What I tried to do with the previous Christian Origins posts was what Nietzsche called spurs or traces, the idea that “a little something” is found whereby if you pull on it enough it can unravel the sweater of the popular interpretation.  For instance, it is generally agreed Mark’s crucifixion account is creatively retelling Isaiah … Deconstruction and Religious Studies Blogging

The ESV translation provides the following helpful chart about Jesus predicting his death in Mark. The Three Major Passion Predictions in Mark Three times in Mark 8–10 Jesus predicts his death, the disciples fail to understand or to respond appropriately, and he then teaches them about discipleship. Announcement of Jesus’ Death Failure on the Part of the … [EDITED WITH NEW MATERIAL ADDED] My 2 Favorite New Testament Bible Reading Tips

I’m on a break from blogging right now, but I just wanted to share my new short kiosk article on Religion and Brainwashing is out today. See https://infidels.org/kiosk/article/religion-as-undue-influence/ We are also featuring Price’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1634312384/interinfid-20/ From reading the prevue Price seems to be fleshing out Fitzgerald’s thesis of many Christianities birthed one rather than … Religion And Brainwashing

Paul says one of the necessary conditions of being an actual apostle is having seen the risen Christ.  He asks “Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?“  This is not a sufficient condition, since he says the 500 saw the risen Christ without being apostles, but such an experiences was … For Paul, What Was Required To Be An Apostle?

Josephus, Antiquities, 18.116-119Written c. 94 CE. Some have disputed the authenticity of this passage, but it is extant as early as 248CE, as it is referred to in Origen’s Contra Celsus 1.47. The relevant text reads (my highlighting) Source: LCL 433:81-85 It’s unclear whether to make a case of an interpolation by a Christian scribe … Josephus On The Death Of John The Baptist: Interpolation Or Late Date For Mark?

So, in this series of post I talked about the meaning of the death of Jesus. The previous posts were: The Peculiar Case Of The Martyrdom Of Polycarp and interpreting the Death of Jesus (2/2) The Peculiar Case Of The Martyrdom Of Polycarp and interpreting the Death of Jesus: Erasing The Cross From History Paul … Jesus Died According To The Scriptures (Conclusion)

So, in my last three posts I’ve been talking about the question of whether Jesus died by crucifixion, or for some other reason: The Peculiar Case Of The Martyrdom Of Polycarp and interpreting the Death of Jesus (2/2) The Peculiar Case Of The Martyrdom Of Polycarp and interpreting the Death of Jesus: Erasing The Cross … Jesus According To The Scriptures Wrap Up

I talked a bit last time about how the theologizing of Jesus’s death as crucifixion puts into question the historicity of the crucifixion (Jesus could have died another way).  And, in fact we seem to have early Christian groups who did not see the crucifixion or resurrection to be germane to their faith.  The Didache, … Paul And The Super-Apostles

The Unforgiveable Sin Have you ever wondered, if Jesus’s death paid the sin debt in full, why there is an unforgiveable sin: blaspheming the Holy Spirit?  Our earliest gospel Mark comments: This blaspheming the holy spirit is a type of breaking the 3rd commandment, knowingly perverting the will of God like those Jewish elite who … The Unforgivable/Eternal Sin

My previous post in this series was here: https://secularfrontier.infidels.org/2023/02/evolution-no-adam-no-problem/ One of the fundamental problems in getting conservative Christians to accept evolution is that they think if there was no historical Adam, Jesus was unnecessary. The whole plan of salvation falls apart. But, this misunderstands what Paul is doing with the figure of Adam, whereas Paul … Evolution? No Adam, No Problem (Part 2/2)