Posts by PSacramento

52

Josephus and Jesus

by jhine in

on another thread wot i read a few days ago and can't remember which one, someone asked why josephus never mentions jesus .

at the time i had no knowledge of this so kept quiet .

however today while reading an excellent book (don't know if i should advertise but if anyone wants the title let me know ) i have found out that josephus mentions jesus in around about manner.

PSacramento

Have you read "Fabricating Jesus" By Craig Evans?

62

Another Cardinal Falls

by designs in

the top cardinal of britian has resigned, cardinal keith o'brien, the archbishop of edinburgh, has given notice amid accusations by three priests that he made 'inappropriate contact' with them.

he will not be able to vote in the upcoming selection of the new pope.

the current pope has accepted his resignation.. like cardinal mahoney of the los angeles archdiocese, cardinal o'brien will be allowed to 'retire' receiving a nice pension and home paid for by hard working catholics.

PSacramento

This is semantics. It a rule of an authoritarian religion that has contributed massively to suffering, disease and premature death.

I agree, that said the CORE teaching of Christianity, which is sexual relations ONLY in a monogamous commited relationship, is a far better method than ANY contraception to stave off STD's.

How realistic that is inour day and age is different matter of course.

I am of the opinion that the RCC shoudl leave the method of contraception up to the individuals.

62

Another Cardinal Falls

by designs in

the top cardinal of britian has resigned, cardinal keith o'brien, the archbishop of edinburgh, has given notice amid accusations by three priests that he made 'inappropriate contact' with them.

he will not be able to vote in the upcoming selection of the new pope.

the current pope has accepted his resignation.. like cardinal mahoney of the los angeles archdiocese, cardinal o'brien will be allowed to 'retire' receiving a nice pension and home paid for by hard working catholics.

PSacramento

COntraception as per the Catechism:

2370 Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality. 158 These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom. In contrast, "every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" is intrinsically evil: 159

Thus the innate language that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by an objectively contradictory language, namely, that of not giving oneself totally to the other. This leads not only to a positive refusal to be open to life but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love, which is called upon to give itself in personal totality. . . . The difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle . . . involves in the final analysis two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and of human sexuality. 160

2371 "Let all be convinced that human life and the duty of transmitting it are not limited by the horizons of this life only: their true evaluation and full significance can be understood only in reference to man's eternal destiny." 161

2372 The state has a responsibility for its citizens' well-being. In this capacity it is legitimate for it to intervene to orient the demography of the population. This can be done by means of objective and respectful information, but certainly not by authoritarian, coercive measures. The state may not legitimately usurp the initiative of spouses, who have the primary responsibility for the procreation and education of their children. 162 In this area, it is not authorized to employ means contrary to the moral law.

27

Early church fathers

by Rattigan350 in

in a post by leolaia she stated:.

then the trinity brochure came out and i almost immediately became upset at its intellectual dishonesty, as by this time i was very familiar with the early church fathers and recognized that the brochure distorted heavily their views.. .

early church fathers and their views?

PSacramento

For those that want to read the views of the early church fathers:

The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations

Michael W. Holmes (Author)

62

Another Cardinal Falls

by designs in

the top cardinal of britian has resigned, cardinal keith o'brien, the archbishop of edinburgh, has given notice amid accusations by three priests that he made 'inappropriate contact' with them.

he will not be able to vote in the upcoming selection of the new pope.

the current pope has accepted his resignation.. like cardinal mahoney of the los angeles archdiocese, cardinal o'brien will be allowed to 'retire' receiving a nice pension and home paid for by hard working catholics.

PSacramento

The RCC is in serious need of a Vatican 3 council.

There are MANy changes needed and serious reforms.

If the RCC does not address these issues ASAP, things will only get worse for them and those that belong to that organization, on ALL levels.

This is not a persecuation thing or a conspiracy thing, there are REAL issues that they MUST address right NOW.

52

Josephus and Jesus

by jhine in

on another thread wot i read a few days ago and can't remember which one, someone asked why josephus never mentions jesus .

at the time i had no knowledge of this so kept quiet .

however today while reading an excellent book (don't know if i should advertise but if anyone wants the title let me know ) i have found out that josephus mentions jesus in around about manner.

PSacramento

mP:

Have you read his latest book "Did Jesus exist". I have, and his basic argument is that all scholars believe in a historical man called jesus, but they dont believe in the supernatural, such as miracles and resurrection. He doesnt really discuss the 4 big Roman references, Tacitius, Jospehus, Seutonius, Pliny, wonder why?. Read the text and actually write down the proofs, you will find the list is pretty much empty.

Of course they don't believe in the supernatural stuff, why should they?

The point is that no one ( unbias historians and scholars) really doubts that the person written about in the NT existed, they doubt WHAT was written about him.

52

Josephus and Jesus

by jhine in

on another thread wot i read a few days ago and can't remember which one, someone asked why josephus never mentions jesus .

at the time i had no knowledge of this so kept quiet .

however today while reading an excellent book (don't know if i should advertise but if anyone wants the title let me know ) i have found out that josephus mentions jesus in around about manner.

PSacramento

WHat is contested in regards to the two times Josephus mentions Jesus is what is viewed as added on by later scribes, the majority of h istoricans and scholars do NOT contest that Josepheus is of the opinion that Jesus existed.

http://www.tektonics.org/jesusexist/josephus.html

13

Another scripture that has questionable language with regard to satan

by cptkirk in

of course even people with novice level bible understanding know that paul had a "thorn in the flesh", what they may not know, or not have bothered to also observe is the bizarre language with which was used to convey this thought.. "turn with me in your bibles please to 2corinthians 12:7" <----lol.

an "angel of satan" was sent to paul.......hmmm, were the writers of the bible apostates?

they called satan's minion an angel?

PSacramento

2Corinthians 12 is a very intersting chapter and there are many questions and interpretations about it.

Was Paul speaking of Himself or perhaps John when he spoke of the man who went up to heaven?

What was Paul's afflection?

Was Paul that insecure about himself and those that he preached too? how worried was he that his message had fallen because of His past?

How bad were things in Corinth?

THe whole point of the passage is, IMO, that boasting about what one has seen, that one has been chosen, the persecutions one has endured ( as he had written about in the past) was NOT correct. That, as Paul said, "Boast only of the Lord" ( Paraphrasing).

Paul believed that because of his arrogance He was given an afflection and that this was to be like a "messenger from Satan" to remind him always of thge price of arrogance.

2 Corinthians 12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Paul’s Vision

12 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

11 I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. 13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit. 17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?

19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

76

Are homosexuals born that way? The March 15 Watchtower seems to say so.

by matt2414 in

15 one brother who was raised in a christian household wrote that for as long as he could remember, he struggled with homosexual tendencies.

he said: i always felt awkward.

it seemed that i didnt fit in anywhere.

PSacramento

There are various views of course but, IMO, yes homosexuals are born that way.

Some think that all humans are born "bisexual" in regards to "sexual impulses" and that it is their nurturing or environment that "pushes' them one way or another ( or both).

Fact is that we do NOT know for sure YET but I am confident that we will soon.

That said, I am not sure how the message that people are born "that" way will be received.

43

Markan priority and the synoptic gospels

by 88JM in

this might be a question for leolaia, but i noticed in researching the gospel of mark this week that the dates the wtbts gives for the writing of the other synoptic gospels does not seem to agree with most new testament scholars.. the all scripture book gives the following dates:.

matthew: writing completed: c. 41 c.e.mark: writing completed: c. 6065 c.e.luke: writing completed: c. 5658 c.e.this would put mark as the last of the three synoptic gospels to be written, and therefore the wtbts does not adhere to the markan priority hypothesis.. wikipedia states that: "the theory of markan priority is today accepted by the majority of new testament scholars".. .

is there a good reason why the wtbts dates the synoptic gospels in that order?how can they date matthew and luke so early?is it merely because the wtbts rejects the possibility of a "q" source, and possibly even the idea of collusion between the writers altogether?or is it because many scholars put the writings of luke and matthew after the destruction of jerusalem, meaning the "prophecies" of destruction became historical accounts of past events by the time they were written?

PSacramento

The ressurection is the cornerstone, the foundation of Christianity.

No ifs and's or but's about that.