I hear lots of debate regarding whether or not Jesus was an actual person, or several people, who was given divine stories that were popular for other prophets. (Born of a virgin, for example) What is the non-biblical consensus of Jesus? Are there any studies you could give me? How was the bible ourself put together, and whee might these stories have come from? Thanks! :)
I also just posted two entries within the last month that address this. I'll copy and paste them below. But for a short answer, every credible historian acknowledges the likelihood that Jesus existed as a historical figure. And the bible (only talking about New Testament) were compiled over the course of the fist four centuries CE and were selected and edited for various theological and political reasons.
Click here for a question regarding what current historians believe about the historical Jesus
And for how the bible was put together, you can click here.
If you have any follow up questions, please let me know. This is the topic I focus on in my professional life, so I'm always happy to discuss it.