Celsus Arguments Against Christianity
CELSUS 4 arguments against Christianity
Misty Fleming
Paper 1
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 taking Herod’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,
Misty Fleming
Paper 1
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 taking Herod’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,
Cited: Hoffman R.J. Celsus On the True Doctrine: A Discourse Against the Christians. Oxford University Press, 1987.