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Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 13 2009,07:04) Read and learn: The Protoevangelium of James (c. 1st century)
The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother of Jesus Christ.
1. In the records of the twelve tribes of Israel was Joachim, a man rich exceedingly; and he brought his offerings double, saying: There shall be of my superabundance to all the people, and there shall be the offering for my forgiveness to the Lord for a propitiation for me. For the great day of the Lord was at hand, and the sons of Israel were bringing their offerings. And there stood over against him Rubim, saying: It is not meet for you first to bring your offerings, because you have not made seed in Israel. And Joachim was exceedingly grieved, and went away to the registers of the twelve tribes of the people, saying: I shall see the registers of the twelve tribes of Israel, as to whether I alone have not made seed in Israel. And he searched, and found that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel. And he called to mind the patriarch Abraham, that in the last day God gave him a son Isaac. And Joachim was exceedingly grieved, and did not come into the presence of his wife; but he retired to the desert, and there pitched his tent, and fasted forty days and forty nights, saying in himself: I will not go down either for food or for drink until the Lord my God shall look upon me, and prayer shall be my food and drink.
2. And his wife Anna mourned in two mournings, and lamented in two lamentations, saying: I shall bewail my widowhood; I shall bewail my childlessness. And the great day of the Lord was at hand; and Judith her maid-servant said: How long do you humiliate your soul? Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand, and it is unlawful for you to mourn. But take this head-band, which the woman that made it gave to me; for it is not proper that I should wear it, because I am a maid-servant, and it has a royal appearance. And Anna said: Depart from me; for I have not done such things, and the Lord has brought me very low. I fear that some wicked person has given it to you, and you have come to make me a sharer in your sin. And Judith said: Why should I curse you, seeing that the Lord has shut your womb, so as not to give you fruit in Israel? And Anna was grieved exceedingly, and put off her garments of mourning, and cleaned her head, and put on her wedding garments, and about the ninth hour went down to the garden to walk. And she saw a laurel, and sat under it, and prayed to the Lord, saying: O God of our fathers, bless me and hear my prayer, as You blessed the womb of Sarah, and gave her a son Isaac.
3. And gazing towards the heaven, she saw a sparrow's nest in the laurel, Tobit 2:10 and made a lamentation in herself, saying: Alas! Who begot me? And what womb produced me? Because I have become a curse in the presence of the sons of Israel, and I have been reproached, and they have driven me in derision out of the temple of the Lord. Alas! To what have I been likened? I am not like the fowls of the heaven, because even the fowls of the heaven are productive before You, O Lord. Alas! To what have I been likened? I am not like the beasts of the earth, because even the beasts of the earth are productive before You, OLord. Alas! To what have I been likened? I am not like these waters, because even these waters are productive before You, O Lord. Alas! To what have I been likened? I am not like this earth, because even the earth brings forth its fruits in season, and blesses You, O Lord.
4. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, saying: Anna, Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth; and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world. And Anna said: As the Lord my God lives, if I beget either male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life. 1 Samuel 1:11 And, behold, two angels came, saying to her: Behold, Joachim your husband is coming with his flocks. For an angel of the Lord went down to him, saying: Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God has heard your prayer. Go down hence; for, behold, your wife Anna shall conceive. And Joachim went down and called his shepherds, saying: Bring me hither ten she-lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the priests and the elders; and a hundred goats for all the people. And, behold, Joachim came with his flocks; and Anna stood by the gate, and saw Joachim coming, and she ran and hung upon his neck, saying: Now I know that the Lord God has blessed me exceedingly; for, behold the widow no longer a widow, and I the childless shall conceive. And Joachim rested the first day in his house.
5. And on the following day he brought his offerings, saying in himself: If the Lord God has been rendered gracious to me, the plate on the priest's forehead will make it manifest to me. And Joachim brought his offerings, and observed attentively the priest's plate when he went up to the altar of the Lord, and he saw no sin in himself. And Joachim said: Now I know that the Lord has been gracious unto me, and has remitted all my sins. And he went down from the temple of the Lord justified, and departed to his own house. And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anna brought forth. And she said to the midwife: What have I brought forth? And she said: A girl. And said Anna: My soul has been magnified this day. And she laid her down. And the days having been fulfilled, Anna was purified, and gave the breast to the child, and called her name Mary.
6. And the child grew strong day by day; and when she was six months old, her mother set her on the ground to try whether she could stand, and she walked seven steps and came into her bosom; and she snatched her up, saying: As theLord my God lives, you shall not walk on this earth until I bring you into the temple of the Lord. And she made a sanctuary in her bed-chamber, and allowed nothing common or unclean to pass through her. And she called the undefiled daughters of the Hebrews, and they led her astray. And when she was a year old, Joachim made a great feast, and invited the priests, and the scribes, and the elders, and all the people of Israel. And Joachim brought the child to the priests; and they blessed her, saying: O God of our fathers, bless this child, and give her an everlasting name to be named in all generations. And all the people said: So be it, so be it, amen. And he brought her to the chief priests; and they blessed her, saying: O God most high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which shall be for ever. And her mother snatched her up, and took her into the sanctuary of her bed-chamber, and gave her the breast. And Anna made a song to the Lord God, saying: I will sing a song to the Lord my God, for He has looked upon me, and has taken away the reproach of mine enemies; and the Lord has given the fruit of His righteousness, singular in its kind, and richly endowed before Him. Who will tell the sons of Rubim that Anna gives suck? Hear, hear, you twelve tribes of Israel, that Anna gives suck. And she laid her to rest in the bed-chamber of her sanctuary, and went out and ministered unto them. And when the supper was ended, they went down rejoicing, and glorifying the God of Israel.
7. And her months were added to the child. And the child was two years old, and Joachim said: Let us take her up to the temple of the Lord, that we may pay the vow that we have vowed, lest perchance the Lord send to us, and our offering be not received. And Anna said: Let us wait for the third year, in order that the child may not seek for father or mother. And Joachim said: So let us wait. And the child was three years ol
d, and Joachim said: Invite the daughters of the Hebrews that are undefiled, and let them take each a lamp, and let them stand with the lamps burning, that the child may not turn back, and her heart be captivated from the temple of the Lord. And they did so until they went up into the temple of the Lord. And the priest received her, and kissed her, and blessed her, saying: The Lord has magnified your name in all generations. In you, on the last of the days, the Lord will manifest His redemption to the sons of Israel. And he set her down upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord God sent grace upon her; and she danced with her feet, and all the house of Israel loved her.8. And her parents went down marvelling, and praising the Lord God, because the child had not turned back. And Mary was in the temple of the Lord as if she were a dove that dwelt there, and she received food from the hand of an angel. And when she was twelve years old there was held a council of the priests, saying: Behold, Mary has reached the age of twelve years in the temple of the Lord. What then shall we do with her, lest perchance she defile the sanctuary of the Lord? And they said to the high priest: You stand by the altar of the Lord; go in, and pray concerning her; and whatever the Lord shall manifest unto you, that also will we do. And the high priest went in, taking the robe with the twelve bells into the holy of holies; and he prayed concerning her. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, saying unto him: Zacharias, Zacharias, go out and assemble the widowers of the people, and let them bring each his rod; and to whomsoever the Lord shall show a sign, his wife shall she be. And the heralds went out through all the circuit of Judæa, and the trumpet of the Lord sounded, and all ran.
9. And Joseph, throwing away his axe, went out to meet them; and when they had assembled, they went away to the high priest, taking with them their rods. And he, taking the rods of all of them, entered into the temple, and prayed; and having ended his prayer, he took the rods and came out, and gave them to them: but there was no sign in them, and Joseph took his rod last; and, behold, a dove came out of the rod, and flew upon Joseph's head. And the priest said to Joseph, You have been chosen by lot to take into your keeping the virgin of the Lord. But Joseph refused, saying: I have children, and I am an old man, and she is a young girl. I am afraid lest I become a laughing-stock to the sons of Israel. And the priest said to Joseph: Fear the Lord your God, and remember what the Lord did to Dathan, and Abiram, and Korah; Numbers 16:31-33 how the earth opened, and they were swallowed up on account of their contradiction. And now fear, O Joseph, lest the same things happen in your house. And Joseph was afraid, and took her into his keeping. And Joseph said to Mary: Behold, I have received you from the temple of the Lord; and now I leave you in my house, and go away to build my buildings, and I shall come to you. The Lord will protect you.
10. And there was a council of the priests, saying: Let us make a veil for the temple of the Lord. And the priest said: Call to me the undefiled virgins of the family of David. And the officers went away, and sought, and found seven virgins. And the priest remembered the child Mary, that she was of the family of David, and undefiled before God. And the officers went away and brought her. And they brought them into the temple of the Lord. And the priest said: Choose for me by lot who shall spin the gold, and the white, and the fine linen, and the silk, and the blue, and the scarlet, and the true purple. Exodus 25:4 And the true purple and the scarlet fell to the lot of Mary, and she took them, and went away to her house. And at that time Zacharias was dumb, and Samuel was in his place until the time that Zacharias spoke. And Mary took the scarlet, and span it.
11. And she took the pitcher, and went out to fill it with water. And, behold, a voice saying: Hail, you who hast received grace; the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! Luke 1:28 And she looked round, on the right hand and on the left, to see whence this voice came. And she went away, trembling, to her house, and put down the pitcher; and taking the purple, she sat down on her seat, and drew it out. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before her, saying: Fear not, Mary; for you have found grace before the Lord of all, and you shall conceive, according to His word. And she hearing, reasoned with herself, saying: Shall I conceive by the Lord, the living God? And shall I bring forth as every woman brings forth? And the angel of the Lord said: Not so, Mary; for the power of the Lord shall overshadow you: wherefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of the Most High. And you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. And Mary said: Behold, the servant of the Lord before His face: let it be unto me according to your word.
12. And she made the purple and the scarlet, and took them to the priest. And the priest blessed her, and said: Mary, the Lord God has magnified your name, and you shall be blessed in all the generations of the earth. And Mary, with great joy, went away to Elizabeth her kinswoman, Luke 1:39-40 and knocked at the door. And when Elizabeth heard her, she threw away the scarlet, and ran to the door, and opened it; and seeing Mary, she blessed her, and said: Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, behold, that which is in me leaped and blessed you. Luke 1:34, 44 But Mary had forgotten the mysteries of which the archangel Gabriel had spoken, and gazed up into heaven, and said: Who am I, O Lord, that all the generations of the earth should bless me? Luke 1:48 And she remained three months with Elizabeth; and day by day she grew bigger. And Mary being afraid, went away to her own house, and hid herself from the sons of Israel. And she was sixteen years old when these mysteries happened.
13. And she was in her sixth month; and, behold, Joseph came back from his building, and, entering into his house, he discovered that she was big with child. And he smote his face, and threw himself on the ground upon the sackcloth, and wept bitterly, saying: With what face shall I look upon the Lord my God? And what prayer shall I make about this maiden? Because I received her a virgin out of the temple of the Lord, and I have not watched over her. Who is it that has hunted me down? Who has done this evil thing in my house, and defiled the virgin? Has not the history of Adam been repeated in me? For just as Adam was in the hour of his singing praise, and the serpent came, and found Eve alone, and completely deceived her, so it has happened to me also. And Joseph stood up from the sackcloth, and called Mary, and said to her: O you who hast been cared for by God, why have you done this and forgotten the Lord your God? Why have you brought low your soul, you that wast brought up in the holy of holies, and that received food from the hand of an angel? And she wept bitterly, saying: I am innocent, and have known no man. And Joseph said to her: Whence then is that which is in your womb? And she said: As the Lord my God lives, I do not know whence it is to me.
14. And Joseph was greatly afraid, and retired from her, and considered what he should do in regard to her. Matthew 1:19 And Joseph said: If I conceal her sin, I find myself fighting against the law of the Lord; and if I expose her to the sons of Israel, I am afraid lest that which is in her be from an angel, and I shall be found giving up innocent blood to the doom of death. What then shall I do with her? I will put her away from me secretly. And night came upon him; and, behold, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, saying: Be not afraid for this maiden, for that which is in her is of the Holy Spirit; and she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:20 And Joseph arose from sleep, and glorified
the God of Israel, who had given him this grace; and he kept her.15. And Annas the scribe came to him, and said: Why have you not appeared in our assembly? And Joseph said to him: Because I was weary from my journey, and rested the first day. And he turned, and saw that Mary was with child. And he ran away to the priest, and said to him: Joseph, whom you vouched for, has committed a grievous crime. And the priest said: How so? And he said: He has defiled the virgin whom he received out of the temple of the Lord, and has married her by stealth, and has not revealed it to the sons of Israel. And the priest answering, said: Has Joseph done this? Then said Annas the scribe: Send officers, and you will find the virgin with child. And the officers went away, and found it as he had said; and they brought her along with Joseph to the tribunal. And the priest said: Mary, why have you done this? And why have you brought your soul low, and forgotten the Lord your God? You that wast reared in the holy of holies, and that received food from the hand of an angel, and heard the hymns, and danced before Him, why have you done this? And she wept bitterly, saying: As the Lord my God lives, I am pure before Him, and know not a man. And the priest said to Joseph: Why have you done this? And Joseph said: As the Lord lives, I am pure concerning her. Then said the priest: Bear not false witness, but speak the truth. You have married her by stealth, and hast not revealed it to the sons of Israel, and hast not bowed your head under the strong hand, that your seed might be blessed. And Joseph was silent.
16. And the priest said: Give up the virgin whom you received out of the temple of the Lord. And Joseph burst into tears. And the priest said: I will give you to drink of the water of the ordeal of the Lord, and He shall make manifest your sins in your eyes. And the priest took the water, and gave Joseph to drink and sent him away to the hill-country; and he returned unhurt. And he gave to Mary also to drink, and sent her away to the hill-country; and she returned unhurt. And all the people wondered that sin did not appear in them. And the priest said: If the Lord God has not made manifest your sins, neither do I judge you. And he sent them away. And Joseph took Mary, and went away to his own house, rejoicing and glorifying the God of Israel.
17. And there was an order from the Emperor Augustus, that all in Bethlehem of Judæa should be enrolled. Luke 2:1 And Joseph said: I shall enrol my sons, but what shall I do with this maiden? How shall I enrol her? As my wife? I am ashamed. As my daughter then? But all the sons of Israel know that she is not my daughter. The day of the Lord shall itself bring it to pass as the Lord will. And he saddled the ass, and set her upon it; and his son led it, and Joseph followed. And when they had come within three miles, Joseph turned and saw her sorrowful; and he said to himself: Likely that which is in her distresses her. And again Joseph turned and saw her laughing. And he said to her: Mary, how is it that I see in your face at one time laughter, at another sorrow? And Mary said to Joseph: Because I see two peoples with my eyes; the one weeping and lamenting, and the other rejoicing and exulting. And they came into the middle of the road, andMary said to him: Take me down from off the ass, for that which is in me presses to come forth. And he took her down from off the ass, and said to her: Whither shall I lead you, and cover your disgrace? For the place is desert.
18. And he found a cave there, and led her into it; and leaving his two sons beside her, he went out to seek a widwife in the district of Bethlehem.
And I Joseph was walking, and was not walking; and I looked up into the sky, and saw the sky astonished; and I looked up to the pole of the heavens, and saw it standing, and the birds of the air keeping still. And I looked down upon the earth, and saw atrough lying, and work-people reclining: and their hands were in the trough. And those that were eating did not eat, and those that were rising did not carry it up, and those that were conveying anything to their mouths did not convey it; but the faces of all were looking upwards. And I saw the sheep walking, and the sheep stood still; and the shepherdraised his hand to strike them, and his hand remained up. And I looked upon the current of the river, and I saw the mouths of the kids resting on the water and not drinking, and all things in a moment were driven from their course.
19. And I saw a woman coming down from the hill-country, and she said to me: O man, whither are you going? And I said: I am seeking an Hebrew midwife. And she answered and said unto me: Are you of Israel? And I said to her: Yes. And she said: And who is it that is bringing forth in the cave? And I said: A woman betrothed to me. And she said to me: Is she not your wife? And I said to her: It is Mary that was reared in the temple of the Lord, and I obtained her by lot as my wife. And yet she is not my wife, but has conceived of the Holy Spirit.
And the widwife said to him: Is this true? And Joseph said to her: Come and see. And the midwife went away with him. And they stood in the place of the cave, and behold a luminous cloud overshadowed the cave. And the midwife said: My soul has been magnified this day, because my eyes have seen strange things— because salvation has been brought forth to Israel. And immediately the cloud disappeared out of the cave, and a great light shone in the cave, so that the eyes could not bear it. And in a little that light gradually decreased, until the infant appeared, and went and took the breast from His motherMary. And the midwife cried out, and said: This is a great day to me, because I have seen this strange sight. And the midwife went forth out of the cave, and Salome met her. And she said to her: Salome, Salome, I have a strange sight to relate to you: a virgin has brought forth— a thing which her nature admits not of. Then said Salome: As the Lord my God lives, unless I thrust in my finger, and search the parts, I will not believe that a virgin has brought forth.
20. And the midwife went in, and said to Mary: Show yourself; for no small controversy has arisen about you. And Salome put in her finger, and cried out, and said: Woe is me for mine iniquity and mine unbelief, because I have tempted the living God; and, behold, my hand is dropping off as if burned with fire. And she bent her knees before the Lord, saying: O God of my fathers, remember that I am the seed of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; do not make a show of me to the sons of Israel, but restore me to the poor; for You know, O Lord, that in Your name I have performed my services, and that I have received my reward at Your hand. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood by her, saying to her: Salome, Salome, the Lord has heard you. Put your hand to the infant, and carry it, and you will have safety and joy. And Salome went and carried it, saying: I will worship Him, because a great King has been born to Israel. And, behold, Salome was immediately cured, and she went forth out of the cave justified. And behold a voice saying: Salome, Salome, tell not the strange things you have seen, until the child has come into Jerusalem.
21. And, behold, Joseph was ready to go into Judæa. And there was a great commotion in Bethlehem of Judæa, for Magi came, saying: Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. And when Herod heard, he was much disturbed, and sent officers to the Magi. And he sent for the priests, and examined them, saying: How is it written about the Christ? Where is He to be born? And they said: In Bethlehem of Judæa, for so it is written. And he sent them away. And he examined the Magi, saying to them: What sign have you seen in reference to the king that has been born? And the Magi said: We have seen a star of great size shining among these stars, and obscuring their light, so that the stars did not appear; and we thus knew that a king has been born to Israel, and
we have come to worship him. And Herod said: Go and seek him; and if you find him, let me know, in order that I also may go and worship him. And the Magi went out. And, behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them until they came to the cave, and it stood over the top of the cave. And the Magi saw the infant with His mother Mary; and they brought forth from their bag gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by the angel not to go into Judæa, they went into their own country by another road.22. And when Herod knew that he had been mocked by the Magi, in a rage he sent murderers, saying to them: Slay the children from two years old and under. And Mary, having heard that the children were being killed, was afraid, and took the infant and swaddled Him, and put Him into an ox-stall. And Elizabeth, having heard that they were searching for John, took him and went up into the hill-country, and kept looking where to conceal him. And there was no place of concealment. And Elizabeth, groaning with a loud voice, says: O mountain of God, receive mother and child. And immediately the mountain was cleft, and received her. And a light shone about them, for an angel of the Lord was with them, watching over them.
23. And Herod searched for John, and sent officers to Zacharias, saying: Where have you hid your son? And he, answering, said to them: I am the servant of God in holy things, and I sit constantly in the temple of the Lord: I do not know where my son is. And the officers went away, and reported all these things to Herod. And Herod was enraged, and said: His son is destined to be king over Israel. And he sent to him again, saying: Tell the truth; where is your son? For you know that your life is in my hand. And Zacharias said: I am God's martyr, if you shed my blood; for the Lord will receive my spirit, because you shed innocent blood at the vestibule of the temple of the Lord. And Zacharias was murdered about daybreak. And the sons of Israel did not know that he had been murdered.
24. But at the hour of the salutation the priests went away, and Zacharias did not come forth to meet them with a blessing, according to his custom. And the priests stood waiting for Zacharias to salute him at the prayer, and to glorify the Most High. And he still delaying, they were all afraid. But one of them ventured to go in, and he saw clotted blood beside the altar; and he heard a voice saying: Zacharias has been murdered, and his blood shall not be wiped up until his avenger come. And hearing this saying, he was afraid, and went out and told it to the priests. And they ventured in, and saw what had happened; and the fretwork of the temple made a wailing noise, and they rent their clothes from the top even to the bottom. And they found not his body, but they found his blood turned into stone. And they were afraid, and went out and reported to the people that Zacharias had been murdered. And all the tribes of the people heard, and mourned, and lamented for him three days and three nights. And after the three days, the priests consulted as to whom they should put in his place; and the lot fell upon Simeon. For it was he who had been warned by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death until he should see the Christ in the flesh.
And I James that wrote this history in Jerusalem, a commotion having arisen when Herod died, withdrew myself to the wilderness until the commotion in Jerusalem ceased, glorifying the Lord God, who had given me the gift and the wisdom to write this history. And grace shall be with them that fear our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory to ages of ages. Amen.
“The document presents itself as written by James: “I, James, wrote this history in Jerusalem.” Thus the purported author is James the Just, whom the text claims is a son of Joseph from a prior marriage, and thus a stepbrother of Jesus.Scholars have established that, based on the style of the language and the fact that the author is apparently not aware of contemporary Jewish customs while James the Just certainly was, the work is pseudepigraphical (written by someone other than the person it claims to be written by).[3] The echoes and parallels of the Old Testament appear to derive from its Greek translation, the Septuagint, as opposed to the Hebrew Masoretic Text, which is noticeable due to several peculiarities and variations present in the Septuagint. It apparently embellishes what is told of events surrounding Mary, prior to and at the moment of Jesus' birth, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_JamesEvidently it wasn't James (the Just, presumably) who wrote this. Why would I put any stock in a pseudepigraphical text?, the author can't even get his own name right! Apocryphal nonsense.
Quote (Nick Hassan @ Oct. 13 2009,05:55) Hi GM,
You really should be stronger in your biblical faith and not so easily influenced by unbelievers.
Hi brother Nick,
My faith in God is stronger than ever. I don't want rely on human imaginations which caused havoc on the books of N.T especially the Gospels.Hi GM,
So you have gained more confidence in your own understandings and can now judge scripture and the Spirit Who wrote it?I am sorry brother Nick for causing frustration to people but this is my hunger for truth. I want to differentiate between inspired and uninspired scriptures.
Quote (Is 1:18 @ Oct. 13 2009,18:09) “The document presents itself as written by James: “I, James, wrote this history in Jerusalem.” Thus the purported author is James the Just, whom the text claims is a son of Joseph from a prior marriage, and thus a stepbrother of Jesus. Scholars have established that, based on the style of the language and the fact that the author is apparently not aware of contemporary Jewish customs while James the Just certainly was, the work is pseudepigraphical (written by someone other than the person it claims to be written by).[3] The echoes and parallels of the Old Testament appear to derive from its Greek translation, the Septuagint, as opposed to the Hebrew Masoretic Text, which is noticeable due to several peculiarities and variations present in the Septuagint. It apparently embellishes what is told of events surrounding Mary, prior to and at the moment of Jesus' birth, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.”[/color]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_JamesEvidently it wasn't James (the Just, presumably) who wrote this. Why would I put any stock in a pseudepigraphical text?, the author can't even get his own name right! Apocryphal nonsense.
You may not be aware of this. But to save you future embarrassment, I'll point out now that the Masoretic text was compiled between the 7th and 10th centuries A.D. by Christ-rejecting Jews.The Septuagint is the text used by Jesus in the NT. It is the text used by a large number of the Jews in the first century. Greek was the lingua franca, not Hebrew. And it was Aramaic that apparently was Jesus native tongue. So…
Works like these were transmitted widely throughout the empire. Obviously it did not make the canon of books to be read during the Sacred Liturgy. But this does not take away from the historicity of an ancient book held as Scripture by many orthodox Christians before the canon was defined. The history of this work cannot be easily dismissed. Especially when you take into account the living tradition of the Church about Mary and who she was.
Remember that it is not only the Bible that is inspired. It is the Sacred Scriptures that are incapable of error.
I find it fascinating that here is a writing held sacred to Christians who probably knew the Blessed Virgin Mary personally or their parents did. And you choose to reject the historicity of it because it is not in the Bible? Even though it easily conforms to what is written in the Bible? It apparently gives information that was not included by the gospel writers and so you reject it's history?
Well I don't know where you got your reasoning skills, but I won't respect you very much unless you admit that the story is AT LEAST probable. Why wouldn't it be? It is perfectly reasonable.
Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 13 2009,20:18) Quote (Nick Hassan @ Oct. 13 2009,05:55) Hi GM,
You really should be stronger in your biblical faith and not so easily influenced by unbelievers.
Hi brother Nick,
My faith in God is stronger than ever. I don't want rely on human imaginations which caused havoc on the books of N.T especially the Gospels.
On what authority do you base your belief that the 27 books of the NT are indeed canonical? Who decided for you? How did you come to this conclusion?Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 13 2009,22:34) I am sorry brother Nick for causing frustration to people but this is my hunger for truth. I want to differentiate between inspired and uninspired scriptures.
We know that the Bible is inspired. But who says nothing else can be inspired?Hi CA,
You, like BD, are convinced the other books you hold close to your heart are of God.
They are not in the canon you hold up but you use them to cast aside those inspired books and the precious words within them from God.
If you want to go through a desert of mind numbing dryness read the books of the carnal men of catholicism. Very poor fodder for those used to the bread of heaven.Quote (CatholicApologist @ Oct. 14 2009,05:22) Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 13 2009,22:34) I am sorry brother Nick for causing frustration to people but this is my hunger for truth. I want to differentiate between inspired and uninspired scriptures.
We know that the Bible is inspired. But who says nothing else can be inspired?
I hope you realize in saying that you can not personally pick what is and what is not inspired. The Quran is a direct revelation from God by Gabriel but you disregard it and I understand if you choose not to study it but to state that it is not from God is to be a hypocrite in your statement.Quote (Nick Hassan @ Oct. 14 2009,05:36) Hi CA,
You, like BD, are convinced the other books you hold close to your heart are of God.
They are not in the canon you hold up but you use them to cast aside those inspired books and the precious words within them from God.
If you want to go through a desert of mind numbing dryness read the books of the carnal men of catholicism. Very poor fodder for those used to the bread of heaven.
You simply consider whatever you read to be inspired but you fail to see that these books of the bible were all seperate books and there were plenty more but the people whom you say can't be trusted(The Catholic Church)assembled the Bible. So if they can't be trusted why do you trust what they put together?Gollamudi wrote:
Quote My faith in God is stronger than ever. I don't want rely on human imaginations which caused havoc on the books of N.T especially the Gospels.
The question becomes “what God?”
I have no seen any evidence that you have presented except for baseless speculation that gives any credence to your claim that havoc has been caused on the books of the New Testament. What I have seen is that you find the reasoning behind some scriptures as hard to understand and thus have chosen to follow certain experts who claim they are false.
Should you not instead put aside human “knowledge” and instead seek God and his righteousness so that all these things will be explained to you when God decides the time is right.
Do you believe that those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be given that righteousness they so desire by following Jesus and therefore his teachings?
Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,17:07) Should you not instead put aside human “knowledge” and instead seek God and his righteousness so that all these things will be explained to you when God decides the time is right.
Hi brother Kerwin,
I am praying and trusting God who is the God of Israel and God of Jesus. Therefore I find scuh inconsistencies which were forged by some human elements in our N.T. That's why now Christians are divided on Jesus' identity. One day Jesus will come prove them wrong and establish the truth of the Bible. I don't want to believe all these pagan mythologies like Pre-existence, Virgin birth, Trinity etc.Please understand my agony for truth.
Thanks
AdamHi GM,
Come on.
Casting such aspersions because your intellect cannot accept what is written is not good enough.Prove it or come back when you can.
Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 14 2009,13:02) Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,17:07) Should you not instead put aside human “knowledge” and instead seek God and his righteousness so that all these things will be explained to you when God decides the time is right.
Hi brother Kerwin,
I am praying and trusting God who is the God of Israel and God of Jesus. Therefore I find scuh inconsistencies which were forged by some human elements in our N.T. That's why now Christians are divided on Jesus' identity. One day Jesus will come prove them wrong and establish the truth of the Bible. I don't want to believe all these pagan mythologies like Pre-existence, Virgin birth, Trinity etc.Please understand my agony for truth.
Thanks
Adam
Neither the tenet of pre-existence or of the Trinity is truly bore witness to by the writers of scripture. I cannot say the same about the virgin conception and birth of Jesus.Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 14 2009,18:02) Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,17:07) Should you not instead put aside human “knowledge” and instead seek God and his righteousness so that all these things will be explained to you when God decides the time is right.
Hi brother Kerwin,
I am praying and trusting God who is the God of Israel and God of Jesus. Therefore I find scuh inconsistencies which were forged by some human elements in our N.T. That's why now Christians are divided on Jesus' identity. One day Jesus will come prove them wrong and establish the truth of the Bible. I don't want to believe all these pagan mythologies like Pre-existence, Virgin birth, Trinity etc.Please understand my agony for truth.
Thanks
Adam
Your preoccupation with paganism is a stumbling block for you. Do you really think that paganism invented or originated much of these concepts?Do you think Jewish worship was pagan? Consider the following:
Did The Catholic Church “Borrowed Many Items From the Pagans”?
Protestant Objection “Many things used by Catholics such as votive offerings, holy water, holydays, and seasons of devotion, processions, Wedding rings, blessing of fields, sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure (of priests, monks and nuns), are of pagan origin, and were borrowed from them”
A Pagan Egyptian Priest using Incense. Incense was condemned by certain prophets because of its association with idolatrous rites (11 Chron. 34:25; let,. Ii:20, 48:35), and yet scholars tell us that, about two pounds of incense per day were consumed in the Temple of Solomon.
To begin with, just because Pagans had previously used a item does not mean that it was borrowed from them. We ask our selves, so what if the pagans used them in a sense foreign to Christianity? We can adopt them, give them a new meaning, and so “reclaim” them for God and the Church. In other words, can’t these items be sanctified by their adoption into the true Church of God?
The answer is yes. If we were to study the scriptures we would find that many of the familiar objects used in Jewish Worship, were used first by the Pagans. This did not prevent God from ordaining their use among the Jews.
For example we find the Egyptians were the first use Oils, Oil Lamps, Priests, Incense, Ritualistic Anointing, Temples, Religious Processions and Tabernacles in their ancient Pagan worship. The Egyptians were also the first to have Holydays, Holy Seasons, and used Calendars. It should be noted that practice of Circumcision was also common in pre-Moses Egypt. Does this mean that the Jews “Borrowed” these items from the Pagans? Does this mean that the Jews should not have used these items? The answer to both of these questions is “NO”. God sanctioned and Sanctified the Jewish use of these items:
* Oils: Oils were were used in the temple, not just for the lamps and menorah, but as part of the sacrifices, for example the meat offerings were mingled with oil. (Lev. 7:10-12)
* Oil Lamps: The seven branched oil lamp called the “menorah” is an ancient symbol of Judaism. Its design was dictated by God when He instructed the Israelites to build the tabernacle in the wilderness. (Ex 25:31-40)
* Anointing: In that section of the Pentateuch known as the Priestly Code the Jewish high priest is anointed (Ex. 29:7; Lev. 6:13, 8:12), The other Jewish priests were anointed as well (Ex. xxx. 30, xl. 13-15). From the earliest times Jewish Kings anointed from the earliest times (Judges, ix. 8, 15; I Sam. 9:16, 10:1; II Sam. 19:10; I Kings, 1:39, 45; II Kings, 9:3, 6, 11:12).
* Priests: God set the tribe of Levi apart for the priestly service, Aaron was anointed and consecrated to the priesthood, arrayed in the robes of his office, and instructed in its manifold duties (Ex. 28. and 29.).
* Incense: Every morning the Hebrew high priest burned incense when he dressed the lamps (Ex. 30:1_9). A special altar of incense was located in front of the most Holy Place in the Tabernacle and the Temple (Ex. 38:1 f.). On the Day of Atonement the priest carried a censer of burning incense when he entered the Holy of Holies (Lev. 16: 12 f.). In later times Sadducees held that the priest should light the Incense before entering the Most Holy Place, lest lie see the glory of God; Pharisees maintained this to be superstition, and contended that the priest might light the incense after lie had entered. Incense was also burned with meat offerings (Lev. 2:1, 2, 15, 16)
* The Temple: In 2 Chronicles 7: 12-18 God blesses the Jewish Temple indicating His divine pleasure. In the scriptures it is called “the temple of the Lord” (2 Kings 11:10); “thy holy temple” (Ps. 79:1); “the house of the Lord” (2 Chr. 23:5, 12); “the house of the God of Jacob” (Isa. 2:3); “the house of my glory” (60:7); an “house of prayer” (56:7; Matt. 21:13); “an house of sacrifice” (2 Chr. 7:12); “the house of their sanctuary” (2 Chr. 36:17); “the mountain of the Lord's house” (Isa. 2:2); “our holy and our beautiful house” (64:11); “the holy mount” (27:13); “the palace for the Lord God” (1 Chr. 29:1); “the tabernacle of witness” (2 Chr. 24:6); “Zion” (Ps. 74:2; 84:7). Christ calls it “my Father's house” (John 2:16).
* Religious Processions: 2 Samuel chapter 5 Tells us about the Jewish procession to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Obededom back to the City of David. David was joyful in heart and danced with all his might before the Ark of the Covenant .
* Tabernacles: at Mount Sinai, Moses was given instructions from God for a portable tent-like sanctuary that was to be the center of Israel's worship until the Temple of Solomon was built (Ex. 25-30). The sanctuary was called both the “Tabernacle” (“dwelling”) and the “Tent of Meeting.” The Jews even had a special religious feast day, each year, in honor of the Tabernacle (described in Leviticus 23).
* Holydays, Holy Seasons: The Jews had many Holy Days that were ordained by God, such as the Passover, feast of Unleavened bread, feast of the first fruits, The Day of Atonement, feast of Tabernacle (all of these feasts are described in Leviticus 23) which was observed in both Old and New Testaments.
* Circumcision: Circumcision was enjoined upon Abraham and his descendants as “a token of the covenant” concluded with him by God for all generations, the penalty of non-observance being “karet,” excision from the people (Gen. 27:10-14, 21:4; Lev. 12:3)Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,18:20) Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 14 2009,13:02) Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,17:07) Should you not instead put aside human “knowledge” and instead seek God and his righteousness so that all these things will be explained to you when God decides the time is right.
Hi brother Kerwin,
I am praying and trusting God who is the God of Israel and God of Jesus. Therefore I find scuh inconsistencies which were forged by some human elements in our N.T. That's why now Christians are divided on Jesus' identity. One day Jesus will come prove them wrong and establish the truth of the Bible. I don't want to believe all these pagan mythologies like Pre-existence, Virgin birth, Trinity etc.Please understand my agony for truth.
Thanks
Adam
Neither the tenet of pre-existence or of the Trinity is truly bore witness to by the writers of scripture. I cannot say the same about the virgin conception and birth of Jesus.
So brother Kerwin,
Why you choose to disagree with two only why not virgin birth which was also invented by the earliest Christian writers?
Because you think other two were developed by the post biblical Christians. No No you are still wrong. If you want to disagree you have to criticise everything but not in bits and parts.I now understand Christianity is messed up with so many dogmas which can not be reconcilled with O.T.
Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 14 2009,02:54) Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,18:20) Quote (gollamudi @ Oct. 14 2009,13:02) Quote (kerwin @ Oct. 14 2009,17:07) Should you not instead put aside human “knowledge” and instead seek God and his righteousness so that all these things will be explained to you when God decides the time is right.
Hi brother Kerwin,
I am praying and trusting God who is the God of Israel and God of Jesus. Therefore I find scuh inconsistencies which were forged by some human elements in our N.T. That's why now Christians are divided on Jesus' identity. One day Jesus will come prove them wrong and establish the truth of the Bible. I don't want to believe all these pagan mythologies like Pre-existence, Virgin birth, Trinity etc.Please understand my agony for truth.
Thanks
Adam
Neither the tenet of pre-existence or of the Trinity is truly bore witness to by the writers of scripture. I cannot say the same about the virgin conception and birth of Jesus.
So brother Kerwin,
Why you choose to disagree with two only why not virgin birth which was also invented by the earliest Christian writers?
Because you think other two were developed by the post biblical Christians. No No you are still wrong. If you want to disagree you have to criticise everything but not in bits and parts.I now understand Christianity is messed up with so many dogmas which can not be reconcilled with O.T.
GMYea, I have noticed your continued progression away from the truth.
You are not even Genes “yes man” anymore, and that really says a lot IMO.
I pray you will find the truth though!
WJ
Hi brother WJ,
Thank you very much for your prayers. I know I am not deviating from the truth of Bible. But I am targetting people who choose to believe a selected number of doctrines and negate others. I know as Trinitarian you are at least sticking to all fully. But what about others who willfully choose a few. I am questioning all doctrines irrespective of my background as originally a trinitarian. I am not partial to my background.
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