http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/ Mike Aquilina's Blog Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:36:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1009228 Mike Aquilina Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:56:21 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1009228 You're right, Kevin. And some of the scholars quoted here and there have indicated that this is all smoke. Once again, though, it's the news-manufacturers who are hoping the cup will do for them at least as much as the Jesus Tomb did. I love the headline: "Earliest Reference Describes Christ as 'Magician.'" Read it again. Every single word (except perhaps for "as") is misleading! Now that's a feat. You’re right, Kevin. And some of the scholars quoted here and there have indicated that this is all smoke. Once again, though, it’s the news-manufacturers who are hoping the cup will do for them at least as much as the Jesus Tomb did. I love the headline: “Earliest Reference Describes Christ as ‘Magician.’” Read it again. Every single word (except perhaps for “as”) is misleading! Now that’s a feat.

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1008338 Kevin P. Edgecomb Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:27:52 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1008338 The focus is being misplaced in trying to decipher this bowl's inscription. The OGOISTAIS is currently incomprehensible. There's a good writeup of the issues and suggestions <a href="http://www.iphpbb3.com/forum/64774768nx21631/other-interesting-matters-f22/mysterious-crestou-inscription-t82.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> by Wieland Willker. It could be something as innocuous as a label: "70 measures of salve." The focus is being misplaced in trying to decipher this bowl’s inscription. The OGOISTAIS is currently incomprehensible. There’s a good writeup of the issues and suggestions here by Wieland Willker. It could be something as innocuous as a label: “70 measures of salve.”

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1008208 Dan Sheehan Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:12:20 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1008208 "the primary exponent of white magic"? What an odd phrase. Glad to know you are a Peter Gabriel fan, Mr. Aquilina “the primary exponent of white magic”? What an odd phrase.
Glad to know you are a Peter Gabriel fan, Mr. Aquilina

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1007964 Mike Aquilina Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:49:38 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1007964 Ah, very interesting. Ah, very interesting.

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1007963 D. P. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:43:19 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1007963 I agree, Mike. But it does add to the possibilities of other readings. "Through that which is useful to the magicians?" I agree, Mike. But it does add to the possibilities of other readings. “Through that which is useful to the magicians?”

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1007898 Mike Aquilina Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:56:37 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1007898 That jump doesn't bother me so much, D.P., as Suetonius may have made the same vowel replacement. Suetonius's reference, though, seems more clearly applicable to our Christ than this one. That jump doesn’t bother me so much, D.P., as Suetonius may have made the same vowel replacement. Suetonius’s reference, though, seems more clearly applicable to our Christ than this one.

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1007896 D. P. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:50:44 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1007896 Larry, the word is actually not χριστός (christos), "anointed," but χρηστός (chrestos), "useful" or "serviceable." Larry, the word is actually not χριστός (christos), “anointed,” but χρηστός (chrestos), “useful” or “serviceable.”

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1007888 Mike Aquilina Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:44:23 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1007888 Good point, Larry. That's what I meant when I said "one possible reading." It could also be a proper name. Smith mentions that possibility. Good point, Larry. That’s what I meant when I said “one possible reading.” It could also be a proper name. Smith mentions that possibility.

]]> http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/comment-page-1/#comment-1007681 Larry Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:05:38 +0000 http://www.fathersofthechurch.com/2008/10/05/the-magic-bowl/#comment-1007681 the question I have, and which I haven't seen anyone raise, is: isn't it possible to interpret this not as the name "Christ" but as the general noun "the anointed"? the question I have, and which I haven’t seen anyone raise, is: isn’t it possible to interpret this not as the name “Christ” but as the general noun “the anointed”?

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