12-17-2009, 07:41 PM
Brought up in the Christian Church, the story of the crucifixion was drummed into my head
by ministers who were more dogmatic than historically accurate. As one who began serious studies of history as early as 11 years of age, too much of what the pastors taught did not make sense.
The preacher would stand in his pulpit, point to the center of the palm of his hand, and
state: "...and they drove the nails through, RIGHT HERE!." Now, one look at my hand convinced me that the webbing between the bones of the human hand could not support
the weight of a man so crucified, and research proved my suspicions correct.
Another misconception: "....and when Jesus said ' I thurst,' the CRUEL Romans passed a
sponge, soaked in VINEGAR, to his lips." Well, from what I was able to find, the vinegar was
"gall", and that is merely wine turned to vinegar from exposure to the air. That was probably all the soldier had, and his act was one of mercy, not "cruelty."
My father-in-law, a farmer, regularly used vinegar mixed with water to keep him refreshed when he worked in his fields on hot days. Would the Romans have done the same?
The Gospels were written after the fact, by many years in some cases. Plus, they were translated, mis-translated, edited, some were discarded under Constantine, etc.
Maybe Pilate was right when he asked: "What IS truth?"
by ministers who were more dogmatic than historically accurate. As one who began serious studies of history as early as 11 years of age, too much of what the pastors taught did not make sense.
The preacher would stand in his pulpit, point to the center of the palm of his hand, and
state: "...and they drove the nails through, RIGHT HERE!." Now, one look at my hand convinced me that the webbing between the bones of the human hand could not support
the weight of a man so crucified, and research proved my suspicions correct.
Another misconception: "....and when Jesus said ' I thurst,' the CRUEL Romans passed a
sponge, soaked in VINEGAR, to his lips." Well, from what I was able to find, the vinegar was
"gall", and that is merely wine turned to vinegar from exposure to the air. That was probably all the soldier had, and his act was one of mercy, not "cruelty."
My father-in-law, a farmer, regularly used vinegar mixed with water to keep him refreshed when he worked in his fields on hot days. Would the Romans have done the same?
The Gospels were written after the fact, by many years in some cases. Plus, they were translated, mis-translated, edited, some were discarded under Constantine, etc.
Maybe Pilate was right when he asked: "What IS truth?"
