12-25-2006, 03:14 PM
During the past few weeks, I have started delving deeper into the academic & theological aspects of Romans & Christianity. As others have indicated, people could spend their entire lives in this broad subject area. (Most of my years in this life may have already passed, so I choose to study broadly, and dive deeply in fewer places.)
I'm particularly interested in early Christianity.
My scriptural studies over the decades indicate that Christianity, like other belief systems, has always had hyper-dimensional diversity of aspects. Among Jesus Christ's small group of apostles, thoughts varied considerably before Jesus' Crucifixion, and after, although to a lesser degree for some years.
Group 1: Each apostle's interpretation of what they saw, heard, felt, and thought differed. They were Jews (ranging from a tax collector to a zealot) who eventually believed that Jesus was the prophesied savior, and they formed the core of the more Hebrew influenced "Jewish Christianity".
Group 2: Paul (Saul of Tarsus) strongly opposed, then later strongly supported Christianity, and brought it to the Gentiles. Paul and Peter (apostle) differed on a number of key theological issues, but eventually reconciled to some degree. Paul & his associates formed the core of the more Hellenistic influenced "Pauline" Christianity
Group 3: Many others honestly developed diverse variations of Christianity, through their differing insights, interpretations, understandings, and additions & subtractions of key theological issues. Some of these people may have formed the core of "Gnostic Christianity". (I still have much to learn here)
Group 4: Many others dishonestly developed diverse variations of Christianity, knowing & willfully deceiving others for various reasons. Simon Magus is portrayed as trying to deviously buy his way into Christianity & lead his own "denomination".
Each of these "groups" have had considerable internal variations at any time, and over the centuries. Pauline Christianity became dominant by about Constantine's time & it has continued splitting, merging, rebelling, reforming, etc. ever since then. Human nature.
I'm inherently skeptical & analytical.
Original documents. An 1,800 year old document that differs from accepted scriptures (canons) is not necessarily valid because of its age. Accepted canons are not necessarily valid because of group consensus in ancient times. Lost writings, mistranslations, copying errors, etc.
Practices: Co-opting other cultures' & religions' rituals, tools, symbols does not necessarily equate to syncretism, i.e., does not necessarily mean the merging of the values & beliefs behind the co-opted items..
As my studies continue & I learn, unlearn & relearn more, I'll continue to share general highlights & selected details on early Christianity in Late Antiquity, it's evolution, key players & their writings, etc. through about 500 AD.
Pax vobiscvm, +r
I'm particularly interested in early Christianity.
My scriptural studies over the decades indicate that Christianity, like other belief systems, has always had hyper-dimensional diversity of aspects. Among Jesus Christ's small group of apostles, thoughts varied considerably before Jesus' Crucifixion, and after, although to a lesser degree for some years.
Group 1: Each apostle's interpretation of what they saw, heard, felt, and thought differed. They were Jews (ranging from a tax collector to a zealot) who eventually believed that Jesus was the prophesied savior, and they formed the core of the more Hebrew influenced "Jewish Christianity".
Group 2: Paul (Saul of Tarsus) strongly opposed, then later strongly supported Christianity, and brought it to the Gentiles. Paul and Peter (apostle) differed on a number of key theological issues, but eventually reconciled to some degree. Paul & his associates formed the core of the more Hellenistic influenced "Pauline" Christianity
Group 3: Many others honestly developed diverse variations of Christianity, through their differing insights, interpretations, understandings, and additions & subtractions of key theological issues. Some of these people may have formed the core of "Gnostic Christianity". (I still have much to learn here)
Group 4: Many others dishonestly developed diverse variations of Christianity, knowing & willfully deceiving others for various reasons. Simon Magus is portrayed as trying to deviously buy his way into Christianity & lead his own "denomination".
Each of these "groups" have had considerable internal variations at any time, and over the centuries. Pauline Christianity became dominant by about Constantine's time & it has continued splitting, merging, rebelling, reforming, etc. ever since then. Human nature.
I'm inherently skeptical & analytical.
Original documents. An 1,800 year old document that differs from accepted scriptures (canons) is not necessarily valid because of its age. Accepted canons are not necessarily valid because of group consensus in ancient times. Lost writings, mistranslations, copying errors, etc.
Practices: Co-opting other cultures' & religions' rituals, tools, symbols does not necessarily equate to syncretism, i.e., does not necessarily mean the merging of the values & beliefs behind the co-opted items..
As my studies continue & I learn, unlearn & relearn more, I'll continue to share general highlights & selected details on early Christianity in Late Antiquity, it's evolution, key players & their writings, etc. through about 500 AD.
Pax vobiscvm, +r
AMDG
Wm. / *r
Wm. / *r
