Re: Revelations

James J Rovira (jrovira@juno.com)
Sun, 11 Jul 1999 08:04:51 -0400 (EDT) 

Mmm...if we're talking SPECIFICALLY about the apostles, I don't think
there really is a whole lot.  And much less about Christ.  But if we're
talking about the early Christian community, that's another subject. 
There are a lot of secular sources addressing the early Christian
community.  However, we need to distinguish between what a particular
Roman said about the particular Chrisitan community he observed and the
characteristics and beliefs of ALL first century Christian communities. 
Just by reading the new testament, even all the churches founded by Paul
tended to have their own personalities and their own problems, and even
their own specific doctrinal issues.

I'm pretty confident whatever writings of Joseph of Armiathea exist are
seen as a spurious document by serious scholars.  I mean, there's a LOT
of pseudepigrapha out there that claims to have been written by the
apostles, and even Christ himself, but even the writings of Clement and
Polycarp are viewed with more respect than this stuff.   

I'll be looking for your book :)  I hope it doesn't come down to me
having to buy it online :)  Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando has
a KILLER library, it may have a copy.

Jim

>>Thor...
>>
>>Where could he "get" the "real dirt" on the apostles when the only
>>knowledge we have of them is through the Bible and writings of the 
>early
>>church fathers?
>
>Au contraire, mon ami.  We have: writings of Joseph of Aramathea, the 
>meticulous records of the Romans, the Nag Hamadi scrolls, etc., etc.
>
>Bottom line, again, I don't want to explain these things as a pale 
>shadow of 
>their writings, so please, read the book.  If it's not all I say & 
>make you 
>salivate for the sequel, I'll buy the copy from you.  I don't have a 
>copy 
>now 'cause every time  I loan it out, it never comes back.
>
>
>>
>>Tell ya what, let's make this two way.  You read _Miracles_ by C.S. 
>Lewis
>>and I'll read that book :)
>>
>
>I'll buy it on my way out of town & use it as my "trip book".  
>Promise.
>Thor
>
>
>_______________________________________________________________
>Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

___________________________________________________________________
Get the Internet just the way you want it.
Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.