ApostateAbe

Right. Earl Doherty's theory requires that Paul believed that Jesus was in the likeness of sinful flesh while in the sublunar realm.

EarlDoherty

My theory does not "require" it. The theory "entails" it because it is deducible from the overall evidence, both within the epistolary record and in the wider philosophy and cosmology of the day.

You don't know that evidence. You've never made an effort to investigate and understand it. You refuse to read my books because you have a priori decided that what you hear about my theory (often garbled) is not acceptable to your 21st century mind (I assume you've joined us in this century) and your own particular dispositions. In other words, you are appealing to the argument from personal incredulity. Don largely does the same, and so do others. I quite acknowledge that the heavenly Christ theory sounds outlandish to some. That's not my fault. We no longer live in the first century; we don't believe in demons; we know the universe is not geocentric and that there is nothing above us but space, where heavenly entities do not engage in the activities which the ancients envisioned. You, on the other hand, are at fault, by refusing to step back from the modern era and your own preconceptions and consider that there are, and have been, other things, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosophy.

I have loaded my latest book with evidence and arguments for that theory. Don, who at least has some knowledge of the period and the evidence, did his best to shoot it down, and I disposed of his rather weak critique quite handily. Why not get a copy of my book and do your own best to discredit it, rather than rely on naive appeals to authority? Maybe you could do better.

Earl Doherty

ApostateAbe

Hold on, there. Before you criticize what I am saying, you should read all of the threads that I have ever written. All of my seemingly-hair-brained arguments will make a lot of sense after you do, trust me. To make it easier for you, I'll print out the text of all of my threads, mail them to you, and you can write me a check for $39.95.

jgoodguy

I'd suggest binding them first into a book or give Earl a discount.

ApostateAbe

I have already discounted the cost of shipping.

Toto

I'm afraid that I have read all of the threads that you have written, and I can testify that they still do not make a lot of sense.

You do not need to buy a copy of Earl's book. I think that James McGrath will have a used copy at some point that he might send you, if you ask nicely.

jgoodguy

I'd like to call dibs on that one, but I am unsure of if the wait will be long or short. Of course if someone has a cheap used copy. I'd appreciate an opportunity to obtain it. As a disclaimer, I don't think Earl's work is cheap, but I know I am.

avi

I have not read all of abe's comments, but I have read a quantity sufficient to recognize that they are not 1/100 the value, (for one, like me, who is appallingly ignorant) of Earl's scholarly efforts.

I don't make any claim to understand Earl's book. I will revise that.
I don't understand Earl's book.

I do disagree with Earl, on the point of "using" Paul's letters. I fault myself, not Earl, for that.

Abe, I think you owe Earl an apology. I never saw Earl disappear from the scene, as you have done on multiple occasions: "self-ban". You stir up a hornet's nest, and then run away, rather than address the issues raised against your silly platitudes.

If you will not purchase his book, then, ask your local library for a copy.

avi

andrewcriddle

Hi Peter

There was certainly an early Christian theology which held that Jesus had no true body while on earth. I am more doubtful about a Christian theology in which Jesus' death occurs in heaven. Which early texts explicitly support such a theology ?

Andrew Criddle

Steven Carr

Hebrews 9:11?

'But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.'