Originally Posted by outhouse

But have you figured out why? that is the real question.

My opinion here

Josephas was not a real Jew. he was also viewed as a traitor, if he was a real jew

God-fearers who worshipped Judaism thought themselves to be Jews, real Jews did not think so.


Now this isnt opinion. Judaism was wide and very diverse in the first century. probably more so then it has ever been. Its no wonder the only "ONE" branch of Judaism survived to tell its legends.

Its no suprise that these other sects writings did not survive.

Originally Posted by aa5874

Vespasian was the Messianic ruler as prophesied in Hebrew Scripture based on Jewish and Roman writers.

Originally Posted by Cassius Dio book 66, chapter 8

Following Vespasian's entry into Alexandria the Nile overflowed, having in one day risen a palm higher than usual; such an occurrence, it was said, had only taken place only once before. Vespasian himself healed two persons, one having a withered hand, the other being blind, who had come to him because of a vision seen in dreams; he cured the one by stepping on his hand and the other by spitting upon his eyes. Yet, though Heaven was thus magnifying him, the Alexandrians, far from delighting in his presence, detested him so heartily that they were for ever mocking and reviling him. For they had expected to receive from him some great reward because they had been the first to make him emperor, but instead of securing anything they had additional contributions levied upon them. In the first place, he collected large sums from them in various ways, overlooking no source, however trivial or however reprehensible it might be, but drawing upon every source, sacred and profane alike, from which money could be secured. He also renewed The taxes that had fallen into disuse, increased many that were customary, and introduced still other new ones. And he adopted this same course later in the rest of the subject territory, in Italy, and in Rome itself. Hence the Alexandrians, both for these reasons and also because he had sold the greater part of the palace, were angry and hurled many taunts at him, this among others: "Six obols more you demand of us." Vespasian, consequently, although the most good-natured of men, became angry, and gave orders that six obols should be exacted from every man, and he thought seriously about punishing them besides. For the words in themselves were insulting enough, and there was something about their broken anapaestic rhythm that roused his ire. Titus, however, begged that they might be forgiven and Vespasian spared them. (emphasis tanya)

Originally Posted by Duvduv

In my humble opinion there was no Josephus in the first century. The texts were written later by people in the emerging Church, not by a knowledgeable Jew *like Paul the student of Gamliel* ;-)
I am beginning to have the same feeling about Philo.

Originally Posted by Duvduv

In my humble opinion there was no Josephus in the first century. The texts were written later by people in the emerging Church, not by a knowledgeable Jew *like Paul the student of Gamliel* ;-)
I am beginning to have the same feeling about Philo.

Originally Posted by Toto

Don't get on that crazy train.

It makes mores sense to see Josephus as a real person who fudged a lot of facts, and whose work was later interpolated by Christians, than to think that his entire opus was written later by Christians. If Christians wrote all of his works, why are there only two obviously phony references to Jesus Christ? And nothing of Paul or other alleged first century Christians?

Part of the problem is that his work was preserved, but works by his rival, Justus of Tiberias, are missing.

Originally Posted by outhouse

Paul's Judaism has always been in question.

while my opinion, I place him as a God-fearer as well. At the first chance he got, who did he take the message or "good new" to? Romans/Gentiles.



I have never bought the Gamliel connection. His teachings are so different

Originally Posted by Duvduv

But in the aggregate we can see that "Josephus" was about as much a real practicing Jew as "Paul" in Acts. I don't understand why a contextual examination of "Josephus" is sort of taboo while the same examination of Acts is not.

Originally Posted by Duvduv

But in the aggregate we can see that "Josephus" was about as much a real practicing Jew as "Paul" in Acts. I don't understand why a contextual examination of "Josephus" is sort of taboo while the same examination of Acts is not.

Originally Posted by Duvduv

But in the aggregate we can see that "Josephus" was about as much a real practicing Jew as "Paul" in Acts. I don't understand why a contextual examination of "Josephus" is sort of taboo while the same examination of Acts is not.

Originally Posted by aa5874

Your claims about Josephus are completely unsubstantiated. You are making stuff up. You are promoting propaganda.

Josephus did NOT CLAIM to believe that Jesus of Nazareth was delivered up to be killed by the Jews and that if Jews believe in the resurrected Jesus and and is baptised that they will be saved.

It is evident that you are on a smear campaign against Josephus and appear to have no intention of actually presenting evidence.