by Terry 16 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
One thing to conclude of all of this is that there were many supposed demi-gods in ancient times.
It parallels with well the level of human ignorance in mankind's history.
I started this topic especially for Perry to peruse.
One demi-god will not acknowledge another
home....good topic...
How do Christians defend against the accusation that Jesus fit the definition of a Demi-God?
Simple. In the Greco-Roman context, demi-gods had human qualities and qualities of small-g gods.
In the Christian context, Jesus has human qualities, and qualities of the large-G God.
There was nothing "demi" about Jesus' divinity.[
BTS
There was nothing "demi" about Jesus' divinity.
EXACTLY!
And why was that?
Because Christians had to compete with already-existing religious superstar deities!
Jesus is a new and improved, low-fat, extra-crispy, fat-free, low-sodium, three-for-the-price of one fully-god/fully-human brand!
We are parroting a description of the winner in a My-God-Is-Better-than-yours contest where each believer gets to describe the best
imaginative character traits imaginable.
This was not done dishonestly either!
It was AS NEEDED.
If you needed for Christianity to BE something that would refute your pagan opposers you just had to interpret into existence! It is like the magic bag of tricks Felix the Cat has. Scripture was the bag of tricks.
Every time a copyist, translator, scribe or authorizing potentate produced scripture copies IT WAS FILTERED through the necessity of proving
or explicating SOME CURRENT PROBLEM of contention.
Remember, the New World Translation put ammunition in the Jehovah's Witness theology for debate/teaching/proof purposes.
The Kabbalah allowed Medieval Jews to reinterpret scripture to meet the needs of the Dark Ages.
Martin Luther wrestled with the Catholic bible and--PRESTO! A new and improved Protestant stream of scripture opened up interpretive possibilities!
Jesus is a malleable character who is much, much different to Christianity today than he was in various epochs in the past. Each had their own proprietary version as needed.
Take a look at artistic representation over the centuries for an eyefull of how Jesus is shaped and shaded to BECOME what each group needs him to be.
http://www.shelleytherepublican.com/uploaded_images/jesus-with-rifle-shelleytherepublican-704995.jpg
Terry, we already covered this on your "Jehovah Game" Thread. My response:
Terry,
Good questions. There has been a lot of pop-history books written on these topics. I have a (nearly) minor degree from Texas State University in Classical Studies - Greek and Roman History (took all the necessary courses with honors). I can tell you that the books I have read with these alleged fundamental links are simply lacking sound historical backing.
At university I became familiar with the major historians and these Links are just not there in those works. Most of these charges are based on "just so" stories that might ring true to the novice but not the serious historian. This link can help the (above) average person sort it out.
I started this topic especially for Perry to peruse.
I sense a trap.
Reminds me of the battle of Gettysburg.
General Longstreet: Sir, it's a trap.... I advise to not attack the ridge, but to go around and head for the Capitol.
General Lee: Attack the ridge!
Longstreet: "General, I have been a soldier all my life. I have been with soldiers engaged in fights by couples, by squads, companies, regiments, divisions, and armies, and should know, as well as any one, what soldiers can do. It is my opinion that no fifteen thousand men ever arranged for battle can take that position."
We all know how that battle ended.
Think About It
At university I became familiar with the major historians and these Links are just not there in those works. Most of these charges are based on "just so" stories that might ring true to the novice but not the serious historian.
Well, let's test out my premise by exercising our intelligence, shall we?
I'm saying that pagans who believed in demi-gods had a world view that would DEMAND things fit into that world view.
Pagans would INTERPRET what they saw and heard IN TERMS of Gods, demi-gods and (then) current myth.
Jews interpreted things through the lens of Judaism. Greeks through Greek philosophy. Romans through Greco-Roman ethos.
This isn't hard to understand is it Perry?
Let's give an example of how that might happen.
In your view, Perry, is Acts the 14th chapter a "Just So" story?
I sense a trap.
Turn in your bible to Acts the 14th Chapter and read starting in verse 8.
Paul and Barnabas in Lystra
8 Now in Lystra there was a man sitting down who couldn't use his feet. He had been crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul [c] watched him closely, and when he saw that he had faith to be healed, 10 he said in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” Then the man [d] jumped up and began to walk.
11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us!”
12 They began to call Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he was the main speaker.
13 The priest of the temple of Zeus, which was just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates. He and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
15 “Men, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings with natures like yours. We are telling you the good news so you’ll turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways,
17
yet he has not abandoned his witness: he continues to do good, to give you rain from heaven, to give you [f] fruitful seasons, to fill you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even by saying this, it was all Paul and Barnabus [g] could do to keep the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.
It should not surprise us that people who think in terms of THEIR OWN BELIEF SYSTEM interpret according to that belief.
Unlike other cities Paul visited, Lystra apparently had no synagogue, though Timothy and his mother and grandmother were Jewish Perhaps for the first time in his missionary work, Paul was reaching Gentiles with the gospel of Christ without approaching them through the common ground of Judaism.
