Santa vs God

Haggard · Post by **Haggard** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:22 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:Over/under on thread lock?

My vote is this was posted solely to inflame.

zero tolerance.

I don't really like inflaming people, just create interesting debate. Sorry if everything I post scratches you the wrong way. I enjoy hearing x-tian opinions as much as the next guy.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:26 pm

Haggard wrote:
Oliver's Army wrote:Over/under on thread lock?

My vote is this was posted solely to inflame.

zero tolerance.
I don't really like inflaming people, just create interesting debate. Sorry if everything I post scratches you the wrong way. I enjoy hearing x-tian opinions as much as the next guy.

Typically a discussion involves an opinion from the start.

You shouted 'fire' in a theatre to be amused by its results.

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:29 pm

What classifies, qualifies, or validates one as a Bible Scholar? I listened to 6 72 minute CDs from a Bible Scholar (Historian) regarding the fallacies in The Da Vinci Code and that guy had credentials, but I can't remember his name. Great information in there, though, about lots of bible stuff.

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:34 pm

Bart D Ehrman was the guy. SM6's long lost uncle or something.

The Truth

It really was a good book and shed TONS of light on the book.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:08 pm

Garr wrote:What classifies, qualifies, or validates one as a Bible Scholar? I listened to 6 72 minute CDs from a Bible Scholar (Historian) regarding the fallacies in The Da Vinci Code and that guy had credentials, but I can't remember his name. Great information in there, though, about lots of bible stuff.

I would say bare minimum MDiv (Masters of Divinity), preferably PhD in Theology/Doctrine. A solid grasp of Hebew, Greek, Latin and Aramaic (the original languages the scriptures were written in). Recognition of one of the biblical scholarly societies. That's a good start. I'm familiar w/ Ehrman, but I've not read anything by him yet. I might need to check that out. I know he's regarded as heretical by most main stream evangelicals though.

Garr · Post by **Garr** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:16 pm

It was a incredibly engaging read (listen) and I enjoyed it, even though I don't proclaim myself to any religion or philosophy. I enjoy learning about them and gaining more facts. He had a lot to say about the divinity of Christ and argued many things regarding the claims that the Da Vinci Code made about Constantine, his affiliations, the Nag Hammadi documents, and the Council of Nicaea. He talks about the chosen canon, the gospels that were left out of the Bible and many other interesting things that I found rather educational.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_D._Ehrman

wiki wrote:Bart D. Ehrman is a New Testament Scholar and an expert on Early Christianity. He received his Ph.D and M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary where he studied under Bruce Metzger. He currently serves as the chairperson of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was the President of the Southeast Region of the Society of Biblical Literature, and worked closely as an editor on a number of the Society's publications. Currently, he co-edits the series New Testament Tools and Studies.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:26 pm

He's a great scholar, but like other areas of study, there is a fair amount of disagreement on some issues, and most mainstream evangelicals take umbrage with a good many of Ehrmans claims.

sharkmansix · Post by **sharkmansix** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:36 pm

and most mainstream evangelicals take umbrage with a good many of Ehrmans claims.

Tell me about it!

Tri-State Killing Spree · Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:22 pm

Jesus is the reason for the seasons Quote from a STRYPER XMAS CD

echosauce1 · Post by **echosauce1** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:25 pm

I don't care if you are into religion or not. Christmas is the time of year that always reminds me of how good I have it and how I can help out others who don't have it as good as me...Is that really a bad thing? I should think about that all year but something about this season brings me out of my selfishness. I'm all for the holiday.

Big John · Post by **Big John** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:47 am

santa gives people a reason to remember jesus

WBOB · Post by **WBOB** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 2:36 pm

Big John wrote:santa gives people a reason to remember jesus

....and "Church Lady" gave us a reason to remember that
Santa really truely stood for....

S A T A N

subgenius88 · Post by **subgenius88** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:38 pm

He took out the Martians...now God's next to feel the wrath of Santa. This will be way better than Alien vs. Predator.

Grindspine · Post by **Grindspine** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:42 am

I think, Oliver's Army, that it's actually a fair question. You should be no more offended by someone questioning the difference between santa and god than your questioning anyone else's beliefs. From a non-christian point of view, both are mythical.

Garr, to my knowledge, the tradition of pulling an evergreen tree indoors around the winter solstice was also a pegan tradition, meant to remind the family that winter would pass and all would become green again. This tradition continued throughout the spread of catholicism and was also passed to protistantism. Since people were already celebrating at the time, the Church decided it would be the most opportune time to hold a celebration, which became christmas.

btw, I like the analysis of Santa and his reindeer bursting into flame while flying at extreme speeds.

bassjones wrote:I would say bare minimum MDiv (Masters of Divinity), preferably PhD in Theology/Doctrine. A solid grasp of Hebew, Greek, Latin and Aramaic (the original languages the scriptures were written in). Recognition of one of the biblical scholarly societies.

gee, I have a solid grasp of Latin...