JAS said
That is, perhaps at least theoretically one possibility, but then one must ask why that sudden turn of events did not simply crush his followers and the movement. I think such a simplistic explanation is just that — too simplistic. The apostles had no reason to presume the great success the movement would eventually enjoy. What drove them to proceed? Something complicated was going on at the time, perhaps not quite as related by the Bible, but certainly complicated.
See Ehrman, How Jesus Became God, especially chapter 5, for one possible answer.
The problem is that there are lots of possible answers, and none of them can really be proven . . . nor can most of them really be dis-proven. That is why there can be endless discussion, and no real solutions. There can be speculation, arguments that seem better or worse, assertions, selection and interpretation of evidence . . . but certainty is mostly illusion. True believers may be happy with their answers that it is all as the Bible says — and true disbelievers with theirs, that it is all a fantasy, a distortion that somehow caught on — everyone else is left with questions.
JAS said
The problem is that there are lots of possible answers, and none of them can really be proven . . . nor can most of them really be dis-proven. That is why there can be endless discussion, and no real solutions. There can be speculation, arguments that seem better or worse, assertions, selection and interpretation of evidence . . . but certainty is mostly illusion. True believers may be happy with their answers that it is all as the Bible says — and true disbelievers with theirs, that it is all a fantasy, a distortion that somehow caught on — everyone else is left with questions.
Life is a bowl of uncertainty.
But a bowl of Cinnamon Life is certainly a joy.
I think that’s from the beatitudes.
I think there’s a little more continuity between the apocalypticism of Jesus and his followers and the crushing defeat of the crucifixion. One need not be too surprised that the evil powers of this world defeated Jesus. That’s what the evil powers of this world always do, right?
Well mere prophets are defeated. But among his followers Jesus was universally associated with the Messiah and the Son of Man whose authority admits of no dispute. Defeat meant reinterpretation, which is exactly what Paul and Mark did.
Yes I see your point. His early followers saw Jesus as vindicated by the Resurrection which would have occluded any apocalyptic disappointment. I would just psychologize enough to say that the shock of defeat must have contributed to the resurrection experience. But then you have the effort to figure out what it all meant. Paul’s been thinking about it for 20 years before he wrote Romans and it’s hard to imagine nobody thought about reinterpreting the Messiah before the composition of Mark’s gospel. But these efforts became necessary post-Easter. I don’t think Jesus had a concept of failure available to him. What would he have thought if he had found out he was destined to be elevated to co-equality with God?
Eating Blood Prohibited
10 “If anyone of the house of Israel or of the aliens who reside among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut that person off from the people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you for making atonement for your lives on the altar, for, as life, it is the blood that makes atonement. 12 Therefore I have said to the Israelites, ‘No person among you shall eat blood, nor shall any alien who resides among you eat blood.’
13 “And anyone of the Israelites or of the aliens who reside among them who hunts down an animal or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. 14 For the life of every creature—its blood is its life; therefore I have said to the Israelites, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off.’ 15 All persons, native-born or alien, who eat what dies of itself or what has been torn by wild animals shall wash their clothes and bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening; then they shall be clean. 16 But if they do not wash themselves or bathe their body, they shall bear their guilt.”
According to God in the Hebrew Bible, blood is unclean for humans – either to eat or have on their body, but giving blood sacrifices makes God happy so he will make atonement for your life.
BDEhrman
FreedomBen
evgendob
Robert
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