Philosophy
The week before Christmas, I was outside of a grocery store that had a sale on holiday hams. It struck me as odd that the birth of someone who was Jewish would be regularly celebrated by His followers with something that was not kosher, clearly forbidden in Leviticus 11. This would be no problem at all if the the entire Old Testament was rejected, but the creation story in Genesis and the Ten Commandments seem to be still taken seriously.
So, the question I've never understood is what criterion is used to determine what parts of the first five books is still operative and which parts God changed his mind about? In determining Christian theology, how do you know when it is o.k. to refer to the earlier sections and when are they obsolete? Is it opt-in or opt-out, that is, does there have to be reference to the passage in the New Testament for it still to be enforceable Divine command or does there have to be contradiction of it in the Gospels for it to be overturned? Or is the condition something else altogether? Growing up Jewish and watching Christians eat anything they wanted during Passover -- especially when it overlapped with Easter -- always left me curious about this.
- Contraception, Jewish Deli, And The Right To Be A Bully
I have heard a single analogy multiple times from conservative Catholics who are trying to defend the stripping of health care benefits from Church-employed workers. You wouldn't support a law forcing a Jewish deli to sell pork, they argue,...
- Nothing Borrowed, Nothing Lent
As we move into the Christian season of lent, it raises an interesting question. During lent, Christians live a more modest lifestyle giving up particular pleasures. Other religions also set aside times where certain physical needs are left unmet to create...
- Why December 25th
Thanks to POSP stringer Tim. "How December 25 Became Christmas" by Andrew McGowan Biblical Archaeology Review Magazine On December 25, Christians around the world will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Joyful carols, special liturgies, brightly...
- Elaine Pagels...religious Historian Still Teaching And Writing
Elaine Pagels February 13th, 1943 Quite a scholar and often consulted on PBS specials on theology. She was "...born in Palo Alto, California (1943). She's a professor at Princeton and she's most famous for her work on early Christian texts, especially...
- December 25th...the Reason Why--maybe
"How December 25 Became Christmas" by Andrew McGowan 2010 Biblical Archaeology Review Magazine On December 25, Christians around the world will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Joyful carols, special liturgies, brightly wrapped gifts, festive foods—these...
Philosophy
An Honest Question to Christian Readers
The week before Christmas, I was outside of a grocery store that had a sale on holiday hams. It struck me as odd that the birth of someone who was Jewish would be regularly celebrated by His followers with something that was not kosher, clearly forbidden in Leviticus 11. This would be no problem at all if the the entire Old Testament was rejected, but the creation story in Genesis and the Ten Commandments seem to be still taken seriously.
So, the question I've never understood is what criterion is used to determine what parts of the first five books is still operative and which parts God changed his mind about? In determining Christian theology, how do you know when it is o.k. to refer to the earlier sections and when are they obsolete? Is it opt-in or opt-out, that is, does there have to be reference to the passage in the New Testament for it still to be enforceable Divine command or does there have to be contradiction of it in the Gospels for it to be overturned? Or is the condition something else altogether? Growing up Jewish and watching Christians eat anything they wanted during Passover -- especially when it overlapped with Easter -- always left me curious about this.
- Contraception, Jewish Deli, And The Right To Be A Bully
I have heard a single analogy multiple times from conservative Catholics who are trying to defend the stripping of health care benefits from Church-employed workers. You wouldn't support a law forcing a Jewish deli to sell pork, they argue,...
- Nothing Borrowed, Nothing Lent
As we move into the Christian season of lent, it raises an interesting question. During lent, Christians live a more modest lifestyle giving up particular pleasures. Other religions also set aside times where certain physical needs are left unmet to create...
- Why December 25th
Thanks to POSP stringer Tim. "How December 25 Became Christmas" by Andrew McGowan Biblical Archaeology Review Magazine On December 25, Christians around the world will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Joyful carols, special liturgies, brightly...
- Elaine Pagels...religious Historian Still Teaching And Writing
Elaine Pagels February 13th, 1943 Quite a scholar and often consulted on PBS specials on theology. She was "...born in Palo Alto, California (1943). She's a professor at Princeton and she's most famous for her work on early Christian texts, especially...
- December 25th...the Reason Why--maybe
"How December 25 Became Christmas" by Andrew McGowan 2010 Biblical Archaeology Review Magazine On December 25, Christians around the world will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Joyful carols, special liturgies, brightly wrapped gifts, festive foods—these...