Every language changes over time. The highly poetic, if totally fucking worthless, English prose of the King James Version is no longer in use. But one can see the evolution of English from before and after it.
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The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
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(May 24, 2015 at 1:52 pm)Randy Carson Wrote:(May 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm)rexbeccarox Wrote: (bold mine) Considering there is no way you can prove me "wrong", being that I don't believe your bible, your catechisms, or the vile way you are ok with the disgusting idea of a deity you worship, it seems funny you would think I should be worried
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
Quote:I could post a passage from the Catechism explaining this clearly, but you won't let me. Too funny. RE: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
May 24, 2015 at 2:53 pm
(This post was last modified: May 24, 2015 at 2:54 pm by Wyrd of Gawd.)
(May 24, 2015 at 2:11 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Every language changes over time. The highly poetic, if totally fucking worthless, English prose of the King James Version is no longer in use. But one can see the evolution of English from before and after it. The point is that the writing symbols changed in the 15th Century. The document is written with the new 15th Century characters and not with any of the older ones. Therefore the document was written after the new characters came into use. So it's a fake.
It's a xtian web site so anything is possible. I usually use Peter Kirby's Early Christian Writings where they just provide translations.
I still think any discrepancy is fairly innocent. Much like the Book XX interpolation in Josephus where some scribe saw the word "christos" and shit his pants thinking "THERE'S JESUS!!!!" Unlike the Book XVIII interpolation which is a deliberate forgery and an intention to deceive for the "glory of fucking god." RE: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
May 24, 2015 at 3:26 pm
(This post was last modified: May 24, 2015 at 4:56 pm by Mudhammam.)
(May 24, 2015 at 8:40 am)Randy Carson Wrote: Well done, Nestor. You are one of the few shining lights in this forum. Regarding your 1st Q: Don't they? Look at Mark 13, which I think may have been written prior to 70 AD though I cannot be sure: Quote:As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”Obviously, if that's a prediction of the Temple's destruction by the Romans, there's a lot there that didn't come to pass. So the author, possibly writing in the years leading up to the siege of Jerusalem, either a) saw the impending signs, wrote this in the context of the book of Daniel, and got much of it wrong or b) wrote this, either before or afterward, and described his perspective of the events in an apocalyptic manner rather than a literal account. Luke, most definitely written after 70 AD, basically borrows Mark's account (though the "skilled historian" fails to mention his source, as usual), but adds more specific details relevant to the Christian in the late first century (“It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute") and removes the references to Daniel to make it sound more about recent events. Matthew returns to the original theme of Daniel used by Mark and adds an additional chapter including three parables that turns it into a prophecy about the day of Judgement at the end of the world. Needless to say, that didn't happen. At Jesus' crucifixion, Matthew also has the Jews proclaim, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" which is almost certainly an allusion to the utter destruction of the Jews in Judea during the Roman-Jewish war of 66-73, and all of the Gospels have Jesus say something along the lines of "destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days." Make of that what you will. Compare all of this to Josephus' account of Jerusalem's fall: Quote:But these Zealots came at last to that degree of barbarity as not to bestow a burial either on those slain in the city, or on those that lay along the roads; but as if they had made an agreement to cancel both the laws of their country and the laws of nature, an, at the same time that they defiled men with their wicked action, they would pollute the Divinity itself also, they left the dead bodies to putrify under the sun.Regarding your 2nd Q: There's a hell of a lot stuff the NT writers omit that doesn't make sense to me; the deaths of the apostles doesn't seem significant in comparison with their omissions of such details as, What was Jesus' life like prior to his ministry? Where or under whom was he educated, if at all? What happened to his parents, his brothers, and sisters? Where was Jesus' tomb? Where was his family's tomb? What did those outside of his inner circle say when they saw his resurrected body? One could go on and on, but I don't think it's particularly useful. I don't think the author of Acts mentions the deaths of Peter or Paul because either a) he didn't have the info, b) he didn't finish his story, or c) he wanted to immortalize their lives, not their deaths. (May 24, 2015 at 10:18 am)Rhythm Wrote: The author's mindset, sure...but I think we ought to establish that there was a Paul before we go claiming that we have insight into his mind, don't you? We've both agreed that we are removing the ignorant and un-serious from "Paul", yes?How would we establish that there was a Paul if not for the writings that the person claiming to be Paul and offering various details about his life provide? Clement, btw, tells us Paul wrote epistles. But moreover, the internal consistency in his choice of words and the style of his letters, along with the descriptions he gives of his past and present circumstances and that of the early church make it very clear that this is a knowledgeable Jewish convert to Christianity who is traveling throughout the empire to spread the new faith. What criteria or standard are using to cast doubt on this information? Quote:Do you get the feeling, from the narrative, that anything about Paul, as a man, is important? Seems to me the message is the focus, and stands either way. Legitimate prophet, lol? More on that in a minute I suppose...Yes, of course. The man Paul is extraordinarily important to the book of Acts. The whole point of the majority of the book is to chronicle his life's work in the early church throughout the world and to establish the deity's involvement. One doesn't have to view Acts as historically reliable to understand the author's purpose in mythologizing Paul and to compare the information he gives with Paul's own testimony (which often do conflict). Take the miracles out of Acts and you still have an interesting perspective of the Christian missionary, though one that remains suspect on numerous accounts. It doesn't even remotely suggest that Paul was a fictional character though. Quote:-and it's never occurred to you that they -are- a narrative? That they are not factual accounts? Ever read the Screwtape Letters, lol?I've read the Screwtape Letters and no, there is no logically valid or factually sound argument for suggesting that Paul's epistles are comparable to that genre of work. You'd have a better chance arguing that all of Plato's epistles are fraudulent, and even most scholars accept a few of those (namely the 7th and 8th). Paul was no Plato to the average mind in the ancient world. He was just a Pharisee, educated under the law, and notorious to the church for having been one of their most vehement persecutors. It's easy to understand why they would find his conversion significant. Quote:Didn't you seek to demonstrate yourself..earlier, that Paul was both a name, and a name that carried authority in a certain subset? Does there need to be anything more than this? Is there any Paul now.....are people referring to Pauls authority regardless? I don't know why there would have to be a Paul then...if there doesn;t have to be a Paul now - and still those things are true. Why would there need to be a motive -at all-....I'm not sure I understand the question..? I thought we both agreed that neither of us sees a conspiracy here?I don't understand the first paragraph; regarding the second, it's not his supposed miracles (per Luke) that establish his authority. It's his personal experience of Jesus following his relentless attacks on the church, whatever that amounted to (not uncommon for mystic-types btw), and his knowledge and fluency of both Jewish text and Greek language. That's his appeal. Nothing extraordinary in the sense that one should presume that without the later miracles there is nothing left of Paul to be known or to be relevant to a study of early church history. That's just insanely ignorant to even suggest.
He who loves God cannot endeavour that God should love him in return - Baruch Spinoza
RE: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
May 24, 2015 at 5:42 pm
(This post was last modified: May 24, 2015 at 5:45 pm by Thumpalumpacus.)
(May 24, 2015 at 1:17 pm)Randy Carson Wrote:(May 24, 2015 at 12:50 pm)downbeatplumb Wrote: by the way what do you make of the jesus the child killer as described in the infancy gospel. Boy, they sure fucked up. They've classed animals incorrectly, guessed wrongly at the shape of the world, fucked up pi by calculating it to zero places ... Bottom line: the anthology codified in the Bible was the result of a vote by men. Also, Randy, I'm wondering when you'll answer my earlier points ... if you can. (May 24, 2015 at 1:52 pm)Randy Carson Wrote:(May 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm)rexbeccarox Wrote: (bold mine) Wait -- you don't consider the protection of pedophile priests as a failure -- in this case, a failure of conscience? I'll get to the rest of those points later. Answer me that: you honestly don't think that protecting molesters is an ethical and moral failure?! Tell me again how faith in god is the only source of morality. RE: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
May 24, 2015 at 6:08 pm
(This post was last modified: May 24, 2015 at 6:22 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Quote:How would we establish that there was a Paul if not for the writings that the person claiming to be Paul and offering various details about his life provide? Clement, btw, tells us Paul wrote epistles. But moreover, the internal consistency in his choice of words and the style of his letters, along with the descriptions he gives of his past and present circumstances and that of the early church make it very clear that this is a knowledgeable Jewish convert to Christianity who is traveling throughout the empire to spread the new faith. What criteria or standard are using to cast doubt on this information?How indeed, but this is a question that you must answer, not me. Yes, "Clement"...while I wouldn't lean on Clement..if I were you, isn't it starting to seem a bit odd that we are shoring up one legendary/mythical personage with another? In any case, the author wrote in the authors style (and of course the author of dracula was similarly reliable-on that count).....you keep calling him Paul, but I don't know why, given our discussion. You ended this segment by appealing to the claims of the narrative as evidence of the claims of the narrative, I find this unconvincing. That's the only metric I'm applying, at present. Do you think I need more? Quote:Yes, of course. The man Paul is extraordinarily important to the book of Acts. The whole point of the majority of the book is to chronicle his life's work in the early church throughout the world and to establish the deity's involvement. One doesn't have to view Acts as historically reliable to understand the author's purpose in mythologizing Paul and to compare the information he gives with Paul's own testimony (which often do conflict). Take the miracles out of Acts and you still have an interesting perspective of the Christian missionary, though one that remains suspect on numerous accounts. It doesn't even remotely suggest that Paul was a fictional character though.Then we both agree that with any given attribute of Paul, it is -possible- that the item in question is mythological, or legendary, correct? Myth and legend are what I, personally, would call works of fiction. You? Quote:I've read the Screwtape Letters and no, there is no logically valid or factually sound argument for suggesting that Paul's epistles are comparable to that genre of work. You'd have a better chance arguing that all of Plato's epistles are fraudulent, and even most scholars accept a few of those (namely the 7th and 8th). Paul was no Plato to the average mind in the ancient world. He was just a Pharisee, educated under the law, and notorious to the church for having been one of their most vehement persecutors. It's easy to understand why they would find his conversion significant.-and yet above, you accepted that there -was- a myth, or legend..even if there was a man? I'm simply suggesting that the epistles -are- part of that myth, that legend..and yes...part of that genre - that they are non factual, or..if you prefer..fiction. Which shouldn't be surprising....because that's precisely what CS Lewis -intended- to do when he wrote the damn story man...... Quote:I don't understand the first paragraph; regarding the second, it's not his supposed miracles (per Luke) that establish his authority. It's his personal experience of Jesus following his relentless attacks on the church, whatever that amounted to (not uncommon for mystic-types btw), and his knowledge and fluency of both Jewish text and Greek language. That's his appeal. Nothing extraordinary in the sense that one should presume that without the later miracles there is nothing left of Paul to be known or to be relevant to a study of early church history. That's just insanely ignorant to even suggest.His personal experience with jesus.......? A vision of the risen christ on the road to Damascus? Is that his personal experience of jesus? You;re assuming, in this "relentless attacks on the church" business that the narrative is true, is factual...which is precisely what -you- must demonstrate. You're losing me bud..............you've done nothing but assume your conclusion in support of your conclusion for the entirety of our interaction on this subject. What do you hope to achieve with this? I know what the story says as well as you, you aren't going to surprise me with the narrative -itself-....so we can skip all of that..... -if you want to surprise me, show me the evidence, not the claim. We are not discussing whether a study of Paul is relevant to the history of the church, and no one suggested that it wouldn't be. If you'd like to have that conversation have it with someone else who holds that position or would advance that opinion? It does seem insanely ignorant to suggest...so why did you suggest it?
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
RE: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
May 24, 2015 at 6:46 pm
(This post was last modified: May 24, 2015 at 6:49 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
HMN, an addendum, lets see if we';re on the same page, if we'rte having the same discussion?
-You and I both agree that there are (lets say 7) letter attributable to a single author. Yes? -You and I both agree that the narrative is, for the most part, internally consistent - and that we can safely remove those obvious mythologies and forgeries in the periphery and still be left with some text. Yes? The question I'm asking..with all of this, any of it, is simple. Is there some reason, other than the claims contained in the narrative, that we are calling this author Paul? Why we are assuming, even, that there must have been a life of Paul, as it were? I understand that many do, I'm wondering what evidence leads us to that -as a conclusion-, rather than an assumption? Something other than the text, I presume?
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
RE: The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
May 24, 2015 at 7:05 pm
(This post was last modified: May 24, 2015 at 7:10 pm by Ravenshire.)
(May 24, 2015 at 12:41 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: Muslim, Jewish, Atheist - makes no difference to me what someone's beliefs are. If they are NOT Christian, then they are forced to explain away the account of the resurrection of Jesus one way or another. Bullshit. We're not forced to "explain away" a fucking thing. It's up to you to convince us if you want us to believe. You really don't get the whole burden of proof thing, do you? So far you've done a shit job. If that gawd of yours actually exists, it bust be epic face-palming at the poor job your doing. (May 24, 2015 at 12:50 pm)downbeatplumb Wrote: Oh, but his infallible church didn't vote that gospel into the cannon so it's not true/doesn't count. Duh!
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