Freethought & Rationalism Archive

show_no_mercy · 09-25-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

The question still remains in the context of this "story" about the sentencing of Jesus, Why would Pilate give the crowd the choice between Jesus and Barabbas? Why not just kill them both? In the context of the story written in the bible, despite whether or not you think it's true, objectively put forward your thoughts as to WHY Pilate would do such a thing as to give the Jewish people a choice when he had the authority all along to just kill both Jesus and Barabbas.

Because the author of the story is mimicing Leviticus 16. Releasing one "Barabba" while another "Barabba" is sacrificed for sin. When you treat obvious fiction as history, you miss out on the purpose of the narrative.

I wouldn't treat the song "Master of Puppets" by Metallica to be them thinking that crack-cocaine is literally able to talk, because then I miss out on the point/metaphor of the song.

JABcomix · 09-25-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Because the author of the story is mimicing Leviticus 16. Releasing one "Barabba" while another "Barabba" is sacrificed for sin. When you treat obvious fiction as history, you miss out on the purpose of the narrative.

I wouldn't treat the song "Master of Puppets" by Metallica to be them thinking that crack-cocaine is literally able to talk, because then I miss out on the point/metaphor of the song.

That still does not answer why Pilate would act this way in this "fictional" story. Why would he even care about Jewish custom? Objectively get into this "fictional" Pilate's head and tell me what he was thinking when he did this.

show_no_mercy · 09-25-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Because the author of the story is mimicing Leviticus 16. Releasing one "Barabba" while another "Barabba" is sacrificed for sin. When you treat obvious fiction as history, you miss out on the purpose of the narrative.

I wouldn't treat the song "Master of Puppets" by Metallica to be them thinking that crack-cocaine is literally able to talk, because then I miss out on the point/metaphor of the song.

That still does not answer why Pilate would act this way in this "fictional" story. Why would he even care about Jewish custom? Objectively get into this "fictional" Pilate's head and tell me what he was thinking when he did this.

Because the author needs him to act this way.

bacht · 09-25-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Because the author of the story is mimicing Leviticus 16. Releasing one "Barabba" while another "Barabba" is sacrificed for sin. When you treat obvious fiction as history, you miss out on the purpose of the narrative.

I wouldn't treat the song "Master of Puppets" by Metallica to be them thinking that crack-cocaine is literally able to talk, because then I miss out on the point/metaphor of the song.

That still does not answer why Pilate would act this way in this "fictional" story. Why would he even care about Jewish custom? Objectively get into this "fictional" Pilate's head and tell me what he was thinking when he did this.

You should read Tobit or Daniel more closely. The authors make rulers do things that history doesn't confirm.

Josephus has nothing good to say about Pilate that's for sure.

JABcomix · 09-25-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Because the author needs him to act this way.

OK then, what was the author thinking? Why did he need him to act that way? Why would he have this ruthless governor give a choice to the people that he governed?

JABcomix · 09-25-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacht

You should read Tobit or Daniel more closely. The authors make rulers do things that history doesn't confirm.

Josephus has nothing good to say about Pilate that's for sure.

If nobody has anything good to say about Pilate, then why would these authors write that he gave the Jewish people a choice as to who should live or die? Why not just write that he ordered both Jesus and Barabbas killed because they were criminals?

show_no_mercy · 09-25-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Because the author needs him to act this way.

OK then, what was the author thinking? Why did he need him to act that way? Why would he have this ruthless governor give a choice to the people that he governed?

http://www.freeratio.org/showpost.ph...0&postcount=81

bacht · 09-25-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacht

You should read Tobit or Daniel more closely. The authors make rulers do things that history doesn't confirm.

Josephus has nothing good to say about Pilate that's for sure.

If nobody has anything good to say about Pilate, then why would these authors write that he gave the Jewish people a choice as to who should live or die? Why not just write that he ordered both Jesus and Barabbas killed because they were criminals?

The point is that Mark, Matthew et al are MAKING IT UP, so they don't have to be historically accurate (or even agree with each other). The Passion is a carefully constructed narrative, with each episode designed to convey certain theological ideas. The real Pilate would probably chuckle if he knew what was attributed to him.

Tristan Scott · 09-25-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Because the author of the story is mimicing Leviticus 16. Releasing one "Barabba" while another "Barabba" is sacrificed for sin. When you treat obvious fiction as history, you miss out on the purpose of the narrative.

I wouldn't treat the song "Master of Puppets" by Metallica to be them thinking that crack-cocaine is literally able to talk, because then I miss out on the point/metaphor of the song.

That still does not answer why Pilate would act this way in this "fictional" story. Why would he even care about Jewish custom? Objectively get into this "fictional" Pilate's head and tell me what he was thinking when he did this.

You're answering your own question. The real Pilate would have had them both killed.

Doug Shaver · 09-25-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABcomix

Why did Pilate give the crowd the choice to pick who lives or dies? He didn't have to. Answer me that!

I believe he did no such thing.

Now, if you want to ask me why the gospel authors claimed that he did . . . .

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