Jesus discussion

[tlclark]

Thanks.

This argument reminds me a lot of my Master's thesis on St. Simeon Stylites who sat on a pillar for 37 years. I kept reading all these theories regarding the popularity of his cult. Brown suggested that Simeon took on the role of the local magistrates. Kreuger saw in terms of biblical typos. Frankfurter saw it as a continuation of pagan custom. Others noted that Simeon's pillar was on the junction of a crossroads and trading routes. Over time I began to realize that it was a little bit like saying that if you pile a load of kindling up it will spontaneously burst into flame. They were not trying to explain Simeon, they were trying to explain away Simeon as the product of natural causes. All of this ignored the very real faith experiences of the dozens of eyewitnesses who went to his pillar.

That doesn't mean that we have to be credulous of every story, but neither should we be overly incredulous.

Travis