Freethought & Rationalism Archive

judge · 11-23-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamRS

Revelation is considered by some to be an adaptation of Egyptian Mystery writings to early Christianity

By whom?

Californian · 11-23-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamRS

Quote:

The question is, if these authors were from the Greek Church

Big if, there was also a very sizable community in Egypt who wrote in Greek and they were generally gnostic. Revelation is considered by some to be an adaptation of Egyptian Mystery writings to early Christianity while others see it as more akin to Judaism. The authorship of all the books of the NT is uncertain and so your contention is baseless.

Fits with what I know. Lots of authors wrote Apocalypses. It was a popular literary form, like the Revenge novel of today. Good for venting one's anger.

WilliamRS · 11-24-2010, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judge

By whom?

John Pippy is a contemporary proponent who has written a book on the topic. Gerald Massey was a 19th century proponent of the notion and although he wasn't a recognized "egyptologist" as such, he did start others thinking along this path.

His book is entitled Egyptian Wisdom in the Revelation of John the Divine (or via: amazon.co.uk) (or on Barns and Noble or google books.)

Jaybees · 11-24-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaybees

...not in the original language of the first Christians--Jews who spoke Aramaic.

What about the possibility that the first Christians were Jews who spoke Greek? (or non-Jews who spoke Greek?)

avi

In that part of the world, Greek was the second, and in some cases the third language. Literate persons would have spoken and written their own language well, but would have had lots of trouble with that second or third language, especially if they were expected to provide written translations of their native tongue.

Look at the disagreements these days among trained scholars over the correct translation of words, phrases and entire Bible passages into a modern language.

aa5874 · 12-01-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaybees

Quote:

Originally Posted by avi

What about the possibility that the first Christians were Jews who spoke Greek? (or non-Jews who spoke Greek?)

avi

In that part of the world, Greek was the second, and in some cases the third language. Literate persons would have spoken and written their own language well, but would have had lots of trouble with that second or third language, especially if they were expected to provide written translations of their native tongue.

Look at the disagreements these days among trained scholars over the correct translation of words, phrases and entire Bible passages into a modern language.

And understanding a language or speaking a language does not mean a person can WRITE or READ that language.

After all, the illiterate can speak any language, it is just that they cannot READ or WRITE the very language/s that they speak.

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