Freethought & Rationalism Archive

arnoldo · 01-25-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldo

Does anyone believe Christianity was rather a Roman invention?

The culture of the Roman empire was Hellenistic

Good point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

Copies of the New Testament were written in Greek which doesn't necessarily mean the autographs were also written in greek.

This is non-responsive. Let me repeat: this passage and the rest of that link do nothing to answer the question "why does everyone assume Jewish links when the New Testament is written in Greek?"

Of course the rest of the passage has to do with the question. Did you happen to read the ENITRE passage?

Quote:

There have indeed been reactions against this Hellenic infiltration not only by Tertullian, Romanos the Melodist, and Iconoclasts, but also by Modern Greek Orthodox bishops who have stressed the need to de-Hellenize and re-Judaicize Christianity. Historically, however, all such attempts have failed. Orthodox and non-Orthodox theologian and scholars believe that the Judaization of Christianity would have been fatal, while its Hellenization determined its universal appeal and its catholic character. Greek Orthodox Christianity is Christocentric and biblical, but at the same time it bears all the characteristics of the Greek genius. Christianity’s religious schemes and theological categories reveal the influence of the ancient Greek mind. There is unity, but a unity in diversity. There is canon law, but it is not always enforced. The concept of the Roman auctoritas has found little fertile ground in the Greek East. The Greek emphasis on inquiry and the continuous quest for personal understanding and interpretation constitute the background of the development of "heresies," or "choices," outside the mainstream of Orthodoxy.
http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/engl...stantelos.html

Toto · 01-25-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldo

..Of course the rest of the passage has to do with the question. Did you happen to read the ENITRE passage?

Quote:

There have indeed been reactions against this Hellenic infiltration not only by Tertullian, Romanos the Melodist, and Iconoclasts, but also by Modern Greek Orthodox bishops who have stressed the need to de-Hellenize and re-Judaicize Christianity. Historically, however, all such attempts have failed. Orthodox and non-Orthodox theologian and scholars believe that the Judaization of Christianity would have been fatal, while its Hellenization determined its universal appeal and its catholic character. Greek Orthodox Christianity is Christocentric and biblical, but at the same time it bears all the characteristics of the Greek genius. Christianity’s religious schemes and theological categories reveal the influence of the ancient Greek mind. There is unity, but a unity in diversity. There is canon law, but it is not always enforced. The concept of the Roman auctoritas has found little fertile ground in the Greek East. The Greek emphasis on inquiry and the continuous quest for personal understanding and interpretation constitute the background of the development of "heresies," or "choices," outside the mainstream of Orthodoxy.
http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/engl...stantelos.html

I read it again. It explains why Greek culture is better than anyone else's and is the reason for the success of Christianity. It does not explain why anyone assumes that Christianity was originally Jewish.

There may be reasons to believe this, but your passage does not give any.

andrewcriddle · 01-26-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Carr

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

I think "the twelve" are supposed to mirror the twelve tribes of Israel.

Where does the New Testament say that, or even imply it?

Revelation says the 12 will judge the 12 tribes of Israel, but a judge does not have to mirror what he judges.

Luke 22:30 reads

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That you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom: and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 19:28 reads

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And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

However I can't find anything similar in the book of Revelation. The nearest is Revelation 20:4

Quote:

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them...

Maybe you meant one of the Gospel passages.

Andrew Criddle

show_no_mercy · 01-26-2009, 06:57 AM

Well out of everything, I think it's pretty safe to assume that Jesus is the love child of Moses and Plato.

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01-26-2009, 06:57 AM	#34
show_no_mercy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dancing Posts: 9,940	Well out of everything, I think it's pretty safe to assume that Jesus is the love child of Moses and Plato.

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