Tag Archives: john the baptist

Mourning Announcements

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Nathan

Today is the anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion. Okay, it probably really isn’t, and we don’t even know what year that happened, let alone the specific date. While Easter does sometimes fall this early, it’s rare. And if these first century … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Catholicism, Christianity, Christmas, Easter, History, Holidays, Islam, J.R.R. Tolkien, Judaism, Middle Ages, Passover, Religion, rosh hashanah | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prester Change-O

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Nathan

I’d seen mentions of Prester John, but I wasn’t really sure who he was. I’ve since found out he was a mythical Christian king in or near India whom the European Church saw as a potential ally against the Muslims … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Christianity, Comics, Crusades, History, Islam, Maps, Middle Ages, Monsters, Mythology, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Modern-Day Marcionism

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Nathan

I’ve read a few times about the Marcionites, an early Christian sect that had significant influence but was declared heretical. It has some ideas in common with Christian Gnosticism, but lacks the emphasis on secret teachings. Instead, Marcion held that … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Fundamentalism, Gnosticism, History, Jack Chick, Judaism, Religion, Roman Empire | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Holy Family Reunion

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Nathan

I’ve examined Jesus’ immediate family before, but what about beyond that? John 19:25 refers to a woman named Mary of Clopas, called as Jesus’ “mother’s sister,” being present at the crucifixion. But since his mother was named Mary, does that … Continue reading →

Posted in Catharism, Catholicism, Christianity, Conspiracy Theories, Gnosticism, Holidays, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

It’s in Revelations, People!

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Nathan

Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation, by Elaine Pagels – I’ve written quite a bit on the book of Revelation, sometimes in relation to modern Christians who can’t wait for the world to end, but also … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Christianity, Gnosticism, Judaism, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gone Baptizin’

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Nathan

While the practice of baptism by water is obviously associated with Christianity, it predates that religion by some time. I guess it would pretty much have to, since Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist, and there was no … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Judaism, Mystery Cults, Religion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Baha’i Times

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Nathan

It’s not uncommon for one religion to use another as a jumping-off point, as Christianity did with Judaism and Islam did with both of those. The Baha’i Faith, founded in the nineteenth century, continues with this tradition, having developed from … Continue reading →

Posted in Baha'i Faith, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Sensational Sorcerer of Samaria

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Nathan

In early Christianity, a common scapegoat was someone called Simon Magus. He was identified as the founder of Gnosticism, a false Messiah, and sometimes even the father of all heresies. So who was Simon Magus really? It’s a bit difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Gnosticism, Historical Personages, History, Mythology, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Take Me to the Pilate

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Nathan

I forgot to mention on Friday that it was the feast day of a saint unique to the Coptic Church, Pontius Pilate. Yes, the guy who executed Jesus, which really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense at first glance. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Coptic, Eastern Orthodox, History, Holidays, Judaism, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments