Normal

How could theophilus claim to be Christian and not have heard of Christ? It doesn't make sense. Before he dedicated himself to a religion, don't you think he would wonder about the thing before the "ian"? Like, "Hmm, what's that Christ word got to do with anything? Oh well, I'm Christian anyway".

Llyricist

Normal, please pay attention:

Christ literally means "the anointed one" in case you did not know. It was not Jesus' surname.

Spenser

Every time I come across one of your posts, it is usually nothing more than an assertion. It was common knowledge that the earth was flat, it was common knowledge that the sun revolved around the earth, it was common knowledge that space was filled with ether. Common knowledge doesn't prove shit, here is a legitimate argument about the lack of mention of Christ in Theophilus' work yet he claimed to be a devoted Christian. An interesting conundrum, one which you simply dismiss without looking into. This type of attitude makes for poor debate and credibility, if you are going to comment on peoples posts, make an argument, fore here it is common knowledge that there is no such thing as God...

Normal

I am paying attention, thanks

Why wouldn't he ask what "the anointed one" means, BEFORE he committed to the religion?

Llyricist

Right back at you. I re-reiterate sodium's statement:

- He says that Christians get their name from being anointed by God, which is a plausible derivation.

What part of that statement is giving you problems?

Normal

I could do this all day.

Why would some be appointed by god and not others? It's non-sensical.

Llyricist

Well now you appear to be changing your objection. Before you were questioning how he could be Christian without knowing about "Christ".

Now you appear to be objecting to the fact that the religion appears exclusionary or exclusive? If I understand your question, I certainly don't understand your incredulity. It's surely no different than the Jews considering themselves the "chosen people". Where is it not making sense?

By the way it's anointed, not appointed.

Normal

Jewish people are appointed because they are decendants to the sons of Israel. Christians are appointed because? I think it's the same objection, he must of known WHY Christians were appointed.

MortalWombat

That is my suspicion as well. We get other hints at this by the fact that there was a diversity of beliefs early on in the church. And we see earlier precursors of Theophilus' beliefs in the writings of Philo of Alexandria, who writes (some time before 41 AD) about the Logos as the Son and the First-begotten of God, without mentioning the words Jesus, Christ, or Christian.

Llyricist

Well I could speculate (I haven't researched this, maybe sodium could link or elaborate on it), but according to sodium again, Theophilus DID define Christianity without reference to Jesus. So apparently there was some method by which Christians became "anointed", a ritual or whatever, so what's the big mystery?