Claims that Jesus studied in Greece...

[Legal_My_Deagle]

I thought this would be an interesting topic to start here because I know a lot of you are interested/knowledgeable about history and may or may not be History majors(?).

What do you all think about claims that during the early period of Jesus' life left unaccounted for in the Bible, that he may have gone to study at Greece? (possibly Plato's Academy...? been a while since I read in to this)

As far as I know this is more or less only a thought of as an unproveable theory as opposed to one that has evidence that demands it is taken seriously...well other than the similarities people point out between Christ's and Greek thinking at the time.


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DISCLAIMER: THIS THREAD IS IN NO WAY SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT CHRIST IS IN FACT THE SON OF GOD, it is about the HISTORICAL FIGURE named Jesus. Therefore, if anybody turns this in to a debate about anything other than relating to historical probability or claim, then I will find out where you live and pay a hobo to stab you.

So in all seriousness, please keep my intentions in mind and don't make this thread about criticizing somebody's belief or nonbelief in the divinity of Jesus. For the purposes of this discussion, I don't see how that is relevant. If Jesus really did study in Greece, I don't see how that should make any difference.

 

[Integral]

I have heard claims that Jesus studied in India; the Greece thing is new to me.

It's an interesting speculation. After all, like you said, there is no Biblical record of Jesus' movements from age 12 to 30...that's, what, 18 years unaccounted for? If He wasn't a carpenter, it'd be nice to know what He was doing...

I shall wait for the wise Plotinus' contribution.


-Integral

 

[warpus]

Didn't Jesus eventually become a carpenter?

Why would he go to Greece to study that?

 

[JohnRM]

Didn't Jesus eventually become a carpenter?

Why would he go to Greece to study that?

A lot of people go to school and study things for which they never obtain employment for.

 

[Integral]

Didn't Jesus eventually become a carpenter?

Traditionally, Jesus was a carpenter from age 12 to age 30, IIRC. That doesn't explain why he was greeted as "Rabbi" from the earliest days of His ministry, though...

 

[Bestbank Tiger]

A carpenter might travel looking for work depending on where he's needed...and would be exposed to different philosophies during his travels.

 

[puglover]

Everybody claims Jesus (or his apostles) went to their country "unaccounted for." Check the stories of the Mormons, Indians, Ethiopians, and Greeks for starters.

 

[A1CBOZ]

I suppose it is certainly a possiblity. Never really thought about it much. It would give a plausable explanation for those 18 years. And it would also give a good explaination of why he was greeted as Rabbi from the get go (like Integral said). But another explanation for that is that he was just very well known and recieved in the synagouges (sp?).

And Legal, good luck on trying to keep this a religious veiw free thread... I can think of a few people on here that don't hesitate to make an ass out of themselves just to slam religion, and Christianity especially.

 

[skadistic]

Everybody claims Jesus (or his apostles) went to their country "unaccounted for." Check the stories of the Mormons, Indians, Ethiopians, and Greeks for starters.

Actually Ethiopia isn't that unbelievable. There was a very large Coptic presence there and many large christian churches and Jewish temples exist there from that time.

 

[Bestbank Tiger]

Actually Ethiopia isn't that unbelievable. There was a very large Coptic presence there and many large christian churches and Jewish temples exist there from that time.

Not to mention Ethiopia had contact with the Hebrews as far back as the days of the kingdom of Judah.

The Greeks were very much a part of the known world, and in the early days of Christianity some of the Apostles went there. Jesus visiting either place is very much within the realm of possibility.

Jesus didn't visit America until after the crucifixion and resurrection...while noly Mormons are concerned with that, it's really just as much within the realm of possibility. If you accept turning water into wine, walking on the Sea of Galilee, raising the dead, and curing lepers, paying a visit to the New World isn't farfetched.

 

[Homie]

It's not impossible that he went to Greece. And as far as I know, the Bible never claims that Jesus was a carpenter, only the son of one. Since most people followed in the trade of their fathers, it is simply assumed that Jesus was a carpenter.

 

[cubsfan6506]

No man I was hangin out with Jesus when he was twelve to thirty. We were in Siberia.

 

[George2816]

How do you know that he was really alive from age 12 to 30? (He could of time traveled to be another person in another time period. I)

 

[Irish Caesar]

That doesn't explain why he was greeted as "Rabbi" from the earliest days of His ministry, though...

Well, we do know that he stayed behind at the temple one Passover when he was ~12 and spoke with the priests at great length and showed surprising understanding... so he must have been at least somewhat respected as a teacher before the time we start hearing of his ministry...

Would it be common for an average guy living in Galilee to go to somewhere like Greece to study?

 

[Gilder]

He hit puberty of course, and I don't think I have to tell you what boys do in thier youth.

Then he hits thirty and has his mid-life crisis.

 

[Masquerouge]

I would be interested to know why this 18 unaccounted-for years were not deemed relevant enough to be listed in the NT.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

The Gospels were not intended to be a biography, and I suppose the authors decided that what happened did not do anything to illustrate who Jesus was.

 

[warpus]

I would be interested to know why this 18 unaccounted-for years were not deemed relevant enough to be listed in the NT.

It makes sense.

The important bits are written about - his birth and his death. They didn't write up the rest because it's not important to the mythology.

 

[Leonel]

I wouldn't knock the Greece thing. If I recall correctly, transportation around the Mediterranean at the time was pretty well developed.

 

[Masquerouge]

The Gospels were not intended to be a biography, and I suppose the authors decided that what happened did not do anything to illustrate who Jesus was.

But were the authors with him during that time?

It makes sense.

The important bits are written about - his birth and his death. They didn't write up the rest because it's not important to the mythology.

But why wait so long for his death? I mean, why did he have to die at 33 and not, say, 20?