Sheshbazzar

So that's your explanation. No thanks, I'll go with something that a least displays a little thought.

tanya

I will offer this translation of Stephan's remark:

Osiris is not from Alexandria, and was not a topic of analysis by Clement, Origen, or Athanasius.

What is it about this ostensible correspondence that makes it "among the worst arguments possible"?

Do you intend to suggest that Mark, or, as you like to refer to him, Saint Mark, had no knowledge of Osiris?

If so, I wonder how you would know that?

Alternatively, do you wish to suggest that Christianity was only influenced by the Samaritans, with a sprinkling of mainstream Judaism thrown in, for good measure?

To me, as has been noted many times before on this forum, by other members, Christianity has a complex origin, with many different themes interwoven, throughout its fabric. The cloth seems sufficiently broad in dimension, in my opinion, to accommodate a bit of ancient Egyptian myth as well as all the other influences, which shaped its early history.

Dave31

stephan huller, you may want to read this book:

Here's a review from Dr. Price.

The question now is; is the fragment Wallace et al are talking about the same one provided in the image in the blog here or not? Nobody seems to really know for sure, but if it is, then, that blog may have already put it to rest along with the dreams of bible thumpers wishing for a 1st century gospel of anything.

DCHindley

Origen, Against Celsus 5:38

And with regard to the fables which relate to Osiris and Isis, it is superfluous and out of place at present to enumerate them. For although an allegorical meaning may be given to the fables, they will nevertheless teach us to offer divine worship to cold water, and to the earth, which is subject to men, and all the animal creation.

For in this way, I presume, they refer Osiris to water, and Isis to earth; while with regard to Serapis the accounts are numerous and conflicting, to the effect that very recently he appeared in public, agreeably to certain juggling tricks performed at the desire of Ptolemy, who wished to show to the people of Alexandria as it were a visible god.

I gather from this 'disrespect' directed towards the myths of Isis and Osiris that he does not relate them to his own Christian faith.

DCH

stephan huller

Price also said my book was reading so there is no accounting for taste here . The argument regarding Osirian influence over the Gospel of Mark is utterly implausible. Where are the ancient sources to support this view? Madame Blavatasky and her theosophic circle are over a thousand years too late to be relevant. And what does this have to do with a discussion about Wallace's discovery?

stephan huller

And this is my point. If you hate someone - like many of the members of this forum hate Judaism or hate Christianity - anyone can come along and say something implausible like this and they will attract a smattering of cheers. But it is stupid nevertheless.

Sheshbazzar

Stephan, I'm still waiting for you to put your best theory for the content of Mark 5:1-19 on the table so that we may all examine it.

'shitting in a cup' really doesn't work very well as an explanation of the origins of the content of Mark 5:1-19.

Shouldn't we be expecting some better explanation, higher reasoning, or referenced sources from such a highly educated scholar?

stephan huller

People have been studying the gospel for almost 2000 years (1700 if you are mountainman). Is there a single person outside of the modern moronic age that has ever suggested that this has anything to do with Osiris?

I have no idea where the narrative originally comes from but I quicker think that the name 'Legion' has something to do with Roman armies. Just an off the cuff stab in the dark. I once had a thought on this but I forgot what it was. I think something Ephrem wrote. Will have to look that up. Maybe it was Raschke. Don't remember but my son is running around the house with a light saber. Got to go.

Sheshbazzar

Yes, I do recall a quite elaborate explanation that was centered on the Roman Legion and the swine portrayed on their standards, as I recall it pulled together a lot of historical elements. Perhaps someone can locate it. Not sure if was a more logical or better explanation.
But then most things like this end up being matters of opinion, and opinion often has less to do with collating known facts than whatever ax it is the holder has to grind

Roger Pearse

Don't worry; once you have been desensitised to the nonsense by continuous exposure repeated endlessly, you too will get the revelation that it 'must' be so.

Bad company corrupts good education, as they used to say.

All the best,

Roger Pearse