Book SummaryNailed, by David Fitzgerald

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Nailed

There is a lack of historical records to confirm the existence of Jesus.

The section of the book underscores the substantial difficulty posed to the traditional view of Jesus as an actual person by pointing out the conspicuous absence of references to Jesus in contemporary records. David Fitzgerald scrutinizes the supposed historical accounts of Jesus by historians and concludes that references from individuals like Josephus and Tacitus do not hold reliability, authenticity, or relevance to the discourse. Fitzgerald also argues that the lack of physical evidence and supporting archaeological discoveries that align with the narratives of the Gospels strengthens the argument for a mythical Christ.

Modern experts and academics specializing in that era typically do not discuss Jesus in their works.

Fitzgerald highlights a significant problem regarding the traditional narrative of Jesus' existence: it lacks corroboration from independent records that coincide with or directly succeed the era purported for his lifetime. The author points out that this quiet absence spans a range of historical records, including those of Roman, Greek, and Jewish origin, which one would expect to contain references to Jesus.

Despite the existence of meticulous accounts of various individuals and occurrences from the same timeframe, the authors and historians of that period failed to document any stories that correspond with the alleged time of his spiritual pursuits and demise.

Fitzgerald presents a thorough case that contemporary authors of Jesus' era astonishingly omitted any reference to him in their works. He argues that a multitude of documents from the first century, including historical accounts and philosophical texts, fail to mention Jesus or his teachings. He underscores specific cases of historical figures such as Justus of Tiberias and Philo of Alexandria, who lived during the same era and in the regions where Jesus was said to have existed and whose writings would likely include accounts of an individual with the influence described in the Christian texts, yet there is no reference to Jesus in their documented histories. He also emphasizes the point that references to Jesus in the Talmud, which are sometimes cited due to their contradictory accounts, do not appear until a significantly later period, and when they do, the details presented are neither chronologically consistent nor reliable.

Fitzgerald responds to the skepticism of individuals who minimize the lack of evidence by characterizing it as a mere presumption derived from a lack of information. David Fitzgerald argues that it is quite striking how there is a continuous and noticeable absence of references to Jesus, especially given that the writers in question had both the opportunity and the motivation to document details of his existence. The writer highlights the striking lack of historical records from the same time period that pertain to Jesus, which is particularly curious given the extensive measures taken by Christians to safeguard various historical texts, casting doubt on the likelihood of these records being unintentionally overlooked or misplaced.

Other Perspectives

• The oral tradition was a strong component of ancient cultures, and the teachings of Jesus may have been disseminated in this way before being committed to writing, which could account for the initial lack of written documentation.
• The lack of references to Jesus in the works of Justus and Philo could be due to the fact that Jesus' influence and the spread of Christianity became more pronounced after their deaths.
• The Talmud is primarily a religious and legal document, not a historical record, so its authors may not have prioritized the inclusion of a historical figure like Jesus, especially if his teachings were seen as controversial or heretical to Jewish tradition at the time.
• The societal and cultural context of the time may have influenced what was documented, with religious movements not always being considered historically significant by contemporary historians or not fitting into the narrative they aimed to present.
• The extent of the measures taken by Christians to safeguard historical texts is difficult to quantify, and the assumption that they were extensive enough to prevent any oversight or misplacement may not take into account the limitations and resources of the time.

The accounts presented in the Gospels exhibit discrepancies and aspects that challenge credibility.

Fitzgerald argues that the challenges concerning the real-life existence of Jesus extend beyond merely a lack of historical records. The writer's thorough analysis of the narratives about Jesus highlights inconsistencies in his portrayal, the order of events, the places he went to, and the motivations of key figures, leading to the conclusion that these contradictions greatly diminish the reliability of these writings as historical documents.

The narratives detailing Jesus' birth, teachings, prosecution, demise, and subsequent resurrection are fraught with discrepancies and occasionally depict occurrences that challenge credibility.

The author thoroughly scrutinizes the unique accounts of the four evangelists, highlighting the significant differences in how they depict Jesus. In the narrative of Mark, Jesus is depicted as a mortal with frailties, maintaining the secrecy of his celestial essence and bearing hardships up to his demise, ultimately experiencing a sense of desertion in his last breaths. In the narrative presented by Matthew, Jesus is depicted as a character who is profoundly entrenched in the traditions of Judaism, realizing the prophecies while underscoring the significance of compliance with the Law. Fitzgerald perceives the depiction of Jesus in Luke's narrative as a paragon of serenity and perfection, untouched by adversity, while John's narrative presents him as a candid divine being, openly proclaiming his...

Nailed Summary Investigations into the beginnings and authenticity of the earliest Christian writings are widespread.

Fitzgerald dives deeper into the inherent problems with the Gospel narratives, arguing that they were written not by eyewitnesses, but by unknown authors decades after the alleged events, relying heavily on earlier sources and engaging in deliberate alterations to suit their theological agendas. He also examines the wider New Testament, arguing that many epistles are not genuine, and the remaining trustworthy correspondence offers no corroboration for the accounts depicted in the Gospels.

The Gospel writers crafted their narratives without revealing their identities and without being direct witnesses to the events they chronicled.

The author disputes the common belief that the authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—were directly connected to or immediate disciples of Jesus. David Fitzgerald highlights that the narratives of the Gospels are not claimed to be written by those who directly witnessed the events, and they show numerous signs that point to their creation by educated Greek speakers, well after the events they describe, rather than by the Aramaic-speaking, uneducated disciples.

The creators of the Gospel narratives shaped their versions of the...

Nailed Summary The formation and historical context of Christianity, as well as potential influences from other religious traditions.

The conversation delves into the early environment of the Christian movement, highlighting the diversity and internal disagreements that existed, while also considering how polytheistic mythologies might have influenced the story of Jesus. Fitzgerald scrutinizes the similarities in the stories of Jesus and earlier pagan saviors, suggesting that Christianity evolved as an extension of the spiritual environment prevalent in the first century, rather than as a wholly novel occurrence.

The early followers of Christianity were distinguished by their diverse and differing viewpoints within the community.

Fitzgerald presents a different perspective, suggesting that the early Christian movement emerged not from a unified set of teachings ascribed to Jesus, but rather from a diverse landscape of numerous sects and conflicting opinions about Jesus. He argues that the New Testament reveals not a cohesive story but rather indications of internal doctrinal disputes and struggles for supremacy within the early Christian factions.

A variety of Christian groups existed, each with their own unique interpretations of Jesus and his teachings.

The author highlights the numerous...