Let's not say mounting evidence. I would be more inclined to say overwhelming evidence is that the Gospel records are complete and total fabrication out of Rome. There is an interesting book which I have not read – called “Cesars Christ” which aligns the ministry of Jesus with the intinerary of Titus when he came and conquered Jerusalem.
You can really begin to see into Roman history from their point of view . The way it really it was back then. Christians view the Roman times through the Gospels… they make the categorical error of assumimg it is an accurate historical record.
The reality is Roman had a problem with the Judeans who would not bow their knees to them so they had the Romanized Jew --- Josephus—totally connected on the inside aristocracy of Rome to put together a story. We are constantly being fed stories by the FakeNews network , right. The doctrine of eternal torment—let’s keep them in fear Ecclesiastis says: “There is nothing new under the sun.” It’s same old, same old, same old.” The question is how do we get off the fucking merry-go-round.
Gnosticism is about direct experience with the cosmoslogical Chrsit... who is seated at the right-hand of the Most High. Churches can screw up your thinking but you just can't through the baby out with the bath water. You'll just have to follow my next post. Our authority is truth... wherewe find it, Light exposes darkness,