Laura's Book "From Paul to Mark" is out!!!! ... And in French too

[Mark7]

Funny thing, I forgot to add. These images apparently predate Paul by 70-80 years.

 

[Altair]

1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric H. Cline

There is a new (follow-up) book by Eric Cline: After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations (2024)

 

[SMM]

I don't know where else is better to share this, and it's not worth it's own thread, so here it is.

I am reading From Paul To Mark Paleochristiany on Kindle. I noticed a typo:

Sprate, as in separate.

It's in chapter 2, titled "Paul's Mission". The screenshot helps with the location of the typo.

 

[SMM]

I don't know where else is better to share this, and it's not worth it's own thread, so here it is.

I am reading From Paul To Mark Paleochristiany on Kindle. I noticed a typo:

View attachment 105037

Sprate, as in separate.

It's in chapter 2, titled "Paul's Mission". The screenshot helps with the location of the typo.

It's in chapter 5, "Paul's Mission."

Okay... Bedtime.

 

[Rhythmik]

Firstly I'd like to thank Laura for the gargantuan task of researching and writing this masterpiece.

I finally finished it. Because I have been a slow reader, and also that the book sent me on many side quests of research. As I mentioned in another thread, I had never read the NT so as I was reading through the book I realized that I needed to read Paul's Epistles to gain a better understanding of what was being discussed. Then every so often I'd encounter an interesting name or incident and so I would go and research who that person was and what history says about them. It was a super interesting experience and I learned SO much about Christianity and history in general.

I echo some of the sentiments in this thread that it is heart-breaking that the story and teachings have been so manipulated over time into what they are today. The vast majority of Christians upon hearing a hypothesis like this would clutch their pearls, stick their fingers in their ears or simply ridicule the suggestion, without ever looking into it or seriously considering it. The irony there is that they would feel that they would be engaging in sacrilege by daring to question or look deeper into their religious texts - but actually they would be gaining a clearer understanding of their religion and faith. But they've been taught (or spiritually threatened) not to question whether the entire Bible is the word of God and will be content to believe what most followers tell them to.

I just have a question - would there be any benefit or use into going to a church? Not like the weekly ritual practice, but I often travel and love visiting churches around the world due to how impressive they are. But the act of praying inside these churches, would that have any effect or is it simply the act of prayer and intention that matters, regardless of the location that you're in?

 

[Gaby]

I just have a question - would there be any benefit or use into going to a church? Not like the weekly ritual practice, but I often travel and love visiting churches around the world due to how impressive they are. But the act of praying inside these churches, would that have any effect or is it simply the act of prayer and intention that matters, regardless of the location that you're in?

This is among the lines of "it's not where you are that matters, but who you are and what you see." Though, if you happen to visit a church, that can be turned into an opportunity.

My husband and I like visiting churches too. We take my mom when she visits, and we make a point of going to any church in whatever town. She's an atheist, but she likes visiting churches as part of local culture, history and art. Often, they would be empty. If that's the case, I would sing Signor Pietà or similar, and then I say out loud FOTCM prayers. For me, that's the full experience. If there are people, I just light up a candle for loved ones.

Most people go to churches with good intentions, whether it's visiting or just devotion for the divine, or to think about people they lost, or like my mom who likes just to check out local culture and history. Churches often have better energies than other tourist places. At least that's my experience.

 

[Konstantin]

I just have a question - would there be any benefit or use into going to a church? Not like the weekly ritual practice, but I often travel and love visiting churches around the world due to how impressive they are. But the act of praying inside these churches, would that have any effect or is it simply the act of prayer and intention that matters, regardless of the location that you're in?

My husband and I like visiting churches too. We take my mom when she visits, and we make a point of going to any church in whatever town. She's an atheist, but she likes visiting churches as part of local culture, history and art. Often, they would be empty. If that's the case, I would sing Signor Pietà or similar, and then I say out loud FOTCM prayers. For me, that's the full experience. If there are people, I just light up a candle for loved ones.

Same here. My wife, some very close friends, and I also enjoy visiting churches and monasteries. In my country, there are thousands of old monasteries, and many of them are located in the mountains, surrounded by beautiful nature.

My wife and friends enjoy practicing Christian rituals and following the widely accepted rules and narratives. I don’t. But I still enjoy going there—being with my wife and friends, spending time together. I like lighting a candle and listening to local myths about each specific monastery. It’s especially interesting to experience all of this with the knowledge we’ve gained from Laura’s book, this forum, and the sessions.

It’s fascinating to have all of this as a foundation and then explore the locations, architecture, rituals, and local myths.

When people pray, I usually recite the FOTCM prayer silently in my head—mainly out of consideration. I prefer not to draw unnecessary attention by doing something different from everyone else.