Biblical Criticism & History Forum - earlywritings.com

And the argument that the reference to 'Christ' is unusual: Against this counter-argument, David Fitzgerald has replied, "... while [this] suggestion isn't completely impossible, it is arguable; and in light of all the other factors I don’t find it very convincing. Remember, this is from a boo...

It doesn't say "Joseph went back to his city, it says: ἀνέβη δὲ καὶ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρὲθ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν εἰς πόλιν Δαυὶδ ἥτις καλεῖται Βηθλέεμ διὰ τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐξ οἴκου καὶ πατριᾶς Δαυίδ "[And] went up Joseph from the Galilee, out of the city Nazareth into Judea, i...

Anyway, just my 2 cents. I'd be interested to understand why people have taken the passage to mean that everyone had to go back to the place of their ancestors. It's because that's what it says. "...because he was of the House and lineage of David." That's it. Wow. Is that it? I always as...

Luke 1:26-27. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. Luke 2:1-6. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world ...

I have found no evidence anywhere at any time in the Roman empire, apart from Luke's story, that anyone was required to go a "city of his ancestors." I do know that the possible sources for such a thing have been plumbed extensively for such statements by apologists and/or exegetes, but t...

No problem. One thing to wonder about: If the Moon had been rotating on an axis rather than showing the same face to Earth, would this have allowed for a heliocentric view of the universe to be adopted much earlier? And if it had, how would ancient people have reconciled this with their traditional ...

Peter, I was collecting statements about ancient cosmology in my "In their own words" page on my website: http://members.optusnet.com.au/gakuseidon/in_their_own_words.html I haven't checked the links on that page for several years now, so not sure how many are still active. But some sample...

It is an interesting, relevant, and cogent argument regarding Corinth (if not airtight), and I thank you for it. <grumbles> I made the point about Corinth on here about 10 pages back . To quote Rodney Dangerfield, I don't get no respect :D Also, there is Phil 4: 4:22 All the saints salute you, chie...

What about Phil 4? Does that factor in when Paul either wrote or was presented as writing? 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. "Caesar's household" does suggest a date post 45 BCE, ruling out Aretas III. Also, according to Wiki, Corinth was refounde...

If God creates everything at once in One Big Now He creates all in time and space to the smallest detail. Each such detail is chosen specifically and personally by God. If A, B and C exists, it is because decides he wants A, B and C to exist as it does. Agree. If Jane has the opportunity to steal f...