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Here is a link that you might find interesting. It is a questionaire that will show where you fit in "doctrine". I've probably already seen this:

And all this time I thought I was a church of ?

rod..

..



-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 18, 2003

Answers

...and you've probably seen this one , too.

rod..

..

..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 18, 2003.


I think I need to take the test again and pay more attention to the "High and Low" categories. It says I am an Adventist.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 21, 2003.

The first time I took the test I was ranked at

100% Eastern Orthodox

98% Mainline Conservative Protestant

I went and took a long nap.

rod..

..

..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 21, 2003.


well, here is my result.

i think i just got very lucky.

some of the questions at the start are really tricky. the one's at the end are pretty easy.

thing is, i would regard myself as much closer to protestantism than Hinduism,so maybe this is not that good a test.

1. Eastern Orthodox (100%) 2. Roman Catholic (100%) 3. Hinduism (90%) 4. Orthodox Quaker (84%) 5. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (81%) 6. Seventh Day Adventist (77%) 7. Orthodox Judaism (71%) 8. Sikhism (71%) 9. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (68%) 10. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (68%) 11. Islam (62%) 12. Jainism (62%) 13. Bahá'í Faith (58%) 14. Jehovah's Witness (52%) 15. Liberal Quakers (47%) 16. Mahayana Buddhism (47%) 17. Reform Judaism (45%) 18. Theravada Buddhism (42%) 19. Unitarian Universalism (41%) 20. Neo-Pagan (37%) 21. Taoism (36%) 22. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (30%) 23. Scientology (29%) 24. New Thought (23%) 25. Nontheist (23%) 26. Secular Humanism (21%) 27. New Age (19%)

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 02, 2004.


Lol!!

I'm an Orthodox Quaker 100%!! Yikes!

Then I'm a Seventh Day Adventist 90%

followed by Mainline to Conservative Christianity/Protestant 85%

-- (faith01@myway.com), March 02, 2004.



I am told that I am

Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant.

Actually, the questions are not particularly well written. If they would have just stuck to distinguishing between Christians I think they would have done a better job.

-- James (stinkcat_14@hotmail.com), March 02, 2004.


i think the questions are fudged somewhat to limit their number, making the ones at the start in particular very tricky. that's why a Catholic can be "closer" to a Hindu than a protestant, which must be wrong.

i attached "moderate importance" to all my answers, as per Rod's trip, which might get you away with a "wrong answer".

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 02, 2004.


Yikes!

I came in as a Mainline Protestant... only 82% Catholic. I'm even closer to Hindu!

I better take it again.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 03, 2004.


Well, Rod,

I am Jewish, friend.

1. Reform Judaism (100%) 2. Orthodox Judaism (96%)

3. Sikhism (96%) (Actually Sikhs believe in one God) 4. Islam (85%)

5. Bahá'í Faith (84%) (Bahai's integrate many religions. Among them Christianity, Islam)

6. Liberal Quakers (72%) 7. Jainism (65%) 8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (64%) 9. Unitarian Universalism (63%)

10. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (61%)

11. Hinduism (58%) ??? I don't believe 100% in re-incarnation or Karma. 12. Neo-Pagan (56%) ??? Is this New-Age?

13. Jehovah's Witness (52%) Am I this far away from them?

14. Orthodox Quaker (51%)

15. Mahayana Buddhism (45%) 16. New Age (44%) 17. Secular Humanism (41%) 18. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (37%) -Probably too liberal for them!!! 19. New Thought (36%) 20. Eastern Orthodox (35%) - Well, can't join them now!!! 21. Roman Catholic (35%) - Now I know I am not one!!! 22. Seventh Day Adventist (35%) 23. Scientology (33%) - I thought I had nothing in common with them!!! 24. Theravada Buddhism (32%)

25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (27%) Kevin is at the opposite end of me? 26. Nontheist (26%) 27. Taoism (24%)

Maybe, now I understand why I am

he Man of Yahweh, The Christian Yahwist.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.


Hey, Rod,

you cannot call David a Calvinist anymore. I never believed he was one.

Hard to believe David is an adventist, someone who believe's in the millenial coming of Christ.

Rod, I was right about you: You are not a Roman Catholic but an Orthodox.

I have to wait for Jim. He is getting retested.

As for Ian, I feel he is afraid of the truth: He is not Roman Catholic either!!!

I wonder if James will get a re-test too.

Maybe Luke and Kevin could share theirs.

The Christian Yahwist

-- E;lpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.



Rod and Jim: did you notice there is a forum about Bishop Spong at this same site Rod sent us?

Spong

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.


"Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant", I retook it and I came out this 100%

1. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (100%) 2. Orthodox Quaker (99%) 3. Seventh Day Adventist (96%) 4. Eastern Orthodox (86%) 5. Roman Catholic (86%) 6. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (62%) 7. Islam (53%) 8. Orthodox Judaism (53%) 9. Liberal Quakers (46%) 10. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (46%) 11. Hinduism (39%) 12. Jehovah's Witness (38%) 13. Bahá'í Faith (36%) 14. Unitarian Universalism (36%) 15. Jainism (33%) 16. Sikhism (29%) 17. Nontheist (28%) 18. Reform Judaism (27%) 19. Mahayana Buddhism (27%) 20. Theravada Buddhism (27%) 21. Secular Humanism (19%) 22. New Age (18%) 23. Neo-Pagan (18%) 24. Taoism (18%) 25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (15%) 26. New Thought (10%) 27. Scientology (10%)

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.


Elpidio,

I would assume that the reason I did not come out as 'Calvinist' would be because it was not in the list.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.


David, a Calvinist believes in predestination:

old churches: Presbetyrians, Dutch reformed,...

Even though it looks you are a conservative Protestanrt,You still have adventism as a second choice. Notice Catholicism is still part of your mind fabric.

The Christian Yahwist

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.


Elpidio,

This test is too broad. Try this one http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=christiandenom

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.



I just took that test, and came out a Reformed baptist (aka calvinist)

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.

  • My #1 result for the SelectSmart.com selector, Christian Denomination Selector, is Reformed Baptist



    -- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.


  • Keep in mind, I was fairly agnostic for 20 odd years. The Vatican wasn't built in a day... I guess I need more time.

    -- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 03, 2004.

  • My #2 result for the SelectSmart.com selector, Church and Denomination Selector, is Reformed Baptists



    -- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.


  • My #4 result for the SelectSmart.com selector, Evangelical Denominations Selector, is Reformed Baptist (Independent Congregations)



    -- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.


  • Well, David, I gave it a try at the place you mentioned:

    Rank Your prediction for your #1 result: #1 Liberal Quakerism ???

    #2 Jehovah's Witness !!!

    #3 Unitarian Universalism ?!?!

    #4 United Pentecostal Church !!!!!!

    #5 Unity Church

    #6 Assemblies of God !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    #7 Episcopal/Anglican Church #8 Seventh-Day Adventist #9 Church of Christ #10 Free Will Baptist #11 International Church of Christ #12 Mennonite Brethren #13 Methodist/Weslyian Church #14 Evangelical Lutheran Church #15 Mormonism #16 Orthodox Quakerism #17 Southern Baptist #18 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod #19 Presbyterian Church USA #20 Reformed Baptist #21 Eastern Orthodox Church #22 Presbyterian Church in America/Orthodox Presbyterian Church #23 Reformed Churches #24 Roman Catholic Church

    The Christian Yahwist

    -- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.


    I am very much interested in what rod would get.

    -- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 03, 2004.

    Hey, Rod, after you answer David, take a look at this sitem of News: Pope to visit Loreto

    He plans to do this on September 5, 2004. Loreto is the place where Mary's house from Nazareth is located!!!!

    The Christian Yahwist

    -- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.


    I'll have to access that questionaire from work. My Mac has an older browser and that website won't load correctly. But, what?! David is a "calvinist"?? Naw! I never would have guessed.

    ........

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 03, 2004.


    #1: Seventh-Day Adventist
    #2: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
    #3: Assemblies of God
    #4: Methodist/Weslyian Church
    #5: Free Will Baptist
    #6: Episcopal/Anglican Church
    #7: Evangelical Lutheran Church
    #8: Mennonite Brethren
    #9: Church of Christ
    #10: Eastern Orthodox Church
    #11: Orthodox Quakerism
    #12: Southern Baptist
    #13: Roman Catholic Church
    #14: International Church of Christ
    #15: Presbyterian Church in America/Orthodox Presbyterian
    #16: Reformed Churches
    #17: Reformed Baptist
    #18: United Pentecostal Church
    #19: Presbyterian Church USA
    #20: Mormonism
    #21: Unity Church
    #22: Jehovah's Witness
    #23: Liberal Quakerism
    #24: Unitarian Universalism

    ........ See, I told you the world was crazy. I think I'll go stock my fridge and pantry with some fruit and legumes. Sorry, Saturdays will be no good, any other day will be ok.

    ..................

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Did you notice #2 Assemblies of God, David. "David! my long lost brother!! Finally, we are united!"

    The have me as a Lutheran, yikes! If you all don't see me, I'll be sitting next to Jeanie at her next council meeting.

    ................

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Ok! I feel much better now after actually thinking about my answers.

    #1: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
    #2: Evangelical Lutheran Church
    #3: Roman Catholic Church
    #4: Assemblies of God
    #5: Eastern Orthodox Church

    I think that the second results are more indicative of my current struggles with doctrine. Funny, I have done evangelical work in my college days.

    .........................................

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Elpidio,

    i thought you would come out as an Adventist. shame there wasn't a question about dreams that never come true, because that would have made it a shoe-in.

    -- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 04, 2004.


    I think you should take it Ian. And I hope others will too, I'm just curious.

    -- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), March 04, 2004.

    I did David, the results are above.

    or do you mean the "evangelical" one?

    i am happy to if take it if that's what you mean -- and, so long as it does not describe me as "Christian Yahwist/ Man of Yahweh", i will gladly accept the results as they are entirely hypothetical.

    what do you think the result would be?!?!

    -- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 04, 2004.


    well, if i didn't believe in the Real Presence, the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, Papal Infallibility, Sacred Tradition, all of the Sacraments, Extra Ecclessiam Nulla Salus,........, and all the rest, here's what I would be:

    1 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

    2 Orthodox Presbyterian Church

    3 Reformed Baptist (Independent Congregations)

    4 Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America

    5 Average Nondenominational Evanglical Church

    6 Bible Presbyterian Church

    7 Southern Baptist Convention

    8 The Vineyard Association

    9 Assemblies of God

    10 General Association of Regular Baptist Churches

    11 Independent, Fundamental, Baptist Churches

    -- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Ian,

    what you believe from the Roman Catholic Church are dogmas. The Quiz is not about dogmas, but personal beliefs.

    The Only reason I didn't come out an Adventist is because I don't believe everything in the Book of Revelation will come to pass. I believe 95%+ already did. This includes the so called millenial.

    The first test based on univrsal beliefs,shows I am close to Jewish beliefs. Jesus, Peter, Paul.. were Jewish. It figures!!!

    The second test, based in Christian beliefs, shows I am on the side of those who deny Jesus divinity and God's uniquenes.

    Why Rod and me are placed with these Pentecostal groups like the Assemblies of God? Well, we believe in dreams and prophecy. Only other person from the Catholic Forum to agree with me on dreams was John Placette.

    Unfortunately the prophecy is included with speaking in tongues. Yikes!!!!

    Speaking for myself, I don' believe in Speaking of tongues in today's churches. I believe they are faking it.

    Rod, Only the Evangelical Lutherans would gladly accept you. The Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholics are out of the Question.

    The Christian Yahwist The Man of Yahweh

    -- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    I'm gonna have to start my own church, eventually.

    ..............

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    How about this?

    La Primer Dotrina de Jesus Cristo: Las Obras y Fe con El Trinidad (se hable todo) The First Doctrine of Jesus Christ: The Works and Faith With the Trinity

    .........

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    ...but, it has already been done--The Catholic Church.

    ....

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    "what you believe from the Roman Catholic Church are dogmas. The Quiz is not about dogmas, but personal beliefs."

    Elpidio

    isn't this the point?

    faith is not about selecting your own dogmas. it's about standing by moral values no matter how inconvenient that might be. these objective truthes have as their source the Catholic Church.

    -- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Dogma, belief, and faith. How do believers hold them all together. How do we keep doubt at bay. It seems to me, (my experience only,) that I have very little control over "belief." I can't force myself to believe certain things. I'm trying to be a Catholic like I was as a youngster. It meant so much to me then. I'm happy to be back practicing "the faith," it feel right to me, but there are issues that I understand and accept as Catholic teaching, but that I avoid wrestling with only because they are "the Teaching." What I really mean is, I know what I'm supposed to believe and accept on a personal level but ... actually don't fully accept. I therefore stay away from those points. In forums, I don't participate in threads that discuss teachings I understand and coulfd explain, but have trouble incorporating as personal belief. How can you "make" yourself believe. For me it seems an insurmountable obsticle. BTW, these things are not just related to being "Catholic" its about being a believer in general. Catholicism is religious "home" to me. I'm not taking the results of the "quiz" totally seriously, I know I could take it again and come out Catholic 100%. I understand our doctrine, and know how to "correctly" answer the questions.

    If I leave out some of the sticking points of our (Catholic) faith ... I come out as a mainline Protestant. Not my current goal. To be honest, depending on the day I take the test, I could come out as something else.

    I admire the level of "faith" I find from everyone here, and at the Catholic forum. I want it too. I get glimpses of it, ... and then its like I wake up.

    Going out on a limb now...

    Rod, you display a strong sense of faith. I don't know your whole story, You seem to have come from a Catholic background. I notice you still defend the "Faith," while seeming to be separated from it. I always did this (defended Catholicism) even during my agnostic years. Still do even when I don't fully agree with certain points.

    Elpidio also possesses a strong internal faith that seems to have started as Catholicism and changed to a form that reminds me of Arianism. I also sense a touch of Catholic nostalgia in his posts. Still I believe its genuine "faith." "Christian Yahwist," Ian asked how it can be Christian. My thought is that Elpidio believes the teachings of Christ as opposed to the teachings about Christ. Thus he is Christian, (a follower of Christ's teachings) but not in the traditional sense as defined in the last 1700 years.

    Ian strikes me as a true Catholic, with understanding, belief and faith in all the teachings. I would like to be closer to where Ian is on a Catholic level, but honestly, I wish I had the basic "faith" of all of those mentioned above as a starting point.

    Even David, who I feel I'm farthest from on a theological basis, seems not to have any issues with "faith."

    Maybe it was never and obsticle, ... are some people "programmed" to have "faith?" I used to have it, but then something happened and I started doubting everything ... and I wish it would stop.

    Yours in "Stream of Conciousness"

    -- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 04, 2004.


    Out on a limb.....I think we may all be out there with you, too. Your insight is precise and accurate, as far as I can tell. You are right, we all have a strong faith. I too have had such amazement with the "true Catholics" that these forums keep. How I wish may faith could be as strong...and that's exactly why David is so confused about which side of the fence I stand in. If I'm 15 years old, I'm that "true Catholic".

    ....................................

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Thanks for defining me as Christian,Jim.

    I liked the way you put it: believing christ's teachings.

    Yes, it's true. I was a Catholic to the bone. That was when I was David's age.

    As a member of Catholic Action, Vice-president od all Catholic groups in Los angeles County,of YES (a charismatic group), of the Choir, Bible studey, church newspaper,..play actor, even portraying Juan Diego...sometimes I get nostalgic.

    At 19 one day I tried to make a play about Jesus life. I used the Greek New Testament, traanslator's Edition.

    I could not piece Jesus life without distorting the setting, Jesus message,...

    Each Gospel is different in its treatment of Jesus.

    The oldest, I think, is Thomas: Knowledge and wisdom are the main topics.No miracles are mentioned. No Baptism. No crucifixion and resurrection.

    Mark uses Thomas to a 50%. Yet, incorporates miracles, demonic possesions,...These he incorporates from John's original section of miracles. Just cut Jesus dialogues about him.

    For Mark, Jesus is the Son of Man mentioned in Daniel. Jesus becomes God's adopted son at baptism.

    Matthew uses Mark to a 95%. He adds the birth. He makes Jesus the New Moses, a New Law-giver. Just like Moses was at a mountain, so is Jesus. He makes many additions.Many are created by him like the Devil testing Jesus in the wilderness. 15 % of Matthew is from his own creative mind. For Matthew, also Jesus is the New Abraham. That is why Matthew's emphasis on righteousness.

    Luke copies Matthew(20%) and Mark(60%). For Luke, Jesus is like for the people at Qunram, and as Paul expains in I Corinthians 15, the New Adam. That is why Luke starts the geneology of Jesus with Adam. He sees God as a God for all people descended from Adam.

    John, as we have it today, is more of like God's word on Earth. It incorporates an original gospel only of miracles. Then he expands on each of these miracles.(I called this original miracle Gospel Phillip since it mentions Samaritans. Philip coverted them. I don't think samaritans were interested in Jewish stuff. Miracles sufficed them).

    Yet, I persevered for 8 years. I failed.

    At first in 1983 they tried to get me out. I was prohibited from speaking out by my parish priest. I was 20.

    By age 24 the first wave of dreams began. By 2000 I got to see the main ones: God Yahweh and Jesus. I was given 3 prophecies. The 3 have come true by now: witness to Protestants (by God, using the Bible. It seems Protestants can't see the real God from the Bible), witness to Catholics (By Jesus, who complained Catholics only call him when they need him), and Jesus prophecy of 3 years of light rains. It came true on October 2003. After intense fires, we had such devasting rains that several people lost homes and even their lives here in san Bernardino and Los Angeles counties where I live.

    In July 2002 I was told to leave the Catholic Church. This I made official in 2004 by using one of the names given to me in November 2001: The Man of Yahweh.

    The Christian Yahwist The Man of Yahweh

    -- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 04, 2004.


    Jim wrote:

    "I wish I had the basic "faith" of all of those mentioned above as a starting point. "

    It is becoming clear that for some of us here our childhood walk in faith has formulated that basic "faith" you speak of, Jim. And, it is true that we eventually get back to that faith. The basic meaning of "religion" is exactly that--getting back to those basics of believing in God.

    My journey back has included many readings into things that are considered taboo under my Catholic upbringing. But, in order to brush out the truth from folly, we must question everything. It is much like taking a stalk of wheat and thrashing it against the stone. Eventually, only the truth will remain and the false will fall. The only problem I see is in recognizing which is which. There is too much to learn and not enough time to learn it. Well, faith is our comfort.

    As Protestants will say, we have the "basic" faith--Jesus Christ. And, as I have read, that mustard seed does grow.

    .............

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 05, 2004.


    Elpidio,

    Just curious about your take on NT chronology. Wouldn't the gnostic sounding elements found in "Thomas" suggest that it was written or compiled at a later date than Mark, or do you feel gnosticism was a first, rather than a second century phenomenon? (i.e. gnoticism predating or coexisting during Mark's time?)

    Or ... maybe the author of Thomas used an earlier text that Mark also used. Thus we are left with some of the actual saying of Jesus combined with later gnostic (secret teachings) beliefs.

    This is not an original idea of mine, just some bits and pieces of my recollections of things I have read.

    -- JimFurst (furst@flasfh.net), March 05, 2004.


    Hi Jim and Elpidio.

    I'm not as read-up as Elpidio, but I did stumble across a book that suggested that the Book of Thomas was a result of the Book of Mark. That meant that Thomas may have pulled much from Mark. So, I guess I'm having the same concerns as Jim on which came first: Mark or Thomas.

    I also considered that possibility that Thomas was ministering to the Gnostics; he was trying to convert them, I believe.

    .............

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 05, 2004.


    Jim and Rod, Have you heard about the SABEANS from Iraq? (Or Mandeans)

    The Christian Yahwist

    -- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 05, 2004.


    I have a dim recollection of the Mandeans. They were not exactly Gnostics, were they?

    ..................

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 05, 2004.


    Are they remnants of Ebionites? or should I go to Google?

    -- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 06, 2004.

    Not much luck on Google, however, in searching I found an interesting book (among my poorly organised piles)I read last summer called "In Search of Zarathustra." Describes Gnostic a sect of Jewish-Christians that has survived into modern times, and whose main sacrament is baptism. Mandeans (Aramaic for "those who know") Perhaps descended from followers of John the Baptist. Also sggested is that Mani was raised among them, but this was later discarded for the idea that he was raised with Elchasaites who lived according to strict Jewish law, loved Jesus but detested Paul. They were also against scrafice involving fire and faulted Jewish use of it. Mani somehow strongly influenced by Zoroatrianism eventually turned on this group as a result of revelations from his "Divine Twin" Not the first time I've read of "twin" imagery. THe Gospel of Thomas or Didymus-Thomas both meaning "twin" i.e. Did=Greek, Thom=Aramaic. Don't know how or if this might all work together. But Mandeans seem to be remnants of early Jewish-Christian Gnostics. I wonder if there are any Elchasaites are left?

    -- JimFurst (furst@flash.net), March 06, 2004.

    Ok, that answers that--they were Gnostics.

    "Didymus" will open the door to some very bold assertions about Christ 's death and His twin's resurrection. Ralph Ellis' book--Jesus: Last Of The Pharaohs--will make these conjectures and many more, which conveniently resort to Gnosticism and early sun worship to explain the entire Jesus purpose. It is a good bedtime fantasy/history book that will be considered blasphemy. The author totes a MENSA afflictions......uh, affiliation.

    ..................

    -- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), March 06, 2004.


    In another book by Bart Eharman, it is postulated that the communities that used the Gospel of Thomas believed the author to be the "twin" brother of Jesus. He also notes that this idea or belief, being in contention with "orthodox" Christians, is not explained anywhere within the Gospel, or in any writings that survive the period.

    Also highly mathmatically unlikely if you believe it was written in the early 2nd century as he'd have to have been over 130+ years old.

    -- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), March 06, 2004.


    Rod and Jim, I am posting a thread now on this topic which I am calling Which Gospel came First: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John or "Thomas"?

    This way I can open this topic for discussion with the rest of the Ask Jesus contriutors.

    The Christian Yahwist

    -- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonval@yahoo.com), March 06, 2004.


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