Category Archives: History

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

Biblical interpretation

Posted on November 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

During a recent interview with Economist Russ Roberts, Emily Oster was recounting a debate she had with a doctor on the relative harms of various activities for pregnant ladies. She insisted that the data should lead us to the conclusions … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine, Bible, Church Fathers, Theology | 3 Comments

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

why Biblical prophecies fail

Posted on November 2, 2013 by christopher fisher

Throughout the Bible there are failed prediction prophecies. I am not referring to prophecies that just were not clear prophecies in the first place (such as Matthews’ “fulfillments”). I am not also talking about prophecies that were fulfilled in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, Jewish History, Omnipotence, Open Theism, Prophecy, Theology | 7 Comments

divorce for abandonment

Posted on November 1, 2013 by christopher fisher

The question was presented to me on the nature of Biblical divorce. Are there any circumstances (such as spousal abandonment) which would warrant a divorce? The answer is twofold: 1. Abandonment is divorce. There is no “divorce for abandonment”. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Goverment, Jewish History, Morality, Textual Criticism, Theology | 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

john cassian on anthropomorphism

Posted on October 30, 2013 by christopher fisher

The Calvinist modus operandi is to start with a priory (preconceived ideas) on the attributes of God and then interpret the text of the Bible in light of those concepts. Augustine actually admits to this in his Confessions (chapter 12). … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Church Fathers, Figures of Speech, God, History, 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

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