10 Reasons to Just Say Nay to the Naysayer Hypothesis

Biological hazard symbolApologists tell us that the gospels were written at a time when many disciples—the eyewitnesses—were still alive.  If they heard an inaccurate story, they’d say, “I was there, and that’s not the way it happened!”  They’d shut it down.  An incorrect version of the story would not have survived.

But does this make sense?  Let’s consider this alternative world, where those in the inner circle tried to snuff out any false statements about Jesus.  Here are ten reasons why I say nay to this Naysayer Hypothesis.

1. There would have been few potential naysayers, perhaps a few dozen.  True, the gospel story has thousands witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fishes, but these wouldn’t be naysayers.  A naysayer must have been a close companion of Jesus to witness him not doing all the miracles recorded in the Gospels.  He would need to know that Jesus didn’t walk on water and didn’t raise Lazarus.  A proper naysayer must have been one of Jesus’s close companions during his entire ministry, and there’s no reason to imagine there being more than a few dozen.

2. We imagine a handful of naysayers who know that the Jesus story is only a legend, but that was in the year 30.  Now the first gospel is written and it’s roughly forty years later—how many are still alive?  Conditions were harsh at that time, and people died young.  Many from our little band of naysayers have died or been imprisoned by this point.

3. A naysayer must be in the right location to complain.  Suppose he lived in Jerusalem, and say that the book of Mark was written in Alexandria, Egypt, which historians say is one possibility.  How will our naysayer correct its errors?  Continue reading