The community was to judge the prophet.
The new covenant between God and his people is about Grace, not fear of judgement.

"My kingdom is not of this world that men should fight." Christ;s call to us is to lay down the sword when it concerns his name.


God speaks to me through his word mainly. I have had one experience, and never since, where the power of the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me, I wont say anything more. I put forth in the forum an experience of prophecy. You should read it. I know for a fact that God still speaks through dreams today, mainly in 3rd world countries where the word of God has not penetrated. I have heard of many a muslim who come Christ through this means. We see a proliferation of miracles when the word of God needs to be moved in a special way. I believe the gifts of the spirit are still active today just not nearly as often.

Jesus was almost stoned for blaspheme because of his comments claiming to be God or equal with God.


Abra there is to much there, I am not going to respond to it all. Try to keep it to 1 or 2 questions or counterarguments.

Josephus was a Jewish historian from the 1st century. He survived and recorded the destruction of Jeruselum. " Josephus includes information about individuals, groups, customs and geographical places. His writings provide a significant, extra-Biblical account of the post-Exilic period of the Maccabees, the Hasmonean dynasty, and the rise of Herod the Great. He makes references to the Sadducees, Jewish High Priests of the time, Pharisees and Essenes, the Herodian Temple, Quirinius' census and the Zealots, and to such figures as Pontius Pilate, Herod the Great, Agrippa I and Agrippa II, John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and a disputed reference to Jesus. He is an important source for studies of immediate post-Temple Judaism (and, thus, the context of early Christianity).
"A careful reading of Josephus' writings allowed Ehud Netzer, an archaeologist from Hebrew University, to discover the location of Herod's Tomb, after a search of 35 years — above aqueducts and pools, at a flattened, desert site, halfway up the hill to the Herodium, 12 kilometers south of Jerusalem — exactly where it should have been, according to Josephus's writings.[citation needed]"
"Josephus was an important apologist in the Roman world for the Jewish people and culture, particularly at a time of conflict and tension. He always remained, in his own eyes, a loyal and law-observant Jew. He went out of his way both to commend Judaism to educated Gentiles, and to insist on its compatibility with cultured Graeco-Roman thought. He constantly contended for the antiquity of Jewish culture, presenting its people as civilised, devout and philosophical. Eusebius reports that a statue of Josephus was erected in Rome."


Josephus is not the only writer who refers to the Christ.


Tacitus refers to him, "Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians [or Chrestians; see below] by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired."



We also have Suetonius who refers to him. Rabbinical writings refer to him.

I am well aware of the alleged story of Josephus but I don't believe there is any real proof that he was an actual person, and not simply a made up character or a pen name for the true author of his works. (Like Shakespeare was a pen name.) I realize that like "Jesus" he is considered by most to be an "actual person," who lived, but the question is, did he really exist and if so, was that his real given name, and is what people wrote about him true, and is there verified evidence or proof of his life and death other than scripture and written words?

Not enough proof for me to be convinced.



Who is Eusebuis?




The term "Christ" or "The Christ" or "The Messiah" does not necessarily refer to "Jesus" in particular.

There is no historical evidence that Josephus was just a pen name. What is questionable is his patriotism. Historians know quite a bit about him.


Eusebius was the bishop of Caesarea Palaestina at about 314 AD.

Let's talk Historical Evidence.
There is NO Historical Evidence of these Events:
The Jews wondering around the desert for 40 years.
Moses(and all the events dealing with the Jews and Egyptians)
Jesus.

what is the word of god???

the words in the book, are words of god???

these words came "into the minds" of people, then they wrote them???

so they were but thoughts, that were written???

so thoughts be words from god, so if one speak with the same god, then it has it's own words of god, thoughts of god, just as the writers of past days did???

if one deem itself know the same god, professing itself as a follower of god, and a oracle of god, speaking interpretations of god, then would not itself have individual equal insight of those that wrote in past days???

if other's words written, are deemed to be of words of god, then does not this thinking show oneself does not actually know how itself hear from god in the NOW???

this does not make any sense, as to know god, was said to be a personal hearing from the same author, so why would one read other's words to understand or know god, that is said to speak to the heart of man, as speak as a "all knowing voice"???

so what needs to "understood", from a book, if "all knowing" speak to self???

would not to look into a book, only make one know what other's heard, and not allow itself to hear "current now data", from it's own greater self, or god???

is this why it was said, that the kingdom of heaven be within???

is not god reckoned unto the kingdom of heaven???

how is looking in a book not but looking outside, and foregoing the very looking within spoken of???

was not god said to be but unconditional love within???

so then this could never come from a book, from the outside???

if one know god, as the writers of the book are said to, then does not one become as the writers within the book???

writing it's own material???

that it hears directly from god, as thoughts???

so the book hold original words of god, from many moons ago, and only be a repeating, and as soon as they are written down, and that current day pass, they become as old, and not daily bread, as the text itself denote "daily" bread, or daily new thoughts, be the thoughts or words of god???

so words of god then, are thoughts, funneling into the minds of humans, and to point to other's past words, as the ONLY WORDS OF GOD, deny the very essence of any god as actually alive and present in the today???

is that what it meant, by believing god was not dead, or resurrected???

is that what jesus meant when saying, "all ye are gods"

so each would have it's own greater self, or god, or gaurdian angel, that guide and direct it's path???

would not that mean that the same author of anything called as god, is within each living human breathing thing, as it cannot be alive without god, if god is life, and pointing to a book, would actually point away from anything "text describe" as god???

something seems to be amiss here, in such interpreations of god and of what words of god are, and does add up to a total description of the very words of the text itself???

this seems to be more the essence of the very aught that jesus had against the scribe's and pharisee's, self professed scholar's that tried to convice that itself knew the divine interpretations of some book, and used it to condem, and point things considered as "underlings" to god in some writings???

it smells afoul with odor's of god as percieved holiness definitions, when indeed, god was said to be unconditional love, and what that love without condition can have holy requirements, or it show itself a liar, and having many conditions???

was there not TWO spirits defined within, a holy spirit, and a spirit of god???

indeed, a holy spirit make all things about holy, but a spirit of god, make all things about individual self confidence, and life and happiness and freedom???

did not jesus speak of INDIVIDUAL freedom, as each as hearing from god, not needing any interpretor???

in the saying, "god is no repsector of persons"???

would not that say all are equal???

is this the hypocrisy that embracer's of freedom and liberty see, and is rebelled against???

is this why each preacher of god as holy, seems to get caught with it's hand in the unholy jar???

hum...

what is unconditional love of god, but acceptence of other's without holy conditions for other's???

did it not say, to all that are in christ, there is now therefore no condemnation???

so is it not what hear condemantion of itself, what feel it within itself, so deem all and many things as condemnation???

"all ye are gods", are certainly the words of christ, but no such telling, from any podium, from any pulpit come forth, as would this also believed, not this eliminate the very need of scholar's and scibes and pharisee's???

what of the words, "in the days to come, you shall have no need of any man"???

do not such words only point to self confidence of each, to keep from beleiving what try to point the way by using a book???

is not jesus as one god, but greater common sense, that seen all things as equal, and tried to eliminate the very worship of himself as a single god???

does not using the book at all, as some guide, show oneself does not know how it hear from the very author of the book???

is this why jesus commanded the words of the book, brought to him, to get behind him, this only but saying "i do not follow any book"???

are not these words, spoken of jesus, also saying EACH IS A SOVERIGN BEING OF GOD, IN ITSELF???

that each human thing hold the potential of both god and satan, just human man, all as individuals, satan called as less knowing, and wisdom called god as more knowing, all such things as but human nature of man???

do not these two things, as knowing less and knowing more, transpire each second, as each thing learning more new each day???

weakness of man being called as allowing evil to thrive, being not wishing to learn more or new, holding to old things, for fear and comfort???

strength as charater as god in man, that love to learn new and thrive with love of learning???

does not weakness, look most for validation, and so look into a book, to validate itself, keeping itself holding to old???

but jesus himself did not follow the book???

was it not said the book was a curse???

that anything that lived by it, kill itself emotionally, by following only but fear, this making itself cut itself off from love, which was called but ever new learning???

a thing that hurt other humans, even unto inhumane violence, certainly did not learn new, from the lips of other's, that many times said ouch in the simple things???

would not looking into a book, deny the very essence then of all such things???

hum...

just questions man...

peace

Well, yes there is. The writings attributed to him (Josephus) is the historical evidence. We know they exist.

BUT

If there is no historical evidence that Josephus was a real person and that he actually lived and died during that time, then the writings attributed to the name 'Josephus' were logically written or penned by someone else.

Hence Josephus was a pen name unless you can prove that he was a real person who lived at the time of the writings and/or that he was the author.

I don't think he was a real person and I suspect the person who wrote what is attributed to "Josephus" was someone else entirely.

so you still didnt answer me when i asked it if people buddhist ,hindu, jain, sikh and especially people of jewish faith are wrong for what they believe in. and if they are wrong, what makes you so sure?

I figure that, if I’m ever to hear god (or my higher self) speak to me, I imagine myself in a place of neutrality, with a quiet mind... no longer trying to prove myself right. The more "righteousness” feigned, the further a connection to anything greater.

...My mind screws me every time.

I've been in it for my own damned comfort. Not wishing to learn anything new outside of what I "think" makes me strong and holding on to old ideas out of fear of admitting any harm I've caused has not allowed any neutrality or quietness. Seems kind of similar to using religious doctrine to prove self right in attempts to over-ride or hide from feelings of guilt... Guess I'm not so unique, afterall.

For me, holding on to powerful memories as a guide to how to protect myself from any further pain has actually created more of the very same pain from which I've been running. At this point, seems that reaching out to doctrine and dogma as any kind of guide to free myself seems like more of the very same.

Lack of evidence does not mean it never happened.

Its 2 far fetched. Historians take his writings seriously and so do I.

Yes they are, if truth by definition is non contradictory, then Jesus made a very fair claim when he said "I am the way, the truth, and the life." He made an exclusive claim about himself, "there is no other name by which men must be saved." Thats a very bold claim, and with authority. He claimed exclusivity.

The problem with josephus is that copies of his works were found in Turkey which were considered much older versions and none of them had any reference to Jesus in them.

At this time the Lack of evidence strongly suggests it never happened, and once a certain point is reached, yes, lack of evidence means it didn't happen.

You take the lack of evidence of Jesus, along with the fact that many gods(from the 1000 years before Jesus) share certain aspects of their stories with him, and one who thinks logically can only conclude that those who wrote the story of the biblical Jesus took from the stories of those gods to create the biblical Jesus.

The sentences about Jesus are consistent with his writing style.

ultimately savior worship detracts from the one thing people need to make their lives better and that is faith in themselves. Dependence on unseen forces for guidance means that you are basically blindfolding yourself and listening to others who could very well guide you right off of a cliff.

If you are living a good life what do you need to be saved from? Yourself, Your animal nature? The Devil?

Keep in mind God created everything supposedly. In that God created the devil aka Lucifer who was tossed from heaven disagreeing with god because Angels are not entitled opinions and free will of their own. the devil may be temptation but he is not the bad acts or the cumulation of evil. Man is innately evil by gratis of our instinctual nature which all sin is hinged on.
Greed = hoarding and pack ratting to have food in times of famine.
Gluttony = Gorging behavior like predators do because it is harder to make a kill than people would like to think.
Lust = Nature programmed us with a need to breed.
Wrath = social fear impulse, self preservation. Kill that which will harm (kill) you.
Envy = social dominance.
Pride = Self Consciousness and self awareness.
Sloth = conservation of energy and effort.

The problem in the Church is it tries to elevate us above being animals which we are. In moderation a sin is not a sin but a survival tool. In excess it is a social sin.

Jesus cannot save an idiot that keeps repeating stupid behavior.
For example, A person who thinks that they can get God's forgiveness because "Jesus is his lord and savior" if he keeps doing bad things to others is fooling themselves. Eventually it is not God that will do unto that person but the others of his community.

Faith in a false savior only leads to disappointment and sorrow! Instead of putting faith in God put faith in yourself because being fallible does not make you weak. it makes you human like the rest of us!

If believing in Jesus fills some void in your life GROOVY! It dopes not make you any better or worst than the rest of us. it is just disappointing to me to see people so beguiled by such a pack of utter triviality! Jesus does not make the man, YOU do!

MNSHO......


p.s. my not so humble opinion...

THere is alot of inconclusive data from that time. We cannot say it didnt happen.

Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly Found
Matti Friedman, Associated Press
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Still Legible | Discovery News Video: Archaeology

Oct. 31, 2008 -- An Israeli archaeologist has discovered what he believes is the oldest known Hebrew inscription on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard -- a find that suggests Biblical accounts of the ancient Israelite kingdom of David could have been based on written texts.
A teenage volunteer discovered the curved shard bearing five lines of faded characters in July in the ruins of an ancient town on a hilltop south of Jerusalem. Yossi Garfinkel, the Israeli archaeologist leading the excavations at Hirbet Qeiyafa, released his conclusions about the writing Thursday after months of study.
He said the relic is strong evidence that the ancient Israelites were literate and could chronicle events centuries before the Bible was written. This could suggest that some of the Bible's accounts were based on written records as well as oral traditions -- adding credence to arguments that the Biblical account of history is more than myth.
The shard was found near the stairs and stone washtub of an excavated home. It was later discovered to bear characters known as proto-Canaanite, a precursor of the Hebrew alphabet.
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Your sin has separated you from God. You have violated Gods law, and stand guilty before him. You will not see the face of God in your condition.


“The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that He is merely holy, or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love, or mercy, mercy, mercy, or wrath, wrath, wrath, or justice, justice, justice. It does say that He is holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is full of His glory.”


It means to be set apart and pure.

"When things are made holy, when they are consecrated, they are set apart unto purity. They are to be used in a pure way. They are to reflect purity as well as simple apartness. Purity is not excluded from the idea of the holy; it is contained within it. But the point we must remember is that the idea of the holy is never exhausted by the idea of purity. It includes purity but is much more than that. It is purity and transcendence. It is a transcendent purity."


"Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? and who may stand in His holy place? "


"But when the word holy is applied to God, it does not signify one single attribute. On the contrary, God is called holy in a general sense. The word is used as a synonym for his deity. That is, the word holy calls attention to all that God is. It reminds us that His love is holy love, his justice is holy justice, his mercy is holy mercy, his knowledge is holy knowledge, his spirit is holy spirit."