The Cross and Blood Magick: Food for Thought
Jesus is portrayed as a sacrificial lamb and a propitiation for sin in the New Testament and Christianity in general. He is seen as a sacrifice that is once and for all. We notice that Christians therefore ceased to practice animal sacrifice. Judaism ceased its sacrifice of animals with the destruction of the Temple since by the time of Jesus it had become the only place allowed for sacrifice. I have not researched these factors but my questions below may point to some of my conjectures.
1) Did the original Jewish followers of Jesus continue animal sacrifice until the Temple was destroyed? If so does this correspond to the lack of sacrificial elements in some Gospel motifs?
2) What effects did the idea Jesus as a final sacrifice have on Gentiles? Did it make Christianity easier to sell since it could be wrapped in a mystery cult package and deliver an economic benefit in not having to obtain animals for sacrifice? Drinking wine and breaking bread was a communal and trade practice.
3) Do we see a theological change in the Pauline literature from the authentic to the inauthentic writings after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE as a result of this sacrificial element? Include Hebrews of you would like!
4) Does the proposition that Jesus presented his impending death as a sacrifice at the Last Supper have a possible historical value in this research? Does this entail the belief of an immanent end of the world and Jesus's return for communion or table fellowship as believed by his followers. Or is there any early parts of Q and Mark that show non-sacrificial elements and/or immanent eschatology?
Any researchers out there? Results in this research goes far to the determination of the mythicist verses historical critical approach regarding Christianity.
1) Did the original Jewish followers of Jesus continue animal sacrifice until the Temple was destroyed? If so does this correspond to the lack of sacrificial elements in some Gospel motifs?
2) What effects did the idea Jesus as a final sacrifice have on Gentiles? Did it make Christianity easier to sell since it could be wrapped in a mystery cult package and deliver an economic benefit in not having to obtain animals for sacrifice? Drinking wine and breaking bread was a communal and trade practice.
3) Do we see a theological change in the Pauline literature from the authentic to the inauthentic writings after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE as a result of this sacrificial element? Include Hebrews of you would like!
4) Does the proposition that Jesus presented his impending death as a sacrifice at the Last Supper have a possible historical value in this research? Does this entail the belief of an immanent end of the world and Jesus's return for communion or table fellowship as believed by his followers. Or is there any early parts of Q and Mark that show non-sacrificial elements and/or immanent eschatology?
Any researchers out there? Results in this research goes far to the determination of the mythicist verses historical critical approach regarding Christianity.
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