Jesus: Mything in Action

David Fitzgerald's "Jesus: Mything in Action" represents a contemporary contribution to the mythicist position within historical Jesus studies, arguing that Jesus of Nazareth never existed as a historical figure but emerged as a purely mythological construct. The work engages directly with mainstream biblical scholarship's consensus on the historical Jesus, challenging both conservative Christian and liberal academic positions that assume a historical core beneath the Gospel narratives.

Fitzgerald employs historical-critical methodology to examine the earliest Christian sources, particularly the Pauline epistles and the Gospels, arguing that they reveal a progression from a purely celestial Christ figure to an increasingly historicized narrative character. The analysis focuses on what Fitzgerald identifies as anachronisms, contradictions, and literary dependencies that suggest fictional composition rather than historical memory. He contends that Paul's letters describe a cosmic savior figure operating in heavenly realms rather than a recently deceased Palestinian preacher, and that the Gospels represent later attempts to anchor this celestial being in earthly history.

The work situates itself within the broader mythicist tradition alongside authors like Earl Doherty and Richard Carrier, while positioning itself against the methodological assumptions of mainstream New Testament scholars such as Bart Ehrman, Maurice Casey, and James McGrath. Fitzgerald particularly critiques the criteria of authenticity used in historical Jesus research, arguing that these methods presuppose what they claim to demonstrate and fail to adequately consider the possibility of wholesale invention.

Beyond textual analysis, the monograph examines the sociological and religious contexts of early Christianity, drawing parallels with other ancient mystery religions and dying-rising god mythologies. Fitzgerald argues that Christianity's origins align more coherently with patterns of religious innovation and syncretism than with a movement founded by a historical teacher.

The significance of this work lies in its accessible presentation of mythicist arguments to general audiences while engaging scholarly methodology. Though the mythicist position remains marginal within academic biblical studies, Fitzgerald's contribution exemplifies how skeptical approaches to religious texts continue to challenge established paradigms in the study of Christian origins. His work demonstrates the ongoing vitality of radical historical criticism applied to foundational religious narratives, contributing to broader debates about the relationship between faith, history, and the construction of religious traditions.