proudfootz

You state it is 'It is more than possible, imv, that Plato and many more philosophers were influenced by that scripture of Paul, that had been taken, by force of circumstances, all around the known world, with Jews writing apologia to explain to Gentiles. So Plato might have been reflecting what he had read in Paul's scripture, or read about his scripture.'

You seem to be saying it's 'more than possible' there is a relationship between the Greek philosophers and the theology of christianity, then.

Only you're suggesting instead of the obvious route - Greek-speaking folks like Paul were familiar with Greek philosophy - a weird one where supposedly Greek philosophers were studying Hebrew scriptures in 400 BC to get their ideas.

Why would I cheat? This is not a game.

I cited a perfectly logical, sound, straightforward, and simple theory with some academic support, and you counter with 'Plato likely got his concepts from the Old Testament'.

Can you demonstrate there were jews in Athens in 400 BC doing this apologetic work?

IIRC Alexander didn't conquer Judea until after the time of Plato.

aa5874

You mean you'll stick with Plato influencing Paul based on the evidence from antiquity???

Scholarly support has no value as evidence.

Some Scholars may support the resurrection while others support praying to the Pauline Jesus hoping to go to heaven as some kind of reward.

proudfootz

As best I understand the evidence from antiquity.

Unfortunately I don't own a museum full of ancient texts and other ancient evidence. Nor have I any expertise to do much with those materials on my own if I did.

I am, like most people, somewhat dependent on scholars who have access to these materials, who can read them, and translate them, etc.

sotto voce

The whole Hebrew scripture was written well before Plato was born, and was known throughout the known world by then. Ergo, Plato could have been influenced by that scripture.

proudfootz

Where has this been demonstrated?

All I have seen is an assertion.

At least I put links!

Or is this your own private theory?

Sheshbazzar

aa just doesn't want to see you basing your views on having 'scholarly support', as a lot of so called 'scholarship' is founded upon some pretty flaky assumptions, and an uncritical acceptance and employment of 'sources' of extremely dubious veracity.

Solid Evidence from antiquity is what is required, not wordy and evasive 'scholarly' opinions.

Sheshbazzar

Then you should be able to show us where and by what verses of Hebrew Scripture Plato was influenced to produce his analogy to the parts of the human body, which 'Paul' centuries latter, used in similar fashion.

If such verses exist, it should not prove difficult for you to point them out to us.
'could have been' is no evidence that he was. And without a modicum of textual evidence to provide, there is little reason to even suggest that this was the case.

proudfootz

Unfortunately, I am not in any position to do any original research of my own. I have no ancient codices in my home, no papyri, no coins or statues to show anyone.

I read stuff by other people (some of them scholars) and evaluate it as best I can. I try to apply what little knowledge I have of human nature, logic, history, etc to the things I read and how it fits into a larger picture.

I have a sneaking suspicion that's what a lot of other folks are doing, too.

Sheshbazzar

Some. We wish more would apply critical thinking skills to every statement. Far too many don't.

Sheshbazzar

Consulting various scholarly sources, the internal evidences indicate that the TaNaKa, that body of Hebrew Scripture comprised of The Law ('Torah'), the Prophets, (the 'Neveim') and the Writings (the 'Ketuvim') was not completed even in Hebrew before the FOURTH century BCE. And even then was not translated into the Greek language until the third century BCE.
Which certainly suggests that the 'WHOLE' content of Hebrew Scripture, (and at that early date no 'canon' of Hebrew Scripture had as yet even been established) -was more likely NOT available or known to Plato.