Fascinating!
The name of the Roman god Jupiter means "father in the heavens (sky)", so in what I consider to be Greco-Roman adaptive wording, we see an intention to refer to God as opposed to Abraham (because use of wording that relates to Jupiter [the chief god], would not serve to lead...
As I consider this further, I see that it's such an excellent point that you make, as I see it in terms of pre-Christian philosophy! Thank You! (as long as I am understanding you correctly). :)
"so you believe Jesus was just a prophet?"
I do believe that we have sufficient evidence of his existence (which even that, some doubt).
I think that the teachings ascribed to him are of God. "Love your enemies" is of God.
"1000 years of peace...", May we pray for this and beyond! It's...
Yes, this is one area where I think philosophy is reflected in Scripture. "No one knows the Father but the Son...".
Doesn't philosophy have a "knower" and "known" concept? Greek philosophy?
I believe in God as one to whom we can pray to personally as one. I think that Jewish "philosophy", if...
The Jewish people are saying that he has not. I don't believe that they are "blind" as the NT attempts to say. Many things that are expected of messiah have not happened. (If say 2nd coming, then response is yes messiah is not full messiah yet. So for all practical purposes (even 2nd coming)...
This is your belief. I respect that and I understand that you believe the Bible about that. I think that the passages where Jesus personifies the Holy Spirit coincide with the trinity concept, and all of it fits the design of the NT purpose to unite the empire including the Greco-Roman...
Ironically, I think that if one observes the majority of teachings of Jesus as depicted in the Bible, he speaks relatively little about being the messiah. I'm not saying not at all, I'm only saying relatively little. We do see Peter (a Jewish man) saying that he is. However, there we also see...
Interesting that the concept of the Holy Spirit is found in both Zoroastrianism and Judaism.
Zoroastrianism, Holy Spirit: "source of life"
Catholicism, Holy Spirit: "giver of life"
I don't believe in a need for such a terminology, to speak about God's relation to what we call the physical...
Interesting input of belief! Thank you! Ironically, many people of faith that don't believe that the NT is inspired by God, such as Jewish, and Islamic, are non-trinitarian. Many older religions believed in multiple "gods", as I'm sure that you and others here know.
I believe that inspirations...
Thank you. Yes, this is a fascinating discussion. To me it contrasts what I consider to be the more authentic early Jewish-influenced Scriptures about Jesus in contrast to the later Greco-Roman influenced passages, that I believe were intended to present Jesus as a human figure who is also an...
Many religious including those who use the Christian Bible, are non-trinitarian. This appears to be a potential trend.
Some believe that Jesus has a particular role and relationship to God, other's don't. However, all believe that God is one in the non-trinitarian sense.
Jewish people...
"The early Israelites were polytheistic and worshipped Yahweh alongside a variety of Canaanite gods and goddesses, including El, Asherah and Baal."
"Characteristics of other gods, such as Asherah and Baal, were also selectively "absorbed" in conceptions of Yahweh."
"Over time the existence of...
I think that systems whereby a person's material support is based partly/fully on their religious work is not a good idea. I think it's fine as a legal freedom (of course). However, with regards to religion and beliefs, I encourage people to not connect their income and / or material support...
Yes, Catholicism, from which it originated, is more "nuanced" today, especially regarding Scripture. They were criticized for concerns about widespread use of the New Testament, and perhaps they had a point, but of course it's good that people can read it. But people read it at face value, not...
Thank you kindly. :)
If "Netzer" has a theological meaning, then perhaps the town of Nazareth is not real? I.e. How would a town already have a theological name before Jesus?
Start with Judaism, add the (authentic) teachings of Jesus, e.g. Love of God and neighbor, fairness, "spirit of the law" (avoid misapplied legalism), and you are finished.
Many Jewish Rabbis today and perhaps at the time of Jesus are also aware of these concepts so the portrayals of Pharisees...
It's not a good "balance", IMO.
I think that it's this kind of thing that shows that Christianity became something new and no longer a Jewish movement. And I believe that this is a serious error, not of Judaism, but of Christianity. So, I am no one to judge Paul's actions but the results...