Remains of Apostle Paul May Have Been Found

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | December 6, 2006

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

ROME (AP) - Vatican archaeologists have unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul that had been buried beneath Rome's second largest basilica.

The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least A.D. 390, has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project's head said this week.

~ snip ~

[Tao Yin]

I'd say that the Catholic Church is an expression of man's desire to dominate and rule other men. If you look at the history, their claim starts with the 4th Pope. He wrote a letter to a church that was having problems. Nobody asked him to write the letter and no one yelled at him for writing the letter. Therefore, he had dominion over the church he wrote the letter to and therefore he was the head of the church and therefore the center of the church is Rome and therefore you salvation is in jeopardy if you disagree.

Many Catholics will mention the keys given to Peter, but this was a later justification.

What's really interesting about the letter is that it proclaims the Phoenix is a real bird and it states that we are justified through faith alone.

[mysterio]

390 A.D.?

Maybe the early Christians moved his body from its initial burial to a newer shrine to honor him. It's possible, I guess.

I think it's awesome when they have discoveries like this. The bones of a man who spoke with Jesus. It's truly amazing when you think about it.

[adiaireton8]

Oh, but decomposition of our bodies *does* matter. It is a result of sin. It is contrary to the original design of the human being, and to human nature. It is a dishonor. That is why Paul says in 1 Cor 15:43 "it is sown in dishonor". And that is why the Psalmist says "because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay" (Ps 16:10). See also Acts 2:27-31, 13:34-37. And Paul says in Rom 8:21 that "the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay", showing that to be subject to decay is to be under a form of bondage.

That is why "letting Mary's physical body decay" would have dishonored her. That is why she was assumed (body and soul) into heaven by her Son, who spared her the dishonor of decay.

-A8

[what's up]

"the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay", showing that to be subject to decay is to be under a form of bondage.

Exactly. That's why the heavenly resurrected being is the one that matters. If you're gonna have that, you don't have to worry about the one that will decompose.

That is why "letting Mary's physical body decay" would have dishonored her

Nonsense. She is in Christ. Thus she is honored just as any saint because of Him, regardless of the fact that she decomposed.

[EveningStar]

If this is a hoax, it's aPauling.

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. Interesting archaeology. Religous significance will be hotly debated, as usual, here and elsewhere.

[fish hawk]

How come?

[alnick]

I don't see anything disrespectful there. When we die, our bodies cease to be "us," as our souls separate from our bodies. Then the body becomes worm food. It's a simple fact of nature.

[adiaireton8]

Exactly. That's why the heavenly resurrected being is the one that matters. If you're gonna have that, you don't have to worry about the one that will decompose.

The heavenly resurrected body is your present body, only glorified. They are not two numerically distinct bodies, but one and the same body, simply clothed with immortality.

Nonsense. She is in Christ. Thus she is honored just as any saint because of Him, regardless of the fact that she decomposed.

No. Paul says, "it is sown in dishonor". For example, to be mutilated after death dishonors the person. Likewise, decay is a dishonor as well, as Paul says. And the Father did not allow His holy one (i.e. Christ) to see decay, says the Psalmist. Why not? Because it was an additional dishonor.

Christ preserved His mother from this dishonor. That is why there has never been a tomb of Mary (or a shrine reputed to stand over the tomb of Mary), in all of Christian history. Not only that, but the authority of the Church states as dogma that Mary was assumed (body and soul) into heaven. Thus to deny Mary's bodily assumption is to rebel against that authority by which all the Church's doctrines were established, including the New Testament canon and the Ecumenical Creeds.

-A8

[Diddle E. Squat]

Remains of Apostle Paul May Have Been Found

In Oregon?

[khnyny]

[I don't see anything disrespectful there. When we die, our bodies cease to be "us," as our souls separate from our bodies. Then the body becomes worm food. It's a simple fact of nature.]

LOL. Well then you don't understand what you're reading.

[Revolting cat!]

PINGing you to #70 (somebody beat me to the sick joke. Damn!)

[SuziQ]

But Roman Catholic teaching about her being snatched up as was Enoch are mere fancy - and end up disrespecting the Lord with all the spurious none sense that captivate to many.

Why is it mere fancy? If Enoch was loved and revered enough by God that he was allowed to be taken up, uncorrupted, then why not the woman who was created to be the mother of His own Son?

Mary was "The Woman of the Promise" prophesied in the Old Testament. Catholics believe she was conceived without sin, precisely because she was created to be the vessel for the Incarnation of God's Love. In fact, tomorrow is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, honoring Mary. If God loved and revered Mary enough to allow her to bring His Son into the world, why is it such a leap to believe that He might raise her to heaven with Him and Jesus, uncorrupted? And I don't see how honoring Mary is considered disrespectful to Jesus. After all, He honored her as well.

[Revolting cat!]

In Oregon?

And if true, "prayers going up" and "condolences to the family". Otherwise, foggetaboutit!

[villagerjoel]

I'd have to say I agree with C. S. Lewis when he said, "You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body." Therefore, I really never cared much about what happened to this body. What scriptural evidence do you have that would lend us to believe that we're stuck with this thing for an eternity?

[Doctor Don]

The burden of proof is on the Vatican. They should not trivialize about one of the great men of history.

[paulat]

If you think about it, though...he was a traveler trying to spread the word. (Considering I'm "Paula," I have learned the history.)

Paul was on the road to Damascus when he was struck down...and he saw the way.

I'm talkin' like a holy-roller...I am as far from it as you can imagine....

...but I hope there was something divine who picked James up on his journey and took him home....

BTW...I like you even more for the ping! You're gonna have to justify the "Revolting"

[paulat]

ping to #77

[hosepipe]

[ Vewy funny. Mary's body will never be found on this earth. ]

Why not?. Is she your God?..

[paulat]

What scriptural evidence do you have that would lend us to believe that we're stuck with this thing for an eternity?

It's been a fine work-horse, and I'm appreciative of it...but in the next go-round, I'd make a few changes....