Christianity in HP / Snape-like teachers

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 128462

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "a_svirn" <a_svirn at y...> wrote:

a_svirn:
> Since we are speaking of contradictions here, let's disentangle 
your 
> statement. 
> 
> 1)Concerning the Gospels.
> 
> a. Your major premise: A Christian story has got to include 
> Christians.  
> b. Your minor premise: "The Gospels tell us
> the history of Christ's life in human form on Earth"
> c. Then your conclusion must be: the Gospels are NOT a Christian 
> story. (Unless you claim that Christ was Christian? You seem to 
> agree that this is not the case).

Geoff:
Oh dear. <sigh>
The history of Christ's life in human form. In case you haven't 
noticed it also covers many of his relationships with humans 
including those who became his followers, i.e. the early Christians, 
for example Peter and John....

a_svirn:
> 2) Concerning the rest of the New Testament. Since the very 
> word "Christian" is used only three times there, out of which once 
> by pagans (Acts 11:26), and only once actually by a disciple (I 
> Peter 4:16), and not exactly in a sense we are using it now: "Yet 
if 
> any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed ...", I'd say 
> that claiming that the rest of the New Testament is about 
Christians 
> is stretching the point a bit too far.

Geoff:
Now you are nitpicking. One of your quoted references tells us where 
the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. So I think that 
can cover the doings of the early church from that point forward at 
least.

a_svirn:
> 3) Concerning the "Jews and their affairs". So far that I am aware 
> The Old Testament is a part of the Holy Bible and the Bible is THE 
> Christian Book par excellence. Am I wrong? If so, I beg your pardon.

Geoff:
You were the one who remarked rather disparagingly "and the rest of 
it concerns the Jews and their affairs" as if this were an 
afterthought. The Old Testament contains the Scriptures which are 
shared by both Jews and Christians alike. However, it is the New 
Testament which is probably the most important for Christians. The 
Old Testament shows us God's outworking through the Jews and the 
prophets and the promise he gave of a Saviour and hence sets the 
scene. But it is the teaching and example given by Jesus in the New 
Testament which is of the greatest value to believers because the 
very core of faith stems from this guidance.

I think, in deference to our elves, I must stop and say no more here.