The Christ Myth
Arthur Drews, professor of philosophy at Karlsruhe, published Die Christusmythe in 1909 and set off a public controversy in Germany that filled lecture halls and newspapers. His thesis is that Jesus of Nazareth never existed: the Gospel figure, he argues, grew out of a pre-Christian Jewish cult of a savior named Jesus, out of Gnostic ideas and pagan dying-god myths, and out of the theology of Paul, who knew no earthly Jesus. The second part examines the synoptic and Johannine portraits in turn, and a closing section states what Drews thinks religion must become once the historical foundation is removed. C. Delisle Burns translated the revised third edition. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Christ Myth
The Christ Myth by Arthur Drews can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Christ Myth online?
Yes. The Christ Myth opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Christ Myth free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Christ Myth is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Christ Myth in the public domain?
Yes. The Christ Myth by Arthur Drews is a public-domain work, here in the translation by C. Delisle Burns. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Christ Myth?
About 6 h 19 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Christ Myth?
The Christ Myth by Arthur Drews is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.
