tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9716997.post1594468710327860648..comments2024-03-15T23:30:38.471+11:00Comments on Lindsay's Lobes: Early Christianity remains shrouded in Pauline mystery Lindsay Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11030132436987752741noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9716997.post-76708396994966174922014-01-11T16:38:28.464+11:002014-01-11T16:38:28.464+11:00thanks Susan - will follow up !!
Best wishes thanks Susan - will follow up !!<br />Best wishes Lindsay Byrneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030132436987752741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9716997.post-78819787937559585792014-01-11T13:09:48.919+11:002014-01-11T13:09:48.919+11:00I've been re-reading a book you might also fin...I've been re-reading a book you might also find very interesting, called 'Jung and the Lost Gospels' by Stephan Hoeller. This insightful text is an elegantly written introduction to Gnosticism and a simple though comprehensive appraisal of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found by a goat herder in 1947, and the Nag Hammadi Library that was discovered by two peasants in 1945 in Upper Egypt. These writings are contemporary with the canonical biblical texts, which illustrate a different perspective of what constitutes the spiritual life, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. <br /><br />The Middle East (Alexandria, in particular) of the pre and early Christian era was definitely a crossroad of religion and philosophy where it's extremely likely Buddhists visited. There are some (not S. Hoeller) who have suggested Jesus spent his formative years much further east studying Buddhism. I don't have an opinion about this view, but it's an interesting thought. <br /><br />The other person who has written extensively about Gnosticism is the noted theologian Elaine Pagels. I must have given away my copies of 'The Gnostic Gospels' and 'Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas' as I can find neither book on my shelves. I definitely need to replace them and check out what else she's published more recently. <br /><br />There's an interesting quote by William James in the Stephan Hoeller book where he stated 'that some people aren't able to have faith in other people's faith; they need a more direct connection to the divine'. Those were the Gnostics.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747450215034568033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9716997.post-34117764560272850892014-01-10T15:13:08.805+11:002014-01-10T15:13:08.805+11:00Thanks Susan for your insightful comment.
I agre...Thanks Susan for your insightful comment. <br /><br />I agree that there's certainly no doubt that early Christianity was irrevocably tied to the political power of the Roman State in the centuries just following the death of Christ.<br /><br />Interestingly enough I understand Rome was a city of over a million around 300AD as captured slaves were eventually given their freedom to add to the growing diverse population.<br /><br />I am sure many people turned towards the teachings of the early Christians but no doubt there was a diversity of views including those described as ascetic Gnostics. Given the brevity of Christ’s teaching and the unfulfilled messianic kingdom yet to come I think there would be quite a mixture. <br /><br />Personally I find Christ's original message has parallels to Buddhism as he rallied against attachment or desires for material things and misplaced arrogant judgemental stances directed to labelled groups or individuals shunned by society, as for him they were part of the one creation and sacred. <br /><br />Best wishes<br />Lindsay Byrneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11030132436987752741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9716997.post-46887867787208939062014-01-05T15:05:02.023+11:002014-01-05T15:05:02.023+11:00There's no doubt that early Christianity was i...There's no doubt that early Christianity was irrevocably tied to the political power of the Roman State in the centuries just following the death of Christ. By then the upper strata of Roman society had accumulated great wealth while the peasants were cruelly taxed and mistreated, never mind the sheer barbarity acted upon slaves. <br /><br />Wheras Rome had always tolerated multiple religions it happened that by the year 300 many people were turning toward the teachings of the early Christians, many of them being ascetic Gnostics. At that point, as you describe, the tide turned and Constantine made the decision that Christianity would be the sole religion practiced in the Holy Roman Empire. I always thought it was interesting that he didn't actually become a Christian convert himself until he was on his death bed.<br /><br />I'm sure you're correct that Paul and Peter would never have imagined how things would continue over the centuries, but the original setup of the Church was an extraordinary achievement. Nevertheless, ever since I first learned about Gnostic teachings (and their repression) I've leaned toward their interpretation of Christ's message. <br /><br />Best wishes<br />susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747450215034568033noreply@blogger.com