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Read MoreWhy is “Thomas” used in the name of a sayings collection (the Gospel of Thomas)?
“Thomas” means “twin.” The name was used to designate the author of a sayings collection used by Judean/proto-Christian congregations. The meaning that first comes to mind is “identical twin.” But that meaning does not add any value: why attribute sayings to an identical twin? I suggest …
Read MoreSeleucid time-keeping and apocalypses
Beginning in 311 BCE, the Seleucids began counting history going forward as “n+1,” forever and ever. In contrast, formerly and elsewhere, time was marked by local events or consulships or years since the start of a monarchy. In an article entitled “A Revolution in Time,” …
Read MoreWhat are the orantes in the catacombs?
There are orante figures in the very earliest Christian catacombs of Rome. The orantes are praying females or males. Century and # of images I: 0, II: 5, III: 57, IV: 92, Later: 3 (Lamberton, Clark D. “The Development of Christian Symbolism as Illustrated in …
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