Category Archives: Greek History

the greek origin of omniscience

Posted on December 7, 2015 by christopher fisher

The concept of omniscience in rooted in the idea of God’s “perfection”. In platonism, the perfect cannot change. Thus, if god changed (such as learning new information) then god would not be perfect. Omniscience, then, is an extension of platonistic … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine, Bible, God, Greek History, Immutablility, Plato, Theology | 3 Comments

an overview of the mystery cults

Posted on February 19, 2015 by christopher fisher

[W]e may say that a Mystery-Religion was (I) a religion of symbolism which, through myth and allegory, iconic representations, blazing lights and dense darkness, liturgies and sacramental acts, and suggestion quickened the intuitions of the heart, and provoked in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Greek History, History, Mystery Cults | 1 Comment

the status of homer in the ancient world

Posted on May 3, 2014 by christopher fisher

Homer wrote the Odyssey and the Iliad between 750 and 650 BC. Around 570 BC, Xenophanes introduced the notion that the Greek gods were false. Instead, the real god was without body: Clement of Alexandria Miscellanies 5. 109: Xenophanes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Greek History, Plato, Textual Criticism, Theology | 1 Comment

curiosities in the pythian odes

Posted on February 10, 2014 by christopher fisher

From Pindar’s Pythian Odes, on omnipotence: God bringeth every end to pass according to his desires. He over-taketh even the winged eagle and passeth the dolphin in the sea; and he bringeth low many a proud man, granting to other … Continue reading →

Posted in Greek History, Omnipotence, Omniscience | Leave a comment

misquoted verses – vegetarians are weak and wine makes people stumble

Posted on January 3, 2014 by christopher fisher

Throughout Paul’s writings we find him addressing two food issues: 1. Kosher food laws. 2. Meat sacrificed to idols. When Paul writes about food, it is about one or both of these two issues. His statements should be understood in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Greek History, History, Misquoted Verses, Morality, Theology | 1 Comment

plato on the purpose of the mystery cults

Posted on November 6, 2013 by christopher fisher

The historians who study the issue tend to agree that Plato was initiated into the Mystery Cults of his time. Some say that he was singled out for revealing secret information about their teachings, although I have not found anything … Continue reading →

Posted in Greek History, History, Mystery Cults, Plato | 1 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

eating twice a day is gluttony

Posted on October 19, 2013 by christopher fisher

In Athenaeus’ Banquet of the Learned, he quotes Plato talking about his visit to Italy. Now Athenaeus lived around 200AD and Plato lived around 400BC, but both authors seem to think of multiple daily meals as exuberance. Here is Plato … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Greek History, History, Jesus, Standard of Living | 1 Comment

mencken on greek philosophy

Posted on October 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

From A Mencken Chrestomathy: Is it seriously argued that Plato was the most enlightened Greek of his age? Then it may be argued with equal plausibility that Upton Sinclair has been the most enlightened American of this one. Item by … Continue reading →

Posted in Greek History, History, Theology | Leave a comment

mortality and the western mindset

Posted on September 28, 2013 by christopher fisher

There is a very interesting article on the blog Experimental Theology in which the author discusses the difference between educated Western sensibilities and those of prison inmates. I’ve read some of the most scandalous passages in the bible to men … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Greek History, History, Human Nature, Morality, Standard of Living, Theology | 1 Comment