(September 29, 2016 at 12:35 am)Minimalist Wrote: The notion that mid-first century Corinth was any sort of going concern is a much later xtian fantasy. And while I agree that handfuls of xtians would have met in private houses we are supposed to believe that there was a thriving "jewish community" in Corinth with synagogues. Yet, there is no evidence. In fact, the earliest indication of a synagogue in Corinth is a 5th century lintel from a doorway.
So, no, FF. I think your paul stories are total bullshit invented later and in many ways mimic the popular Greek romances of the day.
Acts says that Paul was a tentmaker. Now we can't know for certain the accuracy of that, but if it is accurate it means that Paul could have served the Corinthian community as a tentmaker while establishing the church in Corinth. I don't think Paul anywhere (or Acts) makes any claims that Synagogues were in Corinth - but if there were they almost certainly would have began by using tents rather than structures for their Synagogues. But that aside, Paul proselytised to the gentiles, not to Jews. So first century Corinth not having a Jewish community at all, or only a small one, would be consistent with Paul's missionary work. It would also be consistent with its geography. I imagine this is why Paul needs to tell them what is sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 5), and seems to be shocked by their behaviour. Again that chapter is consistent with everything else we know about Paul and the early church, and the decision made just a few short years before at the Jerusalem Council.
(September 29, 2016 at 12:16 am)Minimalist Wrote: I doubt that the Romans worried much about blasphemy unless it was directed at one of the state cults.
It was seen as anti-Roman not to venerate the deities of other families. So if you went around saying "your gods are all false, come worship the one true god" then that's when the Romans would have taken action, and there are plenty of examples of the Christians doing this in the second and third centuries, and getting themselves executed by the State - but none of them that we know of were ever crucified for that crime. Because Jesus was crucified we know that he was not convicted for that offence - it had to have been a more serious offence.
For Religion & Health see:[/b][/size] Williams & Sternthal. (2007). Spirituality, religion and health: Evidence and research directions. Med. J. Aust., 186(10), S47-S50. -LINK
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke
The WIN/Gallup End of Year Survey 2013 found the US was perceived to be the greatest threat to world peace by a huge margin, with 24% of respondents fearful of the US followed by: 8% for Pakistan, and 6% for China. This was followed by 5% each for: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, North Korea. -LINK
"That's disgusting. There were clean athletes out there that have had their whole careers ruined by people like Lance Armstrong who just bended thoughts to fit their circumstances. He didn't look up cheating because he wanted to stop, he wanted to justify what he was doing and to keep that continuing on." - Nicole Cooke