Thanks much for this, it is a topic that I have given a lot of thought to of late.
Regarding the Jamesian attitude towards the resurrection, looking at the Ebionites, there doesn't seem to be any single agreed upon belief, which is not surprising as we only know of the Ebionites from their detractors. That Jesus appeared to the apostles in visions seems the most likely to me.
I also wonder whether someone like Paul was bound to come along regardless, or was he a completely unique individual, and no other person could take his place. Certainly just pure speculation at this point.
Just about all scholars agree that Jesus was not a Nazirite.
While I am far from a scholar, I think it bears consideration.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus clearly knew him, and even in the Gospels John fits as a Nazirite.
The Ebionites said (according to Christian leaders) that Jesus was a vegetarian and did not drink wine. This fits as well.
The scholars say that Jesus partakes of meat and wine in the Gospels, so he could not be a Nazirite. Yet they have no issues declaring other parts of the Gospels as later additions. I know I am in the fringe here, but the concept appeals to me. I have yet to read a scholar who supports it.
nice well written
Thanks, Shib!
Thanks much for this, it is a topic that I have given a lot of thought to of late.
Regarding the Jamesian attitude towards the resurrection, looking at the Ebionites, there doesn't seem to be any single agreed upon belief, which is not surprising as we only know of the Ebionites from their detractors. That Jesus appeared to the apostles in visions seems the most likely to me.
I also wonder whether someone like Paul was bound to come along regardless, or was he a completely unique individual, and no other person could take his place. Certainly just pure speculation at this point.
Something else I have been pondering lately.
Just about all scholars agree that Jesus was not a Nazirite.
While I am far from a scholar, I think it bears consideration.
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus clearly knew him, and even in the Gospels John fits as a Nazirite.
The Ebionites said (according to Christian leaders) that Jesus was a vegetarian and did not drink wine. This fits as well.
The scholars say that Jesus partakes of meat and wine in the Gospels, so he could not be a Nazirite. Yet they have no issues declaring other parts of the Gospels as later additions. I know I am in the fringe here, but the concept appeals to me. I have yet to read a scholar who supports it.
Kind of makes me wonder if there is a single all-knowing god in charge of things. Your history is so much more Christian that the actual one.