re: #514 Resistance is futile. You’ll be discombobulated.

Gospels should be used as sources - yes. Their best explanation is that Jesus existed and his biography was embellished over time.

i agree with this

But existence of Jesus doesn’t follow from the existence of the Sermon on the Mount. It follows from the biographical details supplied by various authors.

but i disagree with this

who was it then who wrote the sermon on the mount? who formulated the selflessness philosophy

“don’t just love your neighbor - even the pagan-ass romans do that! - but also, love your enemies! wow! now that’s a real spiritual challenge, ya holier-than-thou pharisee!”

whoever came up with this stuff - that’s the person who is interesting