proofs Origin can bring forth against the rationalistic criticism of
Celsus is, that to deny Jesus would be equivalent to denying both the
Pagan and Jewish mythologies. If Jesus is not real, says Origin, then
Apollo was not real, and the Old Testament prophecies have not been
fulfilled. If we are to have any mythology at all, he seems to argue,
why object to adding to it the mythus of Jesus? There could not be a
more damaging admission than this from one of the most conspicuous
defenders of Jesus' story against early criticism.

Justin Martyr, another early Father, offers the following argument
against unbelievers in the Christian legend: "When we say also that
the Word, which is the first birth of God, was produced without sexual
union, and that he, Jesus Christ, our teacher, was crucified, died,
and rose again, and ascended into heaven, we propound nothing
different from what you believe regarding those whom you esteem sons
of Jupiter." [Footnote: First Apology, Chapter xxi (Anti-Nicene
Library).] Which is another way of saying that the Christian mythus is
very similar to the pagan, and should therefore be equally true.
Pressing his argument further, this interesting Father discovers many
resemblances between what he himself is preaching and what the pagans
have always believed: "For you know how many sons your esteemed
writers ascribe to Jupiter. Mercury, the interpreting word (he spells
this word with a small _w_ while in the above quotation he uses a
capital _w_ to denote the Christian incarnation) and teacher of
all; Aesculapius...who ascended to heaven; one Hercules...and
Perseus;...and Bellerophon, who, though sprung from mortals, rose to
heaven on the horses of Pegasus." [Footnote: Ibid.] If Jupiter can
have, Justin Martyr seems to reason, half a dozen divine sons, why
cannot Jehovah have at least one?