In fact, "Early Christianity," as an homogeneous, unified body of doctrine and practice, never really existed. In the New Testament alone there are contrasting and conflicting accounts of Jesus and his teaching. There is Pauline Christianity, Johannine Christianity, Nazorean- Essene- Jewish Christianity— each represented by certain books in the New Testament— to say nothing of the extracanonical accounts of Jesus' life and teaching, later judged apocryphal or heretical. For example, Jesus' words and teaching differ markedly when one compares the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John. The theology preached by Paul was not the same theology as preached by Peter. Nor did the communities founded by Paul receive the same doctrine as those founded by Peter. Each of the apostles founded communities which came t o be identified, more or less, with that apostle. These communities became, as it were, colored by the apostle's own understanding, interpretation, and internalization of the doctrines received from Jesus. Not only were communities founded by the twelve apostles, but we read in the New Testament that seventy- two disciples were also sent by Jesus himself during his own lifetime for the purpose of spreading the teaching. This simple and somewhat overlooked fact of sheer numbers— twelve apostles, seventy- two disciples, at the least, each having a special claim to authority wherever he (or she) went due to his close association with Jesus— makes it not only probable, but certain, that a diversity of groups and communities were founded due to the very diversity of teachers

Broken Angel wrote:

In fact, "Early Christianity, " as an homogeneous, unified body of doctrine and practice, never really existed. In the New Testament alone there are contrasting and conflicting accounts of Jesus and his teaching. There is Pauline Christianity, Johannine Christianity, Nazorean- Essene- Jewish Christianity— each represented by certain books in the New Testament— to say nothing of the extracanonical accounts of Jesus' life and teaching, later judged apocryphal or heretical. For example, Jesus' words and teaching differ markedly when one compares the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John. The theology preached by Paul was not the same theology as preached by Peter. Nor did the communities founded by Paul receive the same doctrine as those founded by Peter. Each of the apostles founded communities which came t o be identified, more or less, with that apostle. These communities became, as it were, colored by the apostle's own understanding, interpretation, and internalization of the doctrines received from Jesus. Not only were communities founded by the twelve apostles, but we read in the New Testament that seventy- two disciples were also sent by Jesus himself during his own lifetime for the purpose of spreading the teaching. This simple and somewhat overlooked fact of sheer numbers— twelve apostles, seventy- two disciples, at the least, each having a special claim to authority wherever he (or she) went due to his close association with Jesus— makes it not only probable, but certain, that a diversity of groups and communities were founded due to the very diversity of teachers

so are you trying to find the true gospel, or are you just trying to undermine it's authority? I have my opinion.

Randy wrote:

Broken Angel wrote:

In fact, "Early Christianity, " as an homogeneous, unified body of doctrine and practice, never really existed. In the New Testament alone there are contrasting and conflicting accounts of Jesus and his teaching. There is Pauline Christianity, Johannine Christianity, Nazorean- Essene- Jewish Christianity— each represented by certain books in the New Testament— to say nothing of the extracanonical accounts of Jesus' life and teaching, later judged apocryphal or heretical. For example, Jesus' words and teaching differ markedly when one compares the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John. The theology preached by Paul was not the same theology as preached by Peter. Nor did the communities founded by Paul receive the same doctrine as those founded by Peter. Each of the apostles founded communities which came t o be identified, more or less, with that apostle. These communities became, as it were, colored by the apostle's own understanding, interpretation, and internalization of the doctrines received from Jesus. Not only were communities founded by the twelve apostles, but we read in the New Testament that seventy- two disciples were also sent by Jesus himself during his own lifetime for the purpose of spreading the teaching. This simple and somewhat overlooked fact of sheer numbers— twelve apostles, seventy- two disciples, at the least, each having a special claim to authority wherever he (or she) went due to his close association with Jesus— makes it not only probable, but certain, that a diversity of groups and communities were founded due to the very diversity of teachers

so are you trying to find the true gospel, or are you just trying to undermine it's authority? I have my opinion.

I'm interested in the authentic original teachings of the religion.

so whast your opinion?

Broken Angel wrote:

Randy wrote:

Broken Angel wrote:

In fact, "Early Christianity, " as an homogeneous, unified body of doctrine and practice, never really existed. In the New Testament alone there are contrasting and conflicting accounts of Jesus and his teaching. There is Pauline Christianity, Johannine Christianity, Nazorean- Essene- Jewish Christianity— each represented by certain books in the New Testament— to say nothing of the extracanonical accounts of Jesus' life and teaching, later judged apocryphal or heretical. For example, Jesus' words and teaching differ markedly when one compares the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John. The theology preached by Paul was not the same theology as preached by Peter. Nor did the communities founded by Paul receive the same doctrine as those founded by Peter. Each of the apostles founded communities which came t o be identified, more or less, with that apostle. These communities became, as it were, colored by the apostle's own understanding, interpretation, and internalization of the doctrines received from Jesus. Not only were communities founded by the twelve apostles, but we read in the New Testament that seventy- two disciples were also sent by Jesus himself during his own lifetime for the purpose of spreading the teaching. This simple and somewhat overlooked fact of sheer numbers— twelve apostles, seventy- two disciples, at the least, each having a special claim to authority wherever he (or she) went due to his close association with Jesus— makes it not only probable, but certain, that a diversity of groups and communities were founded due to the very diversity of teachers

so are you trying to find the true gospel, or are you just trying to undermine it's authority? I have my opinion.

I'm interested in the authentic original teachings of the religion.

so whats your opinion?

the teachings of Paul are the books written to the gentiles, therefore the most correct, for the gentile believers, the other books are more directed at the Jew's, they are full of truth and important history, that helps to understand The Lord and the Father and the Holy Spirit, and much more but they are written directly to our brothers the Jews, that is why there are differences that you are speaking of. the books of John seem to encompass all.

I have read some of the Apocrypha, and some of it definitely doesn't belong in the bible, with the possible exception of Enoch, that text is even mentioned in the bible, i am still research the book, so far it is very interesting, and seems to fit.

But I am not a part of modern organized religion, and (church) going, I'm into Church being, I study the word every day, and live Christianity 24-7 not on Sundays only, I'm not a Simon says pew warmer. but I do enjoy Christian study and discussion, with most. I dont follow denominations or other men lock step, I follow the Lord and His word and and pay close attention to Spirit filled brothers and sisters everywhere. I compare everyone opinion, with the scripture, and search for truth, and accept it where ever I find it.

What say you?

Broken Angel wrote:

In fact, "Early Christianity, " as an homogeneous, unified body of doctrine and practice, never really existed. In the New Testament alone there are contrasting and conflicting accounts of Jesus and his teaching. There is Pauline Christianity, Johannine Christianity, Nazorean- Essene- Jewish Christianity— each represented by certain books in the New Testament— to say nothing of the extracanonical accounts of Jesus' life and teaching, later judged apocryphal or heretical. For example, Jesus' words and teaching differ markedly when one compares the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John. The theology preached by Paul was not the same theology as preached by Peter. Nor did the communities founded by Paul receive the same doctrine as those founded by Peter. Each of the apostles founded communities which came t o be identified, more or less, with that apostle. These communities became, as it were, colored by the apostle's own understanding, interpretation, and internalization of the doctrines received from Jesus. Not only were communities founded by the twelve apostles, but we read in the New Testament that seventy- two disciples were also sent by Jesus himself during his own lifetime for the purpose of spreading the teaching. This simple and somewhat overlooked fact of sheer numbers— twelve apostles, seventy- two disciples, at the least, each having a special claim to authority wherever he (or she) went due to his close association with Jesus— makes it not only probable, but certain, that a diversity of groups and communities were founded due to the very diversity of teachers

Angel,

While Elaine Pagels, Karen King, Bart Ehrman and James Tabor would have us believe the above, this notion has been thoroughly discredited by Witherington, Wright, and Evans.



Blessings,

JMS

James-Michael wrote:

Broken Angel wrote:

In fact, "Early Christianity, " as an homogeneous, unified body of doctrine and practice, never really existed. In the New Testament alone there are contrasting and conflicting accounts of Jesus and his teaching. There is Pauline Christianity, Johannine Christianity, Nazorean- Essene- Jewish Christianity— each represented by certain books in the New Testament— to say nothing of the extracanonical accounts of Jesus' life and teaching, later judged apocryphal or heretical. For example, Jesus' words and teaching differ markedly when one compares the synoptic gospels with the gospel of John. The theology preached by Paul was not the same theology as preached by Peter. Nor did the communities founded by Paul receive the same doctrine as those founded by Peter. Each of the apostles founded communities which came t o be identified, more or less, with that apostle. These communities became, as it were, colored by the apostle's own understanding, interpretation, and internalization of the doctrines received from Jesus. Not only were communities founded by the twelve apostles, but we read in the New Testament that seventy- two disciples were also sent by Jesus himself during his own lifetime for the purpose of spreading the teaching. This simple and somewhat overlooked fact of sheer numbers— twelve apostles, seventy- two disciples, at the least, each having a special claim to authority wherever he (or she) went due to his close association with Jesus— makes it not only probable, but certain, that a diversity of groups and communities were founded due to the very diversity of teachers

Angel,

While Elaine Pagels, Karen King, Bart Ehrman and James Tabor would have us believe the above, this notion has been thoroughly discredited by Witherington, Wright, and Evans.



Blessings,

JMS

Who, who, who and who?