If He was revealed, why did He wait so long to reveal Himself? Humans have been around for 100,000+ years.

William of Tocco, O.P., mentions in ch. 5 of his biography of St. Thomas Aquinas (pp. 33-4) that: >once he [St. Thomas] had reached the age of five, they sent him to the [Benedictine] monastery of Monte Cassino in the arms of his nurse. […] Very soon, this child began to receive his education in the monastery under the diligent instruction of a master to whom he showed clear signs of his future advancement. Dom Delatte's commentary on *St. Benedict's Rule* ch. 59 (p. 406 ) says: > children [were] received into the monastery temporarily as *alumni*, to be educated there in contrast to "children [who were] given permanently and devoted to the religious life", which was later forbidden by the Council of Trent session 25, ch. 15: "Profession Shall Not Be Made Except After One Year’s Probation and on the Completion of the Sixteenth Year". Why did the Benedictines stop admitting such young boys to their monasteries for educating them?

I am doing research into historical perspectives on the course and causes of the European Witch Trials. Obviously a large amount of historical analysis is dedicated too the influnce of Christianity/Catholicism on these events (R.e malleus maleficarum), however I'm struggling to find a 'counter' to this view. Could anyone explain to be contemporary thought on the witch trials (history) through a Christian lense? Or point me in the direct to scholars on the issue. These are the sorts of things im intrested in: - Can / should the church be held responsible for causing the trials? - What role did the church play in undertaking and increasing witch trials? - What was is the current eccelastical thought, on the churchs role and responsiblity for these sorts of events? - If not the Church, who? - And more generally, any professional or personal thoughts on the trials, from a Christian perspective would also be appreciated. Edit: This question was closed, so as a revision consider this: How does the church respond to its role in the european witch trials

I know that Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon tried to oppose the school system introduced by the Catholic Church (according to Luther, Oxford and Cambridge model was influenced by the Paris universities, which in their turn by the Catholic Church). This happened at the beginning of the 16th century, when they founded some of the so-called Reformed Schools (based on the Protestant beliefs) like the University of Wittenberg. As far as I know, a little later, some bigger universities like the University of Halle and University of Göttingen were created on the same model. The latter was indeed a very prestigious institution during the whole 18th and 19th century together with Univ. of Berlin and some other German schools. It looks that at a certain moment, the whole movement ceased to be active. Does anyone know more about this reforming of the schools' movement and what exactly happened with it? Which of the currently prestigious universities in North America have been founded according to the Luther and Melanchthon's ideas?

The subject of the "calvinist" Patriarch of the Orthodox Church comes up from time to time, with the 2 sides presenting conflicting versions of events. Here is what I am certain of already. 1. Lucaris was viewed as having heretical beliefs as viewed by the rest of the Orthodox Church at that time. 2. There was a tension between the Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant faiths. 3. There were other ottomans who didn't like Lucaris. The Execution was deceptive from the start, as Lucaris was taken away as if to be banished. But later out of sight of the majority of people they strangled him with a bowstring. --- #### Question: Are there any sources or evidence that indicate one of the 4 parties mentioned were directly involved? Reason: A common assertion is that the orthodox church was attempting to remove him at "any cost", though I can't find evidence to support that.

I've heard that the Bible's division into verses was made later than the division into chapters. So, whose translation firstly came up with this system of chapter divisions that we have today?

I am looking for the oldest witnesses for the prayer towards the East both pagan and Christian. I am trying to understand the reason for the praying towards the east and from the most ancient sources I notice strange things. Especially Clement of Alexandria - does he mean the pagan temples are the reason for us to pray towards East? > In correspondence with the manner of the sun's rising, prayers are > made looking towards the sunrise in the east. **Whence also the most > ancient temples looked towards the west**, (Pagan temples?) that people > might be taught to turn to the east when facing the images. (What > images? The sun?) **I noticed similarity with the pagan writer of De architectura:** > (Pagan - 30–20 BC?) (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio?) - De architectura > CHAPTER V HOW THE TEMPLE SHOULD FACE > > 1. The quarter toward which temples of the immortal gods ought to face is to be determined on the principle that, if there is no reason to > hinder and the choice is free, the temple and the statue placed in the > cella should face the western quarter of the sky. This will enable > those who approach the altar with offerings or sacrifices to face the > direction of the sunrise in facing the statue in the temple, and > thus those who are undertaking vows look toward the quarter from which > the sun comes forth, and likewise the statues themselves appear to be > coming forth out of the east to look upon them as they pray and > sacrifice. The most hold reason today is that Christ will come from the East as John Damascus has interpreted Matthew 24:27. But the most ancient witnesses did not know anything about this, at least I could not find mention of this. John Chrysostom does not mention this when he talks about Matthew 24:27; (Luke 17:24); Origen, Tertullian, Clement, Basil and the rest before John Damascus does not mention such reason I could not find. I also notice that the meaning of the prayer towards east is changing trough the years. Do you know more writings mentioning the prayer towards the East? 1. (c. 593 to 571 BC?) - Ezekiel 8:15-16 - Old Testament 15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. Ezekiel 8:15-16 2. (50BC - (37–41AD)?) - Book of Wisdom 16:27-29 27 For what was not destroyed by fire was melted when simply warmed by a fleeting ray of the sun, 28 to make it known that one must rise before the sun to give you thanks, and must pray to you at the dawning of the light; (I think - dawning of the light = (East) ἀνατολὴν) 29 for the hope of an ungrateful person will melt like wintry frost, and flow away like waste water.Book of Wisdom 16:27-29 3. (Pagan - 30–20 BC?) (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio?) - De architectura - [Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation ](https://gnosis.study/library/%D0%93%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81/+%20%D0%9D%D0%B5%20%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%20%D0%BE%20%D0%B3%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B5/ENG/Early%20Christian%20Prayer%20and%20Identity%20Formation.pdf) - [*De architectura*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_architectura) - [Vitruvius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvius) CHAPTER V HOW THE TEMPLE SHOULD FACE 1. The quarter toward which temples of the immortal gods ought to face is to be determined on the principle that, if there is no reason to hinder and the choice is free, the temple and the statue placed in the cella should face the western quarter of the sky. This will enable those who approach the altar with offerings or sacrifices to face the direction of the sunrise in facing the sta- tue in the temple, and thus those who are undertaking vows look toward the quarter from which the sun comes forth, and likewise the statues themselves appear to be coming forth out of the east to look upon them as they pray and sacrifice. 2. But if the nature of the site is such as to forbid this, then the principle of determining the quarter should be changed, so that the widest possible view of the city may be had from the sanctuaries of the gods. Furthermore, temples that are to be built beside. - [De architectura libri decem 4.5.1](https://www.chenarch.com/images/arch-texts/0000-Vitruvius-50BC-Ten-Books-of-Architecture.pdf) - [Vitruvii De architectura libri decem](https://archive.org/details/vitruviidearchit00vitr/page/202/mode/2up) 4. (c.100-160 AD?) - Apocrypha - Acts of Paul - Tertullian, who deemed the work to be heretical. “- Possibly, the earliest evidence for this convention is found in the Acts of Paul, where Paul is depicted praying just before he is beheaded: “Then Paul stood with his face to the east and lifting up his hands to heaven (Τότε σταθεὶς ὁ Παῦλος κατέναντι πρὸς ἀνατολὰς καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν), prayed at length” (Mart. Paul 5) - [Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation](https://gnosis.study/library/%D0%93%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81/+%20%D0%9D%D0%B5%20%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%20%D0%BE%20%D0%B3%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B5/ENG/Early%20Christian%20Prayer%20and%20Identity%20Formation.pdf) - [Acts of Paul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Paul) - [The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John Andrew and Thomas](https://dn790007.ca.archive.org/0/items/apocryphalactsof00pickuoft/apocryphalactsof00pickuoft.pdf) 5. (197 AD) Tertullian (c. 155 – c. 220 AD) (Apologeticus…was written in Carthage in the summer or autumn of 197 AD) - [Apology](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0301.htm) - [*Apologeticus*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apologeticus#:~:text=Apologeticus%2C%20his%20most%20famous%20apologetic,2nd%20centuries%20had%20been%20convicted.) 6. (197 AD)Tertullian (c. 155 – c. 220 AD) (early summer of 197 AD) (Seems that pagans prayed towards the East as seen in Ezekiel 8:15-16 ) The work can be dated to the early summer of 197, following Severus bloody defeat of Albinus in February 197, which is referred to in the work. - [Ad nationes (To the nations)](https://www.tertullian.org/works/ad_nationes.htm) - [Ad Nationes (Book I)](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/03061.htm) 7. (After 207 AD?)Tertullian (c. 155 – c. 220 AD) "of our dove", as he terms them, are always in "high and open places, facing the light" (Tertullian Adv. Val., c. iii), Of our dove, however, how simple is the very home!— always in high and open places, and facing the light! As the symbol of the Holy Spirit, it loves the (radiant) East, that figure of Christ. Nothing causes truth a blush, except only being hidden, because no man will be ashamed to give ear thereto. (Tertullian Adv. Val., c. iii). - [Against the Valentinians](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0314.htm) - [Against the Valentinians](https://ccel.org/ccel/tertullian/against_valentinians/anf03.v.vi.i.html) 8. (198 AD–c. 203 AD) Clement of Alexandria (c.150-215 AD)(Stromata written c. 198 AD–c. 203 AD) - considered gnostic by himself. > And since the dawn is an image of the day of birth, and from that point the light which has shone forth at first from the darkness increases, there has also dawned on those involved in darkness a day of the knowledge of truth. In correspondence with the manner of the sun's rising, prayers are made looking towards the sunrise in the east. Whence also the most ancient temples looked towards the west,(Pagan temples?) that people might be taught to turn to the east when facing the images. (What images? The sun?) "Let my prayer be directed before Thee as incense, the uplifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice," say the Psalms. In the case of wicked men, therefore, prayer is most injurious, not to others alone, but to themselves also. If, then, they should ask and receive what they call pieces of good fortune, these injure them after they receive them, being ignorant how to use them. For they pray to possess what they have not, and they ask things which seem, but are not, good things. But the Gnostic will ask the permanence of the things he possesses, adaptation for what is to take place, and the eternity of those things which he shall receive. And the things which are really good, the things which concern the soul, he prays that they may belong to him, and remain with him. And so he desires not anything that is absent, being content with what is present. For he is not deficient in the good things which are proper to him; being already sufficient for himself, through divine grace and knowledge. But having become sufficient in himself, he stands in no want of other things. But knowing the sovereign will, and possessing as soon as he prays, being brought into close contact with the almighty power, and earnestly desiring to be spiritual, through boundless love, he is united to the Spirit. Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 7.7.43–46; - [The Stromata, or Miscellanies](https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book7.html) - [The Stromata (Book VII)](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02107.htm) - [Clement of Alexandria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_of_Alexandria) 9. (c. 185 – c. 253 AD) Origen of Alexandria - (Unknown date) (Origen. 32).44 Origen, On Prayer, Part 3 - Origen, Origen: Prayer, Exhortation to Martyrdom, ed. by Johannes Quasten and Joseph C. Plumpe, trans. by John J. O’Meara, Ancient Christian Writers (New York; Mahwah, NJ: Newman Press, 1954), XIX - [Origen On Prayer](https://www.ecatholic2000.com/fathers/origen.shtml) - [Origen, On Prayer (Unknown date). Translation](https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/origen_on_prayer_02_text.htm) - [Origen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen) - [Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation](https://gnosis.study/library/%D0%93%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81/+%20%D0%9D%D0%B5%20%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%20%D0%BE%20%D0%B3%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B5/ENG/Early%20Christian%20Prayer%20and%20Identity%20Formation.pdf) 10. (Maybe before 238 - 244 AD (Maybe 220 - 230 AD in Alexandria?)) Origen of Alexandria (c. 185 – c. 253 AD) Origen (185-253 AD) Homily on Numbers 2:1-34 - [Homilies On Numbers](https://vdoc.pub/download/homilies-on-numbers-656uqi23omg0) - [Homilies on Numbers](https://books.google.bg/books/about/Homilies_on_Numbers.html?id=P4pPyRXeWkUC&redir_esc=y) - [Origen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen) 11. (c. 185 – c. 253 AD) Origen of Alexandria (Similar to Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 7.7.43–46;) (Origen - Homily on the Third book of Moses) (Origen - Homilies on Leviticus) - [Homilies on Leviticus 1-16 (Fathers of the Church)](https://dokumen.pub/homilies-on-leviticus-1-16-fathers-of-the-church-0813200830-9780813200835.html) - [Няма налична електронна книга](https://books.google.bg/books?id=Eo9Da7xaBuUC&printsec=frontcover&redir_esc=y#v=snippet&q=%20from%20the%20east&f=false) Old Testament: Leviticus 16:14-16 (I think that the priest that sprinkles with the figner is facing West, facing the mercy seat - sprinkles on the mercy seat - the eastern direction - I think the face/the front side of the mercy seat and before the mercy seat - the priest seems to look towards the West, not East? In the Old Testement) 12. (330-379 AD) Basil the great St. Basil the Great, The Holy Spirit, 27,66 Basil, De Spir. Sancto 27.66; - [De Spiritu Sancto](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3203.htm) 13. (c.335 – 394 AD) Gregory of Nyssa (Similar to Basil the Great, The Holy Spirit, 27,66) Gregory of Nyssa - Homily 5 on Lord's Prayer (Adam in Us) - [Homily 5 - Forgive Us Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors. And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From The Evil One.](https://orthodoxprayer.org/Articles_files/GregoryNyssa-Homily5%20Lords%20Prayer.html) - [Why do many old churches face east?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/62632/why-do-many-old-churches-face-east/80757#80757) 14. (c. 313 - 386 AD) Bishop Cyril of Jerusalem Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystogogic Catecheses XXXIII, 1073 B. as quoted in Jean Danielou, The Bible and the Liturgy, 30. - [Catechetical Lectures 13-23 (incl. Mystagogical Catecheses)](https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/catechetical-lectures-1323-incl-mystagogical-catecheses-9085) - [Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation](https://gnosis.study/library/%D0%93%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81/+%20%D0%9D%D0%B5%20%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%20%D0%BE%20%D0%B3%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B5/ENG/Early%20Christian%20Prayer%20and%20Identity%20Formation.pdf) 15. (3th. c. - late 4th. c. AD? - Syria?) Didascalia Apostolorum - The Teaching of the Apostles (1) The Holy Apostles have therefore decreed, first, that people should pray towards the East, because, that as the lightning that flashes from the East, and is seen unto the West, thus shall be the coming of the Son of Man. By this let us know and understand when we pray, that He shall be seen from the East, and towards it we expect Him and we worship Him. Commandments from the writing of Addai the Apostle. (Syrian Didascalia Apostolorum/Didascalia Addai, Teaching of the Apostles/Teaching of the Apostle Addai) - [The Teaching of the Apostles](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0854.htm) - [The *Didascalia Apostolorum* in English](https://ia600205.us.archive.org/9/items/didascaliaaposto00gibsuoft/didascaliaaposto00gibsuoft.pdf) - [Facing east](https://tradice.net/2016/04/2016-04-14/#gsc.tab=0) Source say - Mentioned by Ephiphanius - (Haer. 70) refers to the Audians’ use of the Didascalia to justify their Quartodeciman practice. The text is called τῶν ἀποστόλων διάταξις; - [The reception history of the Didascalia](https://ancientchurchorders.wordpress.com/tag/epiphanius/) At the end of the 4th century it is quoted in the Pseudo-Chrysostom's *Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum*. - [*Didascalia Apostolorum*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didascalia_Apostolorum) John Damascus may have his interpretations on (Matthew 24:27, Luke 17:24) from the *Didascalia Apostolorum*. 16. (c. 339 – 397 AD) Ambrose of Milan Bishop Ambrose’ De Mysteriis, (Myst. 2.7) - [Early Christian Prayer and Identity Formation](https://gnosis.study/library/%D0%93%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81/+%20%D0%9D%D0%B5%20%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%20%D0%BE%20%D0%B3%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%B5/ENG/Early%20Christian%20Prayer%20and%20Identity%20Formation.pdf) 17. (354 - 430 AD) Augustine of Hippo Augustine of Hippo, Augustine, Sermon on the Mount 2.5.18: - [ Our Lord’s Sermon On The Mount, according to Matthew](https://documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/0354-0430,_Augustinus,_De_Sermone_Domini_In_Monte_Secundum_Matthaeum_[Schaff],_EN.pdf) - [On the Sermon on the Mount, Book II](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/16012.htm) 18. (c. 342–347 – 420 AD) Jerome - commentary on Ezekiel 8:1; - [Commentary on the Prophet Ezekiel](https://historicalchristian.faith/by_father.php?file=Jerome%2FCommentary%2520on%2520Ezekiel.html) - [Ефрем Сирин, прп. (†373)](https://azbyka.ru/biblia/in/?Ezek.8:16&r) 19. (c. 450 AD) - Pope Leo I (Leo the great) (c. 391 – 461 AD) - Leo the Great in Sermon XXVII Leo the Great, Sermons, ed. by Thomas P. Halton, trans. by Jane Patricia Freeland and Agnes Josephine Conway, The Fathers of the Church (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 1996), XCIII, 113: - [Why do many old churches face east?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/62632/why-do-many-old-churches-face-east) - [Sermon 27](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/360327.htm) 20. (c. AD 675/676 - 749 AD) John of Damascus Chapter 12. Concerning Worship towards the East. - [An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (Book IV)](https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm) - [John of Damascus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Damascus) St. John of Damascus, John Damascene, Three Treatises on the Divine Images 2.16

I was listening on (**audio**) to Wayne Grudem’s systematic theology and in the chapter on biblical inerrancy.. he mentioned some people dispute Gamaliel's historical accuracy on certain uprisings, and they thus dispute biblical reliability & inspiration on such a text. The text at hand: > “But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all > the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men > outside for a short time. > > And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are > about to do with these men. > > > For, some time ago **Theudas** appeared, claiming to be somebody, and a > group of about four hundred men joined him. > > But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came > to nothing. ***After this*** man, **Judas** of Galilee appeared in the days of > the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and > all those who followed him were scattered. > > > And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and > leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or movement is men, > it will be overthrown; but if the source is God, you will not be able > to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against > God.”” ‭‭**Acts‬ ‭5:34-39‬** ‭ Wayne Grudem said that Judas & Theudas were spoken by Gamaliel in the wrong order according to Josephus in his antiquities, in terms of historical chronology. Wayne Grudem was still in defense of biblical inerrancy and gave some reasons for certain views on Acts 5 with Gamaliel, but what can we interpret here for historical accuracy?? Who made the error here? The Holy Spirit cannot err, so what’s going on? This is my main question below: **Q: According to Protestant NT scholars/historians did Gamaliel get the chronology & history wrong in Acts 5?**

Relative to research I'm doing, I wanted to pick the brains of the community at large and see if anyone had an answer to a question. Josephus states that Pompey took Jerusalem in the third month (Sivan) of 63 BCE during the solemn fast. He then later states that Herod captured Jerusalem in the third month, on the same day, also on the solemn fast, in 37 BCE. >**Taken by Pompey:** [...] the city was taken on the third month, on the day of the fast, upon the hundred and seventy-ninth olympiad, when Caius Antonius and Marcus Tullius Cicero were consuls [...]. (Joseph. *AJ* 14.66) >**Taken by Herod:** This destruction befell the city of Jerusalem when Marcus Agrippa and Caninius Gallus were consuls at Rome, on the hundred and eighty-fifth olympiad, on the third month, on the solemnity of the fast, as if a periodical revolution of calamities had returned since that which befell the Jews under Pompey; for the Jews were taken by him on the same day [...]. (Joseph. *AJ* 14.487-88) To head certain responses off at the pass, Josephus did not say that it was the Day of Atonement (Joseph. *AJ* 14.66, 487) as some are wont to suggest. In a careful examination of both instances, that of Pompey and Herod, you will find, first, that Pompey started his war with the Jews in the spring (Joseph. *AJ* 14.38). It was a three-month siege that ended in the “third month,” on a day of fasting (Joseph. *AJ* 14.66; *BJ* 1.149). In the case of Herod, he started his siege toward the end of winter (Joseph. *BJ* 1.343; *AJ* 14.465). It was a five-month siege that ended in the “third month,” on a day of solemn fasting (Joseph. *BJ* 1.351; *AJ* 14.487-8). In the case of Pompey, a three-month siege beginning around the “beginning of the spring” would have had its conclusion in late spring, coincident with the third month of the Jewish ecclesiastical calendar. In the case of Herod, a five-month siege, which he began in winter, puts the fifth month likewise in the vicinity of late spring. So, to be clear on the subject, by context, neither instance can be even remotely construed to have occurred in autumn, which is where Tishri and the Day of Atonement fall. Concerning the third month, Sivan, I can find no record in any of the Jewish literature to pinpoint what fast this might have been. Nor can I definitively establish a day of the week. For the fast, the 23rd of Sivan is the closest example I could find, observed in modern times as the fast for omitting the offering of the first fruits in Jerusalem during the days of Jeroboam (*Shulchan Arukh*, Orach Chayim 580.2). However, it is suspect, since the circumstances surrounding the incident of Jeroboam interfering with the sacrifice of the people in Jerusalem looks to be coincident to Tabernacles rather than anything occurring in Sivan (1 Kgs. 12:25-33; Joseph. *AJ* 8.225-230). The earliest reference I could find to corroborate such a fast was the *Shulchan Arukh*, by Joseph Karo, 1563, as noted. Meanwhile, his most significant predecessor, Maimonides, made no mention of this fast in his *Misneh Torah*, c. 1168-1178. Nor are there any such references in the Talmud. I did find another reference to weekly fasts on Mondays and Thursdays (Tosef. to Ta'an. 2:4), but I couldn't determine their origin in terms of date, whether this was a regular practice in the first century BCE, or if it was something that came in vogue much later, as so many other observances did. For the day, there is an inference that Pompey took the city on the sabbath (Joseph. *AJ* 14.64), but regular, ritual fasting is prohibited on the sabbath (bErub. 41a, bTa’an 27b), so this inference is likely just a coincidence of wording. Dio Cassius also tells us that Jerusalem was taken on the Day of Saturn, or Saturday, in the instances of both Pompey and Herod (Dio Cass. 37.16.1-4, 49.22.2-5). However, I suspect, because of the prohibition against fasting on the sabbath (apart from occasional exceptions), that he merely inferred the Day of Saturn because of Pompey's tactics. Soooooo, I'm at a bit of an impasse. I can live with the conclusion that there was some unnamed fast in the month of Sivan if I can't find an answer. That Josephus says there was one is proof enough for me that a ritual fast in the third month existed in the first century BCE. The lack of a specific answer will neither make nor break the conclusions of my research. However, I've seen some intelligent people on here already. I'm hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction to discover the identify of this enigmatic fast. It would be nice icing on the cake. And I would be much obliged if responses were confined to the question. I know the temptation is great to expound upon the various death of Herod hypotheses. But I just want to know about the fast if anyone can provide me with some useful information. The relevance of this question concerns the birth and life of Christ. It is part of a greater study on the death of Herod, which has a direct impact on the nativity, and by extension the ministry of Jesus Christ.

[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Jericho#Historicity) explains three archaeological studies of the Jericho site, and concludes that the city was abandoned at the time the supposed Biblical battle took place. How do Christians reconcile the Biblical account with this science?

In [the narrative in which Moses parts the Red Sea](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parting_of_the_Red_Sea) , the Jews are fleeing the pursuing Egyptians, and are also able to successfully traverse the bottom of the sea. In [popular depictions](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parting_of_the_Red_Sea) , the bottom of the sea is flat and sandy. However, modern bathymetric data shows that the floor of the Red Sea is [actually quite rugged](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351081054/figure/fig5/AS:1015991567925248@1619242674066/Vertical-gravity-gradient-seismicity-and-bathymetry-of-the-Red-Sea-Rift-a-The-vertical_Q640.jpg) . Indeed, many areas in the Red Sea are famed as diving areas due to the rocky terrain which supports various [Cnidarians](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidaria) likely further limiting the availability of passable routes. Given these constraints, have modern Abrahamic historians done any research into routes across the Red Sea that might have been possible/likely?

There is a great set of answers that covers some of my question regarding the interpretation of this passage [over on the Biblical Hermeneutics site](https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/q/223/36) , but it didn't answer all of my questions. Today I heard an old pastor speak about when he saw one of those gates for himself in Jerusalem. If I understand it right, the gate he saw was even labeled with "The eye of the needle" or something similar (though his interpretation was not the classic, because he was sure of that there was no way a camel could get through the gate he saw). 1. What gate (which obviously exists today) is this pastor speaking about? 2. Is there really any part of the Jerusalem walls left since Jesus time? Weren't all of the walls destroyed after the siege of Jerusalem 70 A.D? ## Update 1 Even since before asking this question, I never doubted that Jesus was speaking about a real "eye of the needle", and not a gate. Even though I marked one answer (which was really clarifying) as accepted, it would be really interesting to nail this myth and go down to the details. According to the New Bible Dictionary, third Edition, p. 562, there is one remaining ancient wall "at the present-day Damascus Gate". What does "ancient" mean in this context? Could it have survived since the days of Jesus? In that case, how big is this part? Are there other ancient walls that could be from the days of Jesus? And are there any "gates" in these ancient walls that have been suggested as the "needle eye gate"?

I'm doing an in-depth study on the kings of Judah and Israel. I'm familiar with Thiele and Young, and I've read a great deal of literature on the subject up to present. Where I am at the moment is Hezekiah and Manasseh. Relative to the Assyrian chronicles for Shalmaneser V and Sennacherib, Hezekiah's reign is a mess. I don't accept Thiele's conclusion to move his reign in its entirety. But none of the known starting points for Hezekiah pan out. In order to date his reign, I'm trying to work backwards from Josiah. We know that Josiah died in 609. He was preceeded by Amon, who was preceeded by Manasseh. From Hezekiah to Josiah, there is a gap of five or six years that can't be accounted for. This gap cannot be overcome by a Tishri/Nisan counting difference, or by accession-year versus non-accession-year counting. It's just a gap with no explanation. My suspicion is that Manasseh's total reign is a cumulative total, not a sequential one. We know that Manasseh was taken captive, and that he suffered at the hands of the Assyrians/Babylonians badly enough that he came to a full state of humility and repentance. My suspicion is that his captivity lasted something to the extent of five or six years, which is what causes the sequential gap in the reigns from Hezekiah to Josiah. So, what I'm looking for are solid sources that might help pinpoint when Manasseh was taken captive, by which king, whether Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, or Ashurbanipal, and maybe even an event; a rebellion, or similar. Perhaps the event compared to the remaining years of the Assyrian king will help shine some light on his captivity.

Genesis 5 clearly shows the number of years people lived from Adam to Noah. In the modern world, we know that 1 year equals to the number of days the earth revolves around the sun, but this knowledge was just claimed in the 17th century by Galileo while the book of Genesis should have been written much earlier. As another point of view, the calendar system that most parts of the world use today dated back to 45 BC through the introduction of Julian calendar. This may be the first time a wide group of society agreed on how long 1 year is. How did the author of Genesis define how long 1 year was? **EDIT:** While [Why did people live so long before the Flood](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/2972/why-did-people-live-so-long-before-the-flood) concerned about the ages (specific to Genesis 5), my question wonders more on the way a year was defined in general, possibly valid across the Pentateuch, by giving Genesis 5 as one example. It does not ask why men lived with such long ages, which had answers such as: bodily well-being was enhanced; a greater degree of nourishment; water before the flood protected human ages; etc. These answers in that discussion did not address my question. Hence my question could have been, "How did Moses define 1 year in Pentateuch?" The problem with this phrase is that it could mistakenly viewed as a duplicate with other discussions, such as [who wrote the Pentateuch](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/1037/who-wrote-the-book-of-genesis/2510#2510) , or whether the Pentateuch was written by the same author. In contrast, my question emphasizes the definition of a "year" written across the Pentateuch. To avoid conflicting discussions, herewith I specify one example by pointing to Genesis 5. An example of satisfying explanation is from one comment below, that one didn't need a calendar to know the years, but used winter and summer.

In c. A.D. 189, St. Irenaeus wrote: > Since, however, it would be very tedious . . . to reckon up the successions of all the churches, we put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vanity, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings, by indicating that Tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and **universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul**; also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishops. For it is a matter of necessity that every church agree with this Church, on account of its preeminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere, because the apostolic Tradition has been preserved continuously by those [faithful men] who exist everywhere [*Against Heresies* 3:3:2] Why did St. Irenaeus say the Church was founded and organized in Rome by Peter and Paul? I'd understand if he was speaking of the lowercase 'c' church in Rome, but he spoke of "the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church," so—correct me if I'm wrong—he was speaking of the entire Church rather than the singular church in Rome. So what does he mean exactly?

Where can I find a list of Popes & Cardinals who are ethnically Jewish or converted from Judaism? I got a list, but maybe someone already made one? I'll put my list in an answer. - ( Preview of next questions: Orthodox - ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople besides St. Andrew? Anglicanism - Archbishop of Canterbury besides Justin Welby, if e even counts? Then Lutheran. Oriental Orthodox. Idk. ) - Update https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/105402/list-of-jewish-ecumenical-patriarchs-of-constantinople

Syriac Christianity (as well as with other oriental orthodoxy denominations) today use Arabic as their liturgical language. It is known that they have been using Arabic since the times of Muslim invasions, as early as second half of 8th Century (as suggested here: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/7304/when-did-arabic-enter-into-usage-as-a-liturgical-language-among-orthodox-christi , *The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque* by Sidney Griffith also mentioned the same). But why did they turn into Arabic instead of keeping Aramaic as their liturgical language? Is it because: - Arabic became the *lingua franca* and it is easier to reach common people (non-priest) if they use Arabic instead of Aramaic. - If it is so, I wonder why? Was the influence of Arabs so strong that they have to use Arabic? Or was the use of Aramaic banned during the Muslims rule? Why can't they maintain the usage of Aramaic, as the Muslims do (until now) with Arabic as their liturgical language? - Also, if this was the case, doesn't this mean Syriac Christianity was the first Christianity to "localized" their language to every day man, not Protestant Christianity? - Syriac Christian priests were involved in intense theological debates and discussions with the dominationg Muslim theologians. So they use Arabic to make it easier for their Muslim friends to understand their points. - Or maybe both? Or are there any other reasons? I hope I layed out my question/explanation clear, since English is not my mother tounge.

Was Jesus the only Roman crucifixion victim who was made to wear a crown of thorns? Are there historical references as to how often this action was done on political victims?

What is the best history book on the Protestant Reformation from a Catholic perspective? While, I obviously want a truthful account, even if it exposes wrongs of the Catholic Church, I'd like to read a book from a Catholic perspective because Protestants and the non-religious seem to dominate the space.

What is the best translation of *The Ecclesiastical/Church History* by Eusebius? By best I mean, something that is accurate, yet written in modern English that's easily understood. I see translations by G. A. Williamson; Jeremy M. Schott; Arthur Cushman McGiffert; and Paul L. Maier.