Clutch

Right. And the question is whether both options are intellectually culpable, so to speak, by the standards of Matthew's author's day. The first imputes insincerity, so it must be. I'm suggesting that the standards for competence in logic can be much lower than Russell's -- as low or lower than that evinced in Thucydides, still less the Platonic dialogues -- while still making (2) as culpable in its day as "... therefore, let's attack Iraq" is in ours.

Peter Kirby

I think we are in full agreement. There is a whole subculture that finds such a statement justified as "therefore we should attack Iraq" or "therefore those who blaspheme the Spirit won't be forgiven." They are called neocon Republicans. Back then they were Christians (and other shrill sectarians I suppose). But a guy such as Celsus or Lucian of Samosata could come along and say, "that's vulgar, that doesn't make sense, you believe by faith alone" and be right by the standards of many Greco-Roman intelligentsia. In fact, on Christianity in general, they did. Both Lucian and Celsus clearly indicate that Christianity was a blight of the ignorant.

"First, however, I must deal with the matter of Jesus, the so-called savior, who not long ago taught new doctrines and was thought to be a son of God. This savior, I shall attempt to show, deceived many and caused them to accept a form of belief harmful to the well-being of mankind. Taking its root in the lower classes, the religion continues to spread among the vulgar: nay, one can even say it spreads because of its vulgarity and the illiteracy of its adherents. And while there are a few moderate, reasonable, and intelligent people who interpret its beliefs allegorically, yet it thrives in its purer form among the ignorant."
-Celsus, True Discourse, c. 170 CE

"These deluded creatures, you see, have persuaded themselves that they are immortal and will live forever, which explains the contempt of death and willing self-sacrifice so common among them. It was impressed on them too by their lawgiver that from the moment they are converted, deny the gods of Greece, worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws, they are all brothers. They take his instructions completely on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods and hold them in common ownership. So any adroit, unscrupulous fellow, who knows the world, has only to get among these simple souls and his fortune is quickly made; he plays with them."
-Lucian, Passing of Peregrinus, c. 170 CE

best,
Peter Kirby

Clutch

Peter, those are intriguing quotes. I'm surprised I haven't seen them before (or can't remember).

Thanks for a thoughtful exchange.