tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post5535240056925345295..comments2023-09-25T05:50:59.427-05:00Comments on My Dirty Little Secret: The Four Legends of Jesus: Part IIUrukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-63920941371597884382010-04-06T07:36:29.418-05:002010-04-06T07:36:29.418-05:00Here's (in my opinion) an interesting read. Th...Here's (in my opinion) an interesting read. This is a <i>NY Times</i> book review that says some of the things I tried to suggest-- but in ways I wish I could, but clearly didn't:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/books/review/Meacham-t.html" rel="nofollow">Thine is the Kingdom</a><br /><br />This read isn't a bashing of Christianity. It's by a Christian who cherishes the tradition of it, but recognizes the requirement of faith in practicing it.Urukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-44063113703342930092010-04-05T22:13:29.649-05:002010-04-05T22:13:29.649-05:00Lion: I never noticed contradiction in the Gospels...<b>Lion:</b> I never noticed contradiction in the Gospels until I started my slide away from Christianity. Before then, I just thought they were complimentary view points that fit together like a puzzle. I would have vehemently disagreed with you years ago. Imagine that!<br /><br /><b>Dlou:</b> Opposing viewpoints are welcome here. Hearing the other side of an argument is healthy. Thanks for stopping by and providing that.<br /><br />I once believed that only the miraculous could cause the first disciples to follow Jesus. But after learning about various aspects of human nature, I see how people can dedicate their lives to an empty, yet seemingly worthy cause. All you need are the right kind of followers, the right kind of persuasion tactics, the right kind of confidence artist and time.<br /><br />You do make a good point about dating the scriptures. Dating can be sketchy with documents. I feel better saying that much of this post is my opinion and not necessarily hard facts. Though, I'm not pulling it completely out of the air, either. The documentary I reference was convincing to me. But, one should always double check new information.<br /><br />And of course, thank you so much for your compliment. I don't see myself as a gifted writer, but I sure love to write when I have time.<br /><br />Now if I could just learn to not be so verbose. <br /><br />I'm working on it . . .<br /><br />Thanks again. Hang around if you like.Urukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05913837011380611461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-1270869510181604022010-04-05T11:46:29.849-05:002010-04-05T11:46:29.849-05:00As you stated, Jesus' followers believed Him t...As you stated, Jesus' followers believed Him to be the real Messiah and they trusted Him. What would cause them to believe that Jesus was the Son of God? What gave them the kind of drive that caused them to devote their life's work to His cause and suffer imprisonment, torture and eventual death? It would take nothing short of the kind of miracles they saw Jesus perform and to witness and truly believe in His resurrection.<br /><br />The verdict is not in for the chronology you state. As you yourself say, the dates are debatable. Since Acts is a record of early church history, the fact that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple is not recorded is very strong evidence that Acts was written before A.D. 70. Why not mention the destruction of Jerusalem as was prophesied? Wouldn't it have added to the validity of the Christian message? The extraordinary events of 70 A.D. would have been extremely relevant and would most certainly be included had it occurred before Acts was written.<br /><br />Also, Acts does not include the accounts of Nero's persecution of the Christians in A.D. 64 or the martyrdom of Paul (A.D. 64), and Peter (A.D. 65). It does mention the death of James (Acts 12). Surely, the writer of Acts regarded Paul and Peter as much as James since Peter dominates the first several chapters of Acts, and Paul the rest of the book. This suggests Acts was written before these dates as well. We agree that the gospels were written before the book of Acts.<br /><br />I am like you in that I am respectfully just stating my opinions based on the Bible and things I have studied and read. By the way, I think you are a gifted writer.3dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11033640756971649137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547195737073832993.post-71381886404275430082010-03-31T21:31:53.646-05:002010-03-31T21:31:53.646-05:00I have always found it so interesting how differen...I have always found it so interesting how different the Gospels are. Some parts are completely contradictory - most often when discussing the events of the Crucifixion.Nicole Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07312823319201028951noreply@blogger.com