Bede

Steven,

We know that the NT authors use the Septuagint so my case is already proven. You see, I am saying there are clear connections and expect you have found a few. But your conclusions are totally wrong.

First, that religious Jews unconsciously used the language of the Septuagint is so unsurprising that if someone claimed they didn't I'd not believe them. We haven't analysed Philo but I'm sure we'd find the same thing.

Second, you repeatedly claimed the Septuagint has been disowned by modern Christians and try to imply some guilty conspiracy. This is utter rubbish as has been demonstrated.

Third, and most importantly, you keep using the word plagiarism. I know this is only for polemical and emotional reasons, but it is totally inaccurate. Plagiariam is when X passes of the work of Y as his own. But even when they are deliberately echoing the OT, the NT authors are doing the reverse. They are using OT/Septuagint language and imagery to put up huge signs their readers will spot. Their readers are supposed to recognise the OT events and prophecies prefigured by the life of Jesus - its much of the point of the Gospels.

So the whole thesis of your page - that the NT writers were plagiarising - trying to conceal the origin of their ideas and then the Christian Church being complicit in this by burying the Septuagint is wrong.

I disagree with King Arthur that the paralells aren't there. I'm sure they are but do not mean what you think they do.

Yours

Bede

<a href="http://www.bede.org.uk" target="_blank">Bede's Library - faith and reason</a>

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: Bede ]</p>

Steven Carr

And Bede *refuses* to give any examples to back up his claim about Jewish culture, despite begging, pleading, nastiness, and agression!

Quote 'We haven't analysed Philo but I'm sure we'd find the same thing.' Bede can analyse Jewish culture using his psychic powers!

As for his claim that Protestants think 1 Maccabees was divinely inspired (King Arthur quoted the Septuagint version of 1 Macc, and thinks the Septuagint is regarded as inspired(, well, we shall have to see who is talking rubbish here.

I repeat - the majority of Christians reject the Septuagint and claim that the Hebrew versions were divinely inspired. This is not rubbish. It is just a plain fact.

King Arthur

First, I never said that there were no parallels in the NT to the Septuagint.

Second, did you go read the Greek behind the passages that I gave in my initial post? They are the same or similar phrases in other parts of the Septuagint which Steven missed.

In other words, I don't buy the examples or conclusions on his webpage.