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Philo lived and wrote while Jesus was alive. Why did he not write a single word of this famous Jesus?
Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,21:59) Philo lived and wrote while Jesus was alive. Why did he not write a single word of this famous Jesus?
He was in Alexandria.So? If kings heard of Jesus then he must have been pretty famous right? Not famous enough for historians it seems though.
Did you know that Josephus had more to say about John the Baptist than Jesus?
Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,22:32) So? If kings heard of Jesus then he must have been pretty famous right? Not famous enough for historians it seems though. Did you know that Josephus had more to say about John the Baptist than Jesus?
I take your point.However, it wasn't like they had news teams showing up in white vans with interviewing equipment.
I am sure King Herod met many people who philo never recorded anything about.
And yes aparently John had a large following. Most likely an essene following of the same or simular order of Jesus.
Jesus was not an Essene. He was far from esoteric.
Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
Mat 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,22:53) Jesus was not an Essene. He was far from esoteric. Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
Mat 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Greek propaganda to justify their lifestyles.Haha, seems you believe less about the GT than I do about Tanakh! I disbelieve that a loving creator would inspire genocide while you think it was because YHVH was an evil angel. I disbelieve many miracles because we have no proof of such. If people were still performing miracles that would be different but it seems that miracles only take place inside of certain religious texts.
But that still leaves the bulk of the Tanakh for me. You, on the other hand have a swiss cheese bible.
With me, it is easier to ask what I don't believe about Tanakh. With you SOL, it seems the list would be shorter on what you do believe about the GT.
SOL,
What do you think of these verses?
Mat 22:44 “'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'?
Act 2:34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,
Act 2:35 until I make your enemies your footstool.'Heb 1:13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,21:59) Philo lived and wrote while Jesus was alive. Why did he not write a single word of this famous Jesus?
Hi Tow,
Philo was a “great man”.
Jesus was a humble and obscure itinerant.
He is known by what his disciples wrote about his deeds.Quote (Son of Light @ Jan. 09 2008,21:03) Quote (kenrch @ Jan. 09 2008,10:30) Quote (Son of Light @ Jan. 09 2008,10:25) Unfortunately, Catholics and Paul made Jesus a Pharisee Messiah and not an Essene Messiah. Thats where the blood sacrifice stuff gets mixed in. Making bad angel laws into laws the Most High made. Hence, so much confusion.
So you accept “some' of Paul's writings?
I think Paul was a scismatic from the Nazarene Way, but he was not completely opposite of it.He agreed in many ways with Peter and James.
Paul has many good things written.
In the end though, Paul taught his own version of the gospel.
1Co 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
1Co 9:17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
1Co 9:18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
1Co 9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
1Co 9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.Pauls gospel is the way he preached the GOSPEL not a different GOSPEL. Yes Paul preached that the Law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ. But then Jesus preached the same.
Luk 24:26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
Luk 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luk 24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,23:23) Haha, seems you believe less about the GT than I do about Tanakh! I disbelieve that a loving creator would inspire genocide while you think it was because YHVH was an evil angel. I disbelieve many miracles because we have no proof of such. If people were still performing miracles that would be different but it seems that miracles only take place inside of certain religious texts. But that still leaves the bulk of the Tanakh for me. You, on the other hand have a swiss cheese bible.
Actually their is a plethora of Essene and gnostic scriptures. That portray a different Jesus.I don't serve paper and ink either Tow.
I serve a God of Love as revealed by Jesus.
YAHOWSHUA OR PAUL?
ESSENE CHRISTIANITY VERSUS PAULIANITY
AN EXPOSE? AND CALL TO ACTION
by Rev. Abba Nazariah, D.D.[NOTE: The Order of Nazorean Essenes is not anti-Paul (nor are we officially associated with Nazariah). We accept Paul to the extent Mar Mani accepted him. We acknowledge, however, that many un-Paul like doctrines were added later to his writings by his school, and that some of the letters said to be written by him were written by others. The culture promoted by Paul was once a threat to the Nazorean culture of original Christianity, but since the demise of that original Nazorean culture, the writings of Paul can be appreciated for the mystic content within them.]
“Paul was the first corrupter of the doctrines of Jesus!”
— Thomas JeffersonIn previous articles published in 'The Essene Path”, I have briefly touched on the topic of how Paul, the self-proclaimed Apostle, violently opposed the original vegetarian Essene Christianity of Jesus, first by killing and imprisoning its leaders, then by infiltrating the movement and leading a schism. The schism led by Paul — a meat-eating version of Christianity — replaced the teachings of Jesus with the teachings of Paul. As briefly described in previous articles, “Paulianity” evolved into the Roman Catholic Church and gave birth to all of what is considered mainline Christianity today, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. Whereas I have briefly touched on this topic in previous articles, it is the purpose of this article to deal with it in great depth. I will begin by setting the stage; I will describe early Christianity as it existed prior to the advent of Paul. What were the main tenets of this pre-Pauline, Essene Christianity? What was the early Christian doctrine of salvation? Having set the stage, I will describe in detail the schism led by Paul which evolved into modern Christianity. I will conclude this expose? with a call to action: A CALL TO REJECT PAULIANITY AND RETURN TO ESSENE NAZARENE EBIONITE CHRISTIANITY. The choice is simple, yet profound; and every Christian must make it: YAHOWSHUA (Jesus) OR PAUL?
First, some necessary background information must be given. There was an ancient Jewish religion which was very mystical, high and noble. It was a very evolved form of religion, rooted in respect and care for all of creation. This ancient Jewish religion was both very esoteric — as evidenced by its Kaballah mysticism — and yet very practical, as evidenced by its emphasis on daily lifestyle disciplines, ecology and communal economics. It was also VERY VEGETARIAN: not only was animal sacrifice forbidden, but so was the eating of animal flesh absolutely condemned. War and slavery had no part in this nonviolent religion. Women were the equals to men; women were entitled — in fact, encouraged– to participate in the Priesthood. This Priesthood — called “The Priesthood of Melki Zadek” — was governed by God via good angels and the divinely inspired BOOK OF THE ETERNAL COVENANT. Their original founder was Enoch; later, Moses led a major remanifestation of their movement. THIS ENLIGHTENED ANCIENT JEWISH RELIGION WAS KNOWN AS “THE ESSENE NAZARENE HASIDIM.”
But Essene Nazarene Judaism was not the only form of Judaism. A violent, flesh-eating form of Judaism based on bloody animal sacrifice became the dominant religion in Israel. The nonviolent, vegetarian Essenes were persecuted by the animal sacrifice cult. Both forms of Judaism expected a Messiah: the sacrificial cult expected the Messiah to be a warrior king; the Essene Nazarenes expected a Messiah of Peace, a spiritual King. And so it was that the Messiah of Peace, the spiritual King of Israel, came to earth through the Essenes; for it was the Essene scriptures and prophecies that proved true. And so it was that the Essene Nazarene Jews, practitioners of the authentic Judaism established by God through Enoch and Moses, BECAME THE VERY FIRST CHRISTIANS!
The “first Christians” were not called “Christians”! That term was not used until years later. They were called “Essene Nazarene Ebionites”. For short, they were usually referred to simply as “Nazarenes” or “Ebonites”. Let us begin our description of early, pre-Pauline Christianity with a look at the meaning of the terms “Nazarene” and “Ebionite”.
The term “Nazarene” refers to a member of the Essene movement associated with Mount Carmel in Northern Israel. The Essenes considered Mount Carmel to be so holy that none of the natural vegetation growing there could be disturbed: no trees cut, no bushes cleared away, no permanent dwellings built. Some of their priests lived on Mount Carmel in tents (similar to yurts) but no permanent structures were permitted. Even their Temple atop Carmel was a type of large tent, a beautifUl yurt with a bloodless altar. Only a small contingent of their priests actually lived atop Mount Carmel, the majority of their membership lived in an Essene cooperative village -a couple miles from the southwestern edge of the base of the mountain. That Essene village was called “Nazareth”. Those who lived there were called “Nazarenes”, as were all members of the Essene sect associated with Mount Carmel. Thus, the fact that Jesus was referred to as “the Nazarene” and his first followers were called “the sect of the Nazarenes” demonstrates the link between early Christianity and the Essene Nazarenes of Mount Carmel.
The other term that the first Christians were called was “Ebionite”. The word “Ebionite” comes from the Hebrew word “Ebon” which literally means “poor” but implies “THOSE WHO HAVE VOLUNTARILY RENOUNCED WORLDLY MATERIALISM TO ENTER THE ESSENE LIFESTYLE OF SIMPLE LIVING AND RADICAL SHARING IN COMMUNITY.” Simply put, an “Ebionite” is an “Essene renunciate”, an Essene who has given up materialism to serve God within the context of the communal lifestyle in which all is shared. While all frilly initiated Essene Nazarene Ebonites lived in, or were sent out on missions by, the network of Essene Christian communes, there was a large outer-circle of members not yet frilly initiated who still lived in private homes. These outer-circle devotees were called “Hearers”; until ready to divest themselves of private wealth and join the communal economy, they studied the teachings and supported the communes by tithing. In the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared “Blessed are the Ebon (“Poor”), for they shall inherit the Earth.” He was not pronouncing a general blessing on all poor people; neither was he praising poverty. Rather, he was making specific reference to his sect, the Essene “Ebon” or “Ebionites” gathered around him atop the Mount.
The terms “Nazarene” and “Ebionite” are central to a correct understanding of early, pre-Pauline Christianity. why? Because certain specific beliefs and practices can be identified with those terms. We know from many sources that both terms –Nazarene and Ebionite — are associated with: vegetarianism, reincarnation, God as both Father and Mother, communalism, pacifism, an absolute prohibition against slavery, absolute sobriety (no intoxicating drinks or drugs), equality of men and women, holistic health and Essene Yoga. THOSE ARE THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF THE VERY FIRST CHRISTIANS, the beliefs and practices of the ESSENE NAZARENE EBIONITES.
And what was the doctrine of salvation of these early, pre-Pauline Christians? They believed that SALVATION IS DEPENDENT UPON FOLLOWING THE SAVING TEACHINGS OF YAHOWSHUA (Jesus). In a profound contrast with the theology of Paul — which became orthodox Christianity (“Paulianity”) — the literature of the Essene Nazarene Ebionites NEVER TAUGHT SALVATION VIA BELIEF IN THE SACRIFICIAL DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS. The Pauline doctrine which asserts that you can only be saved by believing that Jesus died for your sins, is called ATONEMENT. The Essene Nazarene Ebionites had a very different doctrine of Atonement; it was AT-ONE-MENT. They believed that to be AT-ONE with God (the goal of religion) one must foll
ow THE SAVING TEACHINGS OF YAHOWSHUA, not simply believe in his sacrificial death. The Essene Nazarene Ebionites based their doctrine of salvation on the actual instructions they personally received from Yahshua before his crucifixion. Unlike Paul, who NEVER EVEN MET JESUS, the leaders of the Essene Nazarene Ebionites were PERSONALLY TRAINED AND INITIATED BY THEIR SPIRITUAL MASTER, YAHOWSHUA. In The Essene New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples that blood sacrifice cannot bring salvation:
Jesus was teaching his disciples in the outer court of the Temple and one of them said unto him, “Master. it is said by the priests that without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Can blood offerings take away sin?” Jesus answered, “No blood offering. of beast or bird. or man. can take away sin. for how can the conscience be purged from sin by the shedding of innocent blood? Nay, it will increase the condemnation….For sins against the Law of God there can be no remission. except by repentance and amendment.”So, Jesus made quite clear that no blood sacrifice –not even his own — can provide salvation for your sins; rather, you must quit sinning (repent) and follow his SAVING TEACHINGS. And that was the doctrine of salvation of the Essene Nazarene Ebonites.
Quote (Nick Hassan @ Jan. 09 2008,12:30) Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,21:59) Philo lived and wrote while Jesus was alive. Why did he not write a single word of this famous Jesus?
Hi Tow,
Philo was a “great man”.
Jesus was a humble and obscure itinerant.
He is known by what his disciples wrote about his deeds.
Wait, I thought he was the savior of the world? Now you're saying he was some unknown entity and we have to take the words of a few writers, most of who were anonymous? Or another man who wrote most of the GT but never met Jesus? Which is it? And how does your “obscure itinerant” reconcile with the following?========================================
Mat 4:24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.Mat 8:34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their r
Mat 9:31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district
Mat 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus
Mar 1:28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Mar 1:45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
Mar 2:13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.
Mar 3:7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea
Mar 6:54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him
Mar 6:55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.
Mar 6:56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.Mar 10:1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.
Luk 4:37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Luk 5:15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.
Luk 7:17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
=================================Seems that accordinmg to the GT, Jesus was a famous guy. Outside of the GT, not a peep. But that makes sense because outside the GT, Pilate was a ruthless and cruel man while he was a meek pushover in the GT.
Quote (Son of Light @ Jan. 09 2008,12:53) Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,23:23) Haha, seems you believe less about the GT than I do about Tanakh! I disbelieve that a loving creator would inspire genocide while you think it was because YHVH was an evil angel. I disbelieve many miracles because we have no proof of such. If people were still performing miracles that would be different but it seems that miracles only take place inside of certain religious texts. But that still leaves the bulk of the Tanakh for me. You, on the other hand have a swiss cheese bible.
Actually their is a plethora of Essene and gnostic scriptures. That portray a different Jesus.I don't serve paper and ink either Tow.
I serve a God of Love as revealed by Jesus.
Which Jesus? You said there are different ones out there.Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 10 2008,06:36) Quote (Nick Hassan @ Jan. 09 2008,12:30) Quote (Towshab @ Jan. 09 2008,21:59) Philo lived and wrote while Jesus was alive. Why did he not write a single word of this famous Jesus?
Hi Tow,
Philo was a “great man”.
Jesus was a humble and obscure itinerant.
He is known by what his disciples wrote about his deeds.
Wait, I thought he was the savior of the world? Now you're saying he was some unknown entity and we have to take the words of a few writers, most of who were anonymous? Or another man who wrote most of the GT but never met Jesus? Which is it? And how does your “obscure itinerant” reconcile with the following?========================================
Mat 4:24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.Mat 8:34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their r
Mat 9:31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district
Mat 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus
Mar 1:28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Mar 1:45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
Mar 2:13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.
Mar 3:7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea
Mar 6:54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him
Mar 6:55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.
Mar 6:56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.Mar 10:1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.
Luk 4:37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Luk 5:15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.
Luk 7:17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
=================================Seems that accordinmg to the GT, Jesus was a famous guy. Outside of the GT, not a peep. But that makes sense because outside the GT, Pilate was a ruthless and cruel man while he was a meek pushover in the GT.
Hi tow,
Does the meekness of Christ offend you?
Would you have followed a strong political leader?Tow,
Look at it like this. You are a deist who sees within the OT the only possible revealing of God. You then erase from the record as being accurate the weak and human nature of this God as described by men.
This is the God described by Jesus. God is not a despot like Zeus. Jesus agreed. He followed your same religion and attributed the evil to fallen angels. Which the essenes believed became men.
Other than the eclectic life style of Jesus it seems you share a faith with him.
You don't have to tear down the teacher even if the catholics lied about him.
Quote (Nick Hassan @ Jan. 09 2008,13:43) Hi tow,
Does the meekness of Christ offend you?
Would you have followed a strong political leader?
You're deflecting. Whether or not he was meek, your GT says he was quite famous. History says otherwise.
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