[stfassisi]

Kosta-””Also important is being familiar with the works of the Alexandrian Jewish philosopher by the name of Philo, who had a tremendous influence in the struggling Christian thought in the latter part of the 1st century, etc. He is the first to compare the logos ontologically to the OT God by about 45 AD. He is the one who introduced the divine or uncreated energies concept which are so prominent, actually essential in the Eastern Christian dogma of salvation, officially codified as the Palamite Doctrine, the official theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church since the 14th century.””

I read some of this awhile back. What do you and Kolo think of these sources?

http://www.sas.upenn.edu/religious_studies/rak/courses/999/philo.htm

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rak//courses/999/RYLE1.htm

“”It’s almost impossible to fully understand John’s Gospel without the context of the Greek mind set of the time and where Christianity was.””

I agree and think we have to view all scripture with this mind set

Kosta-””Those who are “comfortable in their belief,” as boatbums says, will believe what they want to believe and there is, as she says, comfort in it. I am different. If I only sought comfort in belief, then I would still believe in a Tooth Fairy, I guess.””

I understand Christianity as something that makes us struggle against our own selfishness and the battle to let go of ourselves even if it means pain because if we are to imitate Christ we must embrace crosses in our lives not just for our own damage done by our sins,but be willing to suffer for those who have offended Christ in hope that God will have mercy on them as well .

In other words, this is true love for fellow man as I see it.

Christianity to me is not easy,it costs us something.

[kosta50]

I read some of this awhile back. What do you and Kolo think of these sources?

I will be traveling tomorrow and will need more time on this. As regards his early ranking in the Church, suffice it to say that the first Church historian, Eusebius of Cesarea, a 3rd century bishop, refers to Philo, an Alexandrian Jew, as Saint Philo!

[boatbums]

Christianity to me is not easy,it costs us something.

So, when Jesus said:

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matt. 11:29-30)

He was exaggerating? Lying? Minimizing? What?