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Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

#88: Sept. - Oct. 2010 (Non-Fiction)
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geo

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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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stahrwe wrote:
geo wrote:
stahrwe wrote:
The Abrahamic monotheistic religions did indeed emerged from polytheism but it was a separation not an evolution and the story is recounted in Genesis. Of course that doesn't fill or sell a book.
If it was a separation, where did polytheism go? And aren't there vestiges of polytheism in Christianity? Angels, Satan, Jesus, etc.
No.
Jesus is part of the Trinity
Satan was an arch angel. He and the other angels were created by God. They are not gods, and are NOT to be worshipped in any way shape or form.
By the way, that's not any kind of argument. Just saying something doesn't make it true.

If you're going to say Wright is wrong, you need to make an argument yourself and back it up with evidence. Saying Wright got such and such wrong in the Bible is not very conducive to rational discourse. You dismiss Wright's larger theories based on little details that depend largely on your own interpretation. And we all know the Bible can be interpreted any number of ways. I previously cited the Malleus Maleficarum which shows how scripture was twisted to justify the persecution of witches.

I would argue that demons, Satan, angels, etc. are minor gods. You say they are not to be worshipped, but they are supernatural beings nonetheless, much like the minor gods of the Greek pantheon. As for saying Jesus being part of the Trinity, that's just semantic trickery. The Trinity consists of three beings, all gods. Saying they are part of a trinity doesn't change that basic fact.
-Geo
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stahrwe

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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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geo wrote:
stahrwe wrote:
The Abrahamic monotheistic religions did indeed emerged from polytheism but it was a separation not an evolution and the story is recounted in Genesis. Of course that doesn't fill or sell a book.
If it was a separation, where did polytheism go? And aren't there vestiges of polytheism in Christianity? Angels, Satan, Jesus, etc.
No.
Jesus is part of the Trinity
Satan was an arch angel. He and the other angels were created by God. They are not gods, and are NOT to be worshipped in any way shape or form.[/quote]
Geo wrote:By the way, that's not any kind of argument. Just saying something doesn't make it true.
If you would like to go through the nuts and bolts of it I would be more than happy to demonstrate the correctness of what I said.
Geo wrote:If you're going to say Wright is wrong, you need to make an argument yourself and back it up with evidence. Saying Wright got such and such wrong in the Bible is not very conducive to rational discourse. You dismiss Wright's larger theories based on little details that depend largely on your own interpretation. And we all know the Bible can be interpreted any number of ways. I previously cited the Malleus Maleficarum which shows how scripture was twisted to justify the persecution of witches.
This is absolutely ridiculous. In discussing Wright's book, I do not have to provide an alternative although I have done so. Your recourse to the Malleus Maleficarum is a typical attempt to introduce a rabbit. If you wish to chase that one, start a new thread.
Geo wrote:I would argue that demons, Satan, angels, etc. are minor gods. You say they are not to be worshipped, but they are supernatural beings nonetheless, much like the minor gods of the Greek pantheon. As for saying Jesus being part of the Trinity, that's just semantic trickery. The Trinity consists of three beings, all gods. Saying they are part of a trinity doesn't change that basic fact.
who and what angels are: God's angels are described as:
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Heb 1:14)

All of the angels were created by Jesus:
For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (Col 1:16 )

The Lord Jesus created all of the angels. This even includes Michael the archangel, which some cults wrongly think is Jesus!
.
God's angels worship Jesus:
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him [Jesus]." (Heb 1:6)

God's angels obey Him:
Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. (Psa. 103:20)

God's angels praise Him:
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. (Psa. 148:2)

God's angels refuse to receive worship:
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God." At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Rev 19:9,10)

And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!" (Rev. 22:8,9).


Angels will be judged by Christians:
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! (1 Cor 6:3)

http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/angels.htm
I also suggest that we start a discussion of the Trinity. It doesn't belong here.
There are no such things as minor gods.
n=Infinity
Sum n = -1/12
n=1

where n are natural numbers.
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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No.
Jesus is part of the Trinity
Satan was an arch angel. He and the other angels were created by God. They are not gods, and are NOT to be worshipped in any way shape or form.
Ahahah! Argumentum Dogmaticus!

There is nothing logical or rational here, just words repeated from text. Use your own thoughts Starhwe.
There are no such things as minor gods.
Nice claim, prove it.
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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geo wrote:
Wright argues that we tend to find a scriptural basis for intolerance or belligerence when we are in zero-sum relationships with other people, but when they see the relationship as non-zero-sum we are more likely to find the tolerant and understanding side of their scriptures. Is that where Wright is wrong? Or do you disagree with Wright's argument that our concept of God has changed over time? That religion has evolved from polytheism to monotheism?
Stahrwe, you still haven't responded to this. I have summarized some of Wright's major ideas. Are any of them wrong? All of them? Why?
-Geo
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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Interbane wrote:
stahrwe wrote:]No.
Jesus is part of the Trinity
Satan was an arch angel. He and the other angels were created by God. They are not gods, and are NOT to be worshipped in any way shape or form.
interbane wrote:Ahahah! Argumentum Dogmaticus!

There is nothing logical or rational here, just words repeated from text. Use your own thoughts Starhwe.
I don't know a starhwe.
I have sufficiently addressed this issue for the scope of this thread. We are intruding on DWill's Chapter 13. If you want to discuss this further, start a new thread.
There are no such things as minor gods.
interbane wrote:Nice claim, prove it.
[/quote]


You can't prove something does not exist. A logic giant such are yourself should know that.
n=Infinity
Sum n = -1/12
n=1

where n are natural numbers.
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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You can't prove something does not exist. A logic giant such are yourself should know that.
Then why are you so certain? If you know this to be true, the most honest claim would be to say that you doubt there are such things as minor gods.
I have sufficiently addressed this issue for the scope of this thread. We are intruding on DWill's Chapter 13. If you want to discuss this further, start a new thread.
You are making claims based on dogma which in no way addresses geo's problems with the transition of polytheism to monotheism, which is a part of this thread. Don't blame me for calling shenanigans when I see it.
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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geo wrote:
geo wrote:
Wright argues that we tend to find a scriptural basis for intolerance or belligerence when we are in zero-sum relationships with other people, but when they see the relationship as non-zero-sum we are more likely to find the tolerant and understanding side of their scriptures. Is that where Wright is wrong? Or do you disagree with Wright's argument that our concept of God has changed over time? That religion has evolved from polytheism to monotheism?
Stahrwe, you still haven't responded to this. I have summarized some of Wright's major ideas. Are any of them wrong? All of them? Why?
Wright appears to be incapable of reading scripture. With respect to zero sum games he is a one trick pony. That seems to be his comfort zone. The question of our concept of God changing over time seeks a defintion. My concept of God has certainly changed over time as I went from ignorance of Him to salvation, to back slidden to returned to the fold. All the while I was changing He was constant. The same is true for each individual and society at large. Polytheism is an aberration of the true relationship of humanity to God. It tries to distract from that relationship by providing a replacement. That Wright is incapable of understanding that is not unexpected. His idea that conflict is brought about when members of society disagree is tautological. That is the basis of conflict and his assertion that monotheism abhorred synchretism, in my opion is a major reason to reject his (Wright's) theory that monotheism evolved from polytheism. Generally polytheism has room for one more god. In fact, in the Book of Acts we find a prime example:
Acts 17 wrote:
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
The Greeks were so ready to accept new gods they did so in advance before it was known.

Wright argues that it is monotheism's flaws which lead to conflict and perhaps that is the case. But I point out, that it was not the Christians who started the persecutions. In fact they were the victims of polytheism and it wasn't religious intolerence which was necessarily the driving force.
So, Geo, since this is pop quiz day, what was the source of the conflict I refer to above?

I don't see any point in continuing from here. There are plenty of books on the history of Christianity by people who know what they are talking about that we could read and discuss and pick apart.
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n=1

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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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Interbane wrote:
You can't prove something does not exist. A logic giant such are yourself should know that.
Then why are you so certain? If you know this to be true, the most honest claim would be to say that you doubt there are such things as minor gods.
I stand by my original statement without the word doubt.
I have sufficiently addressed this issue for the scope of this thread. We are intruding on DWill's Chapter 13. If you want to discuss this further, start a new thread.
interbane wrote:You are making claims based on dogma which in no way addresses geo's problems with the transition of polytheism to monotheism, which is a part of this thread. Don't blame me for calling shenanigans when I see it.
It is not shenanigans to discredit portions of a book which are obviously wrong. In fact it is empiricism to do so and if your 'belief' system wasn't so closely linked to that of Wright you should be supporting my efforts. When I read a book by Christian authors I am very intolerant of mistakes, even minor ones as it calls into question to correctness of the large issues, but perhaps you don't care.
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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I stand by my original statement without the word doubt.
You are absolutely certain they don't exist. But you cannot prove it. That is an excellent example of faith. When will you ever admit that faith is far more a part of your life than logic and reasoning? Each and every one of your belief system axioms depends primarily on faith.

Even the most sound argument on Earth has room for doubt. But you do not doubt your own conviction.

"Inquiry is fatal to certainty." ~ William J. Durant

"Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof." ~ Charles Edward Montague

"To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous." ~ Chinese Proverb

“Doubt is uncomfortable, certainty is ridiculous.” ~ Voltaire
It is not shenanigans to discredit portions of a book which are obviously wrong. In fact it is empiricism to do so and if your 'belief' system wasn't so closely linked to that of Wright you should be supporting my efforts.
Nearly every item you have an issue with is nothing more than a difference of opinion. It's a matter of interpretation. I agree with you that if you read between the lines regarding Jesus explicitly saying he was the "Son of Man", the thread is tenuous. But how does this relate to the overall book?

You cannot criticize his overall thesis, so you claim that by nitpicking the molehills and proclaiming them to be mountains that the entire book is false. Your attempts are severely biased, and everyone in this discussion but yourself finds it absurd. At least be objective.
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Re: Ch. 13 - How Jesus Became Savior

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Interbane wrote:
I stand by my original statement without the word doubt.
You are absolutely certain they don't exist. But you cannot prove it. That is an excellent example of faith. When will you ever admit that faith is far more a part of your life than logic and reasoning? Each and every one of your belief system axioms depends primarily on faith.

Even the most sound argument on Earth has room for doubt. But you do not doubt your own conviction.

"Inquiry is fatal to certainty." ~ William J. Durant

"Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof." ~ Charles Edward Montague

"To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous." ~ Chinese Proverb

“Doubt is uncomfortable, certainty is ridiculous.” ~ Voltaire
It is not shenanigans to discredit portions of a book which are obviously wrong. In fact it is empiricism to do so and if your 'belief' system wasn't so closely linked to that of Wright you should be supporting my efforts.
Nearly every item you have an issue with is nothing more than a difference of opinion. It's a matter of interpretation. I agree with you that if you read between the lines regarding Jesus explicitly saying he was the "Son of Man", the thread is tenuous. But how does this relate to the overall book?

You cannot criticize his overall thesis, so you claim that by nitpicking the molehills and proclaiming them to be mountains that the entire book is false. Your attempts are severely biased, and everyone in this discussion but yourself finds it absurd. At least be objective.
You have not been paying attention and since you insist, I will continue.
I am not nitpicking Wright. If Wright makes a statement based on Biblical reference he has an obligation to be correct. The items I have cited are not matters of interpretation, or if they are the people who should know the correct interpretation were ready to stone Jesus because they interpreted His statments to mean that He was claiming to be the Son of Man.

If you want me to nit pick I will be happy to do so because write leave a nit on nearly every page. I have only mentioned the big ones. As for criticizing Wright's premise, I did that in one of my earliest posts where I pointed out that he missed the easiest explanation for the transition from polytheism to monotheism. I cited the error Wright made and the correct version of the story, a version which, if you were being honest would be preferred as it is consistent with Occam's razor.

Here is what I would do with TEoG
Ditch Section 1 completely

Excise any mention of Jesus or the Bible from the rest of the book because Wright invariably gets it wrong and it just confuses the issue.

Stay away from any mention of the Koran or Islam to avoid any possibility of jihad.

If he does this he should have a reasonable story to tell.

ps, do you really like your collection of pithy quotes?
Last edited by stahrwe on Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
n=Infinity
Sum n = -1/12
n=1

where n are natural numbers.
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