tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8218901866257821158.post6481641806980711319..comments2023-11-25T15:57:59.128-08:00Comments on Cynical Reflections: thoughts from a tub: Was Jesus a Cynic Philosopher (and a feminist)?Enhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17395463875119977302noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8218901866257821158.post-87145390366490438212019-11-10T13:31:16.295-08:002019-11-10T13:31:16.295-08:00It is my understanding that Jesus's teachings,...It is my understanding that Jesus's teachings, in part, were based on those teachings of the Greek school of Cynicism. The Cynics stressed that Virtue was more important than accumulating wealth. The Greek philosopher, Socrates, seemed to echo this Greek idea in claiming "his poverty, was proof of his pursual of virtue rather than accumulating wealth." That is tosay, that Jesus' teachings were derived from Greek schools of Philosophy, circa 400 BC through 33 AD. A famous scenario has a wealthy Jew asking Jesus what he can do to improve himself and Jesus tells him, give all your wealth away and be like me. The wealthy man turns away upon hearing this. Jesus is portrayed as being poor, having no place to rest his head. Jesus' message of pursuing righteousness instead of the accumulation of wealth is not a Jewish concept, it appears to be Hellenistic Greek (Socratic and Cynic). By contrast the Old Testament teaches that material wealth is a sign of God's blessings bestowed upon his followers, whereas poverty is a sign of God's displeasure. Christianity arose in a Hellenistic World, and it is understandable that it assimilated Hellenistic Greek notions about the importance of virtue over material wealth. The Old Testament teaches that God will not a righteous man be overcome by his enemies, just the opposite is taught by Christianity: Allow the evil men to accomplish your death, remain loyal to God and virtue, your reward from God will be after death in a resurrection of the dead. In the Old Testament the Righteous achieve victory over their enemies.<br />All this is to say, for me, the New Testament teachings of Jesus are from Greek schools of Philosophy and are opposed to Old Testament teachings.Walter R. Mattfeldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08535478354622006899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8218901866257821158.post-60194154951128550512016-04-14T20:56:35.351-07:002016-04-14T20:56:35.351-07:00Interesting thoughts and well put.Interesting thoughts and well put.Manny Gloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11891430782261425138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8218901866257821158.post-24257835831975901452012-12-25T12:31:33.075-08:002012-12-25T12:31:33.075-08:00fantastic analysis. boldness in women is just as ...fantastic analysis. boldness in women is just as admirable in appropriate conditions as any man's clever outspokenness would be. the point that i see that is important is that it be an exchange which edifies.it can never be forgotten.<br />I_ArtManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02411184043920881576noreply@blogger.com