(I know this question makes zero sense from a theological standpoint but hear me out, I swear it’s interesting)
In the times of Jesus, there were many Jewish prophets wandering the land. They managed to accumulate a following by performing miracles and preaching. These movements were based on the charisma of the leader, and so, when the leader died, the movement usually dissolved on its own.
A few years after starting his predication, Jesus was arrested in Jerusalem and crucified: it was the humiliating death of a criminal accused of rebellion. This would have been interpreted by many as a definite proof that Jesus was not, in fact, sent by God.
At this point, belief in Christ would have been very likely to disappear. But it didn’t. In the contrary, faith in Jesus grew (to about 7500 followers at the end of the 1st century).
So,why didn’t belief in Jesus disappear after Jesus’ death ?
- Jesus had recruted a group of close disciples, heavily motivated to spread his message, who were extremely intelligent and competent. Even after his death, they kept on preaching and recruted more believers.
- His death didn’t necessarily render his message obsolete. Many Jewish prophets preached the victory of a certain rebellion for example. When the rebellion was crushed by the Roman army, their message was evidently obsolete. Jesus didn’t preach political rebellion, but forgiveness and the imminent end of times. After his death, his followers could argue that his death was necessary (as prophesied in Jewish scriptures) and that his message of forgiveness remained valid until the end of times.
-A progressive opening firstly towards Hellenic Jews (Jews of the Diaspora, who didn’t live in Israel but in other countries around the Mediterranean world, and spoke Greek as their primary language)
-An even more radical opening towards Gentiles - non-Jews - who were thought by some (but not all) to be included in Jesus’ message
- The very tense alliance of two very distinct groups inside early Christianity: people who believed that only those following the Law of Moses could benefit from the forgiveness that Jesus promised, and those who believed that his message was also directed towards the Gentiles, who should not be asked to follow the Law upon conversion
This alliance was to be fundamental to Christianity’s success: thanks to this alliance, early Christianity didn’t cut ties with Judaism (and therefore benefitted from the legitimating influence of Jewish scriptures) while making itself incredibly more attractive to Gentiles (who didn’t have to follow the Law - and therefore didn’t have to completely abandon their previous social relationships due to Judaism’s heavy standards on purity).
- They managed to surmount the disappointment of the end of times not arriving. Complex phenomenon, but basically, the imminence of the Kingdom of God - a very important theme in the teaching of Jesus and the early Apostles - was progressively “spiritualised”, turned into metaphor of earthly spiritual life. The Kingdom of God wasn’t coming, so each and everyone had to enter the Kingdom of God on Earth, by converting and participating in the Church.
-The progressive marginalisation of heterodox groups challenging the authority of the proto-orthodoxy. Marcionites, Gnostics, and Montanists eventually saw their influence decline and eventually disappeared, not really because they lost on the theological side, but because their theological positions often inevitably lead them to marginalisation. For example, some Gnostics refused to have children, so no more of the divine being would be trapped in physical matter. Marcionites actively condemned Jewish scriptures, the Law of Moses and many texts which were very respected at the time, including many of the texts which would later be part of the official canon.
-The progressive rise of mono-bishops. Churches originally controlled by assemblies of important men of the community tended more and more to be controlled by only one bishop. This man had the authority to impose orthodoxy and turn belief in Jesus away from charismatic preaching into institutions that were made to last.
-The constitution of a canon of recognized texts, which became the New Testament. This wasn’t a simple process. Many different texts, and therefore many different “memories” of Jesus were excluded by this canon. Therefore, the image given of Jesus in the New Testament is far from being simple and univocal: for example, Matthew’s Jesus strongly advocates for strict adherence to the Law, while Paul’s Jesus considered that strict adherence to the Law was useless, and that it never granted anybody salvation. Still, early Church theologians, most notably Irénée de Lyon, worked to reconcile these texts, and managed to create a somewhat coherent picture of Jesus and his message - therefore setting down the basis for Christianity.
Source: Enrico Norelli, La nascità del cristianesimo, Bologna, 2014
The earliest depiction of the Crucifixion, a 2nd century graffiti meant as an insult towards Christians.The Greek text reads “Alexamenos worships God”.
My best friend is a disabled veteran, with traumatic brain injuries, seizures, and memory issues. That often means it’s hard for him to maintain an interest because it gets frustrating to always feel like you can’t keep up with anything.
He’s developed a recent interest in Koine Greek, specifically the New Testament Greek but it’s branching off into him trying his best to teach himself syntax and vocabulary in general. I can help with the “What does genitive mean?” but I have zero knowledge of Greek itself.
So I’m reaching out to offer a paid position for a knowledgeable tutor in Koine Greek, who can host regular virtual sessions and will have the patience to repeat lessons as necessary. I know most language learning needs to go A -> AB -> ABC -> ABCD, but the ideal tutor would be willing to go A -> AB -> A -> AB -> ABC as needed by the student.
He has been working SO HARD, listening to children’s songs to remember the alphabet, taking copious notes so he doesn’t lose anything he’s gained, and I would be willing to pay someone just to help him achieve this goal.
It’s more of a scholarly pursuit to understand various Biblical languages rather than some religious quest, but he’s also down for conversations about religion in the abstract as well.
If you can help, or have a lead, please DM me here or email breakaribecca @ gmail dot com.
~ The Joyful Mysteries~ The Annunciation (Luke 1:30-31) The Visitation (Luke 1:42-43) The Nativity of Our Lord (Luke 2:7) The Presentation of Christ (Luke 2:22-23) The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46)
~ The Sorrowful Mysteries ~ The Agony in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44-45) The Scourging at the Pillar (Mark 15:15) The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:28-29) The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17) The Crucifixion (Luke 23:46)
~ The Glorious Mysteries ~ The Resurrection (Matthew 28:5-6) The Ascension (Mark 16:19) The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4) The Assumption (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17) The Coronation (Revelation 12:1)
A WAY OF COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, DEATH & GLORY OF JESUS & MARY IN THE MOST HOLY ROSARY, & A WAY TO CURB OUR IMAGINATION & TO LESSEN DISTRACTIONS
In order to do this, we must add a word or two to each Hail Mary (depending upon the decade) and this will help remind us which mystery we are commemorating. This word or words should be added after the word “Jesus.” “And blessed is the fruit of Thy Womb”;
At the 1st Decade … . . “Jesus incarnate”; At the 2nd “ … . . “Jesus sanctifying”; At the 3rd “ … . . "Jesus born in poverty”; At the 4th “ … . . "Jesus sacrificed”; At the 5th “ … . . "Jesus, Saint among Saints”; At the 6th “ … . . "Jesus in His agony”; At the 7th “ … . . "Jesus scourged”; At the 8th “ … . . "Jesus crowned with thorns”; At the 9th “ … . . "Jesus carrying His Cross”; At the 10th “ … . . "Jesus crucified”; At the 11th “ … . . "Jesus risen from the dead”; At the 12th “ … . . "Jesus ascending to Heaven”; At the 13th” … . . “Jesus filling Thee with the Holy Spirit”; At the 14th “ … . . “Jesus raising Thee up”; At the 15th “ … . . "Jesus crowning Thee.”
At the end of the first five mysteries, we say: “Grace of the Joyful Mysteries, come down into our souls and make them really holy”;
At the end of the second: “Grace of the Sorrowful Mysteries, come down into our souls and make them truly patient”;
And at the end of the third: “Grace of the Glorious Mysteries, come down into our souls and make them everlastingly happy. Amen.”
BIBLICALLORENET’S WEEKLY SERIES week 5: favourite biblical men –>Paul of Tarsus
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)
BIBLICALLORENET’S WEEKLY SERIES week 4: favourite parable –> The Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6- 9)
Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.
So, I posted these pictures on Facebook last month. I used it as a sort of means to compare the protests for Black Lives Matter and the Prince of Peace losing his shit.
The comparison being the riots. Burning businesses as a result of Black individuals being murdered unjustified. Jesus, out of disgust for the profits being made in his Father’s house, destroyed shops and dumped their monies everywhere. He also made a whip and chased people around.
Anyhow. I was surprised to find how much resistance I got from the comparison. I felt it was a decent comparison. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, violent and destructive over the profits made on holy grounds. And the violence and destruction as a result of the alarming number of Black individuals being publicly executed, found chopped up, lynched, missing, etc.
I dunno. Maybe I am a shitty person for making the comparison. It just took me by surprise (not really) how aggressive/defensive/closed off some Christians can be. Honestly don’t mind being educated or constructive criticism, but the attacks were a bit ridiculous.
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. —John 1:2-3 | Third Millennium Bible (TMB) Third Millennium Bible, New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 1:1; Proverbs 8:30; John 1:1; John 1:10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16’ Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 11:3
3Jn 1:7 NET For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans.
"The Name" (singular/One)
And because there is only one Name- the name of the only Lord and Saviour (Jesus Christ), there is only one way to be saved…saved from sin and eternal damnation. This is stated in the book of Acts; Acts 2:38, …“repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the NAME of Jesus Christ (the way/the how), for the remission of sins (the reason) and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (your visa into Heaven….can’t get there without Him).
Search the scriptures, look at all the baptisms described in the Bible and tell me if they didn’t all baptize in the NAME of Jesus?
We should walk in obedience, and follow what is outlined in the Holy Scriptures!
Forget man made traditions and obey the Word of God.
It says: “In the beginning was the Word.” Already, I am stopped. It seems absurd. TheWord does not deserve the highest prize, I must translate it otherwise If I am well inspired and not blind. It says: In the beginning was the Mind. Ponder that first line, wait and see, Lest you should write too hastily. Is mind the all-creating source? It ought to say: In the beginning there was Force. Yet something warns me as I grasp the pen, That my translation must be changed again. The spirit helps me. Now it is exact. I write: In the beginning was the Act.
ALT
