Jesus the Sect Leader in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article seeks to expand our view of the New Testament’s Jesus by tentatively comparing him to present day sect leaders. With reference to ancient Christian writings, the article shows how the texts’ Jesus seems to share a significant number of traits with his modern peers, and that he is best understood in that context. It is thus—time and place taken into consideration—suggested that the historical Jesus was forged in sociocultural processes rather similar to those that form present day sect leaders, but also that his presumed mindset reflects that of a typical sect leader. In order to show one particular benefit from this comparative exercise, it is suggested that Scientology’s founder and leader, L. Ron Hubbard, is reaching his post–mortem apotheosis in ways similar to those detectable in the ancient case of Jesus. Finally, it is suggested that the characteristics of Jesus the godhead, developed from the characteristics of Jesus the sect leader.