tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post1527035371280127373..comments2024-02-05T01:55:53.566-08:00Comments on Gently Mad: The Complete Works of Josephus translated by William WhistonSharon Wilfonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post-63906432435187270802013-04-01T07:35:16.792-07:002013-04-01T07:35:16.792-07:00The earliest accounts of Jesus were written by the...The earliest accounts of Jesus were written by the writers of the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) all of whom were dead before 70 AD. We know that Josephus wrote his history after 70 AD because he includes the Roman invasion and fall of Jerusalem.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post-49445249616409178822013-03-31T10:14:11.236-07:002013-03-31T10:14:11.236-07:00Interesting. If I'm not mistaken, Josephus wro...Interesting. If I'm not mistaken, Josephus wrote the earliest account of the historical Jesus. Am I right?Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07998996750944114185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post-11040249037740993422013-03-25T09:33:45.939-07:002013-03-25T09:33:45.939-07:00Hi Phyllis: Josephus was born shortly after Chris...Hi Phyllis: Josephus was born shortly after Christ's resurrection. Caligula became emperor around 37AD. Josephus was an adult and an eye witness to the fall of Jerusalem.<br />While he was accused by fellow Jews of giving a biased account that portrayed the Romans favorably (he became an advisor to Emperor Vespasian. This is the Emperor who sent General Titus to fight back the Jewish insurrection.<br />Josephus' account of history is corroborated by many other sources, such as Tacitus. If you look at the back of Whiston's translation you will see a list of all the sources that Josephus used.<br />I'm with you. I was listening yesterday to a sermon about why the Pharisees wanted Jesus crucified: to avoid an insurrection and Roman discipline. Then the same group causes it to happen not forty years later.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post-5124266148607969402013-03-25T09:23:15.780-07:002013-03-25T09:23:15.780-07:00Brian: I hope you will read it. I guess people d...Brian: I hope you will read it. I guess people didn't question the brutality because it was normal to them. They didn't know anything else. Probably it's not too different from certain parts of our world today.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post-43166441687651429392013-03-25T04:40:32.925-07:002013-03-25T04:40:32.925-07:00Hi Sharon, this was all news to me. I have heard &...Hi Sharon, this was all news to me. I have heard "according to Josephus" spoken a lot concerning the Bible and wondered who he was.<br />Was he alive at the time of Christ? I'm not sure when Caligua was emperor.<br />All of the bloodshed and power struggle between the tribes of Israel surprised me. I wondered if Josephus had a great imagination. Thanks for posting this review.Phyllis Winnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15267232631003939638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-948826710613032587.post-298596444044593272013-03-25T02:58:47.627-07:002013-03-25T02:58:47.627-07:00What a great work to read. This is something that ...What a great work to read. This is something that would very much appeal to me. Someday I really must start this. Your suggestion about reading it a little bit at a time sounds like a good one.<br /><br />As you mention there is so much here to discuss. One thing that struck me, is that it sounds like people were so casual about the brutality that was going on at the time.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com