Search Results for: rulers this age

A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 14: Simon/Paul and the Law of Moses (continued)

For all posts in this series: Roger Parvus: A Simonian Origin for Christianity Previous post in this series:  A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 13: Simon/Paul and the Law of Moses   Heikki Räisänen, in the preface to the 2nd edition of his Paul and the Law, writes: There is at least a general agreement that … Continue reading “A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 14: Simon/Paul and the Law of Moses (continued)”

A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 13: Simon/Paul and the Law of Moses

For all posts in this series: Roger Parvus: A Simonian Origin for Christianity Previous post in this series:  Part 12: A Different Perspective on the Corinthian Controversy (conclusion) We finally come to the question of how my Simonian hypothesis would deal with the inconsistent Pauline position regarding the Mosaic Law.  Like resurrection, the Law was a … Continue reading “A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 13: Simon/Paul and the Law of Moses”

Judea, an Ideal State of the Greek Philosophers?

The ancient Greek world appears to have been ignorant of the Jews (or even Israel) in Palestine until around the end of the fourth century. I still recall my high school disappointment when I read the famous work of the Greek “father of history”, Herodotus, only to find not a single mention of biblical Judea even though … Continue reading “Judea, an Ideal State of the Greek Philosophers?”

What Is a Parable?

‘Parable’ is an English version of the Greek word parabolē. According to Aristotle (Rhetoric, 2.20) parables were used by orators in inductive or indirect proof as a generally recognized means of demonstration and illustration. They are, according to him, of two kinds: true events taken from history, and the more easily invented example such as … Continue reading “What Is a Parable?”

The God and Dying Messiah Debate Preceded Christianity

In my last post I finished off with some reservations about Boyarin’s interpretation of the two heavenly figures in Daniel 7 as two deities. This post lets Boyarin explain a little more what he thinks is going on here. We have on the one hand the two figures, one like a son of man and … Continue reading “The God and Dying Messiah Debate Preceded Christianity”

Room for Two Gods in the Book of Daniel

Here is an argument for interpreting Daniel 7’s scenario of “one like a son of man/Son of Man” coming on clouds to the Ancient of Days as a reference to two divinities. It’s from Daniel Boyarin’s small book, The Jewish Gospels: The Story of the Jewish Christ (2012). But be warned. I suspect many New Testament … Continue reading “Room for Two Gods in the Book of Daniel”

The Evolution of the Son of Man, the Human & Divine Messiah

This post outlines the way Jewish ideas about God appear to have developed until they found a new form in the Christian Messiah, the heavenly Son of Man. I base it on a range of scholarly articles and books (including Black, Boyarin, Erho, Fossum, Knibb, Rowland, Wolfson) but will not reference each detail in this overview. … Continue reading “The Evolution of the Son of Man, the Human & Divine Messiah”

A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 11: A Different Perspective on the Corinthian Controversy (continued)

The previous post in this series was focused on chapters 1 – 4 of 1 Corinthians. I proposed that the theme of the disruptive wisdom at Corinth was eschatological and that it featured an earthly kingdom of God. And I suggested that the points of contact between the wisdom discussion in Corinthians and the earthly … Continue reading “A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 11: A Different Perspective on the Corinthian Controversy (continued)”

The Myth of Judean Exile 70 CE

While we have “sacred space” and religious violence in our thoughts, it’s high time I posted one more detail I wish the scholars who know better would themselves make more widely known. The population of Judea was not exiled at the conclusion of the war with Rome when the second temple was destroyed in 70 … Continue reading “The Myth of Judean Exile 70 CE”

Zionist Plans for Mass Transfer of Arabs: Alive But Discreet

This fourth installment of a series I began in 2010 is long overdue. The previous posts are: Zionist Founding Fathers’ Plans for Transfer of the Palestinian Arabs Redemption or Conquest: Zionist Yishuv plans for transfer of Palestinian Arabs in the British Mandate period The Weizmann Plan to “Transfer” the Palestinians My intention is to make … Continue reading “Zionist Plans for Mass Transfer of Arabs: Alive But Discreet”

God’s Apocalyptic Bluff

The Book of Enoch, The Watchers, 1:3-7 The Holy Great One will come forth from His dwelling, And the eternal God will tread upon the earth, (even) on Mount Sinai, [And appear from His camp] And appear in the strength of His might from the heaven of heavens. And all shall be smitten with fear … Continue reading “God’s Apocalyptic Bluff”

A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 10: A Different Perspective on the Corinthian Controversy

When I finished the previous post of the series, I expected to go on to a discussion of the eschatology in chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians. But while working on that, I quickly realized that chapters 1 through 4 of the letter should be examined first. They provide some necessary background on the situation in … Continue reading “A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 10: A Different Perspective on the Corinthian Controversy”

A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 9: The Source of Simon/Paul’s Gospel (conclusion)

. This post continues my discussion of the Vision of Isaiah. It will briefly consider some additional aspects of that writing that make it an attractive candidate as the source Simon/Paul’s gospel. . An Assembly of Prophets The Vision of Isaiah gives a significant role not just to Isaiah himself but also to a group … Continue reading “A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 9: The Source of Simon/Paul’s Gospel (conclusion)”

A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 8: The Source of Simon/Paul’s Gospel (continued)

. In the previous post of the series I proposed that the Vision of Isaiah was the source of Simon/Paul’s gospel. This post will look at the place in the Vision that contains the major difference between the two branches of its textual tradition. Obviously, at least one of the readings is not authentic. But, … Continue reading “A Simonian Origin for Christianity, Part 8: The Source of Simon/Paul’s Gospel (continued)”