by mharrsch
Paul or Socrates
Just to make sure that we’re on the same page, I am taking about the Apostle Paul, the founder of Christianity, who lived roughly from 5-57CE. And then there’s this fellow names Socrates who lived about 500 years before Paul (actually 469BCE-399BCE) who was a classical Greek philosopher. Socrates had a very bright student named Plato.
Are we together now? Okay then, let’s jump off the cliff together.
The early Church historian by the name of Eusebius (260-340CE) wrote many times about how Christianity was really not a new concept, but an older religion with some new nuances. More specifically he wrote, “The religion published by Jesus to all nations is neither new nor strange. While the name Christian is new, yet the manner of of life and the principles are ancient.”
This is taken as heretical by those who believe the Christian religion was parachuted out of the heavenly skies, and handed to humanity as a replacement of all others.
The highly esteemed church father, St. Augustine wrote, “Socrates was as grand a Christian as any churchy saint or martyr. Indeed Socrates’ Pagan brand of Christianity was as lofty and pure as that which I know.” Let me put my interpretation on that statement and ask, was Paul a greater Christian than Socrates? Can we compare them in any way?
When Christianity decides that it isn’t the ONLY WAY, that JESUS isn’t the only person to carry the divine seed of God, and that we are ALL made in the image of God, life will be a battle of comparisons. Paul or Socrates? Christianity or Judaism? Catholicism or Protestantism?
Why not And-Also? Tell your religious ego to kiss off!
Why not just love everyone and follow your conscience without feeling
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