A wealthy shipowner nearly split Christianity in two by asking one question: is the God of Joshua the same as the God of the Sermon on the Mount? Three serious answers.
This was a very interesting discussion. When reading the Old Testament, I realized nothing Jesus said was totally original, all the seeds WERE there in the OT, just not as prominent as the more obvious, seeming contradictions. I think Psalms most accurately reflects the NT perspective.
Thank you for introducing such thought provoking topics/discussions regarding the Bible. I love your intellectual approach. Any faith/opinion SHOULD stand up to scrutiny. God bless you.
This is a great piece on a fascinating subject. I've often wondered about this and the third answer makes the most sense to me. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work! 🙂
Intriguing article; I recall a similar argument about Marcion in a class I had on church history last year. The pastor obviously wasn't agreeing with Marcion but the conclusion he had was similar to yours, albeit far more brief because he had to compress all the major happenings in the first 4 centuries into a 2 hour lecture / sermon. I appreciate you being able to expand on the subject!
Side note - I think the man on the right in your header picture is supposed to be Origen of Alexandria, not Marcion of Sinope.
Thanks! Yeah the on the right pops up as Origen and Marcion, I have also seen it used for Pelagius as well. The amount of time I spent going back and forth whether to use it hahaha.
You do such a great job with these posts. I go with progressive Revelation and the Jesus lens. I will add another one many Christians feel uncomfortable about but it still needs to be considered. I’ll call it the human development view. Just like humans grow and develop views from immaturity to maturity, this view says humans early on projected their cultural views onto God and stamped them with God’s approval. As time goes on and later prophets criticize some of these earlier perspectives of God, God sent his Son, his exact representative and final revelation of what God truly looks like.
Also wanted to thank you for allowing me to comment and join the discussion without being a paid member, I appreciate it. Not all contributors do. Hate feeling forced or manipulated into doing something.
Marion missed the God of pardon in the garden , He let Satan live even while he rebelled against Him , made clothes to cover Adam and Eve , He gave the first murderer a “ pass of pardon “ like a passport of old . Gave the nations at Babel,s tower many languages, Jacob the deciever an eternal heritage , Noah a lifeboat to a new world washed from iniquities, Jacob a new name likewise Abraham. He gave the slaves in Egypt a new country that endures till this day . Sent angels as messengers and we can go on and on if there's enough time and writing materials. Hallelujah, Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob abd the Father of Jesus Christ our Redeemer . Instead of another flood He washed us with His Blood .
I can say yes , without an inckling of a doubt ; for as He said to the serpent; Her seed will trample the head of your seed ; such is assured to us in the very last book, Revelation from Genesis the same Jesus shall return to be crowned King of kings . He shall reign for ever. And God shall be All in All .
This was a very interesting discussion. When reading the Old Testament, I realized nothing Jesus said was totally original, all the seeds WERE there in the OT, just not as prominent as the more obvious, seeming contradictions. I think Psalms most accurately reflects the NT perspective.
Yeah, the Psalms are honestly a goldmine.
Thank you for introducing such thought provoking topics/discussions regarding the Bible. I love your intellectual approach. Any faith/opinion SHOULD stand up to scrutiny. God bless you.
This is a great piece on a fascinating subject. I've often wondered about this and the third answer makes the most sense to me. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work! 🙂
Thanks Daniella!
Hi Jordan,
Intriguing article; I recall a similar argument about Marcion in a class I had on church history last year. The pastor obviously wasn't agreeing with Marcion but the conclusion he had was similar to yours, albeit far more brief because he had to compress all the major happenings in the first 4 centuries into a 2 hour lecture / sermon. I appreciate you being able to expand on the subject!
Side note - I think the man on the right in your header picture is supposed to be Origen of Alexandria, not Marcion of Sinope.
Thanks! Yeah the on the right pops up as Origen and Marcion, I have also seen it used for Pelagius as well. The amount of time I spent going back and forth whether to use it hahaha.
You do such a great job with these posts. I go with progressive Revelation and the Jesus lens. I will add another one many Christians feel uncomfortable about but it still needs to be considered. I’ll call it the human development view. Just like humans grow and develop views from immaturity to maturity, this view says humans early on projected their cultural views onto God and stamped them with God’s approval. As time goes on and later prophets criticize some of these earlier perspectives of God, God sent his Son, his exact representative and final revelation of what God truly looks like.
Also wanted to thank you for allowing me to comment and join the discussion without being a paid member, I appreciate it. Not all contributors do. Hate feeling forced or manipulated into doing something.
Of course!
Marcion might be off the mark in my view, but you’ve got to give him some cred!
I want to read David Litwa’s new book on Marcion. Mike Bird recently reviewed it on YouTube, apparently Litwa wasn’t thrilled with his take.
Off the mark for sure, but yeah the influence he had was certainly massive.
Thanks Chris!
Marion missed the God of pardon in the garden , He let Satan live even while he rebelled against Him , made clothes to cover Adam and Eve , He gave the first murderer a “ pass of pardon “ like a passport of old . Gave the nations at Babel,s tower many languages, Jacob the deciever an eternal heritage , Noah a lifeboat to a new world washed from iniquities, Jacob a new name likewise Abraham. He gave the slaves in Egypt a new country that endures till this day . Sent angels as messengers and we can go on and on if there's enough time and writing materials. Hallelujah, Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob abd the Father of Jesus Christ our Redeemer . Instead of another flood He washed us with His Blood .
I can say yes , without an inckling of a doubt ; for as He said to the serpent; Her seed will trample the head of your seed ; such is assured to us in the very last book, Revelation from Genesis the same Jesus shall return to be crowned King of kings . He shall reign for ever. And God shall be All in All .