While the book became a popular sensation, it is widely criticized or dismissed by mainstream academic historians.
: The book suggests that "Literalist" Christians later took these allegories as historical facts and brutally suppressed the original Gnostic "True Christians". Critical Reception and Scholarship The Jesus mysteries : was the "original Jesus" ...
: Critics point out that the authors often cite no primary ancient sources for their claims about "standard" godman myths. While the book became a popular sensation, it
: The vast majority of scholars maintain that Jesus was a real historical figure, citing early independent sources like the letters of Paul and non-Christian references from Josephus and Tacitus. The Jesus mysteries : was the "original Jesus" ...