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Poet
Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:04 pm


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1. Literacy rates were extremely low.

2. Educational standards were non-existant.  In fact, education was something for those that had the money.

A valid point. However, literacy rates as such do not continue to be as low for similar examples today.


3. Beliefs in far crazier miraculous events, people, and deities were already in existence.  In fact, many of the supposed miracles of Jesus have been located in the mythos of other religions in the time and place.


Perhaps a thought. While one could argue that this denied the validity of such claims of Christ followers...it could also be argued that these are, in fact, outside sources verifying such claims.


So, I do not find it all that difficult to believe that a great many people were persuaded to such an extent as they were in early Christianity.
But what about today...and not just "at the time"...but "in time" between then and now?


 As for the early disciples, they have a similar problem as that of Jesus as regards historicity.  That is to say that many of them fail to be mentioned outside the Bible.  Plus, it doesn't help their case all that much that a great many modern biblical scholars think a lot of the NT to have been written anonymously and later attributed by early churh fathers to disciples.


Perhaps...but how often do we tend to recall anything under religious topics in today's world?

Furthermore, as per your own claim,

1. Literacy rates were extremely low. 
2. Educational standards were non-existant. In fact, education was something for those that had the money.

Wouldn't this lead to a lack of recognition of a person who claimed that it's "nearly impossible" for the rich to enter heaven?  Or, perhaps...not even a lack...but a complete ignorance of?  In other words...consider this:

a.) I don't like Person A.
b.) I am the only person educated enough to write history books.
c.) I use my power to get Person A killed (i.e. crucified).
d.) I decide Person A, now dead [in my mind], no longer exists...or possibly no longer even existed at all [as if Person A never existed, I can never be labeled responsible for the death of person A]

...is this somehow unrealistic?  If so, feel free to correct me.

Hoping to hear your thoughts.