Category Archives: Church History

the epistle of barnabas

Posted on November 12, 2013 by christopher fisher

The Epistle of Barnabas (not to be confused with the Gospel of Barnabas) was an early 1st century (80-120 A.D.) Christian document which was widely attributed to the apostle Barnabas. The Epistle of Barnabas was written to Gentile Christians and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church History, God, History, Textual Criticism, Theology | 1 Comment

paul may have had a female companion

Posted on November 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

A commenter pointed out that Paul seems to be countering an unquoted critic in 1 Corinthians. This seems likely: 1Co 9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 1Co 9:5 Have we not power to lead about … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church History, History | 1 Comment

john cassian on literalism

Posted on October 30, 2013 by christopher fisher

John Cassian actually provides an interesting example of a “literal” reading of the Bible that is taken to absurd extent. Apparently there were some monks who misinterpreted Jesus’ command to “take up your cross”: whosoever takes not up his cross … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church Fathers, Church History, Figures of Speech, Textual Criticism, Theology | Leave a comment

the church fathers claim a pagan as their own

Posted on October 30, 2013 by christopher fisher

Ammonius Saccas was a Greek philosopher who was active around 240AD. Ammonius Saccas taught Neoplatonism and spawned two renowned pupils: the Christian Origen and the Neoplatonist Plotinus. Plotinus, in turn, had a pupil who claims to have also known Origen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Fathers, Church History, Greek History, History, Plotinus | 1 Comment

augustine viewed creation through plato’s theory of forms

Posted on October 24, 2013 by christopher fisher

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine, Church History, History, Theology | 1 Comment

josephus on the pharisees sadducees and essenes

Posted on September 29, 2013 by christopher fisher

Here is Josephus (37AD-100AD) talking about the trends in Judaism around the time of Christ. Pay attention to the afterlife, fate, and salvation: Now, for the Pharisees, they live meanly, and despise delicacies in diet; and they follow the conduct … Continue reading →

Posted in Church History, History, Theology | 1 Comment

neglected verses – John 2 15

Posted on September 26, 2013 by christopher fisher

Joh 2:15 When He [Jesus] had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. The picture of Jesus that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church History, Gnostics, History, Jesus, Neglected Verses, People, Theology | 1 Comment

the ending of the gospel of mark

Posted on August 8, 2013 by christopher fisher

In an article entitled The “Strange” Ending of the Gospel of Mark, the author claims that Mark 16:9-19 is clearly forged: Even though this ending is patently false, people loved it and to this day conservative Christians regularly denounce “liberal” … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible Critics, Church History, Ehrman, History, People, Textual Criticism | 2 Comments

rabble rousers in the Bible

Posted on July 16, 2013 by christopher fisher

There is a scene in Acts in which the disciples began healing people en masse and the Sadducees imprison the disciples. The disciples miraculously escape and begin preaching again. The elders of Israel are called together, and one individual argues … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church History, History | 2 Comments

the gospel of the birth of caesar

Posted on July 3, 2013 by christopher fisher

Gospel means literally “good news”. Even in the Bible it is used to communicate various meanings. For example, Paul uses it in Galatians as the message to Abraham about having his children bless the world: Gal 3:8 And the Scripture, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church History, History, Textual Criticism, Theology | 2 Comments