Search Results for: myth

Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 12a

12. Anonymous Tradition or Eyewitness Testimony Eyewitnesses: a superfluous hypothesis? Bauckham argues that the primary sources of the gospel authors (following best historical practice by ancient standards) were the eyewitnesses. He therefore takes issue with Dunn when he says: [ I]t is almost self-evident that the Synoptists proceeded by gathering and ordering Jesus tradition which … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 12a”

The Twelve: Paul vs Richard Bauckham

I discussed the reference in Paul’s epistles to the Twelve in my more detailed discussion on the Bauckham review, but am also adding what Paul informs us about the Twelve and the apostles here in slightly more depth. If I find on further reading Bauckham that addresses anything I have placed here then I may … Continue reading “The Twelve: Paul vs Richard Bauckham”

Loisy on The Gospel of John

Why do I always seem to catch up with the older work last? Here are my notes from Alfred Loisy’s Origins of the New Testament (originally 1936) on the evidence for tradition concerning the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John was a latecomer and “the elders” in Asia, specifically Ephesus, who were pushing for … Continue reading “Loisy on The Gospel of John”

Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 2b

Bauckham argues that Papias, towards the end of the first century, seized opportunities to question disciples of “elders” who knew personally two eyewitness disciples of Jesus — Aristion and John the Elder — who were at that time still alive in Asia. Other eyewitness disciples of Jesus, specifically Andrew, Peter, Philip, Thomas, James, John and … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 2b”

Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 1/WIFTA

WIFTA — What I Forgot to Add to my previous post (updated 27th Jan 07) 10.15 am 3rd Feb 07 This is about the craziest “problem” facing a modern scholar that I have ever heard: That the fact that some characters in the gospels are named while others are not is a “phenomenon” that cries … Continue reading “Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Chapter 1/WIFTA”

R.I.P. F.F.Bruce on Thallus

I think I might have liked Bruce personally so please don’t take the title as anything but a response to those who should know better and who recommend his works for a purpose for which Bruce himself says they were not intended. (See my last post for the explanation of this.) First, the comparative context: … Continue reading “R.I.P. F.F.Bruce on Thallus”

Is the New Testament a root of antisemitism?

The gospels of Matthew and John and other passages in the NT letters no doubt contain virulent anti-semitic expressions but most of us surely know from personal experience that those expressions have not turned (most of) us into raving anti-semites. Rather I suspect most of us have felt a little discomfort at times when reading … Continue reading “Is the New Testament a root of antisemitism?”

The We-Passages in Acts: a Roman Audience Interpretation. Pt 8

This is the continuation with the next bit of something I tried to work out a while ago. A series of many more “bits” will follow this one to suggest that the author of Acts was using the “we-passages” as a rhetorical device to advance the theme of Acts as a “mini-epic” telling the tale … Continue reading “The We-Passages in Acts: a Roman Audience Interpretation. Pt 8”

The We-Passages in Acts: a Roman Audience Interpretation. Pt 6

Revised: Have just had another look in Marianne Palmer Bonz’s The Past as Legacy: Luke-Acts and Ancient Epic and rediscovered the obvious original inspiration for my view of the we-passages in Acts. She writes, after discussing the other suggestions up to the Robbins and MacDonald views: The “we” passages do not represent historical, eyewitness accounts. … Continue reading “The We-Passages in Acts: a Roman Audience Interpretation. Pt 6”

Herodotus and Bible History: Mandell & Freedman contd

Notes from Mandell and Freedman contd: Intro One: Aims and methods Many historians consider the Primary History of Israel as both a theological document and a historical one, even if only sometimes one can barely glimpse a historical nugget behind the myth. Yet Herodotus’ Histories is read differently: It is seen as essentially a historic … Continue reading “Herodotus and Bible History: Mandell & Freedman contd”

Herodotus and Israel’s History: Rationales for comparison

The following are preliminary notes from my reading of Mandell & Freedman’s Preface — mentioned in my earlier post re Herodotus and Primary History. Both Herodotus’ History and Primary History: are national epics are divided into 9 books at some time in their history are about the same length begin with a prehistory that includes … Continue reading “Herodotus and Israel’s History: Rationales for comparison”

Herodotus’ Histories and the Primary History of Israel

Something I’ve been wanting to start for ages is a compilation of notes from Wesselius’ book as much for my own interest as others. I know it’s not the most popular hypothesis in biblical studies, but gosh it is interesting and at least thought provoking, i think. By the time I finish I may well … Continue reading “Herodotus’ Histories and the Primary History of Israel”

Jesus, the ideal Greek-Roman hero? (No embarrassment criterion here)

I pulled out again my copy of “Mimesis and Intertextuality in Antiquity and Christianity” (ed. by Dennis R. MacDonald) thinking to write a layman’s review of its collection of contributions but got sidetracked (again) on re-reading Gregory J. Riley’s chapter, “Mimesis of Classical Ideals in the Second Century”. Some of Riley’s work totally rivets me … Continue reading “Jesus, the ideal Greek-Roman hero? (No embarrassment criterion here)”

what’s wrong with this argument?

I did succumb to the temptation to reply to a thread of a debate over whether or not a “historical jesus” existed. Below is what I wrote. Maybe in the next day or two when I return to this I will see glaring logical and factual flaws. But till I do, i do invite any … Continue reading “what’s wrong with this argument?”