Dr. Evans, thank you for your scholarly talk on Jesus and Dead Sea Scrolls, second century writings and The Truth about Biblical writing as proved by various evidences like archeological, textural etc. I can only say Praise the Lord, Amen!
The man I consult is a PhD of the ancient classics, speaks Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek and Latin, so I am on the right track. Craig Evans knows what he's talking about.
I was saved my friend at the age of 13 when I came to Christ and I have been teaching the bible for decades. I know you are sincere with what you are saying, but you are in error about what you are talking about. Peace.
Scripture states, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. " You need to invite Christ into your life and be born again. Then you will have a relationship with th God. Jesus came to die for your sins and mine. 👍
Craig Evans is a great scholar. His books are very readable. He provides the "other side of the story" overlooked many times by skeptics in popular culture.
jan coil - What is that claim based on a study or a gut feeling? It it is a study please share the link and show the arguments. If it is a gut feeling then thanks for sharing this emotional moment with us.
I trust the 66 books we Christians use to tell me about the TRUTH about Ysshua the Messiah because it bears witness with the Holy Spirit. Thank you Craig Evens. Been studying with you since 1992 and I first met you here in Phoenix at the Dead Sea Scroll meetings, I trust your work.
Great book! People will look through microscopes to find ways to obey the demons and follow their passions into error and falsehood. Gnosticism appeals to their carnal nature because they can follow their own wills.
Women's testimony in those days meant zilch and was not taken as fact. The reason the scriptures record that women (two Mary's) saw Jesus after His death is because it was the truth.
What Gospel did Jesus preached? The true gospel talks about the Kingdom of God. Luke 4:43 "I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose." Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom (NOT the Bible; NOT Jesus; NOT his Resurrection nor the Cross) will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God,... Luke 16:16 Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, There's ONLY one true Gospel...that is the Kingdom of God. All churches in the world have preached the wrong Gospel...
Everything we need, has been provided to us. You just have to seek it, study hard, and gain inner truth. This is not something to take lightly, it is a work that takes many lifetimes to acquire. Eventually each will hopefully gain their true Gnosis, and realize who and what they truly are, and understand the path to return home.
@@paytongutierrez5723 Since you asked I will give you the address, up to you to read and study or to ignore it, your choice. gnosis.org there are many many great texts here read a bit and it will recommend some to start if you wish. All the best.
@@paytongutierrez5723 Just so you know, I do not write books, nor have monetized page, for I wish nothing, absolutely nothing but to offer another an option for inner truth. Truly wish you and others all the best. Time is short. Just for me, but Jesus was simply a man, but Christ was the Word, the one who came from the source in the beginning, but as Christ tells us we are as he is, from the Father. We are from this very source as spiritual sparks, and with wisdom, inner gnosis, we find our way home. This is our reason for even being here. This is Gnosis for me in four lines of text.
@@paytongutierrez5723 All the best to you! As the world gets very strange, hope you find time to seek wisdom and gnosis. Wish you all the best, see you when we arrive home down the road.
He sounds like a man who knows his stuff. But with So many different versions being told by other men who sound like they know their stuff, it's hard to tell which one of them is true.
@William The Holy Bible is not a book, but a library... The books therein were written over many centuries, by many authors. Therefore, the books should be taken literally if they are intended to be literal, poetically if poetry, historical if history, allegorical if allegory. In order to correctly understand the context with which to understand scripture, it behooves us to read those who received the Gospel directly from the Apostles.
@William On the surface I agree, but history proves differently... "The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth", and not scripture alone. The Holy Spirit is only experienced in His fullness in the Church, and not by self interpretations or in isolation. Please bear in mind that every single soul responsible for founding the current 60,000 Protestant denominations also believed they were being guided by the Holy Spirit. But if they indeed were, then why is there no unity? This was not so for the first 1000 years of Christianity.
@William Thanks for your spirited reply, but you are merely reinforcing the "41k" denomination problem, by appearing to live by your own subjective concepts of Christianity and Christ. Christianity outside of its historical context is heresy; therefore, what you call "Christianity" is actually Protestantism. Unfortunately, too many have simply refused to study what happened immediately after the Apostles. Who took the baton? and to whom was it handed down? Did the Faith simply fizzle out? How did we receive the Holy Scriptures? and who testified in the first place that they are inspired? Who compiled them? or did they fall from the sky? Without those basic questions being answered, the "41k" will continue to splinter, leading to agnosticism.
Scholars - that is the issue. They don’t follow Yeshua / Jesus teachings. Paul contradicts some of Jesus’s teachings. From woman until the father. You and they need to cast your net to the right and catch 153 fish.. so what does this mean to you casting net to the right? Do you know what 153 fish mean ? Reply and I can explain as I have casted this net and also caught 153 fish..
Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." Matthew 23:13-14 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.Gnostic means knowledge. Gospel of Thomas is one of the gnostics gospels which is the key to knowledge taught by Jesus about entering Kingdom of God. However, Gospel of Thomas was taken out from the bible just as Jesus said in Luke 11:52......................Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are........................Whoever condemns the gospel of Thomas as heretic is the son of hell.
No kingdom on earth, nor do I value the old testament very much but for some prophesy. Many of the stories in the old testament are misleading and have Hebrew values that Christ did not share. Have studied the Nag Hammadi and countless other texts for decades and the bible is much like a children's book, or is elementary in nature. Yet much of the NHL is so far more detailed and accurate, and Christ offers great wisdom that is not available in the Bible. Humans are not of the father, not the Father of Christ, but the ones who have a spiritual spark within, that is of the true Father, and is what is his.
One thing to consider considering. There have, as far as we know, always been a minimum of two major interpretations of the Christ event. a) Jesus died for our sins, and b) Jesus came to save us from ignorance and blindness. The former is the idea of "Atonement", that we have a sin debt to God only death and blood can pay for. The Nicene leaders who selected from hundreds of books the 27 to be in the bible (via Constantine in 320 ad) and Augustine were of this view. The latter view was held all over the Mediterranean by so called Gnostics (such as Origin, Valentinus, Clement of Alexandria, even early Augustine when he was a Manichean). I am convinced that whether one has orthodox/atonement views or not it is completely impossible to understand Christian history or Christianity itself if you dismiss the Enlightenment tradition of early xians (which is diverse and complex). The enlightenment tradition is taught by very few churches because, of course, Gnostic writings were burnt and the tradition was wiped out. Until recently. (Of course also the NT is highly edited as well.) A close reading of Romans and John reflect a strong Gnostic tradition existing at the time. An example: in John, Jesus said: "it is NOT me that does these works but the Father in me". Also: "you are all gods" Also: the Logos that "lighteth EVERY man". (These verses are ignored by many Atonement believers.) As these verses say, many or most early believers did NOT believe Jesus = God but that Jesus contained God. Big difference. Israel and many others were also called the "son of God" long before Jesus, clearly meaning J. was not the only son of God. The first gigantic controversy in the church was over these Gnostic vs. Orthodox questions -- was Jesus God or exclusively God and what was the nature of the "incarnation"? If Jesus was and is the only Son of God then why does Galatians say we too are the Son of God (brothers of Christ) via "A great mystery, Christ in you"? The same thing as the idea of "Christ in Jesus". Anyone "anointed" by the Holy Spirit is the Son of God. This enlightenment tradition teaches people do NOT need a priest or mediator or pastor between God and man. Each person can know God directly by... surprise, knowing her or himself. Gnostics did not believe in rules, dogmas,male-only leadership, hierarchy and permanent clergy (!). That, I think, is why many Atonement leaders like Craig Evans are so critical and dismissive. That is also why leaders insist, without any evidence, that the bible we have = the original writings, or nearly so. A pretty bizarre idea but useful if conformity to tradition is desired. Like all of us, Evans needs to hold onto a job. One more thing: where exactly in the gospels does Jesus ask or permit people to worship him or pray to him? Nowhere.
I agree, why should I look for Jesus in Islamic book the Quran 680 AD later ,when Church canonized the Catholic Bible 320 AD in the Council Hippo? At same time ,why should I accept Martin Luther rejection of Deuterocanon books ,the 7 books when Jesus and his disciples quoted them?
If you truly take an honest look at the scriptures, Christian or otherwise, the roll Astrotheology plays in these texts is undeniable. This is an Astrologically themed book from front to end. From the 12 Diciples (Zodiac), to the Son (Sun, the Risen Saviour, Light of the world), to the Age of Pisces and fish symbolism, to Lucifer (son of the morning) and Venus, to the Virgin Mary (Virgo) Isis, so many other examples. The stories contained within, are most certainly older then the Bible and span many other cultures besides Hebrew. Most Christians refuse to look at the texts thru an Esoteric lens. Unfortunately, they have had fear placed into their hearts, by a Theocracy, that would have a lot to lose, if the masses developed the true Spiritual understanding, which is contained within the Bible. Collectively people are not given the proper key to decipher it.
You can't dismiss the other works that were written during the time of the Gospels. The Gospels were just a few books among many that were picked and decided by edict to be canon. The other works of the time show the intellectual atmosphere of the time and give insight into the Gospels and context to why they say what they do. In addition, there have been changes made as the were copied and recopied through the centuries. Nothing exists in a vacuum or comes out of a vacuum.
One thing I cannot agree with here is that word, "Trained", do not agree with being trained by humans, nor religion, but only Christ Within, or the Father. Not sure why so many focus on Jesus or his flesh over his spiritual wisdom and Gnosis. He has given us great truth, but you will not find it unless you seek it. If you are ready to hear it and know, then it will resonate with you. Not into the Vatican, nor worldly religion. The GOT was spoken before it was ever written, but those truths come from the source, and existed prior to the Coptic texts, most likely Greek. Not much value in resurrection of the flesh, but the spirit, and the ascension that took place. That is a path home. Epic!
Jesus say in Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Where is the Kingdom of God...? Have you found it...? If you want to know where the Kingdom of God is, read the Gospel of Thomas.
/* Where is the Kingdom of God...? Have you found it...? */ Found it? Who said we were looking for it? The Kingdom of God is the Gospel of Jesus Christ as clearly stated in the New Testament. Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 6:7-10 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.... Mark 1:14-15 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, bpreaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” /* If you want to know where the Kingdom of God is, read the Gospel of Thomas */ I've read that pseudo gospel and it doesn't contain the Gospel nor the Kingdom of God. I wonder if you have ever read Thomas. The alleged gospel of Thomas is a well known and documented literature in a genre of writing called pseudepigrapha (False Writings). It is well known to be spurious text from the 2nd century written in Syria. How can the disciple Thomas be the author of the Gnostic gospel of Thomas from the late second century. Thomas would have to be 200 years old to have written it! LOL!!!!!!!
Surfxeo "Who said we were looking for it?" If not, then you are not following or obey Jesus teachings... "it doesn't contain the Gospel nor the Kingdom of God" This prove that you did not read the Gospel of Thomas nor the Bible even...! Gospel of Thomas on where the Kingdom of God is... LAYTON (3) Jesus said: If those who lead you say to you: See, the kingdom is in heaven, then the birds of the heaven will go before you; if they say to you: It is in the sea, then the fish will go before you. But the kingdom is within you (Luke 17:21-22), and it is outside of you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will know that you are the sons of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you are in poverty, and you are poverty.
Surfxeo So what makes you think that Mark is the author of Gospel of Mark,,,Matthew is the author of Gospel of Matthew, Luke is the author of Gospel of Luke, etc... Besides, I don't believe Mark, Luke, Matthew and John are Gospels...You must be kidding. Never of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John are consider gospels...I scratch my head and my ass still don't understand how on earth Mark, Luke, Matthew and John become gospels.
netelsg /* This prove that you did not read the Gospel of Thomas */ What you put in quotes doesn't appear in the "gospel of Thomas". Proving I have read it! I've read the Gnostic gospel of Thomas and it doesn't contain the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You do realise the gnostic Thomas book was written in the 2nd century in Syria. That means it was never written by the Disciple Thomas and it is a Pseudopigrapha (False Writing). If you have read the Gnostic gospel of Thomas when you must believe in the silly ideas that women aren't allowed into Heaven unless they first become a man? LOL!!! Gnostic "gospel" of Thomas 114 Simon Peter said to them, "Make Mary leave us, for females don't deserve life." Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. 3For every female who makes herself male will enter the domain of Heaven." It also quotes from the New Testament proving the preexistence of the Gospels found in the Bible.
His dabte against Bart Ehrman is the best I've seen thus far. He doesn't sugar coat the contradictions, but doesn't agree with rejecting them all together, since one would have to do the same thing to any ancient writing.
Honestly...just read the Canonical Gospel accounts and then read the Gnostic and Apocryphal accounts. It’s seriously not hard to see why the latter works are not canonized. They teach a mystic teaching of the Self, which aligns with the teachings of Buddha and Lao Tzu and Krishna, and attribute it to the Kingdom of God. It’s very clear to me that they’re just forgeries that really misquote Jesus.
That is not confirmed, and even if it was from the 80's, it is still a small sample that is over 50 years after the story of Jesus was suppose to have happened. And the original
Keith Doten See my response above regarding the difference in importance to humanity of some less important events in ancient history, and the claim of the book that the creator of the world came to earth to a desert tribe as a carpenter's step son, and hence the greater need to prove its historicity.
Austin O'Keeffe Actually, manuscript evidence for ancient writings is almost invariably much later than the actual composition. For example, the oldest manuscript evidence for Aristotle's _Politics_ is a 12th century A.D. Latin manuscript apparently translated from Arabic. That we have things like the Rylands Papyri (including a fragment of John 18 and a chunk of Paul's letters) dating from the early 2d century--within a century after the composition of the works--is quite remarkable. But these exist because Egypt has no water apart from the Nile, and if papyrus or leather documents are buried somewhere away from the river, they will last. For something written on the northern shores of the Med or in 'Eretz Yisroel, in ancient times, it would be all but a miracle. Further, much of our modern dogma about the Gospels being so late (including the "compromise" date of the 80's accepted by most scholars, but not all) stems from Ferdinand Christian Baur's early 19th century attempt to make the history of the NT fit a tidy Hegelian schema (named after the German philosopher Georg Friedrich Hegel) in which everything grows by a thesis meeting an antithesis and resulting in a synthesis.
+Kepha Hor The problem begins when as not a singlw word has been written down by Joshuah/Jesus nor anyone else in his life time. We have some texts from non-eyewitnesses which have written something at some time and place but we have no possibility to proof if Jesus said any word the stories make him say. Why did Joshuah/Jesus not write it down himself? He spent 30 years doing almost nothing but preaching for a year or so.
Unlike the so-called Gnostic gospels which differed, throughout the Mediterranean world different Apostolic churches in different areas, languages such as Aramaic, Coptic, Greek, Vetus Latin, and other ancient languages, and different theologies came up with the same four Gospels naming the same four authors Matthew, Mark. Luke, and John. Blessings.
I'm not saying the resurrection didn't happen and do believe jesus was a real person, but there is an occult ancient practice called 'The Living Resurrection' which did appear to involve a person being induced into a comer for three days in order to cross over to the other world to retrieve insights and information. It is at least worth looking into this practice. Again I believe in Jesus and in God but these ancient practices are worth considering non the less. Great video and the book looks great to.
By the way, even as you call him Jesus, he said repeatedly, most all of his followers, including many of his disciples, did not know him. This is spoken quite a lot, so the few who truly knew Christ, those are the ones I wish to receive my wisdom from. Not organized churches, religion, or those who wish to gain pride, ego, or money from his knowledge. Events mean very little to me, of those times, and many are contradicted within the NHL like Moses, or the Tree, or many many more. Have come to know the deepest truths with his wisdom and the blessing of the Father. All is great
Did you listen to the guy? It’s true that there’s no reason to believe he really flew up into the sky upon resurrection, but there’s is very good reason to believe that Jesus proclaims x, y and z and that many people believed he was resurrected. The scholarship around these texts is more about a true historical window onto the world in which the religion developed, not proof of miracles
The only problem with that argument is that the gospels co-incided with many events that actually happened and we know they happened because there are many people at the time that recorded what happened. The probability that Jesus existed and started the Christian religion is very very high(not 100% because history is not science).... based on known historians of the time.
The scholars and the religious leaders were the enemies of The teaching of Jesus. Jesus himself picked the uneducated ones and entrusted to them the word of God. Jesus himself did not learn from the modern schools because the Pharisees and scholars said how does he know the scriptures not having gone to their schools. So just because someone has PHD doesn’t mean he has authority to lay down the foundation on religion. So don’t be naive and ignorant, read all the ancient books you can and search out the truth like a treasure without deceit, it’s the only way.
he is wrong the dead sea scrolls have nothing really to do with the new testament they are only the oldest old testament text we have older or same time of jesus so this is what jesus would have read or heard as a jew and the dead sea scrolls help us know more about the 1st century
Baji Scipio Dārayav Aurelius Julian Venizelos Nalwa It appears that some New Testament manuscripts were found in Cave 9 of Qumran, but this is tentative right now.
I don't think Josh McDowell would say that the Gospel according to Mark was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls since Mark was written in the 1st century AD and the DDS date to just before that time. The Oldest Papyrus of Mark is P45 and is dated to the early third century. There is a new fragment yet to be published from the Gospel according to Mark dated to the 80's AD.
It's obvious from the four gospels the resurrection is just a story. They can't agree on how many women came to the tomb, their names, the number of angels encountered, the words of the angel(s), whether the stone was rolled away when the women arrived, who Jesus first appeared to etc etc. If these sacred and mysterious events had occurred in reality, then discrepancies, errors, and fibs of this kind would simply not have occurred---or at least they would have been corrected!
Not at all, on the contrary historical evidence is usually agreeable on the broad facts but differ from the perspective of the reporter. But if you are not interested to understand this then just stick to your opinion... Anyway there are lot of other people who get it
Craig, if you have studied the Bible for countless decades as well as NHL and other scriptures of truth, then you know that the gospel of John in the bible is quite unique and not as Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Also this very John also is responsible for texts in the Nag Hammadi and tells us far more than in the bible. But I know the Dead Seas scrolls that are so fragmented they have little value, but even more is most all of them are not gnostic in nature but reflect Hebrew roots or biblical parables and do not reflect greater insights. This is quite clear to anyone who has studied for a long time.
You also use the word Jesus, but you should know that name did not even exist during his times. Nor was his body what was important, for it was his spirit that descended that was and is the core of his Father. Also, most if not all of the text of the Nag Hammadi are completely unlike the Dead Sea Scrolls and should not be spoken off in kind, and they may have been written in Coptic, but most all were in Greek or even other texts prior to their Coptic translations. Many scholars even believe some of these gnostic texts predated the four gospels of the Bible. Not for me to decide.
OH by the way, one should not believe or lay in stone what they are told or read, but when one knows the true meaning within once they study the texts, then one will know. When you truly seek the truth, the Father will give you great Gnosis and provide you with the inner truth. If you do not know, Christ is within you right now, and he is there to help you come to know, to wake up, to shake of our ignorance, and gain true gnosis, and realize who and what we truly are, where we came from, and how we are to return home. This is all told to us, in great detail, but it requires study and free will.
Seek and you will find, and when you find, you will be troubled, and then you will be amazed, and come to know that it is you, who are the true children of the Father. Also, Christ tells us in the NHL, For you are as I am, once you drink of my truth and come to know me, you are as I am, and know the Father. When you know your true self you will not experience death. This is a fact, absolute fact. I cannot stress enough, if one seeks truth with all their will and heart they will be given a great glory, and come to know the inner truths that will set them free, to be united once again with the All.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31King James Version (KJV) 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. King James Version (KJV) the Man In This Video for All His False Pride and Wisdom Knows Nothing of the Lord. Matthew 23:13 "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
God born a Son Psalm 110 out of Himself, that when the Word became Flesh, He walked in all of the Old Testament and came through Mary with His Body. His Body not of this world Hebrew 9:11-13. Jesus is Bread (His Body) from Heaven John 6:51. Study about bodies, There is two types of Bodies our physical and Spiritual, Jesus had a Spiritual Body and His Blood from heaven 1 Corinthians 15:40-50. If you make Jesus to a canal man, you will worship a creature, not a Creator Romans 1:16-25
And since when are christians taking jesus teachings first? Never. none of what your churches are selling has anything to do with Jesus, but rather is an orgy of division among the ignorant. People like this guy keep Jesus back in the zero, cuz they can't start talking Truth that is Here, Now, because they'll freak out, get mad, and crucify them. Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, but I'm not.
Yes Ascension is far more valued than a resurrection. Flesh and Blood cannot enter into the kingdom of the Father, so why a physical resurrection except perhaps to prompt religion, but the true value is his ascension and how to return home. Also what we truly are, where we came from, and how we are to return home. These are the important things that are available for us now. The Dead Sea Scrolls are not gnostic in nature, at least very very little, are more biblical in nature. Now the Nag Hammadi holds far more truths & gnosis.
Who's afraid of Elaine Pagels? Craig Evans and other fearful deniers. Half of the Gospel of Thomas is in the 4 canonical gospels so therefore at least half of it is at least as authentic as they are.
Everything, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Daniel, Zephaniah, on and on, all of it comes from the source, the original one, the Word. All you speak of are ones who wrote truth down, much of it, in parables. But I do not place much value in the Dead Sea Scrolls, except to parallel the cannon, our bible. But the Nag Hammadi is far more, for it brings us sacred secrets, insights to our true nature, who and what we truly are, and how we can return home. Also, the Dead Sea Scrolls are far more fragmented and mainly support the bible, but for me, that book is of the council and is elementary to the deepest truths. Be Blessed!
This man has no idea what he's talking about the nag hammadi txt were translated accurately and a lot of scholars can prove this,the fact u dis credit the txt for book sales shows your ignorance
Why would you say he knows better than me?you dont know me and apparently you don't know the nag hamadi text has more than one english translation and Craig Evans translation is clearly a bias one.
All the abrahamic religions dull peoples down and make them spiritually ignorant;you just protect othodox Christianity because you were conditioned into that belief system.
My friend, I am free man and I read well. I have my conclusion upon my own research. I am not learning from this pastor or that pastor. For me , in order to know about Jesus, one is NT, other thing is spiritual relationship ... without that , no one can believe NT or any other historical document. People who try to criticize, NT, put their trust on some other materials and their faith. For me, this is simple, if Bible, is true, then Jesus is alive and holy spirit is with in us. I should be able to reach to him whenever I want...that is the test.....if I can reach to Jesus since he is alive, then NT is true.... Indeed I can reach to Jesus, and I have seen his power in my life and other's lives.. so I dont want to waste my time anymore to search whether Bible is true or not... it is true...if I know my parents are my parents , I dont want examine my birth certificate...i know that is true.
No apologist can ever talk about bad scholarship and changing data to fit narrative. They practically invented that. The true masters of it. Real scholars laugh at apologist
The Spiritual Word comes on account of Spiritual Understanding, and likewise, Spiritual Understanding is granted by God. This is also referred to as “The Spirit of Truth”. The Spirit cannot be bought. Cannot be learned. Cannot be fabricated and sold in the name of physical success, as The Reward of God. Even Faith alone won’t win The Contest of Life, just as many Faithful Men have failed in Their pursuit to accomplish The Truth. This Person, just like all of Your philosophers and presumed great Minds, has fallen short of The Grace of God and produced nothing more than an obscure opinion of The Truth and sold it all to You for His desired price. Just know, this Person isn’t unique in His deficiency, which is to steal from The Table of God and sell the pieces of Faith for so much... but the real test, that this Man will certainly fail, will be the one of His Death. He won’t Rise. Nor will any of His followers Rise, just as The Fruit of Their Lives Are Death; so too shall They never stand over the dust of Their Own bones... The final laugh, will be on account of the lack of Knowledge which They have obtained. Amen.
Right.and the crucifixion didn't happen that's why there's no cross.the crucifixion will be the false god worshipers saying father Jesus why have u forsaken me.and I nat Turner/Barabbas/John baptist
The NT fabricates Jesus. And contradicts the OT about the true messiah. What the catholic church has taught for 1800 years is a lie and a false messiah or false image created by the beast as described in Daniel and Revelation. Romans 1:3-4 destroys the trinity outright as does the 1st commandment and Hosea 11:9 and psalms 146:3. The father never became a man and there was no virgin birth. Isaiah 7;14 was a sign to king Ahaz. So who was the miracle birth 700 years before the 1st century and who were the 2 kings that were destroyed in the 1st century before the child knew right from wrong? Isaiah 40:3 proves everyone can't even comprehend simple hebrew.
You will not find Christ (the Word), not Jesus who was a man long ago, in any book or writing, but within. Yet his wisdom or Gnosis is written in the NHL for one to seek if they wish. Properly trained, have studied all wisdom for nearly 40 year or more, in all that are of value. For me the Bible is a basic text, mainly value the new testament but even that is filled with many parables and allegories. And the NHL was not originally written in Coptic by the way. Vatican is a worldly religious aspect, not for myself. Would be very careful how you value what came from Constantine and the Council of Nicea & the Roman empire.
Dr. Evans did not interpret the truth, he just divulged it. The moment you interpret the truth, you are creating something different from the truth - hence fallacy. It is Christianity that interpreted the universe based on unscientific beliefs. Because it could not understand the forces of the universe it invented the New Testament and Jesus. Christianity is the only religion wherein the teachings comes first before the teacher and members come first before the founder.
Total and complete nonsense on every level. a) the four gospels have been edited by the church for hundreds of years, b) the Gospel of Thomas is clearly first century, c) Gospel of John, the one using the term 'Son of God' is 2nd century, d) 50% of the church in the 1st & 2nd cent. WERE GNOSTIC, e) there are NO gospel manuscripts older than the 3rd century, f)the bible does NOT say what is and isn't canonical, men decided that g) Gospel of John Jesus says we are all 'Gods' quoting Psalms
I’m not saying you’re lost, but this was a lot of misunderstandings. I have come across them before, not least from non stamp collector (which i like most of the time), but it’s not very accurate. Do not only rely on humanist resources, then you’re doing just as bad as ”fundamentals” that only rely on thora/bible/al-quran. You should seek the truth, not seek to debunk stuff, that will always be biased.
Its like this.... if it works its probably real.... Like gospel of Thomas (hold the feeling as if its already occurred to manifest things) It works... probably an accurate book yet so many do not accept it. Or worse yet, its the Devil.... But the bible speaks of the same things, lords prayer, and so on. Its just hidden in parables. It is the people who really cant understand what is being said that blame this and that for these and those. Reading something doesn't mean a person has understood what is being said. The bible is full of hidden meanings where other texts seem to just tell you right out... odd huh? The most well known book doesn't contain the information that would free us all? Or doesn't say it easy and out right obviously? Leans towards (revision) aka, alteration.
Can you manifest things? Like making mud birds then making them fly away? Because what it sounds like is new age, and the same lie satan told in the garden "you will be like gods" can you literally manifest reality and control your circumstances, or change your own reality?
@@JewessChrstnMystic The same lie Satan told in the garden. Ummm? Psalm 82:6 I said you are Gods, sons of the most high. You seem confused? Here in Psalms it is not Satan's words and yet it says the same thing. What you dont understand in some circumstances, the church is a system of control to basically keep people from their power, Satan said you will be like Gods, or was it God?, I guess that's a double standard meant to confuse. It reminds me of so many times speaking to bible thumpers, They are going to heaven, I am going to hell, this is the problem with the church, double standards. So many Christians think everyone is going to hell except themselves. You have had enough experience to know we manifest things and lots of things. We are not doing like Jesus because we are not taught properly from the start. Since you are bringing up Satan things, you will not get far with this if you are afraid of yourself. The times you have spoken the words "i knew that was gonna happen". You only knew because you manifested it. No, I have not manifested mud into a living being. I have not tried either. Yes, we literally do manifest our reality. Its not me, its Humanity. Yes I have changed reality. Do not forget Jesus did say we can do this and grander things too. (grander things to me is nothing to do with making mud birds become real) It just doesn't interest me. If it interests you, then that is what grander things means to you? I would suggest to you the video, the hidden teachings of Jesus. Some of the ideas in that video are strange, but the most of it is dead on accurate from what I have been led to know by asking of Jesus to help me. If your gonna get all Satan this and that, on me, I just wont reply. Satan is basically (bad attitude, anger, hatred, all the negative emotions). I could go on and on, though so many Christians are bent on punishment for being awake or aware. I actually had one say to me once, God put us here to suffer. I said, now that sounds like Satanism to me. Thats my lousy opinion though. Yes, New Age, we have left the age of pieces and now into Aquarius. There is nothing new about it though, its just a clock system. If you meditate on things like, when did i manifest and change reality?, asking Jesus Christ to help you see the truth when meditating, ask him to teach you and to show the way. The teachings will begin just like it mentions in Corinthians. Meditate on the word of God. Ask to Receive is mentioned elsewhere and in Corinthians it mentions meditation like 15 times on two pages. How many times have you meditated on the word of God? How many times have you asked to be trained like Jesus was? These are all things to ask for help with. If you have no real relationship with Christ, it would mean you have no idea what these things are. Develop one like never before and you will see and Jesus will be leading the way. All of what you ask is actually possible and its nothing to do with Satan. You should ask Jesus to show you, so you believe it, not some stranger like me. I will answer you all that you wish unless you start to act like a catholic who thinks punishment comes with knowing. Satan in some words or worlds and or teachings is just anger. Hope this helps. =) Satan and lies is just the church scaring you from what you already know, you just haven't noticed it enough to rely on it. All we do is manifest things, all we are ever going to do it manifest things, all we have ever done is manifest things. If you study the brain long enough you will learn that it is a radio that tunes into channels of information that in which cell phones, Tv, and Radio are all designed to interrupt. Aka, making it harder to hear the word of God encoded into the light which is frequencies, which is also sound. Once you realize this, the lie of Satan is the church scaring people from the information and Satan is just someone or an idea that no one should bother with. Trust your heart. Is the church your friend? I am speaking Catholic Church who has enough money to house and feed all the poor of the world, buy them all homes and still have money left over yet some people put trust into them? The can help so many and do not. They have trillions of dollars and people starve. What charity is that? They have been involved in so much war and killing over these teachings yet still people bow down as if they are learning something from them? The truth is that they hide the truth in their libraries, all the books that speak of these things are hidden and then they use it to alter the world so they get rich and richer. If you want to learn, you need only yourself to do it. Get creative on how you ask of Jesus and he will respond. Its that easy. Church isn't going to teach you what Jesus knew. Just like all of his sermons on the hill, etc... They write down all these things yet almost NO words about what he actually taught the people?, only that he fed the people?. Strange. They did not include any actual teachings and he spoke all day and into the night? they did not translate all of the words into the newer revised books. They left them out in order to have tax paying slaves. Kings forced people to pay taxes back then, today we just play along and volunteer them due to the stories of the past, if you don't pay, they kill you for it. Which is Satanism, teaching the poor how to manifest gods kingdom, or to force people to pay taxes over the threat of death or jail? If your ready, you will find the way and in this way you need no one to show you anything, no one on this Earth. Jesus is the way, but so many rely on the church to tell them what Jesus is or was then. He is much less and much more then the Church will ever tell you and us. Let me add this, you do realize that the Church killed Jesus, right? You do realize the church was responsible for the sacrificing of Jesus on the Cross. Sacrifice, aka, Satanism stuff. Maybe Jesus chose this to happen like they say, he died for sin. But, when you are teaching how to live outside of the Churches rule, back then you die for it. Jesus was killed by the church to protect the knowledge and keep it only to the rich, Jesus was teaching anyone who would listen. (poor people) Put trust into yourself and that you where led here, right here, today, to this conversation because you asked to know the truth and now you are learning it. Right? You would not have found me at all, if you did not ask to know these things. It is impossible to have just run across this, or to just find me randomly, you asked and you are receiving. Maybe above I am a bit wrong, maybe your connection to Christ is actually growing strong and this message at the end is the confirmation of it =). All of what I would lead you to see, everything I know and can point out was from asking Jesus to show me the way. Put me on the path, I asked daily in meditation for years and years,. each time advancing my asking to get more specific and ask for certain answers. So, each time the answers where just as specific as the questions. Aka, I designed the questions in such a way that the answers that came in would also confirm, Jesus is real and he is working with me or (he does work with people). I would not take lightly what I have said. I hope this gets through to you on the level that you asked for, because you asked, here we are. You must have wanted this and since Jesus or God, both.. Are not in physical form, maybe they are attempting to contact you which is one of the lessons, that God does speak to us through others. Sometimes a person has the best advice and its not really them, its Gods idea being expressed through another physical being. I have much to show you but again, when you trust your connection to Christ and forget the church awhile, you will see Jesus is really there and that is the source you should count on. You do not need others to obtain your goals in life, you need yourself and to trust your feelings just like in star wars. Love the shirt by the way. This is why star wars was such a hit, because our internal knowing, knows it is all true, we have forgotten and have been kicked out of the club by the Church. Not saying Church is bad, I am saying the Catholic church of the old days where very bad people in actuality and now we accept those things as normal. People in church can be very good. Its the super rich churches to watch out for. The common man is not allowed in the club, we are allowed to pay taxes to the club though. Put it like this as well, Catholics beat and tortured Native American children for years until they accepted the Catholic God so much that still to this day some of the Natives are Catholics because it was beaten into them upon the threat of death. Now, what kind of loving God church people do these things? We have to look at a lot of things to find the truth, its not going to be in a small book with the name bible on it, the information of God and Christ is hundreds of lifetimes to obtain and still the one will not know it all.
@@RobMonty248 everything you just said is extreamly mind blowing and beautiful and I would definately like to talk more with you, I'm not at all catholic and always did look at Catholicism as a form of slavery with all the sacraments and paying money, ect.. I consider myself a christian but I also have been taught my entire life that going outside of the (orthodox) view would land me in hell and that anything I entertained outside of the orthodox view of christianity would land me in hell, and that if I started asking to many questions then I was being attacked by satan, it never made sense to me but that's what I was taught non the less. I've asked questions my entire life, ever since i was a little child, and more so now that I'm an adult in my late 20's. I've been struggling with the idea that the end times are here and the idea that we are in the end of days, theres so many view points and theories surrounding spirituality that I've always struggled with. Like the idea of an eternal hell as a result of sinning only a fixed number of times while in this body on this earth never made sense to me either simply because time in this earth in this body is a drop in the bucket compared to all of eternity. I always knew that religion is what killed Jesus, and I'm told by religion that if my mind wonders anywhere outside of what I'm told to think then I'm being influenced by the devil, which after hearing leaves a person feeling overwhelmed with what to believe and not believe. I've also been taught that the holy spirit leads to all truth and everyone claims to have the holy spirit but all have different truths which always confused me and still does. I guess ice been afraid to seek further into certain teachings because I've been taught that I'll go to hell for going after the wrong teaching and my only wish is to not be decieved, to know truth and have fellowship with Christ. Another thing that always terrified me is the testimonies of people practicing new age gnosticism and how it opened them up to demonic attack, and that's what I'm trying to avoid. I do know that theres gnostics that dont believe in the deity of Christ and look at him as just a man, so that may have had a HIGE impact on them being opened up to demonic attack. I do feel that believing in Christ's deity and trusting him is the key to everything, and I can see a difference in certain gnostic teachings and beliefs, and theres obviously wrong teachings, and right teachings and which ones that people follow make all the difference. I've always struggled deeply with the idea of predestination and the idea that people can be predestined for hell and heaven, and I've always struggled with how a good loving God could torture us eternally based on certain actions we do during a short time here on this earth, and I have always struggled with reconsiling how an eternal God of love who is preexisting and self sufficient would do the things fine in the old testament because of jealousy, wrath, anger, ect.. anytime I question these things I'm told "trust the plan" and "who are you to question God" and "God created us, he can do whatever he wants with us" certain aspect of the bible makes God look like a kid on an ant hill with a magnifying glass and give the idea that we are just toys to be played with. I'm trying to understand Jesus and God without making them angry, I guess it all boils down to the things I've been indoctrinated to believe. I've even heard by some that Jesus is a demon, which scared the crap out of me and made me sick to think about, like literally nauseous. I do find everything you have said fascinating, and beautiful, I'm trying to understand, and im trying to learn how I can be sure of truth. I would definately lile to learn more. If you don't mind please email me. katlinjones1992@gmail.com I do feel God pushing me to seek him as I am obsessive at this point in trying to seek him and no matter the stumbling blocks I come across I keep pushing foward in trying. I'm just want to be sure of what's true and false so I can avoid deceit. The book of revelation terrifies me, and another thing in the bible that terrifies me is when it takes about delusion being cast on to people and doctrines of devils being preached to people with itching ears, I don't want to be one of the ones with itching ears. Everything I've been taught has kept me thinking the way I do out of fear, and that far tactic has always bothered me. Anyways please do email me if you don't mind. Would love to talk more.
This guy is a smart baptist, he has a lot to loose, he needs to keep the Canon in tact or loose his Job. Good Theology but is not Mark a gnostic text, come on. We do not know what Jesus said Craig, them books are in the third person and wrote in Greek not Aramaic.
Was the gospel of Thomas factually 2nd century writing or not? He presented this important subject as a personal theory (theory being a fancy word for 'opinion')
Would this guy consider the tons and tons of obvious editing and revision of the man-selected NT texts an "invention"? You know none of the gospels were written until well after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD. Since the typical life-span was 40 years there were exactly zero "eye-witnesses" to anything. There is not one single reliable reference to Jesus outside of these edited, late texts. The very few Pauline references to the earthly Jesus are dubious too. Who is inventing what?
This interpretation sufferes from an anachronistic view on these texts. Ppl like to neglect that nearly 99 percent of the population were analphabets. Knowing that non of those text are written in judea but from a large geographical distance. This also applies to the other gospels which are not in the NT. Ppl in first century judaism had an oral tradition to pass on facts and were much more accurate than todays oral tradition, since we simply can rely on texts to pass on information. Whether the oral tradition was accurate can be tested by looking at facts like names of persons or places.Tal Ilan a professor in Judasim and history has released statistics about jewish names in judea at around that time Jesus actually lived (Tal Ilan, Lexicon of Jewish Names in Late Antiquity, 2002). The simple conclusion was that only the four gospels got the names right. If you take a look at for example the gospel of mary magdalena you will find out that even the name of the central figure is not given, Jesus is always called "the savior". These other gospels also avoid to name any geographical information in the first century in Judaism. However, the four gospels get it all right, they even got the names right of all the small villages. Therefore it seems to be true that some information has been transferred acuarately. One should also not forget that children in that area knew the tora by heart at age 7. This is also a clear indication that ppl. were a lot better trained to pass on things oraly. Another important point is that at least the synoptic gospels are very jewish and not christian at all. Jesus is very reluctant to call himself messiah or son of god. He ofter refers to himself as the son of man. THis phrase "son of man" is not commonly used in the first church, but only in the gospels. Another point I have to make is that eventhough the original texts are probably written in Greek or Aramaic, there word plays that only make sense in Hebrew. For example Mark 12:1-12: In the parable of the Tenants Jesus talks about a son but then he quotes Psalm 118 and talks about a stone. This is actually a word play in hebrew since the word "son" is called "ben" in Hebrew and the word "stone" is called "eben". This connection can also be seen as a connection to jewish scripture namely to Daniel chapter 3 and chapter 7. The connection between jewish scripture and the scripture of the other gospels is not given. Of course these texts were man-selceted, but it seems that they did it right.
Feature87 lol "Oral tradition" John Dominic Crossnan devoted four chapters to a study of memory in one of his books about the early church. It is not as reliable as written tradition. For instance, he cites Boaz's recording of oral stories showing these changed in a mere 12 years from his first visit to his second. As for "knowing the Torah by heart", they had the written Torah to use as the standard of accuracy when committing it to memory. "Son of man" was a key phrase in the Canaanite liturgy. Gallilee was a minority Jewish population at the time of Jesus. If Jesus existed and was raised in Gallilee, he would have been surrounded by pagans of the old Canaanite religions. He would likely have been raised by people who were on friendly terms with their nearby, pagan neighbours. There would likely have been a great deal of mixing of pagan and Jewish beliefs, as there was in the communities of Gentile God fearers who associated with Jews in the Hellenic world. As for geography, Charles Dickens included a great deal of information about the City of London in his books; but, he clearly wrote fiction. Craig is wrong about there being no doctrinal problems posed by divergent test - unless he consideres the Trinity to by a negligible point. He surely is not unaware of the Comma Johannine issue? Finally, people like Bart Ehrman are not cranks, but serious scholars.
First of all the phrase son of man is a key passage in old testament (Daniel, 7). It has nothing to do with pagan religion. Funny how people try to smuggle pagan religion in, when the son of man is clearly a jewish term and not a christian term of the first church. So this idea with the canaanite liturgy is irrelevant, since my point is simply that the term son of man was used in jewish tradition (and maybe in canaanite liturgy, but who cares), but it was less important and nearly non existent in the early church. Second people couldn't use a written torah at that time, since nearly 99 percent were analphabets, so when learning by heart they simply could not look it up. Third even if Charles Dickens had never known London, he surely would have had access to a map. This is not the case with the writers of hte gospels. Most scholars agree that non of the gospels were written in Israel. Marcus for example was prob. written in Rome. So additional to these points the gospels also got the names right. Given all these facts it seems that the oral tradition was highly accurate when it comes to the names and geografical places. Your argument is just anachronistic. Another point is that London as a large city is likely a very bad example. That would be like memorizing that there was a city called Jerusalem, but its more about small villages along the Mediterranean and the Galilean sea. Hmmm I have never said that Bart Ehrman is a crank. He also argues that Jesus excisted and that the gnostic gospels are not reliable even though they are interesting. So I am curious why you put words in my mouth that I have never said, just curious. By quoting single individuals like Crossan you will not get the full picture of the opinion of every scholar. There are much more scholars who have an opposed view. And you have not answered why Jesus is so reluctlant to call himself the Son of God or the messiah. And I'm sure that he is actually aware of the "Comma Johanneum", but it is not necessarily a problem for every scholar. I also wonder why ppl. are so disrespectful on the internet. If someone wants to persuade someone with arguments, it is not useful to offend other people. Even if ppl. are correct they will peruade no one. So these internet discussions are always this way. And ppl. always argue that one oppinion is clearly wrong and the other one is clearly correct. There is no black and white. So hammering down on ppl. simply shows an certain lack of intellect.(The last paragraph is for general discussion, it is not directed to a particular person).
Feature87 Good point on "son of man". Often xians are given such extraordinarily poor information. One thing is believers say that Jesus is historical, but they do not really want him to be historical. If they did they would look at actual history -- that means other religions and traditions. ALL religions draw heavily on other religions and traditions. All. You will find, in Hebrew, the names Tohu and Bohu, for instance, in Genesis 1. These are names of Canaanite gods, "pagan" deitiesm", "chaos and void". In Gen. 1 literally says "let US create man in OUR own image". This refers, not to the trinity, but to the many gods. That is why YHVH is "a jealous god", because there are many others besides him. That's why so many passages (Psalms) if read closely obviously refer to other gods. (google Hnotheism in the bible) That is why the 1st commandment says "thou shalt have no other gods before me." Judaism was Heno-theistic, not monotheistic, meaning "one god higher than the others". Xianity is very beautiful -- until "Religion" sets in. Another thing, it is impossible to understand early xianity without an open mind to so-called Gnosticism. Orthodoxy comes from Gnosticism, not the other way around, I believe. The lovely book The Gospel of St. Thomas, per Elaine Pages and many others, was written before any of the other gospels. Orthodoxy and literalism were then and still are the real heresies, as I see it. They're dangerous heresies too, given the history of the West.
Yes concerning the first point you are correct. There has been the idea that there were other Gods besides YHWH. However, it is easy to detect whether YHWH is meant or other Gods. Most of the time the phase YHWH is not used. Instead Elohim is used, but Elohim is the plural form of Eloah. To detect wheter Elohim is YHWH or not depends on the verb. If the verb is plural then other gods are meant. However, if the verb is singular YHWH is meant. Whether this is indead the trinity or not is a theological question, not a historical. Since Christians believe in progressive revelation, this term might historically been seen in a different context but that would not be a problem for theology and progressive revelation. Well concerning the gnostic gospels...one has to distinguish them. The main problem, why most scholars do not take them serious is simply because of their lack of adequate historical information like the correct jewish names or even the names of the main character. For example Jesus is just called the savior in the gospel of mary magdalene. My fear is that by looking back in time ppl. make the mistake by evaluating what happends in the dark ages they can transfer to previous times like the origin of the first church.This is clearly political motivated and has nothing to do with actual historical evaluation. Gnostic gospels are interesting, however, there is no reason to think that they were written prior to 150 ad.. Ppl can write a lot of books about them and present how beautiful these might be, but every one has to criticize them. It's pretty much a marketing strategy to sell books. So these books sell very well since they are directed against "the (modern) church", so it is kinda like printing money. These gospels use catch phrases like the "Christ" more often. And Jesus is presented as devine even more clearly than in the four gospels. So I would take the four gospels over every gnostic gospel, since from the point of a historian these gnostic gospels are not jewish at all. The only gospel which scholars argue about is the gospel of Thomas. However, to call the gospel of Thomas a gospel is also problematic, since it contains only 114 separate saying of Jesus and some of them are very similar to some sayings of Jesus in the four gospels. In general to call anyone a heratic is problematic from a scholarly perspective. What happend in the dark ages was clealy not the result of the context of the new testament, also the crusades make no sense from a christian perspective, since the eschatological hope of Christians was not linked to Jerusalem, but rather the New Jerusalem. So again talking about the church of the middle ages and about the early church is clearly is clearly a different subject.
oh, you are just doing damage control for you erroneous interpretations of Truth, which have been exposed by the very people you have, predictably, and a bit ironically... warned us are, well, you know... Evil. Bart Ehrman, for example, a person who decided not to be sheepish.
I have told you Craig Evans have I not...J-2...r1b1a2... haploid 24 chromosome double xx virgin birth. I AM male with female blood.seed of the women.I AM on another's account.
He did exist, but he wasn't the son of God. He was just a Qumramic disciple trying to become the king of Israel. He actually competed with his brother James, who didn't want him to be king. His miracles never happened, when Jesus "rose people from the dead" he didn't resuscitate them. To raise someone from the dead is an old Qumramic term to refer to an initiation ritual as confirmed in the dead sea scrolls.
Read the book called "The Hiram Key" and the book by John Allegro (a scholar that worked on the dead sea scrolls) "The dead sea scrolls and the Christian myth"
The gospels are not supported by archeology. In fact, there is essentially no evidence outside of the bible to support the idea Jesus existed. Paul makes no mention of a living Jesus, only one who was known through revelation and scripture. Paul makes no mention nor does he ever quote an eyewitness to a living Jesus. Paul is the earliest person we know of to write about Jesus. Mark comes next - and he is a brilliant writer, but clearly not an eyewitness. His work is meant to be read for its meaning - not as a newspaper. Parable, not history. The other 3 gospels are all based upon Mark, with extra added material that also does not come from any eyewitness testimony. It doesn't really matter if Jesus existed or not - but that's another issue. When one considers the claims made in the gospels about Jesus, the fact that we have ZERO eyewitness accounts, no external references to him, no mention of him or his followers that are contemporary at all is statistically close to impossible.
That's right. Paul taught self-realization of our own Divine Son-ship, not salvation. And if Jesus had existed, the texts indicate that's what he would be teaching as well.
Before I believe you Mr Evan, disprove the existence of: 1. Baptism of Jesus by John @ Jordan river; 2. Lazarus' resurrection from the dead; or 3. Turning water to wine at wedding of Cana.
Craig Evans is the man to see if you want to be convinced Santa exists. And the Easter Bunny. And the Tooth Fairy.If you want the truth about Jesus, read Joseph Atwill's Caesar's Messiah. Total credibility.
I always enjoy Dr. Evan's direct approach. I truly pray to have the kind of impact on scholarship, the church, and beyond that he has had.
Dr. Evans, thank you for your scholarly talk on Jesus and Dead Sea Scrolls, second century writings and The Truth about Biblical writing as proved by various evidences like archeological, textural etc. I can only say Praise the Lord, Amen!
@Bastad Kock you know nothing about psychology.. The more you tell someone what NOT to do the more you create the desire or the drive to do just that.
The man I consult is a PhD of the ancient classics, speaks Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek and Latin, so I am on the right track.
Craig Evans knows what he's talking about.
@William Not true at all.
@William Jesus criticized Pharisees and Sadducee's in N.T. times, not every scholar. There are a lot of good scholars.
This is one of the best books out there defending traditional biblical dating. A masterpiece Dr.Evans. Thank you.
Much of scripture is history. Evans is well respected. He knows his stuff. 👍
I am not Jesus and neither are you. Christ never taught that. Jesus lives within the believer through the "new birth".
I was saved my friend at the age of 13 when I came to Christ and I have been teaching the bible for decades. I know you are sincere with what you are saying, but you are in error about what you are talking about. Peace.
Scripture states, " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. " You need to invite Christ into your life and be born again. Then you will have a relationship with th God. Jesus came to die for your sins and mine. 👍
I have the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ living in me. I hope you come to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior too. God bless.
Craig Evans is a great scholar. His books are very readable. He provides the "other side of the story" overlooked many times by skeptics in popular culture.
Fabrication of 1 John 5:7 hope you talk about that. Do you still have it in your Bible?
The adulterous woman story isn't in the earliest texts either.
An excellent book. We are fortunate that the
fanatics of secularism
haven't burned it.
Most of the books from ancient times are lost, and it's not because "secularists" burned them...
jan coil - What is that claim based on a study or a gut feeling? It it is a study please share the link and show the arguments. If it is a gut feeling then thanks for sharing this emotional moment with us.
@@Knaeben uh the ancient Greek library that contained books from all over the world was burned...
Thank you Dr. Craig for accurate information
Great book and author.
Proud to have such an able Christian representative in Craig Evans.
I trust the 66 books we Christians use to tell me about the TRUTH about Ysshua the Messiah because it bears witness with the Holy Spirit. Thank you Craig Evens. Been studying with you since 1992 and I first met you here in Phoenix at the Dead Sea Scroll meetings, I trust your work.
Great book! People will look through microscopes to find ways to obey the demons and follow their passions into error and falsehood. Gnosticism appeals to their carnal nature because they can follow their own wills.
wasn't the entire basis of gnosticism that the carnal or "hylic" nature is evil and you have to ignore it as an illusory distraction.
@@theyoshine yep. They thought everything material was evil. Some still do.
@@JewessChrstnMystic Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
1 John 2:15
@@theyoshine And look at churchianity now: its all about Mamon.
@@deirdremorris9234 I thought that said mormon
Women's testimony in those days meant zilch and was not taken as fact. The reason the scriptures record that women (two Mary's) saw Jesus after His death is because it was the truth.
What Gospel did Jesus preached? The true gospel talks about the Kingdom of God.
Luke 4:43 "I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom (NOT the Bible; NOT Jesus; NOT his Resurrection nor the Cross) will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God,...
Luke 16:16 Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached,
There's ONLY one true Gospel...that is the Kingdom of God.
All churches in the world have preached the wrong Gospel...
Right..it's all a set up for you guys to fail.and blasphemy against John or his mother the virgin Mary/isis
Everything we need, has been provided to us. You just have to seek it, study hard, and gain inner truth. This is not something to take lightly, it is a work that takes many lifetimes to acquire. Eventually each will hopefully gain their true Gnosis, and realize who and what they truly are, and understand the path to return home.
Provided where?
@@paytongutierrez5723 Since you asked I will give you the address, up to you to read and study or to ignore it, your choice.
gnosis.org there are many many great texts here read a bit and it will recommend some to start if you wish. All the best.
@@paytongutierrez5723 Just so you know, I do not write books, nor have monetized page, for I wish nothing, absolutely nothing but to offer another an option for inner truth. Truly wish you and others all the best. Time is short. Just for me, but Jesus was simply a man, but Christ was the Word, the one who came from the source in the beginning, but as Christ tells us we are as he is, from the Father. We are from this very source as spiritual sparks, and with wisdom, inner gnosis, we find our way home. This is our reason for even being here. This is Gnosis for me in four lines of text.
spacemanonearth thanks man, I appreciate the reply. Will definitely be checking this site out. Looks pretty cool.
@@paytongutierrez5723 All the best to you! As the world gets very strange, hope you find time to seek wisdom and gnosis. Wish you all the best, see you when we arrive home down the road.
If it wasn't for my personal convictions, I would have nothing more than paper to back up my faith.
He sounds like a man who knows his stuff. But with So many different versions being told by other men who sound like they know their stuff, it's hard to tell which one of them is true.
A M
He's a shill that doesn't know shit, just seems to be a very knowledgeable guy. He sounds like a lying Jesuit bastard.
Trust no man, put all your trust, faith and belief in the Lord Jesus the Christ and he will set you free!
I'm a Christian but after spiritual maturing I understand the non literalism of the characters in the bible
@William The Holy Bible is not a book, but a library... The books therein were written over many centuries, by many authors. Therefore, the books should be taken literally if they are intended to be literal, poetically if poetry, historical if history, allegorical if allegory.
In order to correctly understand the context with which to understand scripture, it behooves us to read those who received the Gospel directly from the Apostles.
@William On the surface I agree, but history proves differently... "The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth", and not scripture alone. The Holy Spirit is only experienced in His fullness in the Church, and not by self interpretations or in isolation.
Please bear in mind that every single soul responsible for founding the current 60,000 Protestant denominations also believed they were being guided by the Holy Spirit. But if they indeed were, then why is there no unity? This was not so for the first 1000 years of Christianity.
@William Thanks for your spirited reply, but you are merely reinforcing the "41k" denomination problem, by appearing to live by your own subjective concepts of Christianity and Christ.
Christianity outside of its historical context is heresy; therefore, what you call "Christianity" is actually Protestantism. Unfortunately, too many have simply refused to study what happened immediately after the Apostles. Who took the baton? and to whom was it handed down? Did the Faith simply fizzle out? How did we receive the Holy Scriptures? and who testified in the first place that they are inspired? Who compiled them? or did they fall from the sky?
Without those basic questions being answered, the "41k" will continue to splinter, leading to agnosticism.
@William So, when Christ returns, will the physical body resurrect?
@William I read what you wrote twice, that is why I asked if you believe in the bodily resurrection from the dead.
Scholars - that is the issue. They don’t follow Yeshua / Jesus teachings. Paul contradicts some of Jesus’s teachings. From woman until the father. You and they need to cast your net to the right and catch 153 fish.. so what does this mean to you casting net to the right? Do you know what 153 fish mean ? Reply and I can explain as I have casted this net and also caught 153 fish..
Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Matthew 23:13-14 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.Gnostic means knowledge. Gospel of Thomas is one of the gnostics gospels which is the key to knowledge taught by Jesus about entering Kingdom of God. However, Gospel of Thomas was taken out from the bible just as Jesus said in Luke 11:52......................Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are........................Whoever condemns the gospel of Thomas as heretic is the son of hell.
No kingdom on earth, nor do I value the old testament very much but for some prophesy. Many of the stories in the old testament are misleading and have Hebrew values that Christ did not share. Have studied the Nag Hammadi and countless other texts for decades and the bible is much like a children's book, or is elementary in nature. Yet much of the NHL is so far more detailed and accurate, and Christ offers great wisdom that is not available in the Bible. Humans are not of the father, not the Father of Christ, but the ones who have a spiritual spark within, that is of the true Father, and is what is his.
Have you ever heard of John Lamb Lash?
One thing to consider considering. There have, as far as we know, always been a minimum of two major interpretations of the Christ event. a) Jesus died for our sins, and b) Jesus came to save us from ignorance and blindness. The former is the idea of "Atonement", that we have a sin debt to God only death and blood can pay for. The Nicene leaders who selected from hundreds of books the 27 to be in the bible (via Constantine in 320 ad) and Augustine were of this view. The latter view was held all over the Mediterranean by so called Gnostics (such as Origin, Valentinus, Clement of Alexandria, even early Augustine when he was a Manichean). I am convinced that whether one has orthodox/atonement views or not it is completely impossible to understand Christian history or Christianity itself if you dismiss the Enlightenment tradition of early xians (which is diverse and complex). The enlightenment tradition is taught by very few churches because, of course, Gnostic writings were burnt and the tradition was wiped out. Until recently. (Of course also the NT is highly edited as well.) A close reading of Romans and John reflect a strong Gnostic tradition existing at the time. An example: in John, Jesus said: "it is NOT me that does these works but the Father in me". Also: "you are all gods" Also: the Logos that "lighteth EVERY man". (These verses are ignored by many Atonement believers.) As these verses say, many or most early believers did NOT believe Jesus = God but that Jesus contained God. Big difference. Israel and many others were also called the "son of God" long before Jesus, clearly meaning J. was not the only son of God. The first gigantic controversy in the church was over these Gnostic vs. Orthodox questions -- was Jesus God or exclusively God and what was the nature of the "incarnation"? If Jesus was and is the only Son of God then why does Galatians say we too are the Son of God (brothers of Christ) via "A great mystery, Christ in you"? The same thing as the idea of "Christ in Jesus". Anyone "anointed" by the Holy Spirit is the Son of God. This enlightenment tradition teaches people do NOT need a priest or mediator or pastor between God and man. Each person can know God directly by... surprise, knowing her or himself. Gnostics did not believe in rules, dogmas,male-only leadership, hierarchy and permanent clergy (!). That, I think, is why many Atonement leaders like Craig Evans are so critical and dismissive. That is also why leaders insist, without any evidence, that the bible we have = the original writings, or nearly so. A pretty bizarre idea but useful if conformity to tradition is desired. Like all of us, Evans needs to hold onto a job. One more thing: where exactly in the gospels does Jesus ask or permit people to worship him or pray to him? Nowhere.
Matthew 28:9 (NET) But Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him.
Originally the Gospel of Mark ends with no resurrection story. The resurrection story was added as second edition
I agree, why should I look for Jesus in Islamic book the Quran 680 AD later ,when Church canonized the Catholic Bible 320 AD in the Council Hippo? At same time ,why should I accept Martin Luther rejection of Deuterocanon books ,the 7 books when Jesus and his disciples quoted them?
If you truly take an honest look at the scriptures, Christian or otherwise, the roll Astrotheology plays in these texts is undeniable. This is an Astrologically themed book from front to end. From the 12 Diciples (Zodiac), to the Son (Sun, the Risen Saviour, Light of the world), to the Age of Pisces and fish symbolism, to Lucifer (son of the morning) and Venus, to the Virgin Mary (Virgo) Isis, so many other examples. The stories contained within, are most certainly older then the Bible and span many other cultures besides Hebrew. Most Christians refuse to look at the texts thru an Esoteric lens. Unfortunately, they have had fear placed into their hearts, by a Theocracy, that would have a lot to lose, if the masses developed the true Spiritual understanding, which is contained within the Bible. Collectively people are not given the proper key to decipher it.
Wasn't what Jesus said in Luke 7 prophesied in Isaiah 35?
You can't dismiss the other works that were written during the time of the Gospels. The Gospels were just a few books among many that were picked and decided by edict to be canon. The other works of the time show the intellectual atmosphere of the time and give insight into the Gospels and context to why they say what they do. In addition, there have been changes made as the were copied and recopied through the centuries. Nothing exists in a vacuum or comes out of a vacuum.
Only the other New Testament works are contemporaneous with the Gospels, in terms of Christian writings.
One thing I cannot agree with here is that word, "Trained", do not agree with being trained by humans, nor religion, but only Christ Within, or the Father. Not sure why so many focus on Jesus or his flesh over his spiritual wisdom and Gnosis. He has given us great truth, but you will not find it unless you seek it. If you are ready to hear it and know, then it will resonate with you. Not into the Vatican, nor worldly religion. The GOT was spoken before it was ever written, but those truths come from the source, and existed prior to the Coptic texts, most likely Greek. Not much value in resurrection of the flesh, but the spirit, and the ascension that took place. That is a path home. Epic!
Jesus say in Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Where is the Kingdom of God...? Have you found it...?
If you want to know where the Kingdom of God is, read the Gospel of Thomas.
/* Where is the Kingdom of God...? Have you found it...? */
Found it? Who said we were looking for it? The Kingdom of God is the Gospel of Jesus Christ as clearly stated in the New Testament.
Matthew 3:2
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:23
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
Matthew 6:7-10
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven....
Mark 1:14-15
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, bpreaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
/* If you want to know where the Kingdom of God is, read the Gospel of Thomas */
I've read that pseudo gospel and it doesn't contain the Gospel nor the Kingdom of God. I wonder if you have ever read Thomas.
The alleged gospel of Thomas is a well known and documented literature in a genre of writing called pseudepigrapha (False Writings). It is well known to be spurious text from the 2nd century written in Syria. How can the disciple Thomas be the author of the Gnostic gospel of Thomas from the late second century. Thomas would have to be 200 years old to have written it! LOL!!!!!!!
Surfxeo "Who said we were looking for it?"
If not, then you are not following or obey Jesus teachings...
"it doesn't contain the Gospel nor the Kingdom of God"
This prove that you did not read the Gospel of Thomas nor the Bible even...!
Gospel of Thomas on where the Kingdom of God is...
LAYTON (3) Jesus said: If those who lead you say to you: See, the kingdom is in heaven, then the birds of the heaven will go before you; if they say to you: It is in the sea, then the fish will go before you. But the kingdom is within you (Luke 17:21-22), and it is outside of you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will know that you are the sons of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you are in poverty, and you are poverty.
Surfxeo So what makes you think that Mark is the author of Gospel of Mark,,,Matthew is the author of Gospel of Matthew, Luke is the author of Gospel of Luke, etc...
Besides, I don't believe Mark, Luke, Matthew and John are Gospels...You must be kidding. Never of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John are consider gospels...I scratch my head and my ass still don't understand how on earth Mark, Luke, Matthew and John become gospels.
Surfxeo"The Kingdom of God is the Gospel of Jesus Christ "
OK...so tell me, what does this gospel talks about...?
netelsg /* This prove that you did not read the Gospel of Thomas */
What you put in quotes doesn't appear in the "gospel of Thomas". Proving I have read it!
I've read the Gnostic gospel of Thomas and it doesn't contain the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You do realise the gnostic Thomas book was written in the 2nd century in Syria. That means it was never written by the Disciple Thomas and it is a Pseudopigrapha (False Writing).
If you have read the Gnostic gospel of Thomas when you must believe in the silly ideas that women aren't allowed into Heaven unless they first become a man? LOL!!!
Gnostic "gospel" of Thomas
114 Simon Peter said to them, "Make Mary leave us, for females don't
deserve life."
Jesus said, "Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may
become a living spirit resembling you males. 3For every female who makes
herself male will enter the domain of Heaven."
It also quotes from the New Testament proving the preexistence of the Gospels found in the Bible.
His dabte against Bart Ehrman is the best I've seen thus far. He doesn't sugar coat the contradictions, but doesn't agree with rejecting them all together, since one would have to do the same thing to any ancient writing.
Honestly...just read the Canonical Gospel accounts and then read the Gnostic and Apocryphal accounts. It’s seriously not hard to see why the latter works are not canonized. They teach a mystic teaching of the Self, which aligns with the teachings of Buddha and Lao Tzu and Krishna, and attribute it to the Kingdom of God. It’s very clear to me that they’re just forgeries that really misquote Jesus.
Yet now we have a copy of the book of Mark found in a mummy dated around the 80's AD (First Century). It is now the oldest document we have...........
That is not confirmed, and even if it was from the 80's, it is still a small sample that is over 50 years after the story of Jesus was suppose to have happened. And the original
Keith Doten See my response above regarding the difference in importance to humanity of some less important events in ancient history, and the claim of the book that the creator of the world came to earth to a desert tribe as a carpenter's step son, and hence the greater need to prove its historicity.
Austin O'Keeffe Actually, manuscript evidence for ancient writings is almost invariably much later than the actual composition. For example, the oldest manuscript evidence for Aristotle's _Politics_ is a 12th century A.D. Latin manuscript apparently translated from Arabic. That we have things like the Rylands Papyri (including a fragment of John 18 and a chunk of Paul's letters) dating from the early 2d century--within a century after the composition of the works--is quite remarkable. But these exist because Egypt has no water apart from the Nile, and if papyrus or leather documents are buried somewhere away from the river, they will last. For something written on the northern shores of the Med or in 'Eretz Yisroel, in ancient times, it would be all but a miracle.
Further, much of our modern dogma about the Gospels being so late (including the "compromise" date of the 80's accepted by most scholars, but not all) stems from Ferdinand Christian Baur's early 19th century attempt to make the history of the NT fit a tidy Hegelian schema (named after the German philosopher Georg Friedrich Hegel) in which everything grows by a thesis meeting an antithesis and resulting in a synthesis.
+Kepha Hor The problem begins when as not a singlw word has been written down by Joshuah/Jesus nor anyone else in his life time. We have some texts from non-eyewitnesses which have written something at some time and place but we have no possibility to proof if Jesus said any word the stories make him say. Why did Joshuah/Jesus not write it down himself? He spent 30 years doing almost nothing but preaching for a year or so.
The contradictions when read using the sun as a timeline explains it all.
Let's first start here... Who is this guy?
Maybe he should consider what Paul said about knowledge and being studied by theology!
Unlike the so-called Gnostic gospels which differed, throughout the Mediterranean world different Apostolic churches in different areas, languages such as Aramaic, Coptic, Greek, Vetus Latin, and other ancient languages, and different theologies came up with the same four Gospels naming the same four authors Matthew, Mark. Luke, and John. Blessings.
I'm not saying the resurrection didn't happen and do believe jesus was a real person, but there is an occult ancient practice called 'The Living Resurrection' which did appear to involve a person being induced into a comer for three days in order to cross over to the other world to retrieve insights and information. It is at least worth looking into this practice.
Again I believe in Jesus and in God but these ancient practices are worth considering non the less. Great video and the book looks great to.
By the way, even as you call him Jesus, he said repeatedly, most all of his followers, including many of his disciples, did not know him. This is spoken quite a lot, so the few who truly knew Christ, those are the ones I wish to receive my wisdom from. Not organized churches, religion, or those who wish to gain pride, ego, or money from his knowledge. Events mean very little to me, of those times, and many are contradicted within the NHL like Moses, or the Tree, or many many more. Have come to know the deepest truths with his wisdom and the blessing of the Father. All is great
The Gospels are just stories on ancient manuscripts. There is no reason at all to believe they are true. That requires bias and wishful thinking.
Lol
Did you listen to the guy? It’s true that there’s no reason to believe he really flew up into the sky upon resurrection, but there’s is very good reason to believe that Jesus proclaims x, y and z and that many people believed he was resurrected. The scholarship around these texts is more about a true historical window onto the world in which the religion developed, not proof of miracles
The only problem with that argument is that the gospels co-incided with many events that actually happened and we know they happened because there are many people at the time that recorded what happened. The probability that Jesus existed and started the Christian religion is very very high(not 100% because history is not science).... based on known historians of the time.
Great video!
The scholars and the religious leaders were the enemies of The teaching of Jesus.
Jesus himself picked the uneducated ones and entrusted to them the word of God.
Jesus himself did not learn from the modern schools because the Pharisees and scholars said how does he know the scriptures not having gone to their schools. So just because someone has PHD doesn’t mean he has authority to lay down the foundation on religion. So don’t be naive and ignorant, read all the ancient books you can and search out the truth like a treasure without deceit, it’s the only way.
according to Josh McDowell, the Gospel of Mark was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls... so what this just said confused me
he is wrong the dead sea scrolls have nothing really to do with the new testament they are only the oldest old testament text we have older or same time of jesus so this is what jesus would have read or heard as a jew and the dead sea scrolls help us know more about the 1st century
McDowell said this discovery about Mark is tentative right now.
Baji Scipio Dārayav Aurelius Julian Venizelos Nalwa It appears that some New Testament manuscripts were found in Cave 9 of Qumran, but this is tentative right now.
Euthymios Valdez who told you that as far as I know about dead sea scrolls they only to do with old testament not new testament
I don't think Josh McDowell would say that the Gospel according to Mark was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls since Mark was written in the 1st century AD and the DDS date to just before that time. The Oldest Papyrus of Mark is P45 and is dated to the early third century.
There is a new fragment yet to be published from the Gospel according to Mark dated to the 80's AD.
It's obvious from the four gospels the resurrection is just a story. They can't agree on how many women came to the tomb, their names, the number of angels encountered, the words of the angel(s), whether the stone was rolled away when the women arrived, who Jesus first appeared to etc etc. If these sacred and mysterious events had occurred in reality, then discrepancies, errors, and fibs of this kind would simply not have occurred---or at least they would have been corrected!
Not at all, on the contrary historical evidence is usually agreeable on the broad facts but differ from the perspective of the reporter. But if you are not interested to understand this then just stick to your opinion... Anyway there are lot of other people who get it
Craig, if you have studied the Bible for countless decades as well as NHL and other scriptures of truth, then you know that the gospel of John in the bible is quite unique and not as Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Also this very John also is responsible for texts in the Nag Hammadi and tells us far more than in the bible. But I know the Dead Seas scrolls that are so fragmented they have little value, but even more is most all of them are not gnostic in nature but reflect Hebrew roots or biblical parables and do not reflect greater insights. This is quite clear to anyone who has studied for a long time.
You also use the word Jesus, but you should know that name did not even exist during his times. Nor was his body what was important, for it was his spirit that descended that was and is the core of his Father. Also, most if not all of the text of the Nag Hammadi are completely unlike the Dead Sea Scrolls and should not be spoken off in kind, and they may have been written in Coptic, but most all were in Greek or even other texts prior to their Coptic translations. Many scholars even believe some of these gnostic texts predated the four gospels of the Bible. Not for me to decide.
OH by the way, one should not believe or lay in stone what they are told or read, but when one knows the true meaning within once they study the texts, then one will know. When you truly seek the truth, the Father will give you great Gnosis and provide you with the inner truth. If you do not know, Christ is within you right now, and he is there to help you come to know, to wake up, to shake of our ignorance, and gain true gnosis, and realize who and what we truly are, where we came from, and how we are to return home. This is all told to us, in great detail, but it requires study and free will.
Seek and you will find, and when you find, you will be troubled, and then you will be amazed, and come to know that it is you, who are the true children of the Father. Also, Christ tells us in the NHL, For you are as I am, once you drink of my truth and come to know me, you are as I am, and know the Father. When you know your true self you will not experience death. This is a fact, absolute fact. I cannot stress enough, if one seeks truth with all their will and heart they will be given a great glory, and come to know the inner truths that will set them free, to be united once again with the All.
Be Blessed, All is Great
1 Corinthians 1:18-31King James Version (KJV)
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
King James Version (KJV)
the Man In This Video for All His False Pride and Wisdom Knows Nothing of the Lord.
Matthew 23:13 "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
God born a Son Psalm 110 out of Himself, that when the Word became Flesh, He walked in all of the Old Testament and came through Mary with His Body. His Body not of this world Hebrew 9:11-13. Jesus is Bread (His Body) from Heaven John 6:51. Study about bodies, There is two types of Bodies our physical and Spiritual, Jesus had a Spiritual Body and His Blood from heaven 1 Corinthians 15:40-50. If you make Jesus to a canal man, you will worship a creature, not a Creator Romans 1:16-25
Ask Paul
And since when are christians taking jesus teachings first? Never. none of what your churches are selling has anything to do with Jesus, but rather is an orgy of division among the ignorant.
People like this guy keep Jesus back in the zero, cuz they can't start talking Truth that is Here, Now, because they'll freak out, get mad, and crucify them.
Tell me I'm wrong, go ahead, but I'm not.
jon flores you’re wrong
Josephus was the greatest writer of all time so far.
But it looks like he was paid by the Romans to write everything he wrote though.
His objections to the jesus myth proponents are NOT cogent!
Yes Ascension is far more valued than a resurrection. Flesh and Blood cannot enter into the kingdom of the Father, so why a physical resurrection except perhaps to prompt religion, but the true value is his ascension and how to return home. Also what we truly are, where we came from, and how we are to return home. These are the important things that are available for us now. The Dead Sea Scrolls are not gnostic in nature, at least very very little, are more biblical in nature. Now the Nag Hammadi holds far more truths & gnosis.
Who's afraid of Elaine Pagels? Craig Evans and other fearful deniers. Half of the Gospel of Thomas is in the 4 canonical gospels so therefore at least half of it is at least as authentic as they are.
Copied out of them.
Everything, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Daniel, Zephaniah, on and on, all of it comes from the source, the original one, the Word. All you speak of are ones who wrote truth down, much of it, in parables. But I do not place much value in the Dead Sea Scrolls, except to parallel the cannon, our bible. But the Nag Hammadi is far more, for it brings us sacred secrets, insights to our true nature, who and what we truly are, and how we can return home. Also, the Dead Sea Scrolls are far more fragmented and mainly support the bible, but for me, that book is of the council and is elementary to the deepest truths. Be Blessed!
This man has no idea what he's talking about the nag hammadi txt were translated accurately and a lot of scholars can prove this,the fact u dis credit the txt for book sales shows your ignorance
Cisero M for your information. he is the guy who translated most of nag hamadi scrolls ... he knows what he is talking about .. better than you
Why would you say he knows better than me?you dont know me and apparently you don't know the nag hamadi text has more than one english translation and Craig Evans translation is clearly a bias one.
All the abrahamic religions dull peoples down and make them spiritually ignorant;you just protect othodox Christianity because you were conditioned into that belief system.
My friend, I am free man and I read well. I have my conclusion upon my own research. I am not learning from this pastor or that pastor.
For me , in order to know about Jesus, one is NT, other thing is spiritual relationship ... without that , no one can believe NT or any other historical document. People who try to criticize, NT, put their trust on some other materials and their faith.
For me, this is simple, if Bible, is true, then Jesus is alive and holy spirit is with in us. I should be able to reach to him whenever I want...that is the test.....if I can reach to Jesus since he is alive, then NT is true....
Indeed I can reach to Jesus, and I have seen his power in my life and other's lives.. so I dont want to waste my time anymore to search whether Bible is true or not... it is true...if I know my parents are my parents , I dont want examine my birth certificate...i know that is true.
No apologist can ever talk about bad scholarship and changing data to fit narrative. They practically invented that. The true masters of it.
Real scholars laugh at apologist
what do you say to Jewish Rabbis that say the NT is not legit? and they know Hebrew
The Spiritual Word comes on account of Spiritual Understanding, and likewise, Spiritual Understanding is granted by God. This is also referred to as “The Spirit of Truth”.
The Spirit cannot be bought. Cannot be learned. Cannot be fabricated and sold in the name of physical success, as The Reward of God.
Even Faith alone won’t win The Contest of Life, just as many Faithful Men have failed in Their pursuit to accomplish The Truth.
This Person, just like all of Your philosophers and presumed great Minds, has fallen short of The Grace of God and produced nothing more than an obscure opinion of The Truth and sold it all to You for His desired price.
Just know, this Person isn’t unique in His deficiency, which is to steal from The Table of God and sell the pieces of Faith for so much... but the real test, that this Man will certainly fail, will be the one of His Death.
He won’t Rise. Nor will any of His followers Rise, just as The Fruit of Their Lives Are Death; so too shall They never stand over the dust of Their Own bones...
The final laugh, will be on account of the lack of Knowledge which They have obtained.
Amen.
Right.and the crucifixion didn't happen that's why there's no cross.the crucifixion will be the false god worshipers saying father Jesus why have u forsaken me.and I nat Turner/Barabbas/John baptist
John and Mary are together
If you encounter Jesus today you shall not recognize him. You shall deny him, based on your own scholarship.
I am praying for you that you know the truth. I'm sorry that you think this way, and are depriving yourself of the kingdom of God inside of you.
The NT fabricates Jesus. And contradicts the OT about the true messiah. What the catholic church has taught for 1800 years is a lie and a false messiah or false image created by the beast as described in Daniel and Revelation. Romans 1:3-4 destroys the trinity outright as does the 1st commandment and Hosea 11:9 and psalms 146:3. The father never became a man and there was no virgin birth. Isaiah 7;14 was a sign to king Ahaz. So who was the miracle birth 700 years before the 1st century and who were the 2 kings that were destroyed in the 1st century before the child knew right from wrong? Isaiah 40:3 proves everyone can't even comprehend simple hebrew.
You will not find Christ (the Word), not Jesus who was a man long ago, in any book or writing, but within. Yet his wisdom or Gnosis is written in the NHL for one to seek if they wish. Properly trained, have studied all wisdom for nearly 40 year or more, in all that are of value. For me the Bible is a basic text, mainly value the new testament but even that is filled with many parables and allegories. And the NHL was not originally written in Coptic by the way. Vatican is a worldly religious aspect, not for myself. Would be very careful how you value what came from Constantine and the Council of Nicea & the Roman empire.
Dr. Evans did not interpret the truth, he just divulged it. The moment you interpret the truth, you are creating something different from the truth - hence fallacy. It is Christianity that interpreted the universe based on unscientific beliefs. Because it could not understand the forces of the universe it invented the New Testament and Jesus. Christianity is the only religion wherein the teachings comes first before the teacher and members come first before the founder.
Eyah asher Eyah. Malachi Chpt 3 happened 20th Adar 5777. Gnostic , Coptic , Massoretic. Iranaeus was a jealeous genocider.
Hail Yaldabaoth
You guys are not focus on the right scripture..like all men are liars but John's not a man
Read the christ letters
But isn't that what religion does?
Rewrites History to aline with their beliefes?
The Jesus story is FAKE,,100%
Grow Up☹️
Total and complete nonsense on every level. a) the four gospels have been edited by the church for hundreds of years, b) the Gospel of Thomas is clearly first century, c) Gospel of John, the one using the term 'Son of God' is 2nd century, d) 50% of the church in the 1st & 2nd cent. WERE GNOSTIC, e) there are NO gospel manuscripts older than the 3rd century, f)the bible does NOT say what is and isn't canonical, men decided that g) Gospel of John Jesus says we are all 'Gods' quoting Psalms
jmbates5179, wow....you really need to seek truth. You are lost....
I’m not saying you’re lost, but this was a lot of misunderstandings. I have come across them before, not least from non stamp collector (which i like most of the time), but it’s not very accurate. Do not only rely on humanist resources, then you’re doing just as bad as ”fundamentals” that only rely on thora/bible/al-quran. You should seek the truth, not seek to debunk stuff, that will always be biased.
Where’s you’re evidence for your claims?
Its like this.... if it works its probably real.... Like gospel of Thomas (hold the feeling as if its already occurred to manifest things) It works... probably an accurate book yet so many do not accept it. Or worse yet, its the Devil.... But the bible speaks of the same things, lords prayer, and so on. Its just hidden in parables. It is the people who really cant understand what is being said that blame this and that for these and those. Reading something doesn't mean a person has understood what is being said. The bible is full of hidden meanings where other texts seem to just tell you right out... odd huh? The most well known book doesn't contain the information that would free us all? Or doesn't say it easy and out right obviously? Leans towards (revision) aka, alteration.
Can you manifest things? Like making mud birds then making them fly away? Because what it sounds like is new age, and the same lie satan told in the garden "you will be like gods" can you literally manifest reality and control your circumstances, or change your own reality?
@@JewessChrstnMystic The same lie Satan told in the garden. Ummm? Psalm 82:6 I said you are Gods, sons of the most high. You seem confused? Here in Psalms it is not Satan's words and yet it says the same thing. What you dont understand in some circumstances, the church is a system of control to basically keep people from their power, Satan said you will be like Gods, or was it God?, I guess that's a double standard meant to confuse. It reminds me of so many times speaking to bible thumpers, They are going to heaven, I am going to hell, this is the problem with the church, double standards. So many Christians think everyone is going to hell except themselves. You have had enough experience to know we manifest things and lots of things. We are not doing like Jesus because we are not taught properly from the start. Since you are bringing up Satan things, you will not get far with this if you are afraid of yourself. The times you have spoken the words "i knew that was gonna happen". You only knew because you manifested it. No, I have not manifested mud into a living being. I have not tried either. Yes, we literally do manifest our reality. Its not me, its Humanity. Yes I have changed reality. Do not forget Jesus did say we can do this and grander things too. (grander things to me is nothing to do with making mud birds become real) It just doesn't interest me. If it interests you, then that is what grander things means to you? I would suggest to you the video, the hidden teachings of Jesus. Some of the ideas in that video are strange, but the most of it is dead on accurate from what I have been led to know by asking of Jesus to help me. If your gonna get all Satan this and that, on me, I just wont reply. Satan is basically (bad attitude, anger, hatred, all the negative emotions). I could go on and on, though so many Christians are bent on punishment for being awake or aware. I actually had one say to me once, God put us here to suffer. I said, now that sounds like Satanism to me. Thats my lousy opinion though. Yes, New Age, we have left the age of pieces and now into Aquarius. There is nothing new about it though, its just a clock system. If you meditate on things like, when did i manifest and change reality?, asking Jesus Christ to help you see the truth when meditating, ask him to teach you and to show the way. The teachings will begin just like it mentions in Corinthians. Meditate on the word of God. Ask to Receive is mentioned elsewhere and in Corinthians it mentions meditation like 15 times on two pages. How many times have you meditated on the word of God? How many times have you asked to be trained like Jesus was? These are all things to ask for help with. If you have no real relationship with Christ, it would mean you have no idea what these things are. Develop one like never before and you will see and Jesus will be leading the way. All of what you ask is actually possible and its nothing to do with Satan. You should ask Jesus to show you, so you believe it, not some stranger like me. I will answer you all that you wish unless you start to act like a catholic who thinks punishment comes with knowing. Satan in some words or worlds and or teachings is just anger. Hope this helps. =) Satan and lies is just the church scaring you from what you already know, you just haven't noticed it enough to rely on it. All we do is manifest things, all we are ever going to do it manifest things, all we have ever done is manifest things. If you study the brain long enough you will learn that it is a radio that tunes into channels of information that in which cell phones, Tv, and Radio are all designed to interrupt. Aka, making it harder to hear the word of God encoded into the light which is frequencies, which is also sound. Once you realize this, the lie of Satan is the church scaring people from the information and Satan is just someone or an idea that no one should bother with. Trust your heart. Is the church your friend? I am speaking Catholic Church who has enough money to house and feed all the poor of the world, buy them all homes and still have money left over yet some people put trust into them? The can help so many and do not. They have trillions of dollars and people starve. What charity is that? They have been involved in so much war and killing over these teachings yet still people bow down as if they are learning something from them? The truth is that they hide the truth in their libraries, all the books that speak of these things are hidden and then they use it to alter the world so they get rich and richer. If you want to learn, you need only yourself to do it. Get creative on how you ask of Jesus and he will respond. Its that easy. Church isn't going to teach you what Jesus knew. Just like all of his sermons on the hill, etc... They write down all these things yet almost NO words about what he actually taught the people?, only that he fed the people?. Strange. They did not include any actual teachings and he spoke all day and into the night? they did not translate all of the words into the newer revised books. They left them out in order to have tax paying slaves. Kings forced people to pay taxes back then, today we just play along and volunteer them due to the stories of the past, if you don't pay, they kill you for it. Which is Satanism, teaching the poor how to manifest gods kingdom, or to force people to pay taxes over the threat of death or jail? If your ready, you will find the way and in this way you need no one to show you anything, no one on this Earth. Jesus is the way, but so many rely on the church to tell them what Jesus is or was then. He is much less and much more then the Church will ever tell you and us. Let me add this, you do realize that the Church killed Jesus, right? You do realize the church was responsible for the sacrificing of Jesus on the Cross. Sacrifice, aka, Satanism stuff. Maybe Jesus chose this to happen like they say, he died for sin. But, when you are teaching how to live outside of the Churches rule, back then you die for it. Jesus was killed by the church to protect the knowledge and keep it only to the rich, Jesus was teaching anyone who would listen. (poor people) Put trust into yourself and that you where led here, right here, today, to this conversation because you asked to know the truth and now you are learning it. Right? You would not have found me at all, if you did not ask to know these things. It is impossible to have just run across this, or to just find me randomly, you asked and you are receiving. Maybe above I am a bit wrong, maybe your connection to Christ is actually growing strong and this message at the end is the confirmation of it =). All of what I would lead you to see, everything I know and can point out was from asking Jesus to show me the way. Put me on the path, I asked daily in meditation for years and years,. each time advancing my asking to get more specific and ask for certain answers. So, each time the answers where just as specific as the questions. Aka, I designed the questions in such a way that the answers that came in would also confirm, Jesus is real and he is working with me or (he does work with people). I would not take lightly what I have said. I hope this gets through to you on the level that you asked for, because you asked, here we are. You must have wanted this and since Jesus or God, both.. Are not in physical form, maybe they are attempting to contact you which is one of the lessons, that God does speak to us through others. Sometimes a person has the best advice and its not really them, its Gods idea being expressed through another physical being. I have much to show you but again, when you trust your connection to Christ and forget the church awhile, you will see Jesus is really there and that is the source you should count on. You do not need others to obtain your goals in life, you need yourself and to trust your feelings just like in star wars. Love the shirt by the way. This is why star wars was such a hit, because our internal knowing, knows it is all true, we have forgotten and have been kicked out of the club by the Church. Not saying Church is bad, I am saying the Catholic church of the old days where very bad people in actuality and now we accept those things as normal. People in church can be very good. Its the super rich churches to watch out for. The common man is not allowed in the club, we are allowed to pay taxes to the club though. Put it like this as well, Catholics beat and tortured Native American children for years until they accepted the Catholic God so much that still to this day some of the Natives are Catholics because it was beaten into them upon the threat of death. Now, what kind of loving God church people do these things? We have to look at a lot of things to find the truth, its not going to be in a small book with the name bible on it, the information of God and Christ is hundreds of lifetimes to obtain and still the one will not know it all.
@@RobMonty248 everything you just said is extreamly mind blowing and beautiful and I would definately like to talk more with you, I'm not at all catholic and always did look at Catholicism as a form of slavery with all the sacraments and paying money, ect.. I consider myself a christian but I also have been taught my entire life that going outside of the (orthodox) view would land me in hell and that anything I entertained outside of the orthodox view of christianity would land me in hell, and that if I started asking to many questions then I was being attacked by satan, it never made sense to me but that's what I was taught non the less. I've asked questions my entire life, ever since i was a little child, and more so now that I'm an adult in my late 20's. I've been struggling with the idea that the end times are here and the idea that we are in the end of days, theres so many view points and theories surrounding spirituality that I've always struggled with. Like the idea of an eternal hell as a result of sinning only a fixed number of times while in this body on this earth never made sense to me either simply because time in this earth in this body is a drop in the bucket compared to all of eternity. I always knew that religion is what killed Jesus, and I'm told by religion that if my mind wonders anywhere outside of what I'm told to think then I'm being influenced by the devil, which after hearing leaves a person feeling overwhelmed with what to believe and not believe. I've also been taught that the holy spirit leads to all truth and everyone claims to have the holy spirit but all have different truths which always confused me and still does. I guess ice been afraid to seek further into certain teachings because I've been taught that I'll go to hell for going after the wrong teaching and my only wish is to not be decieved, to know truth and have fellowship with Christ. Another thing that always terrified me is the testimonies of people practicing new age gnosticism and how it opened them up to demonic attack, and that's what I'm trying to avoid. I do know that theres gnostics that dont believe in the deity of Christ and look at him as just a man, so that may have had a HIGE impact on them being opened up to demonic attack. I do feel that believing in Christ's deity and trusting him is the key to everything, and I can see a difference in certain gnostic teachings and beliefs, and theres obviously wrong teachings, and right teachings and which ones that people follow make all the difference. I've always struggled deeply with the idea of predestination and the idea that people can be predestined for hell and heaven, and I've always struggled with how a good loving God could torture us eternally based on certain actions we do during a short time here on this earth, and I have always struggled with reconsiling how an eternal God of love who is preexisting and self sufficient would do the things fine in the old testament because of jealousy, wrath, anger, ect.. anytime I question these things I'm told "trust the plan" and "who are you to question God" and "God created us, he can do whatever he wants with us" certain aspect of the bible makes God look like a kid on an ant hill with a magnifying glass and give the idea that we are just toys to be played with. I'm trying to understand Jesus and God without making them angry, I guess it all boils down to the things I've been indoctrinated to believe. I've even heard by some that Jesus is a demon, which scared the crap out of me and made me sick to think about, like literally nauseous. I do find everything you have said fascinating, and beautiful, I'm trying to understand, and im trying to learn how I can be sure of truth. I would definately lile to learn more. If you don't mind please email me. katlinjones1992@gmail.com I do feel God pushing me to seek him as I am obsessive at this point in trying to seek him and no matter the stumbling blocks I come across I keep pushing foward in trying. I'm just want to be sure of what's true and false so I can avoid deceit. The book of revelation terrifies me, and another thing in the bible that terrifies me is when it takes about delusion being cast on to people and doctrines of devils being preached to people with itching ears, I don't want to be one of the ones with itching ears. Everything I've been taught has kept me thinking the way I do out of fear, and that far tactic has always bothered me. Anyways please do email me if you don't mind. Would love to talk more.
Stolen from Egypt. Period. Talk about fabrications. Immoral to sit here on TH-cam, make money, and lie. THAT is what is distressing.
This guy is a smart baptist, he has a lot to loose, he needs to keep the Canon in tact or loose his Job. Good Theology but is not Mark a gnostic text, come on. We do not know what Jesus said Craig, them books are in the third person and wrote in Greek not Aramaic.
Dead Sea Scrolls don´t confirm Jesus, ok.
Was the gospel of Thomas factually 2nd century writing or not? He presented this important subject as a personal theory (theory being a fancy word for 'opinion')
Or that he had skin of burn brass. Ofcorse u didnt say that so I'm outta here. Lol
Would this guy consider the tons and tons of obvious editing and revision of the man-selected NT texts an "invention"? You know none of the gospels were written until well after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD. Since the typical life-span was 40 years there were exactly zero "eye-witnesses" to anything. There is not one single reliable reference to Jesus outside of these edited, late texts. The very few Pauline references to the earthly Jesus are dubious too. Who is inventing what?
This interpretation sufferes from an anachronistic view on these texts. Ppl like to neglect that nearly 99 percent of the population were analphabets. Knowing that non of those text are written in judea but from a large geographical distance. This also applies to the other gospels which are not in the NT. Ppl in first century judaism had an oral tradition to pass on facts and were much more accurate than todays oral tradition, since we simply can rely on texts to pass on information. Whether the oral tradition was accurate can be tested by looking at facts like names of persons or places.Tal Ilan a professor in Judasim and history has released statistics about jewish names in judea at around that time Jesus actually lived (Tal Ilan, Lexicon of Jewish Names in Late Antiquity, 2002). The simple conclusion was that only the four gospels got the names right. If you take a look at for example the gospel of mary magdalena you will find out that even the name of the central figure is not given, Jesus is always called "the savior". These other gospels also avoid to name any geographical information in the first century in Judaism. However, the four gospels get it all right, they even got the names right of all the small villages. Therefore it seems to be true that some information has been transferred acuarately. One should also not forget that children in that area knew the tora by heart at age 7. This is also a clear indication that ppl. were a lot better trained to pass on things oraly. Another important point is that at least the synoptic gospels are very jewish and not christian at all. Jesus is very reluctant to call himself messiah or son of god. He ofter refers to himself as the son of man. THis phrase "son of man" is not commonly used in the first church, but only in the gospels. Another point I have to make is that eventhough the original texts are probably written in Greek or Aramaic, there word plays that only make sense in Hebrew. For example Mark 12:1-12: In the parable of the Tenants Jesus talks about a son but then he quotes Psalm 118 and talks about a stone. This is actually a word play in hebrew since the word "son" is called "ben" in Hebrew and the word "stone" is called "eben". This connection can also be seen as a connection to jewish scripture namely to Daniel chapter 3 and chapter 7. The connection between jewish scripture and the scripture of the other gospels is not given. Of course these texts were man-selceted, but it seems that they did it right.
Feature87 lol "Oral tradition" John Dominic Crossnan devoted four chapters to a study of memory in one of his books about the early church. It is not as reliable as written tradition. For instance, he cites Boaz's recording of oral stories showing these changed in a mere 12 years from his first visit to his second.
As for "knowing the Torah by heart", they had the written Torah to use as the standard of accuracy when committing it to memory.
"Son of man" was a key phrase in the Canaanite liturgy. Gallilee was a minority Jewish population at the time of Jesus. If Jesus existed and was raised in Gallilee, he would have been surrounded by pagans of the old Canaanite religions. He would likely have been raised by people who were on friendly terms with their nearby, pagan neighbours. There would likely have been a great deal of mixing of pagan and Jewish beliefs, as there was in the communities of Gentile God fearers who associated with Jews in the Hellenic world.
As for geography, Charles Dickens included a great deal of information about the City of London in his books; but, he clearly wrote fiction.
Craig is wrong about there being no doctrinal problems posed by divergent test - unless he consideres the Trinity to by a negligible point. He surely is not unaware of the Comma Johannine issue?
Finally, people like Bart Ehrman are not cranks, but serious scholars.
First of all the phrase son of man is a key passage in old testament (Daniel, 7). It has nothing to do with pagan religion. Funny how people try to smuggle pagan religion in, when the son of man is clearly a jewish term and not a christian term of the first church. So this idea with the canaanite liturgy is irrelevant, since my point is simply that the term son of man was used in jewish tradition (and maybe in canaanite liturgy, but who cares), but it was less important and nearly non existent in the early church.
Second people couldn't use a written torah at that time, since nearly 99 percent were analphabets, so when learning by heart they simply could not look it up.
Third even if Charles Dickens had never known London, he surely would have had access to a map. This is not the case with the writers of hte gospels. Most scholars agree that non of the gospels were written in Israel. Marcus for example was prob. written in Rome. So additional to these points the gospels also got the names right. Given all these facts it seems that the oral tradition was highly accurate when it comes to the names and geografical places. Your argument is just anachronistic. Another point is that London as a large city is likely a very bad example. That would be like memorizing that there was a city called Jerusalem, but its more about small villages along the Mediterranean and the Galilean sea.
Hmmm I have never said that Bart Ehrman is a crank. He also argues that Jesus excisted and that the gnostic gospels are not reliable even though they are interesting. So I am curious why you put words in my mouth that I have never said, just curious.
By quoting single individuals like Crossan you will not get the full picture of the opinion of every scholar. There are much more scholars who have an opposed view. And you have not answered why Jesus is so reluctlant to call himself the Son of God or the messiah. And I'm sure that he is actually aware of the "Comma Johanneum", but it is not necessarily a problem for every scholar.
I also wonder why ppl. are so disrespectful on the internet. If someone wants to persuade someone with arguments, it is not useful to offend other people. Even if ppl. are correct they will peruade no one. So these internet discussions are always this way. And ppl. always argue that one oppinion is clearly wrong and the other one is clearly correct. There is no black and white. So hammering down on ppl. simply shows an certain lack of intellect.(The last paragraph is for general discussion, it is not directed to a particular person).
Feature87 Good point on "son of man". Often xians are given such extraordinarily poor information. One thing is believers say that Jesus is historical, but they do not really want him to be historical. If they did they would look at actual history -- that means other religions and traditions. ALL religions draw heavily on other religions and traditions. All. You will find, in Hebrew, the names Tohu and Bohu, for instance, in Genesis 1. These are names of Canaanite gods, "pagan" deitiesm", "chaos and void". In Gen. 1 literally says "let US create man in OUR own image". This refers, not to the trinity, but to the many gods. That is why YHVH is "a jealous god", because there are many others besides him. That's why so many passages (Psalms) if read closely obviously refer to other gods. (google Hnotheism in the bible) That is why the 1st commandment says "thou shalt have no other gods before me." Judaism was Heno-theistic, not monotheistic, meaning "one god higher than the others". Xianity is very beautiful -- until "Religion" sets in. Another thing, it is impossible to understand early xianity without an open mind to so-called Gnosticism. Orthodoxy comes from Gnosticism, not the other way around, I believe. The lovely book The Gospel of St. Thomas, per Elaine Pages and many others, was written before any of the other gospels. Orthodoxy and literalism were then and still are the real heresies, as I see it. They're dangerous heresies too, given the history of the West.
Yes concerning the first point you are correct. There has been the idea that there were other Gods besides YHWH. However, it is easy to detect whether YHWH is meant or other Gods. Most of the time the phase YHWH is not used. Instead Elohim is used, but Elohim is the plural form of Eloah. To detect wheter Elohim is YHWH or not depends on the verb. If the verb is plural then other gods are meant. However, if the verb is singular YHWH is meant. Whether this is indead the trinity or not is a theological question, not a historical. Since Christians believe in progressive revelation, this term might historically been seen in a different context but that would not be a problem for theology and progressive revelation.
Well concerning the gnostic gospels...one has to distinguish them. The main problem, why most scholars do not take them serious is simply because of their lack of adequate historical information like the correct jewish names or even the names of the main character. For example Jesus is just called the savior in the gospel of mary magdalene. My fear is that by looking back in time ppl. make the mistake by evaluating what happends in the dark ages they can transfer to previous times like the origin of the first church.This is clearly political motivated and has nothing to do with actual historical evaluation. Gnostic gospels are interesting, however, there is no reason to think that they were written prior to 150 ad.. Ppl can write a lot of books about them and present how beautiful these might be, but every one has to criticize them. It's pretty much a marketing strategy to sell books. So these books sell very well since they are directed against "the (modern) church", so it is kinda like printing money.
These gospels use catch phrases like the "Christ" more often. And Jesus is presented as devine even more clearly than in the four gospels. So I would take the four gospels over every gnostic gospel, since from the point of a historian these gnostic gospels are not jewish at all. The only gospel which scholars argue about is the gospel of Thomas. However, to call the gospel of Thomas a gospel is also problematic, since it contains only 114 separate saying of Jesus and some of them are very similar to some sayings of Jesus in the four gospels.
In general to call anyone a heratic is problematic from a scholarly perspective. What happend in the dark ages was clealy not the result of the context of the new testament, also the crusades make no sense from a christian perspective, since the eschatological hope of Christians was not linked to Jerusalem, but rather the New Jerusalem. So again talking about the church of the middle ages and about the early church is clearly is clearly a different subject.
a religious scholar who has never actually experienced God.
HISTORIANS IN OTHER FIELDS DO THAT ALL THE TIMES !!!!!
The truth prevails; Jesus is a prophet and a messenger of God NOT God, NOR the son of God.
@@kamarudinhj.dolmoin8578 that is the laughably false.
Evans'
oh, you are just doing damage control for you erroneous interpretations of Truth, which have been exposed by the very people you have, predictably, and a bit ironically...
warned us are, well, you know... Evil.
Bart Ehrman, for example, a person who decided not to be sheepish.
I have told you Craig Evans have I not...J-2...r1b1a2... haploid 24 chromosome double xx virgin birth. I AM male with female blood.seed of the women.I AM on another's account.
Trying so hard to discredit Christ's existence just proves he once existed, or we wouldn't be talkin about Him here would we. 😉
He did exist, but he wasn't the son of God. He was just a Qumramic disciple trying to become the king of Israel. He actually competed with his brother James, who didn't want him to be king. His miracles never happened, when Jesus "rose people from the dead" he didn't resuscitate them. To raise someone from the dead is an old Qumramic term to refer to an initiation ritual as confirmed in the dead sea scrolls.
Read the book called "The Hiram Key" and the book by John Allegro (a scholar that worked on the dead sea scrolls) "The dead sea scrolls and the Christian myth"
Who created everything then?, in your mind.
@@noweaponwillprosper5665 the One God, through the Holy Logos. The universal Father that is in everything and has everything in Himself.
And what happens when one dies?, in your mind.
The gospels are not supported by archeology. In fact, there is essentially no evidence outside of the bible to support the idea Jesus existed.
Paul makes no mention of a living Jesus, only one who was known through revelation and scripture. Paul makes no mention nor does he ever quote an eyewitness to a living Jesus.
Paul is the earliest person we know of to write about Jesus. Mark comes next - and he is a brilliant writer, but clearly not an eyewitness. His work is meant to be read for its meaning - not as a newspaper. Parable, not history. The other 3 gospels are all based upon Mark, with extra added material that also does not come from any eyewitness testimony.
It doesn't really matter if Jesus existed or not - but that's another issue.
When one considers the claims made in the gospels about Jesus, the fact that we have ZERO eyewitness accounts, no external references to him, no mention of him or his followers that are contemporary at all is statistically close to impossible.
That's right. Paul taught self-realization of our own Divine Son-ship, not salvation. And if Jesus had existed, the texts indicate that's what he would be teaching as well.
Paul was a hostile witness.
Jesus hashis name on John's aka nat Turner story.h es a false king . remember know the devil's devices
Who's a false king?
Dr. Elaine Pagels, Gnostic Gospels, Harvard University
Go read it, real scholarship is documented.
Randolph F Price Read what?
Randolph F Price, Pagels? Hahaha
Before I believe you Mr Evan, disprove the existence of: 1. Baptism of Jesus by John @ Jordan river; 2. Lazarus' resurrection from the dead; or 3. Turning water to wine at wedding of Cana.
This guy is a deceiver trying to sell a book!
Craig Evans is the man to see if you want to be convinced Santa exists. And the Easter Bunny. And the Tooth Fairy.If you want the truth about Jesus, read Joseph Atwill's Caesar's Messiah. Total credibility.
Oh, bullshit.
Jesus is a GIRL!! You can look up sheep!!
You are a liar Craig Evans!!!
Why? You know more than him? Why don't you face him in a public debate to see you winning him?
Craig Evans is an evangelical apologist ( 🤥)- how, in God's name, could I take someone like that even remotely seriously...🥴
I don't trust this guy.
Why not?
This guy is so carnally minded.
Christian propaganda