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Patrick
2025 Jun 23, 10:56am
Patrick
2025 Jun 23, 10:56am
Sure, lots of great advice in the bible whether one believes or not.
I'm still on the biggest reading binge of my life, especially ancient Greek and Roman authors. It seems to me that Christianity is essentially a fusion of Greek philosophy and Jewish religion. New testament was written in Greek too. Socrates was a kind of proto-Jesus who also got in trouble for his teachings (really, for his annoying questions) and was also ultimately killed for it, refusing to recant to save his own life.
I'm still on the biggest reading binge of my life, especially ancient Greek and Roman authors. It seems to me that Christianity is essentially a fusion of Greek philosophy and Jewish religion. New testament was written in Greek too. Socrates was a kind of proto-Jesus who also got in trouble for his teachings (really, for his annoying questions) and was also ultimately killed for it, refusing to recant to save his own life.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
St. Stephen is one of my favorite Dead songs.
"Saint Stephen with a rose
In and out of the garden he goes
Country garland in the wind and the rain
Wherever he goes, the people all complain”
Stephen (Greek: Στέφανος, romanized: Stéphanos; c. AD 5 – c. 34) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity.[2] According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him[3] and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become an apostle, participated in Stephen's execution.[4]
Interestingly, the painting by Juan de Juanes depicts the stoners with Jewish features, but not St. Stephen, who looks more European.