The Diegesis; Being A Discovery of the Origin, Evidences, and Early History of Christianity. (Annotated)

by Robert Taylor

Overview

Robert Taylor was a gifted orator and writer, an ordained minister who renounced Christianity and left the priesthood after researching Christianity's true origin. He distributed a manifesto and publicly challenged all ministers and preachers to come forward and show any evidence refuting the following 4 propositions:

1. That the Scriptures of the New Testament were not written by the persons whose names they bear.
2. That they did not appear in the times to which they refer.
3. That the persons, of whom they treat, never existed.
4. That the events which they relate, never happened.

"That they are irrefutable, may be concluded from the fact, that the only answer to them ever attempted, was, the imprisonment, for three years, for blasphemy, of their learned, accomplished, and witty author."

Taylor took advantage of his forced "leisure time" to research and write his Diegesis. A most thorough investigation into the true origins of Christianity.

No stone has been left unturned. Every possible nook and cranny has been carefully investigated. All evidence that ever was and ever could be produced is to be found in this excellent book, originally published in 1829.

A very thoroughly researched and well written book. This book was so many years ahead of it's time that it's still the best reference even today. A pleasure to read.

This e-book has been carefully transcribed, proofread, and formatted for e-book readers. A few annotations have been added to the footnotes.)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940014795586
Publisher:	David W. Deley
Publication date:	06/12/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	440
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Robert Taylor was born August 18th, 1784, at Edmunton, near London, and educated as a surgeon under Sir Astley Cooper; but as he exhibited a strong religious feeling, and great powers of oratory, he was persuaded by his friend the Rev. Thomas Cotterell, to take holy orders in the Established Church of England, which he did by matriculating in St. John’s College, Cambridge, and became a zealous evangelical preacher, at first in London, and afterwards in Surrey.

Mr. Taylor was religious but candid; and a free enquirer, a tradesman in Midhurst, by the loan of books and conversation, first awakened his skepticism, and as he was too honest to conceal the truth, he drew the attention of the Bishop of Chichester, who not only remonstrated with Mr. Taylor, but persecuted him by depriving him of his support and recommending retirement. Mr. Taylor made several efforts to be reconciled to the church, but was treated with great severity: till at length resisting the oppression, he joined some gentlemen in forming a Society of Universal Benevolence, of which he became the lecturer, in a small theatre in Dublin; from which he was driven by Protestant zeal.

In 1824 he arrived in London, he lectured and debated in various places and established The Christian Evidence Society. Some of these discourses were printed in The Lion published by Carlile, others form the volume known as The Devil’s Pulpit, a name given from the circumstance of the author having been dubbed the Devil’s Chaplain by Mr. H. Hunt. In 1827 the Mayor of London, presumed to be instigated by others, had Mr. Taylor arrested for blasphemy.

On October 24th, 1827, Mr. Taylor was convicted and sent to Oakham gaol for one year, with securities for good behaviour for five years. In this gaol Mr. Taylor wrote his Diegesis and his Syntagma, this latter was a reply to the Rev. John Pye Smith, it furnishes the proofs of arguments used in debates at The Christian Evidence Society. Mr. Taylor also published a weekly letter in The Lion.

On Mr. Taylor’s release he formed an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Carlile; he resumed his lectures, and with Mr. Carlile, made a tour, visiting the Universities, large towns and cities of England, and every where challenging the clergy to meet them in argument. A few debates took place, but every where an excitement was created and the tourists were triumphant.

This is Taylor's magnum opus, a delight to read.