Corpus-Paul

["Jeffrey B. Gibson" <jgibson000 AT mailhost.chi.ameritech.net>]

Jack Kilmon wrote:

> "Jeffrey B. Gibson" wrote:
>
> > First, what if any archaeological evidence **is** there that indicates
> > the existence of Gentile Christianity  and/ or a strong Gentile
> > component within the Jesus movement in the last three decades of the
> > first cent in almost all of the major cities, let alone the backwaters
> > (like Syria/Palestine), of the Roman empire?
>
> In the light of overwhelming textual data, why is archaeological proof
> necessary? How does archaeology address someones belief system
> outside of Christian symbols that may appear on ossuaries, etc.
> Paul was not travelling all over the eastern Empire looking for
> acreage to set up mayonaisse farms.  There is archaeological evidence
> for Paul's presence in several "gentile" cities.  Clement of Rome was
> a Presbyterian <grin> and the slave in Pompeii who had a crucifix
> on his wall was probably a Southern Baptist.
>

Don't get me wrong: I agree that the textual data is enough to note how early 
the
Jesus movement opened itself up to Gentiles. Along with this, there's the 
evidence of
prosopography. But as you and I both know, our infamous Loisyite will always 
argue
(mistakenly,  in my view, and out of a blind and blinding commitment to an 
apriori on
the nature of the development of EC)  that those portions of EC literature 
which
demonstrate the very thing he doesn't want to admit are all late 
interpolations. So
I'm just looking for evidence that resists this charge.

In off list correspondence with me, Grady Snyder has offered these 
considerations:

1.  Gentile Christian food was bread and fish (art).  Its presence in the NT
indicates a Gentile component in the NT church.

2.  Gentile Christians used virtue names in inscriptions (freed slaves).
Their presence in the NT indicates a Gentile component.

3.  Gentile Christians met in houses not halls.  House churches in the NT
indicate a Gentile component.

4.  Gentile Christians organized their calendar by the Sun. The Sund-day in
the NT indicates a Gentile component.

Comments?

Yours,

Jeffrey

--
Jeffrey B. Gibson
7423 N. Sheridan Road #2A
Chicago, Illinois 60626
e-mail jgibson000 AT ameritech.net