My timeline is derived from my study and research. There are alternative timelines to consider, however! Do your own research and this will help establish your own beliefs!
It's interesting to see a timeline so one can visualize history with specific dates. My personal timeline started at my birth and will end at my physical death. What happens to me AFTER death is beyond my ability to enunciate today. I do not fear my physical death, however, as I am convinced that LIFE continues as a NOW experience after one 'passes' from this veil of tears. I hope my view is valid!
Let's give a tentative TIMELINE of events which likely happened during and after the New Testament period. These details help me discern events and also that which is valid history.
1. A.D. 30 - 33: Yeshua likely died (say age 37). My sense is that he was immediately 'glorified' by his God, Yahweh, as his 'spirit' passed from his body. He was not bodily 'resurrected' IMO as many think but he was 'glorified' immediately at his 'passing' (his spirit became a new entity/body) and this allowed him to pass through MATTER (doors and building walls). This new 'glorified' body is different from the common view that his body was 'resurrected' (physically). Jews and thinkers in the first century did not view the 'spirit' (within a person) as a separate entity. This lack of understanding IMO produced this idea that 'breath' was life and the person was his/her BODY. Death was sleep of the BODY until a 'resurrection' occurred. In reality, 'breath' is not the same as CONSCIOUSNESS. Today, we understand that my inner self is my CONSCIOUSNESS (not my 'breath'). This spiritual substance (called 'consciousness') does NOT die when the body dies. Conclusion: I am NOT by body. I do not need a 'resurrection'. In reality, I am the inner 'spirit' which LIVES within my CONSCIOUSNESS (also called MIND). My worldview is based on this idea that DUALISM is reality. There are TWO realms of reality (the physical and the non-physical). Do we need a new understanding of reality today? I think so! Keep this idea in mind as you read below!
2. A.D. 49 - 62: Paul of Tarsus wrote his various letters to select churches which he Evangelized. His letters emerged from the ORAL testimony of believers plus his own experiences which he lived out. Paul did not know the historical Yeshua who lived from around 6 B.C. to 33 A.D. Paul developed his theology AFTER the death of Yeshua and his theology gradually won out over most alternatives to serve as the foundation of this NEW COVENANT church called the Roman Catholic Christian Church. Paul's writings established the foundation for this REPLACEMENT theology (which emerged after the destruction of the Temple of Yahweh in 70 A.D.). It was Paul and his followers who became influential and it was his various writings which formed the core of orthodox Christian Catholic theology. Today's Christian religion is mostly a religion derived from Paul's teachings. Even the so-called Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John) seem like writings which incorporated much of Paul's teachings and thinking. My view is that Paul started this idea that the Christian religion was a REPLACEMENT for traditional Judaism (a false doctrine IMO). Even the God of Israel was REPLACED with this Trinity concept and later the idea that Yeshua was EQUAL with the historical God of Israel (Yahweh). Then the 'incarnation' doctrine cemented this idea that Yeshua/Jesus was God Almighty in the flesh (another false doctrine IMO).
3. A.D. 70 + or -: The Gospel (writing) of Mark emerged on the scene. This theological writing was probably written by a Greek theologian/believer NOT the Mark who knew Yeshua during his lifetime. This writing is viewed by Scholars as 'anonymous' and the real author is UNKNOWN. My view is that the writer was NOT an eye witness of Yeshua's words. Oral testimony produced this Gospel IMO. Some is valid and some is invalid (made up). Discernment is required when reading this Gospel and/or any of the writings within this scripture called the New Testament. What is valid and what is made up is any readers judgment. Some words are 'inspired' and some are mere 'interpolations' (ideas of the writer which fit the writers prior beliefs).
4. A.D. 80 + or -: The Gospel (writing) of Matthew emerged on the scene. Like Mark this writing had an author who desired to remain 'anonymous' (unknown). The writer was not an eye witness to the words of Yeshua and this gospel creates a birth narrative which is seriously questionable. The writer probably copied much of what was written in the Mark's Gospel and then the writer added more filler for the reader to digest. Discernment is required as some words are 'inspired' and many words could be made up and based upon the writers personal beliefs. Beware as you read any of the Gospels as words can be valid and also invalid.
5. A.D. 85 + or -: The Gospel (writing) of Luke emerged on the scene. Again, this writing has no known author. The author is 'anonymous'. The HEADING shows the word LUKE but the author was most likely a Greek theologian who desired to use the LABEL (Luke) for his writing. This is similar to the Gospel of Mark, Matthew, and John. The real author is UNKNOWN. This means that the writer was likely NOT an eye witness to the actual WORDS spoken by the historical Yeshua. Oral testimony (in the marketplace) created the writer's beliefs and then this writing within our New Testament. Discernment is required as you read any of these Gospels. Also, the many TRANSLATIONS today confuse the issue further!
6. A.D. 90 + or -: The Gospel of John emerged on the scene. Who was this writer? We do not know. It was likely a Greek speaking believer who used the LABEL (John) for this writing (Gospel). This writing tries to convey the theology that Yeshua was DEITY (in the flesh, chapter 1) and later in the writing (Chapter 10 and after) the idea that Yeshua was NOT DEITY is asserted. The Father becomes GREATER than Yeshua and all events of Yeshua were actually empowered by the Father (meaning the God of Israel/Yahweh). Yeshua could not be both DEITY and NOT DEITY at the same time? Yet, this Gospel writing seems to imply that this is reality. Beware the words in this writing as you read it from chapter to chapter. Spiritual discernment is required IMO.
7. A.D. 95 + or -: The Gospel of Revelation emerged on the scene. This writing became the l ast writing within this scripture called the New Testament. The author was likely the Apostle John who did KNOW the historical Yeshua. This makes this writing especially valid in my belief system (worldview). This author had a VISION on the Island of Patmos (the Aegean Sea off today's nation Turkey). His VISION was written down in some 22 chapters. My sense is that this VISION has credibility as it likely came directly from Yahweh (via the glorified Yeshua via an angel). The words may not be totally valid as we do not have the original manuscript. My sense is that MUCH of this vision, however, is VALID theology and I base my view of GOD on these writings (plus others). Chapter 4 and 5 are especially interesting as these chapters envision Yahweh as our Creator (on the Throne). The glorified Yeshua is envisoned (separately) as having a role to play as the Lion of Judah. Yeshua gets to OPEN the various SEALS of Revelation 6. His role derives directly from Yahweh who sits on the THRONE. The Coming events which many of us think are happening NOW derive from this writing. Discernment, however, is required with ALL these writings. There are countless 'interpretations' of these writings (words) which vary from believer to believer. Much uncertainty is evident! Listen to alternative viewpoints and then derived your OWN viewpoint!
Conclusion: The New Testament was written AFTER the death of this 'anointed one' called Yeshua the Messiah. The historical Yeshua did not READ any of these writings. In fact, Yeshua wrote NOTHING in words that we have today. All we have are writings from unknown authors who probably recorded words from ORAL testimony...which changed from writer to writer over time. Many even are unsure of when Yeshua was born and when he died. My dates are my best estimates. Timelines do help us visualize events over time.
My sense is that the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 1) is our BEST evidence of the philosophy of Yeshua while living on this planet. His mindset was to promote the KINGDOM OF HIS GOD. His God was the historical God of Israel whom many called Yahweh during the lifetime of Yeshua. The TEMPLE of YAHWEH was still standing during his lifetime. He did prophecy, however, that this TEMPLE would be destroyed. Was he correct? The TEMPLE was eventually destroyed in 70 A.D. (via Titus and the Roman military). Later, Masada was also destroyed (73-74 A.D.). Then a REPLACEMENT theology emerged which became the Roman Christian Religion.
The writings of Paul of Tarsus (and his vision) became the CORE of this new 'replacement' religion. Today, many biblical scholars view all this with much skepticism. What happens over time is that people promote IDOLATRY over reality. Worshiping a human being (a created being) does smell like a form of IDOLATRY. Will the Christian Church and their theology crumble during these END TIMES? Many think so! The Church Age is destined to collapse as APOSTASY emerges. I sense this 'apostasy' today! What is your worldview? Think for yourself. The above is my viewpoint (as of today). Have a great day!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment