ChristianityChristianity

Matthew & PaulMatthew & Paul

Malaspina Great Books

OutlineOutline

Introduction – Christianity Introduction – Christianity The World According to RussellThe World According to Russell Faith as Epistemology Faith as Epistemology Christ as RadicalChrist as Radical Jesus the ManJesus the Man The Historicity of ChristThe Historicity of Christ The Christian SynthesisThe Christian Synthesis MeaningMeaning Jesus, Socrates and BuddhaJesus, Socrates and Buddha

IntroductionIntroduction

Fusion of Greek philosophy & Hebrew Fusion of Greek philosophy & Hebrew traditiontradition

Christianity as a Religion Christianity as a Religion andand a a PhilosophyPhilosophy

Role of Paul in this fusionRole of Paul in this fusion The role of ReasonThe role of Reason Influence on Western CultureInfluence on Western Culture

The World According to RussellThe World According to Russell

Observations of an Intellectual AlienObservations of an Intellectual Alien Authority vs. PhilosophyAuthority vs. Philosophy The Five Authorities & the Five The Five Authorities & the Five

Religions: Buddha, Confucius, Religions: Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, Jesus, Mohammed (The Socrates, Jesus, Mohammed (The Paradigmatics)Paradigmatics)

The Five Religious Masks (neo-The Five Religious Masks (neo-religions)religions)

The Five PhilosophiesThe Five Philosophies

Faith as EpistemologyFaith as Epistemology (F)aith vs. (f)aith(F)aith vs. (f)aith

I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the clever and revealing hiding these things from the clever and revealing them to mere children. them to mere children. (Matt. 11:25)(Matt. 11:25)

The reason I speak to you in parables is that they The reason I speak to you in parables is that they [those with no faith] look without seeing and listen [those with no faith] look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding.without hearing or understanding. (Matt. 13:14) (Matt. 13:14)

I will speak to you in parables and expound things I will speak to you in parables and expound things hidden since the foundation of the world.hidden since the foundation of the world. (Matt. (Matt. 13:35)13:35)

Authenticity of FaithAuthenticity of Faith

So far then we have seen that, through So far then we have seen that, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith we are our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith we are judged righteous and at peace with judged righteous and at peace with God, since God, since it is by faith and through it is by faith and through Jesus that we have entered this state of Jesus that we have entered this state of gracegrace in which we can boast about in which we can boast about looking forward to God’s glory. But that looking forward to God’s glory. But that is not all we can boast about; we can is not all we can boast about; we can boast about our sufferings. boast about our sufferings. (Romans (Romans 5:1-5)5:1-5)

The Promise of Faith The Promise of Faith

That it might be fulfilled which was That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, [spoken by the prophet, saying, [with with faithfaith] I will open my mouth in parables; I ] I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.secret from the foundation of the world. (Matt 13:35)(Matt 13:35)

[[without faithwithout faith] … Listen but do not ] … Listen but do not hear, see but do not perceivehear, see but do not perceive … (Matt. … (Matt. 13:15)13:15)

Perspective of a non-believerPerspective of a non-believer

I feel his brotherly hand which grasps I feel his brotherly hand which grasps mine, so that I can follow him ... it is mine, so that I can follow him ... it is not the hand of the messiah, this not the hand of the messiah, this hand marked with scars. It is certainly hand marked with scars. It is certainly not divine, but a human hand in the not divine, but a human hand in the lines of which is engraved the most lines of which is engraved the most profound suffering ... the faith of Jesus profound suffering ... the faith of Jesus unites us, but faith in Jesus divides us unites us, but faith in Jesus divides us … … Schlom Ben-Chorin Schlom Ben-Chorin

The Radical Nature of Christ’s The Radical Nature of Christ’s DemandsDemands

The ethical requirements Jesus The ethical requirements Jesus demands for entering this demands for entering this kingdom of his are kingdom of his are uncompromising - and really uncompromising - and really impossible - without faithimpossible - without faith

Love your enemies, bless them that Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that use you.you, and pray for them that use you. (Matt. 5:43-48)(Matt. 5:43-48)

Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-11)Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-11)

How happy are the poor in spirit;How happy are the poor in spirit;theirs is the kingdom of heaven, theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Happy the gentle, Happy the gentle, they shall have the earth for their heritage. they shall have the earth for their heritage. Happy those who mourn: Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. they shall be comforted. Happy are those who hunger and thirst for what is right: Happy are those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be satisfied. they shall be satisfied. Happy the merciful, Happy the merciful, they shall have mercy shown them. they shall have mercy shown them. Happy the pure in heart: Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God. they shall see God. Happy the peacemakers: Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God. they shall be called sons of God. Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right: Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:8)The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:8) Our father in heaven,Our father in heaven,

may your name be held holy, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come, your kingdom come, your will be done, your will be done, on earth as in heaven, on earth as in heaven, Give us today our daily bread. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, put us to the test, but save us from the evil one.but save us from the evil one.

Glorified and hallowed be his great name in the world, Glorified and hallowed be his great name in the world, which he created according to his will. which he created according to his will. (Ancient Yiddish (Ancient Yiddish Prayer)Prayer)

The The essentialessential idea of Jesus – the idea of Jesus – the gift of Freedomgift of Freedom

Faith produces freedom through transcendence Faith produces freedom through transcendence

This independence from the world while This independence from the world while immersed squarely in the world is the source of immersed squarely in the world is the source of Jesus' strangeness in the face of hostility and Jesus' strangeness in the face of hostility and persecution: his utter serenitypersecution: his utter serenity. Hans Kung. Hans Kung

This absolute faith enables Jesus -- like Socrates This absolute faith enables Jesus -- like Socrates before him -- to question everything in the world. before him -- to question everything in the world.

This serenity faith brings means that nothing This serenity faith brings means that nothing worldly has importance - death, suffering, worldly has importance - death, suffering, persecution, and abuse – all are totally persecution, and abuse – all are totally meaningless. That is freedom! meaningless. That is freedom!

Hegel on the Radical Message of ChristHegel on the Radical Message of Christ

Never have words so revolutionary Never have words so revolutionary been spoken, for everything been spoken, for everything otherwise looked on as valid is otherwise looked on as valid is represented [now] as indifferent represented [now] as indifferent [and] unworthy of consideration.[and] unworthy of consideration. HegelHegel

Lucian of Samosata Lucian of Samosata

These poor souls (the Christians) have persuaded These poor souls (the Christians) have persuaded themselves that they are immortal and will live themselves that they are immortal and will live forever. As a result, they think nothing of death … forever. As a result, they think nothing of death … most of them are perfectly willing to sacrifice most of them are perfectly willing to sacrifice themselves. Besides, their first law-giver (he is themselves. Besides, their first law-giver (he is referring to Paul here) has convinced them that once referring to Paul here) has convinced them that once they stop believing in Greek gods, and start they stop believing in Greek gods, and start worshipping that crucified sage of theirs, and living worshipping that crucified sage of theirs, and living according to his laws, they are all each other's according to his laws, they are all each other's brothers and sisters. So, taking this information on brothers and sisters. So, taking this information on trust (meaning faith), without any guarantee of its trust (meaning faith), without any guarantee of its truth, they think nothing else matters, and believe in truth, they think nothing else matters, and believe in common ownership -- which means that any common ownership -- which means that any unscrupulous adventurer who comes along can soon unscrupulous adventurer who comes along can soon make a fortune out of them, for these silly creatures make a fortune out of them, for these silly creatures (the Christians) are very easily taken in!(the Christians) are very easily taken in! (Lucian c. (Lucian c. 140 AD)140 AD)

Christ the Man Christ the Man Ecce HomoEcce Homo

Historical JesusHistorical Jesus

He (the governor) assembled the Sanhedren He (the governor) assembled the Sanhedren of judges and brought before them the of judges and brought before them the brother of Jesus, him called Christ, whose brother of Jesus, him called Christ, whose name was James, and some others. And name was James, and some others. And when he had formed an accusation against when he had formed an accusation against them as breaks of the law, he delivered them as breaks of the law, he delivered them to be stoned. them to be stoned. Josephus – Jewish Josephus – Jewish HistorianHistorian

The Jesus of QThe Jesus of Q

Not a MessiahNot a Messiah Not born of a virginNot born of a virgin Did not perform miraclesDid not perform miracles Did not die on the crossDid not die on the cross No resurrectionNo resurrection

Elements Pointing to AuthenticityElements Pointing to Authenticity

The flight after Jesus arrestThe flight after Jesus arrest Peter’s denialPeter’s denial Christ's inability to work miracles in GalileeChrist's inability to work miracles in Galilee Christ’s early uncertainty as to his missionChrist’s early uncertainty as to his mission Christ’s confessions of ignorance about the Christ’s confessions of ignorance about the

future future Christ’s moments of bitternessChrist’s moments of bitterness The cry on the cross: ‘My God! my God! The cry on the cross: ‘My God! my God!

why hast thou forsaken me?’why hast thou forsaken me?’ Discovery of the two MarysDiscovery of the two Marys

Christian SynthesisChristian Synthesis

Egypt: divine trinity, Last Judgment, Egypt: divine trinity, Last Judgment, adoration of mother and child, mystic adoration of mother and child, mystic theosophytheosophy

Phyrigia: Great Mother worshipPhyrigia: Great Mother worship Syria: the resurrection drama of AdonisSyria: the resurrection drama of Adonis Thrace: cult of Dionysus, the dying and Thrace: cult of Dionysus, the dying and

saving godsaving god Persia: Mithraic rituals that closely Persia: Mithraic rituals that closely

resemble the eucharistic sacrifice of the resemble the eucharistic sacrifice of the mass. mass.

MithrasMithras The god Mithras was actually incarnated into the human form of the Saviour The god Mithras was actually incarnated into the human form of the Saviour

expected by Zarathustra or Zoroasterexpected by Zarathustra or Zoroaster Mithras was born of Anahita, an immaculate virgin motherMithras was born of Anahita, an immaculate virgin mother Mithra ascended into heavenMithra ascended into heaven Mithra remained celibate throughout his life, and valued self-control, Mithra remained celibate throughout his life, and valued self-control,

renunciation and resistance to sensuality among his worshippersrenunciation and resistance to sensuality among his worshippers Mithra was referred to as: "the Light of the World”Mithra was referred to as: "the Light of the World” Mithra was was a mediator between heaven and earth and was a member of a Mithra was was a mediator between heaven and earth and was a member of a

Holy TrinityHoly Trinity Worshippers held strong beliefs in a celestial heaven and an infernal hell and Worshippers held strong beliefs in a celestial heaven and an infernal hell and

believed that the benevolent powers of the god would sympathize with their believed that the benevolent powers of the god would sympathize with their suffering and grant them the final justice of immortality and eternal salvation suffering and grant them the final justice of immortality and eternal salvation in the world to comein the world to come

They looked forward to a final day of judgment in which the dead would They looked forward to a final day of judgment in which the dead would resurrectresurrect

They believed in a final conflict that would destroy the existing order of all They believed in a final conflict that would destroy the existing order of all things to bring about the triumph of light over darknessthings to bring about the triumph of light over darkness

Believers took part in a ceremony in which they drank wine and ate bread to Believers took part in a ceremony in which they drank wine and ate bread to symbolize the body and blood of the godsymbolize the body and blood of the god

Sundays were held sacred, and the birth of the god was celebrated annually on Sundays were held sacred, and the birth of the god was celebrated annually on December the 25th December the 25th

Mithras took part in a Last Supper with his companions before ascending to Mithras took part in a Last Supper with his companions before ascending to heaven, to forever protect the faithful from aboveheaven, to forever protect the faithful from above

Mithraic system had no “Paul” – offered no arguments – developed no Mithraic system had no “Paul” – offered no arguments – developed no philosophy – the Mithraic cult remained a cultphilosophy – the Mithraic cult remained a cult

Karl Jaspers on JesusKarl Jaspers on Jesus Because Jesus stands at the end and margin of the world, in an Because Jesus stands at the end and margin of the world, in an

exceptional situation, he reveals the possibility and hope exceptional situation, he reveals the possibility and hope implicit in all those who are despised according to the implicit in all those who are despised according to the standards of the world, the lowly, the sick, the deformed; ... standards of the world, the lowly, the sick, the deformed; ... Both his actions and his words seem contradictory by the Both his actions and his words seem contradictory by the standards of reason: on the one hand, struggle, hardness, the standards of reason: on the one hand, struggle, hardness, the ruthless alternative; on the other infinite mildness, non-ruthless alternative; on the other infinite mildness, non-resistence, compassion. He is the challenging warrior and the resistence, compassion. He is the challenging warrior and the silent sufferer....The authenticity of Jesus' suffering is silent sufferer....The authenticity of Jesus' suffering is historically unique. The pain and terror are not accepted with historically unique. The pain and terror are not accepted with resignation or borne with patience; they are not veiled; "My resignation or borne with patience; they are not veiled; "My God, My God why has thou forsaken me?" Jesus insists on the God, My God why has thou forsaken me?" Jesus insists on the reality of suffering and expresses it. When, forlorn and forsaken reality of suffering and expresses it. When, forlorn and forsaken he is nearly dead with suffering, the minimum of ground he has he is nearly dead with suffering, the minimum of ground he has to stand on becomes all and everything, the Godhead. Silent, to stand on becomes all and everything, the Godhead. Silent, invisible, unimaginable, it is after all the sole reality. The utter invisible, unimaginable, it is after all the sole reality. The utter realism with which the uncloaked horrors of this existence are realism with which the uncloaked horrors of this existence are portrayed implies that help can only come from the utterly portrayed implies that help can only come from the utterly intangible.intangible. (Karl Jaspers, (Karl Jaspers, Socrates Jesus Confucius Jesus)Socrates Jesus Confucius Jesus)

Hans Kung on ChristHans Kung on Christ

Looking to the crucified and living Christ, even in the Looking to the crucified and living Christ, even in the world of today, we are able not only to act but also world of today, we are able not only to act but also to suffer, not only to live but also to die. And even to suffer, not only to live but also to die. And even when pure reason breaks down, even in pointless when pure reason breaks down, even in pointless misery and sin, we perceive meaning, because we misery and sin, we perceive meaning, because we know that because here too in both positive and know that because here too in both positive and negative experience we are sustained. Faith in Jesus negative experience we are sustained. Faith in Jesus the Christ gives peace with God and with self, but the Christ gives peace with God and with self, but does not play down the problems of the world. It does not play down the problems of the world. It makes us truly and radically human -- open to the makes us truly and radically human -- open to the very end for the other person, the one who needs us very end for the other person, the one who needs us here and now -- our neighbour. here and now -- our neighbour. (Hans Kung (Hans Kung On On Being a Christian)Being a Christian)

Jesus vs. BuddhaJesus vs. Buddha

Jesus' message is part of a history wrought Jesus' message is part of a history wrought by God. Those who go with Jesus are caught by God. Those who go with Jesus are caught up in a passion that has its source in the up in a passion that has its source in the moment of the most critical decision. moment of the most critical decision. Buddha proclaimed his doctrine in aimless Buddha proclaimed his doctrine in aimless wanderings, in aristocratic serenity, without wanderings, in aristocratic serenity, without insistence, indifferent to a world that is insistence, indifferent to a world that is forever the same. Jesus builds on the Old forever the same. Jesus builds on the Old Testament, Buddha on Hindu philosophy. Testament, Buddha on Hindu philosophy. Jesus demands faith, Buddha demands Jesus demands faith, Buddha demands insight. insight.

Jesus vs. SocratesJesus vs. Socrates

Jesus teaches by proclaiming glad tidings, Jesus teaches by proclaiming glad tidings, Socrates by compelling us to think. Jesus Socrates by compelling us to think. Jesus demands faith, Socrates an exchange of thought. demands faith, Socrates an exchange of thought. Jesus speaks with direct earnestness, Socrates Jesus speaks with direct earnestness, Socrates indirectly, even by irony. Jesus knows of the indirectly, even by irony. Jesus knows of the kingdom of heaven and eternal life, Socrates has kingdom of heaven and eternal life, Socrates has no definite knowledge of these matters and no definite knowledge of these matters and leaves the question open. But neither will let us leaves the question open. But neither will let us rest. Jesus proclaims the only way; Socrates rest. Jesus proclaims the only way; Socrates leaves man free, but keeps reminding us of our leaves man free, but keeps reminding us of our responsibility rooted in freedom. Both raise responsibility rooted in freedom. Both raise supreme claims. Jesus confers salvation. Socrates supreme claims. Jesus confers salvation. Socrates provokes us to search for it. provokes us to search for it.