kcdad

I did not say he was a real person! READ FOR UNDERSTANDING, not confirmation.

I wrote they are based on real persons...

Do you think the natives of Tanna just made up a legend about some "American World War II serviceman, who will bring wealth and prosperity to the people if they follow him."

Don't you think they must have had some contact with Americans, and soldiers in order to come up with that legend???????????????????

spamandham

...and how is this different from "scholar"?

At any rate, if keeping an open mind is what defines being serious, then you will find it hard pressed to find any serious scholars in the field of Biblical history. Most scholars in the filed are dual majors holding theology degrees.

spamandham

Tom Sawyer is based on real persons. So is Harry Potter.

Yes. That's exactly what I think.

Of course they did, but that doesn't mean that it makes sense to talk about a historical John Frum.

Although I'm sure that in 2000 years if the John Frum cults are still around, there will be an entire scholarly field devoted to John Frum history, and they will start with the assumption that there was a historical John Frum who was probably a poor wandering apocalyptic preacher who travelled from port to port aboard WWII vesels, promising a grand new future when he returns.

kcdad

And how does a ThD preclude an open mind... prior to the 19th century there were only two degrees one could aspire to at University... ThD or PhD.

I suppose you think one must be a believer of some sort to hold a ThD?

oh I get it... you specifically wrote "Biblical History" instead of Biblical studies or ancient texts or some other non-loaded phrase.

kcdad

Who is Harry Potter based on?
According to the Author, she says, Harry is not directly based on any real-life character, "he came just out of a part of me".

Good for you.

Then you don't "think the natives of Tanna just made up a legend about some "American World War II serviceman, who will bring wealth and prosperity to the people if they follow him."

You are? Just like the scholarly fields dedicated to the study of Pecos Bill History and Paul Bunyan History, Hercules History and Lancelot History?

spamandham

Many theology programs do indeed require this. But for those that don't, I would wager a very high percentage of entrant's to such programs hold very strong religious biases.

spamandham

He's based on every person the author ever knew or knew of. He's a product of her life experiences.

This is the meaningless level we end up at when we embrace ideas such as ...

Kapyong

Gday,

So what?

Popeye was based on a real person.
James Bond was based on a real person.
Scarlet O'Hara was based on a real person.

So what?


K.

kcdad

I know of Muslims, Jews and atheists going to Christian seminaries... Catholics going to Protestant's and vice versa...

is there anyone that doesn't hold religious biases? "very strong"!?!?

kcdad

Not based on any real life character... did you get that???
However Molly Pitcher is based on "any real life character" - Mary (where the nickname Molly comes from) McCauley, and the John From legend is based apparently on someone from America who came to the island ... other wise where did they come up with the idea of a soldier from America???? Just make it up??? Like, I suppose, Santa Claus (St Nicholas of Myra, 270- 346 CE) is not historical because... you don't want him to be...

Santa has lived for 1800 years and can fly around the world in one night with reindeer pulling a sleigh... is that any different than the Jesus stories????????