Archeologists discover St. Paul's tomb

Catholic World News ^ | Feb 17, 2005 | unknown

[Mike Fieschko]

Rome, Feb. 17 (CWNews.com) - Vatican archeologists believe that they have identified the tomb of St. Paul in the Roman basilica that bears his name.

A sarcophagus which may contain the remains of St. Paul was identified in the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, reports Giorgio Filippi, a archeology specialist with the Vatican Museums. The sarcophagus was discovered during the excavations carried out in 2002 and 2003 around the basilica, which is located in the south of Rome. Having reached what they believe is a positive identification of the tomb, Vatican experts will soon make a public announcement of their discovery.

[xzins]

There is no possibility that Paul was illiterate.

He was a student of the famous rabbi Gamaliel, and one of the kings before whom he testifed (Festus?) said to him, "Paul, your GREAT LEARNING has made you mad."

Paul's family specifically sent him from Turkey to Jerusalem to study.

[redgolum]

I am an amateur archeology buff. The Byzantines were very good about finding the Christian holy sites, and so far most of them have held up to scrutiny.

Helna's visions have been shown to be pretty accurate so far!

[NYer]

Catholic Ping - Come home for Easter and experience God’s merciful love. Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[Grn_Lantern]

I'm not denying Paul (and Saul) were very smart, but there's no evidence that he knew how to write.

No one knew how to write back then except scibes...that was the whole point of being a scribe. If everyone could have written, there wouldn't have been scribes. So, perhaps "illiterate" is the wrong word (I'm sure he could read), but writing is a whole different matter.

I mean, look at monks, they were the people that had to copy texts for 1000 years because no one else knew how to write.

Again, nothing nasty intended...just a discussion.

[beezdotcom]

The thorne in his side was that he was an unapologetic homophobe!

If that was supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, you might want to practice a little bit more before attempting that posting style again.

On the other hand, if you were deadly serious, then enjoy the ride...

[beezdotcom]

Just wondering what other reason there could be ?

Well, if you heard pounding coming from inside, that might be a good reason...

[Betis70]

>> Really?! That's a "denial" I wasn't even aware of.

Well the Hittite empire (prior to Hugo Winckler's find in 1906) was thought to be another example of a Bible 'myth' since there was no other mention of the Hittites or their Empire.

As my archaeology professors always told me "An absence of evidence does not indicate evidence of absence".

[redgolum]

Until the last 50 years or less, the Hittites were held to be an example of how the Bible was wrong.


And then they started finding sites that fit the Biblical record, and they began to find references to a Grecian people in what is now Turkey.

The rest is history!

[redgolum]

Opps, you beat me by a few!

[SaltyJoe]

The "thorn" was probably a craving for fresh bagels (or is it chala?). They just don't make them like they do back in the Promise Land, do they? I suppose that was one of the hardest things to give up for his missionary work.

[Grn_Lantern]

From my understanding, all Catholic alters are required to have some sort of relic (by which I mean remains) that blesses them.

Admittedly, I'm a Protestant, and if I'm wrong, please someone correct me...it's just school learnin'

[xzins]

One day the pharisees were trying to trick Jesus with a marriage question. Jesus said "Have you not __________ in the book of Moses..." (Matthew 12:26)

When they brought the woman caught in adultery before Jesus, the bible says he "stooped down and ________on the ground." (John 8:8)

The Apostle John wished to communicate with some dear believers, but could not. His words were: "3Jo 1:13 -
I had many things to ______, but I will not with ink and pen _______ unto thee:

[NYer]

Basilica - St. Paul Outside the Walls

[LadyPilgrim]

)))ping(((

[SaltyJoe]

We also know that St Paul was a killer. He could have suffered from the trauma that killing brings to a soul: paranoia, vanity (rush of power), rage (or impatience with others' views). Recall that he encouraged those who wanted gentiles to be circumcised that the enforcers should go further and castrate themselves completely. That's not something I'd expect Jesus Himself to say, but hey, St Paul was just human. He had his pride to conquer.

Also, those who've murdered/killed have to deal with the ghosts of their past--literally. Jesus describes that when a Christian returns kindness for those who persecute, it's like dumping hot coals on their head. Persecuting Christians before becoming a Christian may have had lingering affects of guilt, along with the feeling of betraying his hardliner scholars and colleges he left behind (and had to abandon).

[Grn_Lantern]

And somehow Paul is involved in these????

[xzins]

DNA compared with which of his descendants?

[Just mythoughts]

"We also know that St Paul was a killer."

Paul held the coats of those stoners of Stephen! Paul did not lie in 'wait' and premeditate to kill anybody, he was protecting what he believe to be preservation of the OLD way.

Now no where do you find it written that Paul was accused as being a killer.

[dsc]

"Just wondering what other reason there could be ?"

Two reasons tombs are opened are to see if the deceased is incorrupt, and to take relics.