It’s my understanding most estimates put his preaching days between 1 and 3 years, but for the purposes of both our arguments, it’s immaterial.

Yeah because they are copying John who was writing a century later. Mark has it at 6 months and he was "only" writing 40 years later. Given the silence of Paul problem a minimum historical Jesus is going to preach on the lower end. Hence six months. Kinda strange how despite preaching for supposedly 1 to 3 years the only Jewish holiday mentioned is Passover. Almost as if all the Gospel writers didn't know anything.

m struggling to understand why Jesus being completely made up is more plausible than even just James seizing the opportunity to deify a dead preacher? Like, why is it that James and Paul being the practical founders of Christianity can’t coexist with the existence of Jesus? While I believe James was earnest in his faith, I don’t see why that matters?

It isn't that it isn't possible it is that it doesn't arise naturally from the data. I was late to work today. Is it possible it is because that Liam Neason had a tense hostage situation on my block? Sure it is a possible. Is it likely? I would say no.

This is the problem with apologetics, Christian or otherwise, they can't advance evidence for what they believe so they lower the claim to try to sneak it in.

If there were a historical Jesus

• you have to explain why Pilot let James and co open operate right under his nose. So step 1 is to figure out why Pilot acted contrary to his nature.

• You have to explain why the Pharisees didn't do anything either. They operated a secret police for heresy by their own records. Step 2 is to figure out why they acted contrary to their nature

• You have to explain the total lack of relics and known holy sites, in the 1st century. Unlike every other religion.

• You have to explain why no one else in the Jesus family came forward

• You have to explain why Paul can't decide if James is a biological brother or not

• You have to explain how so many movements and context movements popped up in nearly no time.

Sure it is possible this crazy sequence of events, with multiple people acting out of character happened, but the data we have doesnt make it the simplest explaination. The simplest explaination was James was running a mystery cult about his heavenly brother and Paul took it seriously. That's why Paul didn't know anything, there was nothing to know.