Posted by Cygnus [Cygnus] on November 23, 1999 at 14:28:50 {KNpNN6QGfwh1hzMDt7ogL4bdfUTIaI}:
In Reply to: ****Blood Transfusion posted by WorldlyWitness on November 22, 1999 at 18:42:49:
WW
This is totally off-topic, but..
: If it wasn't Judas, someone else would have betrayed Jesus as it was prophesied.
I am of the belief that it is probably that such "prophecies" were either not Messianic, or perhaps not fulfilled upon Jesus at all (in other words, the gospel writers invented the stories, just as they invented other "fulfilled" prophecies about Jesus).
: Jesus went to his death willingly to die a martyr.
Probably. So have lots of others.
: Look at how astounded the others were in the narrative when he returned in the transformed body (spiritual).
Of course I don't believe in that fairy tale (sorry to be blunt). It still wouldn't answer the problematic questions involved in the whole scenario. To me, the whole thing smacks of predestination. Calvin had this one pinned, I think. But I reject such puppeteering.
: I think the Essenes somehow hold the key.
Perhaps Jesus was an Essene? Perhaps he studied under John the Baptist, and eventually took over his place as a Messianic figure. After all, John was the guy who looked and acted like a good Messiah initially.
: Of course, they died with bravery and courage against an oppressor. Is that not a good way to die?
No way to die is a good way. But I suppose that's as noble a way as is possible.