Freethought & Rationalism Archive

GakuseiDon · 04-04-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi151

You claimed that this is a "historical" statement. I am saying that it is not a historical statement. Is the reasoning clear here? There is nothing in this statement that has any ties to history. In order for it to be "historical" it would have to include a reference to something or someone, like Pilate, before the destruction of the Temple, after the death of Herod, etc., etc.

I would deferentiate between "acting in history" and "providing historical details". If Irenaeus is representing Basilides accurately, then Basilides believed that Jesus appeared on earth as a man and wrought miracles. He wasn't crucified on the cross, but Simon of Cyrene was crucified in his stead.

No historical details here (Simon of Cyrene may be a marker perhaps), but did Basilides believe that Jesus acted at some point in history on earth? I would say "yes". Do we know when? No, those details aren't there. But I can't see how we can say that Basilides thought that Jesus was anything other than historical. If you want to say that Basilides was repeating what he regarded as a myth, then I can't see how adding, say, Pilate into the equation affects it either way.

Clivedurdle · 04-05-2007, 07:27 AM

Gd, your profile states "Liberal Christian".

OK, is God historical or mythical?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-05-2007, 07:27 AM	#12
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	Gd, your profile states "Liberal Christian". OK, is God historical or mythical?

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.