The first of 4 arguments I believe to be of importance is that of the virgin birth.
Jesus claims to be born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem. It was said that Jesus was born to a virgin and God himself.When it was time for Mary to give birth she and her husband set off to have God’s son. Because there was no room at an Inn Jesus was born in a stable. On the contrary to what the Christian religion believes Celsus says that Jesus was born to a mother who was a spinner, and his legitimate father a Roman soldier, Panthera (Celsus pg. 57).
It seemed as if it were common knowledge the transgressions that Jesus mother had committed with the Roman.When this was found out Jesus mother was cast out by her carpenter husband and convicted of adultery (Celsus pg. 57). The Jews then went on with the story by saying this was explained by the fact that Herod wanted Jesus killed so they fled to Egypt (Celsus pg.
59). Herod feared that the son of God was going to be born and become the rightful king takingHerod’s throne.Herod sent out a decree that all male babies born would be put to death. Celsus felt that being a God, Jesus should have not been afraid of death, but yet embrace it like the roman Gods did. He was a king after all, and kings were noble, righteous, brave, and willing to die for their subjects.
This argument against Jesus seems to be just the beginning, in my opinion, of the downfall of his character. The next point I feel valid to Celsus arguments is that of the Christian faith and their followers.Celsus argued that instead of Jesus wanting all to follow his disciples seemed to pray on the weak and dumb (Celsus pg. 73-75). Jesus followers were the weak, poor, lame, children, and women.
This was hardly the kingdom that was respectable. Roman Gods had kingdoms and armies of all kinds. It takes men, women, children, poor and rich to have a community. This was not the case for Christians.
Christians used the excuse that those who were educated, sensible, or wise were evil (Celsus pg. 72). By welcoming only the weak and slow into theChristian fold it looks as if they can only sell their ideas to those who can’t think for themselves. It was like they were more interested in finding followers that were going to follow them no matter the stakes without any sort of challenge.
Christianity seemed to be for the lower class. This is surprising considering that Christianity was met with resistance from the Roman government where a lot of it needed to be done in secrecy. This seems to be a slap in the face to the Romans who encouraged progression and education, yet felt that loyalty was a must.Roman Gods are that of noble character and moral values. They surround themselves with people of the same likeness. Roman Gods were held to a higher standard and were expected to lead their lands with a moral compass and the best interests of everyone.
They did not have the luxury of taking risky or even selfish chances.They had to be the upmost and noblest of leaders to lead their people to a better life Jesus did not seem to follow this thinking, and surrounded himself with ten or eleven friends that he associated with (Celsus pg. 59) that were less than moral men, yet he was gaining followers (Celsus pg. 57). This was very dangerous to Rome. The next argument that seems to be of merit was that of GOD being God.
In the reading Celsus makes points that the Christian God is nothing like the Greek and Roman Gods.The Christian God seem d as if he did not have an explanation as to why he let things happen to Good people. He did not have anyone he answered to. The Roman Gods and Kings were the authority of the land, but did not have the right to be reckless with their kingdoms and subjects. The decisions the Romans made affected everyone under their reign, and they made sure that what was done was done in the best interests of all.Not only was it their moral compass, but also an ironclad duty to guide those under their authority in the ways of rightness.
God did not follow this thinking pattern. God was justified by his followers by saying that it was a test they needed to endure. He was never challenged, or even questioned. Questioning seems to be a bit of taboo.
Celsus brings up important points about God being unreachable and unable to save them from harm.My thinking on this was that he was sitting up in the sky watching, but doing nothing. Celsus points out that God keeps his purposes to himself for long periods of time and just stands by when evil overcomes good (Celsus pg. 77).Instead of stopping the suffering that going on he continued to let it happen. He just stood by when plagues, fires, earthquakes, and famines riddled the land.
It is hard to fathom God being all knowing and all mighty, yet he sits around and watches as thousands of his followers are killed through these disasters that he could have ceased with a single command or swipe of his hand.It does not seem to be something that a God with love for his children would let happen if he truly loved them like Christians claim. Instead his followers continued to believe that they just needed to have faith and they would bedelivered. For Christians God, in likeness, is thought to be as man is with hands, body, and a voice that he uses to speak to his followers. In fact, it saysman is made of God’s
