Did followers of the Baptist exist?
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:51 pm
I wonder why it is always assumed the existence not only of JtB (doubtful insofar I can see the hand of Origen - and only him - behind the Baptist Passage in Josephus) but also of the his followers after the his death (in competition with the followers of Jesus of Nazaret).
According to Josephus (assuming his autenticity), John was admired by the people. But an admirer is not ipso facto a follower. I may admire Gandhi but this doesn't make me a his follower. I may admire the pope Bergoglio but this doesn't make me a Catholic (For the cronicle, I don't admire the pope).
Therefore, why do we say that John had followers?
Isn't more probable that some Christians adored him as the Christ in a later time, rather that he had real followers?
According to Josephus (assuming his autenticity), John was admired by the people. But an admirer is not ipso facto a follower. I may admire Gandhi but this doesn't make me a his follower. I may admire the pope Bergoglio but this doesn't make me a Catholic (For the cronicle, I don't admire the pope).
Therefore, why do we say that John had followers?
Isn't more probable that some Christians adored him as the Christ in a later time, rather that he had real followers?