Robert M. Price

Robert McNair Price is an American theologian, essayist, and podcaster best known for his advocacy of the Christ myth theory, the claim that a historical Jesus never existed. A former Baptist minister, Price has spent decades challenging orthodox Christian beliefs while maintaining a cultural connection to the tradition, describing himself as a "Christian atheist." He edits the Journal of Higher Criticism and has authored numerous books on biblical studies and the historicity of Jesus, including The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man (2003) and Judaizing Jesus (2021).

Beyond theology, Price is a prolific writer and editor in speculative fiction, particularly the Cthulhu Mythos created by H.P. Lovecraft. He serves as executor of Lin Carter's literary estate and hosts a podcast on Lovecraftian themes. He has also co-authored Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush (1999) with his wife, Carol Selby Price. As of 2026, Price lives in Selma, North Carolina, and remains active in both skeptical and Lovecraftian communities. [edit]

Price was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1954, and moved to New Jersey in 1965. Raised in an Evangelical fundamentalist household, his early faith was deeply sincere. He studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theological Studies in New Testament, and later pursued doctoral studies in Systematic Theology at Drew University, where he received his PhD. His academic formation combined conservative evangelical training with later critical scholarship, a tension that defined his career.

Price was ordained as a Baptist minister and served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey. He also taught religion at Mount Olive College in North Carolina and later at the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary. During this period, he began editing the Journal of Higher Criticism, a publication devoted to radical critical approaches to biblical studies. His transition from pastor to skeptic was gradual, and he has described it as a long and painful evolution. A pivotal moment was his involvement with the Jesus Project, a group of 150 scholars organized by the Center for Inquiry to investigate the historical Jesus; Price was a fellow of the project. He also served on the advisory board of the Secular Student Alliance. [edit]

Price's breakthrough as a public intellectual came through his books arguing for mythicism. His major works include Beyond Born Again (1993), The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man (2003), The Case Against the Case for Christ (2010), and Judaizing Jesus (2021). The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man is widely considered his most substantial scholarly statement of the mythicist position. He also co-edited The Empty Tomb: Jesus Beyond the Grave (2005) with Jeffery Jay Lowder, a debate volume on the resurrection.

In addition to theology, Price has been a major figure in Lovecraftian fiction. Appointed executor of Lin Carter's literary estate, he has written and edited dozens of Cthulhu Mythos anthologies and hosts a podcast on Lovecraftian themes. In 2020, his introduction to Carter's Flashing Swords! 6 anthology sparked controversy, leading several authors to withdraw their work in protest. His other notable work includes Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush (1999), co-authored with his wife Carol, analyzing the philosophical themes in the music of the rock band Rush. He has also been a regular contributor to Free Inquiry magazine and a host on the Center for Inquiry's Point of Inquiry podcast. [edit]

Price's public persona is that of a contrarian scholar who delights in challenging orthodoxies, both Christian and secular. He describes himself as an advocate of Nietzschean philosophy and a passionate authority on H.P. Lovecraft. His writing style is erudite, combative, and often witty, blending rigorous scholarship with popular appeal. In the skeptical community, he is a respected elder figure; in the Lovecraftian community, he is a central gatekeeper and curator of the Mythos tradition. His podcast and books have cultivated a niche but dedicated following among mythicist-leaning atheists and Lovecraft enthusiasts. [edit]

Robert M. Price commands a global footprint defined by specialized intellectual influence rather than mass celebrity, with his attention tracked across theological discourse and speculative fiction communities worldwide. In the August 2026 cycle of the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, he is documented as the 85th most famous person in Pastors, a position reflecting a decline from the 81st spot in the previous assessment. This placement underscores his enduring status as a central figure within religious studies and skepticism, even as his profile remains distinct from mainstream public figures. While his reach extends into niche literary circles, his fanbase does not operate under a formalized name or organized structure. His audience consists primarily of scholars, atheists, skeptics, and enthusiasts of the Cthulhu Mythos who engage through academic publications and podcasts like The Bible Geek rather than traditional fandom rituals. There are no records of fan-funded projects, charity drives, or public gatherings dedicated to him, nor do his followers employ specific hashtags or campaigns. Discussions regarding his work appear on forums such as r/AcademicBiblical, where debates on his theories regarding the historicity of Jesus occur with scholarly rigor rather than devotional fervor. The cultural mythology surrounding Price is strictly intellectual, centered on his controversial Christ myth theory and his contributions to H.P. Lovecraft's legacy, distinguishing him from entertainers whose fame generates viral moments or physical spectacles.[edit]

Robert McNair Price identifies himself as a Christian atheist, a phrase he employs to denote his rejection of orthodox Christian dogma while maintaining a deep cultural and emotional affinity for the tradition. A former Baptist minister, he has taught at Mount Olive College and the Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary before dedicating his career to editing the Journal of Higher Criticism. Beyond theology, Price is a recognized authority on H.P. Lovecraft and Nietzschean philosophy, often blending these interests in his extensive writing on the Cthulhu Mythos. He has explored the philosophical themes embedded in the music of the rock band Rush, a subject he investigated in depth alongside his wife. His podcast focusing on Lovecraftian themes maintains a dedicated, albeit niche, following among horror aficionados. The narrative of his personal evolution from Evangelical fundamentalist Christianity to atheism stands as a defining biographical chapter, frequently cited in discussions about his shift from faith to skepticism. This journey was captured in a widely viewed lecture titled "Bible Scholar Dr. Robert M. Price Leaves Christianity," which documents his transition without the frenzy of a viral incident. His literary contributions include works such as The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man (2003) and Judaizing Jesus (2021), cementing his role as a prolific critic of biblical orthodoxy.[edit]

Price is married to Carol Selby Price, with whom he co-authored Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush (1999). The couple lives in Selma, North Carolina. Details about his parents, siblings, or children are not publicly documented. His wife Carol has been a collaborator on his work, and their partnership reflects a shared intellectual interest in philosophy and music. [edit]

Price's key collaborators include his wife and co-author Carol Selby Price; his co-editor Jeffery Jay Lowder; and the late Lin Carter, whose literary estate Price executes. He is also associated with the Jesus Project, the Center for Inquiry, and the Secular Student Alliance. His intellectual influences include Friedrich Nietzsche and H.P. Lovecraft. [edit]

Price is married to Carol Selby Price, his co-author on Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush (1999). Details about the start date of their marriage and any prior relationships are not available in public sources. The couple lives in Selma, North Carolina. As of 2026, Price is married to Carol Selby Price. [edit]

As of 2026, Robert M. Price's net worth is not publicly documented. His income likely derives from book royalties, speaking engagements, teaching positions, and podcast revenue. Given the absence of data. Price's financial status is not a focus of public interest, and he has not disclosed specific figures. [edit]