Gnostic writings. Each of these texts presents a different perspective on Jesus and his message, emphasizing different aspects of his character and teachings.

Carrier’s work highlights how this plurality was gradually narrowed through the process of canonization, as the Roman Church sought to establish a unified orthodoxy. The selection of certain texts as canonical and the exclusion of others was not merely a historical process but also a theological one, aimed at consolidating institutional authority.

Personal engagement with the gospel narratives

Recognizing the mythological nature of the gospels opens up new possibilities for personal engagement with these texts. Rather than viewing them as rigid historical accounts, individuals can approach the gospels as dynamic, symbolic narratives that offer insights into spiritual and ethical truths. This perspective allows for a more flexible and diverse Christianity, where believers are encouraged to interpret the teachings of Jesus in ways that resonate with their own experiences.

Revisiting the role of ritual and doctrine

If the gospels are primarily theological constructs, it follows that early Christian rituals and doctrines were also shaped by the mythological framework of these narratives. Carrier suggests that practices such as baptism and the Eucharist can be understood as initiatory rites within a broader religious mythos, similar to those found in ancient mystery cults. This interpretation invites a reevaluation of the role of ritual in contemporary Christian practice, shifting the focus from historical re-enactment to symbolic participation in a spiritual narrative.

A path to spiritual renewal

Carrier’s theories, while controversial, offer a potential path to spiritual renewal by encouraging a return to the essence of Jesus’ teachings. By acknowledging the mythological elements of the gospels, believers can move beyond literalism and institutional dogma, embracing a more personal and transformative faith. This approach emphasizes the universal themes of love, compassion, and personal growth that are central to the gospel message, making Christianity relevant to a broader audience in a modern, pluralistic world.

Conclusion

Richard Carrier’s findings provide a significant reinterpretation of the gospels, challenging the traditional view of these texts as historical biographies. Instead, his hypothesis reframes them as mythological and theological narratives, constructed to address the spiritual and cultural needs of early Christian communities. This perspective not only raises important questions about the historical reliability of the gospels but also highlights their role as literary creations deeply embedded in their religious and sociopolitical contexts.

Carrier contends that the gospels were designed primarily to convey theological messages rather than to document historical events. Drawing extensively from Old Testament motifs, the gospel authors crafted narratives that aligned with Jewish prophetic expectations, presenting a vision of Jesus that symbolized fulfillment of these traditions. Allegorical episodes, such as Jesus walking on water or feeding the 5,000, serve as theological illustrations rather than literal accounts. Furthermore, the inconsistencies and historical implausibilities within the gospels underscore their mythological character, shaped by the evolving beliefs and agendas of early Christian communities.

As a result, the gospels are best understood as theological and literary constructs rather than factual historical records. This challenges not only conventional interpretations of these texts, but also brings up questions about the historical reliability of the narratives they present. In particular, it questions the traditional narratives about the life of Jesus. In the next post, we will explore the implications of Carrier’s theories in greater depth, focusing on their impact on the historicity of Jesus.

References and further reading

• Richard Carrier, On the historicity of Jesus – Why we might have reason for doubt, 2014, Sheffield Phoenix Press, ISBN: 9781909697492
• Richar Carrier, Jesus from outer space: What the earliest Christians really believed about Christ, 2020, Pitchstone Publishing, ISBN: 978-1634311946
• Richard C. Carrier, Proving History: Bayes’s Theorem and the Quest for the Historical Jesus, 2012, Prometheus Books, ISBN: 978-1616145590
• Doherty, Earl, Lenz, Arnher E. (translator), The Jesus Puzzle: Did Christianity Begin with a Mythical Christ?, 2003, Angelika Lenz Verlag, ISBN: 978-3933037268
• Bart D. Ehrman, Did Jesus Exist?, 2013, HarperOne, ISBN: 9780062206442
• Price, Robert M., The Christ-Myth Theory and Its Problems American Atheist Press, 2012, ISBN: 978-1578840175
• Crossan, J. D., The Power of Parable: How Fiction by Jesus Became Fiction about Jesus, 2013, HarperOne, ISBN: 978-0061875700
• Helms, R., Gospel Fictions, 1988, Prometheus Books, ISBN: 978-0879755720