Agree. Also Romans were more religious in their own way and were more superstitious about religious unity and appeasing the "gods" for blessings/success/victories than most people probably realize: "In this sign, you shall 'conquer' ".
Hi,
Interesting that you go so far as to refer to a holy religion as "beast" but accept the Trinity doctrine that was formalized under a call from a Roman Emperor and in a Greek/Roman/pagan environment: :smile:
"Ju-piter" means "sky father", main god in Roman Empire (Latin pater means father)...
Hi,
Sorry, I didn't mean coincidence in that way. I'm asking coincidence given that Christianity has new sacrificial theology. Is it possible that there was any relation between the rise of the new sacrificial theology and any suppression of Judaism in the Roman Empire? I'm not necessarily...
The earliest known Gospel manuscripts average about 200AD with the one earliest being 150AD. This was 80 years after the fact. It has been proposed that this wasn't a prophecy but was based on knowledge that it had already happened and that Jesus is recorded as prophecying it. An example like...
Hi,
There's no "evidence" - it's a religion. No one can claim that their Scriptures are authored by God and then point to their Scriptures to support it. It's circular reasoning. Anyone can write anything and say it's from God and even write that it's from God. People were claiming to be...
As I say, these are arbitrary tools, there's nothing special about a computer - it's just a machine. In fact, I like computers, but we need to keep perspective on them.
A computer is a tool, more advanced than a screwdriver, but just a tool. Concepts of God go beyond "tools" which God does not need because His will can do whatever He pleases. This is why we call Him God, He needs nothing and lacks nothing and creates anything He decides. If you choose to...
Yes, I think there were aspects like that involved. God gives truth. Men (especially those in political/religious power) can sometimes tend towards deception/dishonesty. I'm just trying to figure out to what extent such aspects were involved.
Hi,
Yes, that makes sense, but using "Roman" as an adjective, they are "Roman" Catholic in that they share the original doctrines of the early church of the Roman Empire. In fact, you have a split with Orthodox including over a belief about authority and an aspect of the Trinity doctrine. An...
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Who knows how much of history is missing/modified from that period? - the victors can write history. What we do know is that the Jewish Temple was destroyed during the birth of Christianity and then pagan temples were destroyed after Constantine. We also know that books not accepted for the...
Pre-Christian Roman religion was important (success) in the Empire. The importance of unity of belief of all citizens is evidenced by the Roman efforts to force statues of Roman gods into Jewish temples. The word "catholic" means "universal". "Roman" "Catholic" - "Universal" religion of the...
HI,
What writings of them are there from before it was the state religion?
"Paraclete" is another name for God. Why not simply say that God guides the Church if that's what you believe?
Wouldn't the writings about the earthly life of someone precede the theology writings about them?
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What was Christianity before becoming the state religion and what was it after? Plus how do we know? - the victors often write "history". Jewish Temple destroyed, pagan temples destroyed post-Constantine, early Christian writings not destroyed/modified? Why does St. Paul hardly mention the...
Hi,
The Christian Scriptures record Jesus as asking "Who do you say that I am?" and I am interested in answers to that question and the basis for the answer. The Christian Scriptures indicate that the answer is that faith in Him is a gift from God.
I respect and love much of the wisdom found...
How many times I have said the same thing.
What is the point of the Good Samaritan story? Jesus is recorded as speaking of freedom. I believe the real split came when a Christian movement became intolerant of other Christians beliefs and began insisting that only certain doctrines were...
This in Texas sounds as if it is a voice promoting respect for unborn children.
Ironically, I think that our Western (Judeo-Christian) culture may have some accidental role in much of society's lack of respect for unborn children. We celebrate birthdays, not conception days. People celebrate...