Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science
In the first five books of the Bible there are four different ways God promises to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites. [I continue to write from the perspective argued by many scholars that the Bible’s narratives had multiple authors and that their respective stories did not always agree. In this post I … Continue reading “Four Ways Canaan Fell to Biblical Israel”
Continuing, with an interlude …. Study the historian before you begin to study the facts. . . . It is what is already done by the intelligent undergraduate who, when recommended to read a work by that great scholar Jones of St Jude’s, goes round to a friend at St Jude’s to ask what sort … Continue reading “Where does John the Baptist fit in History? — The Evidence of Josephus, Pt 6”
Before Thomas Witulski’s 2012 book (link is to posts discussing W’s work) that identified the two witnesses of Revelation with figures in the Bar Kochba War there was Joseph Turmel’s 1938 publication, which made the same fundamental point but by a different route. You can read his case from the link in my Turmel page … Continue reading “The Book of Revelation in Hadrian’s and Bar Kochba’s Time – Another Case”
Derek Lambert of the MythVision program dedicated a program to something he found on “yours truly” blog outlining aspects of Philippe Wajdenbaum’s case for linking Abraham’s (near) sacrifice of Isaac with the Greek myth of Phrixus: The Bible’s roots in Greek mythology and classical authors: Isaac and Phrixus Greek Myths Related to Tales of Abraham, … Continue reading “How a Biblical Tale Could have Emerged from a Greek Myth”
While recently focussed on translating older works I have been overlooking other works I have translated over the years and know that some readers may find of interest. Copyright forbids me from making many of them public but I could work my way through them one by one and see what can be shared. Here … Continue reading “Speaking of translations….”
How much has been written about that young man fleeing naked from those who came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane — how many literary analyses, how many theological interpretations. . . . But what if. . . . Here is the passage — in Mark 14 43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of … Continue reading “One more scene to delete from the original Gospel narrative?”
44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, … Continue reading “God reflects: “Oh dear, I didn’t mean for that bit to go into the Bible””
90 6. Paul the Apologist If Paul, as portrayed in the Acts of the Apostles, had to share the fame of miraculous power with Peter, and even had the honor of being worthy of direct revelations from heaven and wonderful visions, which he could only make use of after it was legitimized by the same … Continue reading “6. Paul the Apologist”
Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 3 —o0o— 216 § 85. The last supper of Jesus. The meal which, according to the fourth evangelist, Jesus enjoyed with the disciples at the end, is not the Passover meal of which the Synoptics speak, but that it is nevertheless said to … Continue reading “§ 85. The last supper of Jesus”
Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 3 —o0o— 91 § 74. The rich man. Mark 10, 17 – 31. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus replied, “No one is good except God alone,” when someone fell at his feet and begged, “Good Teacher, what must I do to … Continue reading “§ 74. The rich man”
Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 3 —o0o— 21 § 68. The prophecies of Jesus of his Passion. Mark 8, 31 Luk. 9, 21. 22 Matth. 16, 21 Mark 9, 31. 32 Luk. 9, 43-45 Matth. 17, 22 Mark 10, 33. 34 Luk. 18, 31-34 Matth. 20, 17 Matth. … Continue reading “§ 68. The prophecies of Jesus of his Passion”
Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 3 —o0o— Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics and John by Bruno Bauer. Third and final volume. Brauuschweig: Friedrich Otto. 1842 1 Eleventh section. The express revelation of Jesus as the Messiah. ————— § 67. The Confession of Peter. At last, … Continue reading “§ 67. The Confession of Peter”
Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 2 —o0o— 344 § 60. Jesus in Nazareth. Matth. 13, 53-58. Mark 6, 1-6. After the account of the reception of Jesus in Nazareth, Matthew immediately tells us how Herod heard of Jesus; for he had to omit the account of the instruction … Continue reading “§ 60. Jesus in Nazareth”
Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 2 —o0o— 337 Tenth section. The Elijah deeds of Jesus. Matth. C. 14, 1 – 16,12. —————- § 59. The situation. Wilke first made the discovery that the events following from the multiplication of the loaves to the demand for a sign have … Continue reading “§ 59. The situation”