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I must say, my first thought was...the gospel started out with this 'good news'...and then all
the disciples were killed
That has always seemed odd to me. Yeah, follow Jesus and be imprisoned in filthy dungeons
and then killed brutally!
That is odd to most here, isn't it?
I am wondering where is says that ALL the disciples were killed_______
True, Christians would be hated as per Matthew 10:22, but that does Not mean all killed.
Satan challenges everyone: 'Touch our flesh' ( loose physical health ) and we would Not serve God - Job 2:4-5.
Both Job and Jesus, under adverse conditions, proved Satan a liar and so can we.
The reward is: resurrection. Going to be brought back to live life again - Acts 24:15 there is going to be a resurrection......
Do consider: the great crowd of people of Rev. 7:9 are saved (delivered / rescued) through the coming ' great tribulation ' of Rev. 7:14
So, Not dead but living people, to be alive on Earth right into the start of Jesus' coming 1,000-year governmental rule over Earth.
This is when even ' enemy death ' will be No more as per 1st Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 25:8
Has anyone else ever wondered if the gospels were intended to show how the story of Jesus and his followers began as one thing, but evolved into something else
At Jesus' baptism he began his ministry.
The theme of Jesus teaching was the good news (Gospel) of God's kingdom of Daniel 2:44; Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8.
The Jews were giving the first choice - Luke 4:43
Then, the way was opened up for the Samaritans.
Followed by opening up the way for the people of the gentile nations. Starting with Cornelius .
To me, that was Not necessarily evolving but how Christianity progressed.
So, just as Jesus said the gospel good news about God's kingdom in the hands of Christ Jesus would be proclaimed world wide, and that is just as it is being done today on a grand international scale as never before in history.
I think he inspired most of them. Perhaps not James and Revelation. The others, though. And apart from 'I saw Satan fall like lightning' I never saw anything that struck me as even a slight joke. Though I find much of it hilarious, Like the descending angel and Shekel -eating fish. But that's not much to do with Paul. Though in a way it is, as the 'Shekel -eating Fish' is, or so I guess, is about Christians being exempt from paying the temple tax (which was still collected after it had been destroyed).
As far as humor, you didn't think it was funny when James and John tried to get their MOTHER to convince Jesus to be at his right and left side during his time of glory? A Jewish mother. Think about it.
What I get from all this is that there are one thousand and one theories about how the gospels came about and who brought them about. Most of us have our own pet theory about how they evolved, when they evolved and who evolved them. Others like Thoreau are cocksure about how they got here and won't entertain any other theory except their own. Such arrogance demonstrated by Thoreau is a gigantic example of what is wrong with Christianity today. But all we can really do is sympathize with Thoreau by saying, "Of course you're certain this is how it happened, poor baby. That's what you were programmed to believe from the cradle."
Indeed. I have my own 'theory' and so far as i know, nobody else is arguing that - not a single Bible authority. There's also a Pet Theory' but one or two people believe that, too (The failed messiah).
I must say, my first thought was...the gospel started out with this 'good news'...and then all
the disciples were killed.
That has always seemed odd to me. Yeah, follow Jesus and be imprisoned in filthy dungeons
and then killed brutally!
That is odd to most here, isn't it?
The "good news" they (60% or more of Christians) were telling the pagans was "convert or you'll go to hell." It's not much of a wonder where the "brutality" would be cultured, especially given that the pagans respected "traditional, well-established religions" far more than "new cults and sects redistributing value (money, meat "sacrifices") in new ways."
"Dying for your religion" was not unknown at the time either.
At least one gospel writer, Luke, told in his narrative why he wrote it:
Dedication to Theophilus
Quote:
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught
Luke 1: 1-4
1. Apparently there were “many” attempting to compile narratives, but, Luke, a doctor, felt a more orderly account be provided.
2. Luke had been following the progress of these narratives for awhile. He didn’t fly into a whirlwind of activity, he listened to the stories and read various narratives.
3. This gospel was intended to boost the faith of one man, Luke’s friend, Theophilus.
None of the gospels were meant to be woven as a single narrative. Each used other written narratives and restructured those narratives and probably added to them to best affect a particular audience. In Luke’s case, his bud, Theophilus.
The twelve disciple and apostles were chosen by God right from the beginning to spread the good news of the gospel because Jesus would not survive in the flesh in the earth .... The good news was that salvation came through Jesus Christ who gave His life as a judgment for God for all men and woman ......... If some churches which don`t spread the gospel today are out of sync. with God and would have no power from God .
I forgot I was on a forum where things are so nit-picked for perfect accuracy and pointed out.
Sorry. My bad.
But your original point is still profound. It's something I had never even thought of. How is it "good news" if all that happens afterwards is violence?
Christians really need to examine this story. It's a political story in many ways.
The "good news" they (60% or more of Christians) were telling the pagans was "convert or you'll go to hell."
And it seems in the 11th-13thc, ( almost to the 14thc!), if you didn't convert you would be killed by a swordsman on horseback destroying your family and village as you were picking herbs in the field.
Thanks Ozzy...this story line throughout the Bible makes one scratch one's head...
Last edited by Miss Hepburn; 02-24-2019 at 06:07 AM..
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