CHRIST’S LIFE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 February 1931, Page 7

CHRIST’S LIFE

A GERMAN BOOK CONFLICT WITH ORTHODOX VERSIONS VIEWS DENOUNCED BY BRITISH CLERGYMAN (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 19th February. Though admitting that reconstruction was purely hypothetical the German Dr. Eisler gives in his book “Messiah, Jesus, and John the Baptist,” a translation of which in English has just been made available, a picture of Christ’s life on earth, conflicting startingly with orthodox versions. It purports to be based on contemporary accounts of Christ as quoted by Josephus ill old Russian and other versions recently discovered. Dr. Eisler contends that “despite the tireless efforts of ecclesiastical revisers enough have been preserved in out of the way corners of the world among Jews and heretics, besides quotations in Christian literature, to ,-Jlow of a reconstruction of the fundamental features of Christ’s personality and mission as it appeared to His enemies.” Josephus as reconstructed describes Jesus as a small, bent, homely figure. He alleges that some of bis armed followers attempted to seize Jerusalem, upon which Dilate suppressed the rising and crucified Christ and two followers elsewhere described as thieves. He also alleges that the resurrection was made possible by a twin brother of Jesus, who was seen after the crucifixion. No reason is given why the Romans did not produce the body, thus settling the question. The Rev. Thomas Nightingale, on behalf of the National Council of Free Churches, issues a dramatic denunciation of Dr. Eisler’s book as the work of a hostile Jew attempting to account for the resurrection and putting the best face he can on the treatment of Jesus by his fellow-countrymen. Dr. Nightingale says the book starts with a- postulating theory which the writer builds up to suit his own purpose. Experts should not find it difficult to reduce Ins theories to their proper value. Even supposing that the text of Josephus was authentic, the whole of Dr. Eisler s work involves reconstruction which is largely imaginary. This kind of tiling lias been attempted again and again, but Christianity remains. Dr. Mingona, of Hyland’s Library, Manchester, the chief authority of Josephus, savs there are only two references to Christ in the recognised edition of Josephus. Leading authorities are unanimous that both are mediaeval forgeries.