Escaping Hell #Hell #harrowinghell #limbo #hades
Lets look at the difference between pagan and particularly #Hellenic #pagan and #Christian legends about Escaping #Hell.
I've chosen this as a theme as today is #Easter Saturday in my timezone and this is the day or night when Christ is said to have descended into hell / sheol / hades and freed various souls there.
Now several polytheistic cults sects and religions have stories about a shaman or hero or deity descending into the underworld / afterlife to try to gain the rescue of a soul or special knowledge or contact with the divine or demonic.
The Norse have the story of Hel refusing to release Baldur unless every soul swept for him. Ancient Sumerian culture had the tale of Inanna's Descent into the Realm of the Dead. The Egyptians had tales of Osiris being restored to life yet also becoming the ruler of the dead?
The Greeks told stories of Heracles fetching Hades hound from the gates of the underrealm up to our world while he was still alive and mortal.
Some of them believed Hades Realm was a place you could access physically via gates or tunnels and you could return if you were very very careful.
Orpheus sing his way through trying to reclaim Eurydice and failed and Theseus's attempt lead to him having to be freed by Heracles but that was only possible because Theseus Heracles and Orpheus were demigods.
Ordinary mortals if they were lucky or had gone through the Mysteries might reach the Elysian Fields or Islands and if unlucky or evil be judged and their souls imprisoned or get to drink the waters of Lethe and either be reborn or wander mindlessly.
The afterlife had a class system like reality!
Now Christian churches tend to vary in how much emphasis or attention they pay to stories about Harrowing Hell and whether the souls released were Jewish and also Pagans?
The only references are 1 peter 3:19 and Matthew 27.53 which are both rather vague. However speculation about this appears not just in Dante's Divine Comedy or Catholic and Orthodox theology but a couple of odd minor works that while NOT CANON are Apocrypha.
The main one is the Gospel of Nicodemus which includes a section that seems from its language and style to be an inserted copy of an even older work.
It claims to report what two young men who came back to life saw in Hades realm. Hades is described as a jailer in charge of the afterlife and Satan as a separate entity. The legend is that Jesus descended to hell and freed the souls of various famous Jewish figures.
Coupled with the Righteous pagans verse in Romans this explained into a legend that Christ freed all righteous souls Jewish or pagan.
Now since this post is about myths and legends I'm not going to discuss the validity of the legend further.
Let's look again at the differences.
In the Hellenic mythos only those Heroes who were sons of the gods seem to have been able to journey in and out of Hell. True Odysseus does pay a visit but only to the borderlands not the depths. Otherwise if you were a hero or had been one of the Mysteries a set of rituals you might reach Elysium and some scholars claim that some of these cults taught reincarnation as a concept but you had to be both righteous and trained.
The Christian Mythos and various legends of saints and indeed most churchs' Official teachings claim everyone or nearly everyone has a chance to repent and be saved and many churches believe the Innocent small children etc get a "free pass".
Paradise is not only for heroes! There is a price but its not gold or silver or even blood. The price was and is a gift of faith hope and love. The ritual sacrifice a gift for all not just the elite.
On Good Friday we mourned the sacrifice.
Tomorrow Easter Sunday we celebrate the gift.
If you're not doing church or Bible study or after you do so enjoy reading some literature or mythology!
And don't over indulge in Chocolate !
Friday, 3 April 2015
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Palm Sunday and Hosanna
#palmsunday #gospels #biblestudy #easter #textualvariation #matthew #luke #mark #john
The #Gospel passages about #jesus ' s entry into #jerusalem on what is now known as #PalmSunday are ones that do show textual variation however the description of the events ALL AGREE on the MAJOR points.
The disciples were sent to pick an female donkey and her colt.
People were throwing down clothes and greenery cut branches onto the road.
The event was prophesied by #Zechariah (9:9)
People were calling out #Hosanna and Blessed Be eulogeemenos in greek
Mark records blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is the realm of our father david that is coming Hosanna in the highest
Matthew said Hosanna to the son of David blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord hosanna in the highest
Luke
blessed is the king who comes in the name of the lord
peace in heaven and glory in the highest
John
hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord even the king of israel
Simplest explanation the crowd was calling out ALL of these things!
A note about the #Palms
Only John mentions palms the others just mention leafy branches or cut greenery but this is not a problem since perhaps a variety of plants were strew along the road depending on what plants were nearby and Matthew and John may be walking at opposite ends of the procession and saw and heard slightly different things?
A note about #Hosanna this word originally meant save / help and the full hebrew / aramaic form is according to my web search hosh(i)a - na'. Greek had no SH sound but did have a san syllable cluster or perhaps the double nn was simply a local dialect variant?
Finally a short poem. If you want to read a better poem read Chesterton!
Not on a path of gold but green
he rode into Jerusalem
Not on a tank or royal steed
but as the prophet decreed
borne on a lowly females back
not on a path of gold but green
he rode into jerusalem
hosanna hosanna blessed
blessed be praise be kingdom come
prophet teacher prince so blessed
now sing in praise though silent are some
not on a path of gold but green
he rode into jerusalem !
He didn't use a chariot or horse or camel but a female donkey and her son.
This is like using a workers ute (pickup truck for americans) rather than an open limo!
Anyway enjoy Palm Sunday Praise the Lord and if you have to shop cos you're working and want to avoid the Thursday evening rush don't overdo it on the chocolate and hot cross buns or other Easter specialities!
The #Gospel passages about #jesus ' s entry into #jerusalem on what is now known as #PalmSunday are ones that do show textual variation however the description of the events ALL AGREE on the MAJOR points.
The disciples were sent to pick an female donkey and her colt.
People were throwing down clothes and greenery cut branches onto the road.
The event was prophesied by #Zechariah (9:9)
People were calling out #Hosanna and Blessed Be eulogeemenos in greek
Mark records blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is the realm of our father david that is coming Hosanna in the highest
Matthew said Hosanna to the son of David blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord hosanna in the highest
Luke
blessed is the king who comes in the name of the lord
peace in heaven and glory in the highest
John
hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord even the king of israel
Simplest explanation the crowd was calling out ALL of these things!
A note about the #Palms
Only John mentions palms the others just mention leafy branches or cut greenery but this is not a problem since perhaps a variety of plants were strew along the road depending on what plants were nearby and Matthew and John may be walking at opposite ends of the procession and saw and heard slightly different things?
A note about #Hosanna this word originally meant save / help and the full hebrew / aramaic form is according to my web search hosh(i)a - na'. Greek had no SH sound but did have a san syllable cluster or perhaps the double nn was simply a local dialect variant?
Finally a short poem. If you want to read a better poem read Chesterton!
Not on a path of gold but green
he rode into Jerusalem
Not on a tank or royal steed
but as the prophet decreed
borne on a lowly females back
not on a path of gold but green
he rode into jerusalem
hosanna hosanna blessed
blessed be praise be kingdom come
prophet teacher prince so blessed
now sing in praise though silent are some
not on a path of gold but green
he rode into jerusalem !
He didn't use a chariot or horse or camel but a female donkey and her son.
This is like using a workers ute (pickup truck for americans) rather than an open limo!
Anyway enjoy Palm Sunday Praise the Lord and if you have to shop cos you're working and want to avoid the Thursday evening rush don't overdo it on the chocolate and hot cross buns or other Easter specialities!
Saturday, 21 March 2015
comparative irony
How one verse serves as Irony and a great example of Adverbs used to create a comparision too!
#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #whatjesussaid
#Matthew 10: 24 - 25
not is student over the teacher nor slave over the master his
enough for student that (Note subjunctive in Greek geneetai) becomes as the teacher his and the slave as the master his
two simple comparisons
then
if the housemaster Beelzeboul is called / named (as) how much more the householders / the residents in the houses / oikakos his
RSV adds maligned
we know from other verses some people accused Jesus of having mastery over demons because he was a sorcerer or magician
the servants and students will be maligned like the master
these two verses also give me an excuse to discuss mallon
NOTICE WELL
mala mallon malista
much more most
could also be translated as
very rather especially
basic adverb comparative form and superlative form
If a = such and such than how much more B = such and such
note rather than using a suffix an adverbial construction is used here and the verb implied
you could just use mallon by itself but the use of posos plus mallon makes the whole verse much stronger and expressive and adds an ironic twist !
mallon is an overlooked but very useful word you will encounter in both new testament and classical greek
#biblestudy #greeknewtestament #whatjesussaid
#Matthew 10: 24 - 25
not is student over the teacher nor slave over the master his
enough for student that (Note subjunctive in Greek geneetai) becomes as the teacher his and the slave as the master his
two simple comparisons
then
if the housemaster Beelzeboul is called / named (as) how much more the householders / the residents in the houses / oikakos his
RSV adds maligned
we know from other verses some people accused Jesus of having mastery over demons because he was a sorcerer or magician
the servants and students will be maligned like the master
these two verses also give me an excuse to discuss mallon
NOTICE WELL
mala mallon malista
much more most
could also be translated as
very rather especially
basic adverb comparative form and superlative form
If a = such and such than how much more B = such and such
note rather than using a suffix an adverbial construction is used here and the verb implied
you could just use mallon by itself but the use of posos plus mallon makes the whole verse much stronger and expressive and adds an ironic twist !
mallon is an overlooked but very useful word you will encounter in both new testament and classical greek
Saturday, 14 March 2015
Persecution Complex
#biblestudy #whatjesussaid #gospel #greeknewtestament
Matthew 10: 16 - 23
There are a lot of American and other Christians who sadly use these verses to justify claims they are being persecuted ... WHEN THEY ARE NOT.
Chances are if you're reading this in English and have access to the Internet you live in a country where the only "persecution" you have to worry about is a court case and a fine for libel?
Be cautious about people
for hey will give you over into the councils
(Note Plural from in greek this is not just the Jewish Synhedrin but councils in general)
and in their synagogues they will flog / whip you
and to / before leaders and also kings you will be taken / lead
(akheesesthe is a future passive from agoo
remember aspiration as a passive marker so the stem of agoo becomes kh
and the kh is the sound in Kin not sKin !)
for / because of me to witness to them and to the (pagan non jewish) nations
When(ever) and they deliver you not worry how or what to say!
it will be given to you in that hour what you will say
it will be you speaking
but the spirit of the father of you the talking in you ?
note alla emphasizing that the spirit will inspire and give your speech
betray brother a brother into death and father a child and raise up against / ( rebel violently ) children against parents and kill them
epanasteesontai from epanistami
Something like the situations during the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe or the Russian and Chinese revolutions and the great persecutions under the Roman empire
you might also want to read about the Donatists and Arians?
and you will be hated by all for the name of me
he who endures to end this one will be saved
when(ever) and they pursue / hunt you in the city flee into the other.
The persecution perhaps we should worry about is the denial of refugee status to those forced to flee their countries to others.
truly for i say to you not will have completely finished (going thru) the cities of israel until comes the son of man
perhaps what we should worry about is not whether or not you can boycott certain people or causes without being sued but actual PHYSICAL violence towards you?
As I said at the start if you have your own laptop to access to a public library you are probably at little risk of physical persecution but please do spare a thought or more if possible for those who genuinely are?
Matthew 10: 16 - 23
There are a lot of American and other Christians who sadly use these verses to justify claims they are being persecuted ... WHEN THEY ARE NOT.
Chances are if you're reading this in English and have access to the Internet you live in a country where the only "persecution" you have to worry about is a court case and a fine for libel?
Be cautious about people
for hey will give you over into the councils
(Note Plural from in greek this is not just the Jewish Synhedrin but councils in general)
and in their synagogues they will flog / whip you
and to / before leaders and also kings you will be taken / lead
(akheesesthe is a future passive from agoo
remember aspiration as a passive marker so the stem of agoo becomes kh
and the kh is the sound in Kin not sKin !)
for / because of me to witness to them and to the (pagan non jewish) nations
When(ever) and they deliver you not worry how or what to say!
it will be given to you in that hour what you will say
it will be you speaking
but the spirit of the father of you the talking in you ?
note alla emphasizing that the spirit will inspire and give your speech
betray brother a brother into death and father a child and raise up against / ( rebel violently ) children against parents and kill them
epanasteesontai from epanistami
Something like the situations during the religious wars of the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe or the Russian and Chinese revolutions and the great persecutions under the Roman empire
you might also want to read about the Donatists and Arians?
and you will be hated by all for the name of me
he who endures to end this one will be saved
when(ever) and they pursue / hunt you in the city flee into the other.
The persecution perhaps we should worry about is the denial of refugee status to those forced to flee their countries to others.
truly for i say to you not will have completely finished (going thru) the cities of israel until comes the son of man
perhaps what we should worry about is not whether or not you can boycott certain people or causes without being sued but actual PHYSICAL violence towards you?
As I said at the start if you have your own laptop to access to a public library you are probably at little risk of physical persecution but please do spare a thought or more if possible for those who genuinely are?
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Serpents and Doves
#matthew10:16
One of those verses that probably do have multiple levels of meaning so lets stick to the simplest one?
See! I send you (on a mission) as sheep in midst wolves!
Become therefore prudent as the snakes and pure as the doves.
I know some people think the reference to wise serpents refers to ancient cults but look at ehich words used ?
Phronimos not spiritual wisdom or occult knowledge but a word that translates into Latin as Prudent having common sense and practical wisdom.
Snakes hunt bird eggs and peristera which refers to pigeons and doves were kept for fertilizer eggs and meat. Doves originally nested in cliffs to get away from snakes.
Irony?
The Doves are described as akeraios pure and innocent cos they are unmixed undiluted ...akeraios derives fron the root of the verb kerannumi.
Learn the virtues of both predators and prey ?
Sunday, 1 March 2015
yo and behold idou
IDOU
#idou #ecce #behold #greeknewtestament
the next section of Matthew begins with a word that appears frequently in the New Testament .
Translated into Latin as ECCE IDOU and related forms like ide idete are actually VERBS even if they seem to be used more like Adverbs!
IDOU is the Second Aorist Imperative Middle of horaoo - see but horaoo uses a stem of - (e) id from * wide cognate with Latin video.
When you see these forms used you are being called to not just see but to pay attention and learn and these secondary meanings have lead to this word being translated as
Look See Listen Behold LO
If you're doing a full colloquial version you might even venture to use YO! or whatever the equivalent in local slang ?
Just dont go so far you in your efforts to make the Bible more modern you end up weakening the meaning.
#idou #ecce #behold #greeknewtestament
the next section of Matthew begins with a word that appears frequently in the New Testament .
Translated into Latin as ECCE IDOU and related forms like ide idete are actually VERBS even if they seem to be used more like Adverbs!
IDOU is the Second Aorist Imperative Middle of horaoo - see but horaoo uses a stem of - (e) id from * wide cognate with Latin video.
When you see these forms used you are being called to not just see but to pay attention and learn and these secondary meanings have lead to this word being translated as
Look See Listen Behold LO
If you're doing a full colloquial version you might even venture to use YO! or whatever the equivalent in local slang ?
Just dont go so far you in your efforts to make the Bible more modern you end up weakening the meaning.
Saturday, 21 February 2015
Staying with the Worthy
#biblestudy #jesus #greeknewtestament
Matthew Chapter 10 11 - 15
and when into a city or village you enter search for who worthy is
and there stay until you depart
and when coming into the house make respectful greetings
and and if the house is worthy let your peace come upon it
and if it is not worthy your peace turn back / withdraw
and whoever not receives you nor hears the words of you go out of that house or city shaking the dust of the feet of you
truly i say to you more tolerable it would be for earth of sodom and Gomorrah on day of judgement than that city
AXIOS usually means worthy deserving or valuable but here it seems to be used as we might when saying a person is respected or respectable.
he's asking his disciples to show good manners ask if they can enter and offer their blessings and to leave if it turns out they are not welcome
the comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah seems very severe to us but remember the ancient tradition of guest rights in Greece and the Near East.
To mistreat a guest after you have accepted them into your house and they have offered their blessings was regarded as not just rude but almost blasphemous!
Bless who ever is hosting you as a visitor in response to their hospitality!
Matthew Chapter 10 11 - 15
and when into a city or village you enter search for who worthy is
and there stay until you depart
and when coming into the house make respectful greetings
and and if the house is worthy let your peace come upon it
and if it is not worthy your peace turn back / withdraw
and whoever not receives you nor hears the words of you go out of that house or city shaking the dust of the feet of you
truly i say to you more tolerable it would be for earth of sodom and Gomorrah on day of judgement than that city
AXIOS usually means worthy deserving or valuable but here it seems to be used as we might when saying a person is respected or respectable.
he's asking his disciples to show good manners ask if they can enter and offer their blessings and to leave if it turns out they are not welcome
the comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah seems very severe to us but remember the ancient tradition of guest rights in Greece and the Near East.
To mistreat a guest after you have accepted them into your house and they have offered their blessings was regarded as not just rude but almost blasphemous!
Bless who ever is hosting you as a visitor in response to their hospitality!
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