Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Solitary Man · 06-09-2008, 08:22 PM

I got this from Claude Mariottini. I haven't seen anything else about it yet.

Link:

Quote:

Amman - Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered what they claimed to be the "first church in world" at Rihab, 40 kilometres north-east of Amman, the Jordan Times reported Monday. "We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33AD to 70AD," Abdul Qader Hassan, head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies told the paper.

The discovery lying underneath Saint Gorgeous Church in Rihab is "amazing, because we have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians, the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ", he said.

The early Christians, described in the mosaic inscription on the floor of St Georgeous as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine," are said to have fled from Jerusalem during the persecution of Christians to the northern part of Jordan, particularly to Rihab, he added.

Citing historical sources, Hassan said the 70 lived and practised their rituals in secrecy in this underground church.

Anyone hear anything else about it?

ernestombayo · 06-09-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitary Man

I got this from Claude Mariottini. I haven't seen anything else about it yet.

Link:

Quote:

Amman - Archaeologists in Jordan have discovered what they claimed to be the "first church in world" at Rihab, 40 kilometres north-east of Amman, the Jordan Times reported Monday. "We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33AD to 70AD," Abdul Qader Hassan, head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies told the paper.

The discovery lying underneath Saint Gorgeous Church in Rihab is "amazing, because we have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians, the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ", he said.

The early Christians, described in the mosaic inscription on the floor of St Georgeous as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine," are said to have fled from Jerusalem during the persecution of Christians to the northern part of Jordan, particularly to Rihab, he added.

Citing historical sources, Hassan said the 70 lived and practised their rituals in secrecy in this underground church.

Anyone hear anything else about it?

This is interesting.Wish they had pictures.

This means that the death of Jesus christ was about 30AD, and Paul's conversion before or exactly 33AD.Is there biblical mention of the archaeological site in Paul's epistles or Acts?

Toto · 06-10-2008, 01:08 AM

Erm -

Quote:

Officials at the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism said they planned to capitalise on the discovery to further promote the area to become a major tourist attraction in the near future.

The interesting part, possibly the only hard evidence, is

Quote:

the mosaic inscription on the floor of St Georgeous as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine,"

The rest seems very speculative.

Toto · 06-10-2008, 01:16 AM

The original artice with a photo

Quote:

A picture shows a cave under Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab near Mafraq, where early Christians are belived to have taken as a shelter from persecution in Jerusalem. Circular-shaped stone seats, supposedly for the clergymen can be seen in the cave (Photo by Rula Samain)

Quote:

Officials in Mafraq say they will capitalise on the discovery to further promote the area.

Governor Zeid Zreiqat, who noted Rihab is rich in unique archaeological sites, said that together with the new discovery, these sites can be invested to attract religious tourism.

“We are working on developing Rihab to become a major tourist attraction in the near future,” he told The Jordan Times.

So far, 30 churches have been discovered in Rihab,” Hussan said. It is also believed that Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary have passed through this area, he added.

???

2-J · 06-10-2008, 01:38 AM

I think we'll be needing some harder evidence for this one, lol.

ernestombayo · 06-10-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

The original artice with a photo

Quote:

A picture shows a cave under Saint Georgeous Church in Rihab near Mafraq, where early Christians are belived to have taken as a shelter from persecution in Jerusalem. Circular-shaped stone seats, supposedly for the clergymen can be seen in the cave (Photo by Rula Samain)

Quote:

Officials in Mafraq say they will capitalise on the discovery to further promote the area.

Governor Zeid Zreiqat, who noted Rihab is rich in unique archaeological sites, said that together with the new discovery, these sites can be invested to attract religious tourism.

“We are working on developing Rihab to become a major tourist attraction in the near future,” he told The Jordan Times.

So far, 30 churches have been discovered in Rihab,” Hussan said. It is also believed that Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary have passed through this area, he added.

???

thanx for the pic.Toto.

Still trying to figure out if the site was mentioned in the New testament by Paul or Luke.Anyone with an idea?

GakuseiDon · 06-10-2008, 02:25 AM

Quote:

So far, 30 churches have been discovered in Rihab,” Hussan said. It is also believed that Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary have passed through this area, he added.

First Britney, then Amy... now Jesus and Mary??? Damn you, magic mushrooms!!!

Malachi151 · 06-10-2008, 05:11 AM

Tis a bunch of nonsense.

everettf · 06-10-2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GakuseiDon

Quote:

So far, 30 churches have been discovered in Rihab,” Hussan said. It is also believed that Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary have passed through this area, he added.

First Britney, then Amy... now Jesus and Mary??? Damn you, magic mushrooms!!!

Sure it wasn't poppies?

Joan of Bark · 06-10-2008, 05:39 AM

There's not much point in speculating until some peer review takes place. How many times has Noah's ark been 'discovered'?

Quote:

Officials at the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism said they planned to capitalise on the discovery to further promote the area to become a major tourist attraction in the near future.

Red flag! Red flag! Red flag!

It reminds me of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's old city. "Walk the path Jesus walked on his way to crucifixion! Stop and have your photo taken next to the Fourteen Stations of the Cross! Please spend money on the way ...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-10-2008, 01:38 AM	#5
2-J Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK Posts: 179	I think we'll be needing some harder evidence for this one, lol.

06-10-2008, 05:11 AM	#8
Malachi151 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,674	Tis a bunch of nonsense.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.