Search found 1394 matches

by Joseph D. L.
Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:36 pm
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: A Tale of Two Christianities--Christian Genesis, part 2
Replies: 15
Views: 9663

Re: A Tale of Two Christianities--Christian Genesis, part 2

No, I don't think you can infer that Pliny the Younger's Christians emphasized a solar theology./ The sun was Logos. Or, I should say, light comes from Logos. Meeting before dawn, as the sun rose, to sing hymns to Christ implies a solar Logos theology. You can read more about the solar nature of th...
by Joseph D. L.
Fri Nov 24, 2017 5:29 pm
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: A Tale of Two Christianities--Christian Genesis, part 2
Replies: 15
Views: 9663

Re: A Tale of Two Christianities--Christian Genesis, part 2

That is an interesting piece. One point of contention: arguing that since Pliny and Trajan appear unaware of the policies of Nero and his persecution of Christians is not suspicious, as the account of Nero's persecution of Christians is itself fraudulent. Lucian's work is a satire. Sandy foundation....
by Joseph D. L.
Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:46 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: A Tale of Two Christianities--Christian Genesis, part 2
Replies: 15
Views: 9663

A Tale of Two Christianities--Christian Genesis, part 2

Two of our earliest sources from Gentile testimonies may shed some light onto this. The first is Pliny the Younger's Letter to Trajan. Written by Pliny in 112ad, this is the earliest mention, reference or allusion to anything barring the semblance of Christianity. Even so, Pliny is not at all forthc...
by Joseph D. L.
Fri Nov 24, 2017 1:05 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

Robert M Price suggests that Paul is a composite of several historical figures, including Marcion [of Pontos], Stephen the Martyr, Simon the Sorcerer, and an iconoclastic evangelist who was named Paul. Price thinks Paul's letters were written and edited by other people, including Marcion & Poly...
by Joseph D. L.
Thu Nov 23, 2017 12:41 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

Can you give one more hint with regard to your understanding of the general era of his active life? Do you believe he was still alive in roughly 155 CE as per Justin? That he attempted to present his understandings of Christianity to the Proto-Orthodox Church in Rome circa 138-140 CE, and was expel...
by Joseph D. L.
Thu Nov 23, 2017 12:24 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

If I understand well, you are saying that you disagree with me because you think that the epistles are aware of a historical Jesus, therefore who wrote them (for example: Marcion) could very well also write a Gospel. A simple misunderstanding. I think that whether the epistles are aware or not of a...
by Joseph D. L.
Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:21 pm
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

I wonder if there are element of the likes of Akiva (or ben Zakkai, or a contemporary or disciple of either, such as Aquila "Ponticus" of Sinope) in some of the texts, too. Aquila "Ponticus" (fl. 130 AD) of Sinope was a translator of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (the Tanakh), pro...
by Joseph D. L.
Wed Nov 22, 2017 2:32 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

^Isayre

I intend to argue to the best of my ability who I believe Marcion is in a book I am in the early stages of formulating. A sort of biography of the man, if you will, in the vain of the Acts literature.

Hint: he is a man of many names and forms.
by Joseph D. L.
Wed Nov 22, 2017 2:14 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

I think that the dilemma (how could Marcion himself write a Gospel and be totally unaware of a historical Jesus in the presumed epistles authored by him) can be resolved only: 1) by assuming, with Robert Price, that Marcion authored the epistles but he was unaware of any Gospel. 2) by assuming, wit...
by Joseph D. L.
Tue Nov 21, 2017 2:51 am
Forum: Christian Texts and History
Topic: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?
Replies: 31
Views: 22363

Re: Is the Earliest Gospel an answer to Revelation?

The ''Gospel of the Hebrews'' betrayes already in the name the anti-marcionite influence: it is the Gospel of the Hebrews , against the exclusively Gentile Evangelion of Marcion. There are two points I would like bring up. First, the name Gospel of the Hebrews may not have been what it was original...