The first commandment

[JSRG]

The first use of the word "Christian" is detailed in the Bible--it was used by the pagans--a pagan name.

The Bible never says it was a pagan name. It simply says that they were first called Christians in Antioch. It does not specify by who. A popular idea is that it was a term non-Christians used to refer to them and Christians simply took it up themselves early on, but such is nevertheless a guess.

And it meant derogatorily "simpleton", or "idiot" .....
Today this might still occur .....

If you are saying that the term Christian originally meant simpleton or idiot (your phrasing is a little unclear), that's not the case. While we may not know for sure who came up with the term, the original is obvious: Χριστιανός (Christianos), is very clearly and blatantly derived from Χριστός (Christos), which has no connotation of simpleton or idiot. The term literally means "anointed one" and is used in the New Testament to refer to the Messiah (as is explicitly stated in John 1:41 and John 4:25).

You may be referring to the word "cretin" with this, as it can mean idiot. However, the term cretin first emerged in the 18th century in French (later spreading to other languages), so obviously it was not the origin of the term Christian which goes back far further. Originally cretin was a term used to refer to someone with cretinism, but later on started being used as a more general criticism of being an idiot. While the term cretin is often regarded as having come from the term Christian, perhaps as a reminder that cretins can be Christian, this is not certain; it has been proposed that the term instead may have come from the Latin word crista (meaning crest), which got applied to cretinism due to the goiters that cretins develop. (the information in this paragraph is primarily taken from the Oxford English Dictionary's discussion on etymology for cretin)

 

[CoreyD]

They "were called" Christians because Christianity was their chief business?

What do you mean by Christianity?
They were followers of Christ. This is where the word Christian is derived.
Is that what you meant by Christianity?

 

[Grip Docility]

Well there are thousands of images of persons bowing to and kneeling to a statue of Mary.
I though the caption was fitting, since you can't tell me the difference between one bowing to an idol of Kali, the Queen of Heavens, or Mary.
I did not want to ask again, since a blank fills in nothing.

I’m so tired of all the infighting within the Body. The New Covenant makes us bulletproof to the Devils garbage.

Why can’t the Physical Gospel commission unite us? Why do people prefer to squabble over which of the over 30,000 factions are more pristine or who has the best doctrine?

Catholics are Followers of Jesus.
Protestants are followers of Jesus.

It would be awesome if we could all unite and collectively be the hands of Jesus to a hurting world, and be known for our Love for one another and our acts of Love to an entire hurting world.

Thank you for sharing your convictions and perspectives.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you, brother in Him

 

[public hermit]

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

As a Catholic, I am often asked about the adherence to the commandment concerning the use of statues and pictures (icons). The succinct response is that Catholics have never been iconoclasts. The incorporation of sacred images has been an integral part of the faith since the time God presented it to His people. This began with Israel's use of angelic images on the Ark of the Covenant's lid and the Tabernacle's curtains, as well as the serpent mounted on a pole for healing those bitten in the desert. Catholics do not fear holy images; we do not recoil from them as if they were representations of pagan deities. Instead, they are venerated images of saints, angels, and Jesus Christ, our Lord and God.

I've been Protestant from the start, but I am fascinated by iconography, particularly Eastern. Christ Pantocrater is truly memorizing to me. Just his eyes speak *two natures in one person* to me. I assume the icon is a tool for prayer and contemplation that only serves its purpose if one's prayer and contemplation transcend the icon and move into the inscrutable divine.

Christ Pantocrator - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[CoreyD]

Do you know the man’s heart that is kneeling in the picture? The person that posted the picture claims to.

Exodus 20:4, 5
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

 

[Aaron112]

"brave.com/search?q=the+original+term+christian

"The original term christian meant idiot or simpleton
"In ancient Greece and Rome, the term “Christian” was used as a derogatory label to describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed. This usage predates the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion."

If you are saying that the term Christian originally meant simpleton or idiot (your phrasing is a little unclear), that's not the case.

 

[Aaron112]

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,

simply truth, always

 

[CoreyD]

I’m so tired of all the infighting within the Body. The New Covenant makes us bulletproof to the Devils garbage.

Why can’t the Physical Gospel commission unite us? Why do people prefer to squabble over which of the over 30,000 factions are more pristine or who has the best doctrine?

Catholics are Followers of Jesus.
Protestants are followers of Jesus.

It would be awesome if we could all unite and collectively be the hands of Jesus to a hurting world, and be known for our Love for one another and our acts of Love to an entire hurting world.

Thank you for sharing your convictions and perspectives.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you, brother in Him

That is so sad.

 

[Grip Docility]

I've been Protestant from the start, but I am fascinated by iconography, particularly Eastern. Christ Pantocrater is truly memorizing to me. Just his eyes speak *two natures in one person* to me. I assume the icon is a tool for prayer and contemplation that only serves its purpose if one's prayer and contemplation transcend the icon and move into the inscrutable divine.

Christ Pantocrator - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

View attachment 353053

Though I disagree with the Christology that divides Jesus into two natures, I see the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within you making peace between two massive groups of the invisible body.

My deepest respect to you for being bold in faith and being so very peace making and kind!

All Love in Jesus Christ to you, sibling in Jesus.

 

[public hermit]

"brave.com/search?q=the+original+term+christian

"The original term christian meant idiot or simpleton
"In ancient Greece and Rome, the term “Christian” was used as a derogatory label to describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed. This usage predates the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion."

Yeah, humility was not considered a virtue in the Greek/Roman mind. For Christ-followers, it was a preeminent virtue. Paul makes it explicit that humility and gentleness are Christ-like virtues.

 

[CoreyD]

"brave.com/search?q=the+original+term+christian

"The original term christian meant idiot or simpleton
"In ancient Greece and Rome, the term “Christian” was used as a derogatory label to describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed. This usage predates the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion."

I searched, and do not find this.
Wherever you got this from, the person probably posted it on April 1st.

 

[Valletta]

simply truth, always

Yes, do not bow down in worship to any graven image. What I suggest is to spend time kneeling in prayer, wherever you are, remembering God is omnipotent, rather than using up so much time trying to find fault with others. As the Word of God says:

Judging Others​

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

 

[Aaron112]

That is so sad.

Perhaps. The divisions/sects of those in truth and those not in truth are necessary, God Says, in the NT.

I searched,

In your house or closet ??

It has been well known since the first century, and only lately steps were taken to change it as noted here>>>

"r/TrueChristian
•
3 yr. ago
Beni_Reges

The dark origin of the word "Christian"
The word Christian has a double meaning most people are not familiar with. It stems from the Greek "Christiano," a derogatory term coined by 1st century Romans to taunt the original followers of Yahusha Mashiach (today known as "Jesus Christ"). Peter talks about it:

For do not let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or doer of evil, or as a meddler. But if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him esteem God in this matter. - 1 Peter 4:15-16

It was a term of scorn, "Christian" being the etymological source of our modern word CRETIN. It essentially means idiot, but revisionism has caused mass-amnesia.

reddit.com/r/TrueChristian/comments/qt4tcn/the_dark_origin_of_the_word_christian/

 

[Aaron112]

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye

Yes, do this, God Willing.
It is required and instructed to all.

 

[jas3]

"brave.com/search?q=the+original+term+christian

"The original term christian meant idiot or simpleton
"In ancient Greece and Rome, the term “Christian” was used as a derogatory label to describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed. This usage predates the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion."

So you're citing the AI-generated answer from Brave?

The theory here, so everyone else doesn't have to go to Brave's search engine and type the prompt, is that there was another word χρηστιανός meaning "useful one" which was used to mean "simpleton," and χριστιανός was a pun on that word.

Honestly this seems like about as sound of a theory as Easter coming from Ishtar worship. But either way, the word Χριστιανός never meant "idiot" or "simpleton" even if you accept the pun theory.

 

[JSRG]

"brave.com/search?q=the+original+term+christian

"The original term christian meant idiot or simpleton
"In ancient Greece and Rome, the term “Christian” was used as a derogatory label to describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed. This usage predates the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion."

This link does not work. It simply redirects me back to brave.com.

This appears to be the link you meant:

Brave Search

Search the web privately…

search.brave.com

However, I see nothing that turns up the quotations you are offering. The search results that do turn up instead seem to confirm what I said: While some believe it was originally a derogatory term used by non-Christians that was nevertheless adopted by Christians, there is a shortage of evidence and ultimately this is speculation. And none of them that I see say that it "was used as a derogatory label to describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed" or that "This usage predates the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion" the latter of which seems flat-out impossible because the first usage we have of the term are Acts and 2 Peter (how does usage predate them?), unless by "emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion" is considered to be dated much later. But even then, I am not aware of any early usage of it, even by non-Christians, that says it was used "describe someone perceived as foolish, simple-minded, or weak-willed".

Can you give any examples or evidence that "Christian" was a pre-existing term? Because there seems to be none, and indeed it would be counterintuitive to posit some hypothetical pre-existing origin when it so obviously comes from the term Christ (well, Christos as it was written in Greek).

 

[Valletta]

In the verses, previous to the one I referenced, Jesus said, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ... But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him." John 4:21, 23

So, worship was not required to be in any particular location, building, or beach.

I think you're missing the point. It's not about buildings. Jesus, a Jew, is talking with a Samaritan woman. While the Jews have a better understanding of God than the Samaritans (Jews realize God is God for the whole world) there is that beyond what the Jews know. There is a greater worship, through Him, through His Church, which is beyond the physical temple and mountain. Jesus in no way is saying you can't meet in specific places any more, it's not about that. While we are lifted in the Holy Mass and united with Him, we are to do more, to ALWAYS have our hearts lifted to the Lord and to do His will.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return—I speak as to children—widen your hearts also. RSVCE

 

[Aaron112]

christian in the nt - Google Search

"The word Christian is used three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. The original usage in all three New Testament verses reflects a derisive element in the term Christian to refer to followers of Christ who did not acknowledge the emperor of Rome."
----------------------------------

What is the meaning of the term Christian? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the term Christian? What is the origin of the word Christian? Was “Christian” originally a derogatory name?

www.gotquestions.org

"The followers of Jesus Christ were first referred to as “Christians” by the Gentiles of Syrian Antioch, and the name was more than likely meant as an insult (see Acts 11:26)."

"Both the Bible and history suggest that the term Christian was probably meant as a mocking insult when it was first coined. Peter actually tells his readers not to be “ashamed” if they are called by that term (1 Peter 4:16). Likewise, when Herod Agrippa rejects Paul’s appeal to be saved, he says, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” and he was probably playing off of the negative reputation of that term (Acts 26:28). Why would he, a king, submit to the indignity of being called a “Christian”?"


The resources available just ten years ago appear to be censored or just gone from the search engines - (and many other problems with ggl for five years or more now.)

Interestingly perhaps as found in the last hour,
as Scripture says "fools for Christ" etc .... believers today are mocked and insulted by many Christians!? around the world, and other religions and non-religious peoples....

 

[jas3]

according to the dictionary

Always a bad idea in theological discussions. Secular dictionaries are going to give the secular definition of the word.

Venerate comes from the Latin root venerārī, which has the various meanings of "to solicit the good will of," "to worship," "to pay homage to," and "to hold in awe."

This is true in a secular context (although the fact that they gave the passive form of the infinitive instead of the active is strange). In a theological context, the "worship" definition would not be acceptable unless you were using the word in its archaic sense.

That root is related to Venus, which, as a proper noun, is the name of the Roman goddess of love and beauty.

That's speculative. Not sure how that's relevant either way though.

 

[RandyPNW]

Did God give specific instructions for building the Temple, with which Solomon took liberties?

Good question. Solomon clearly didn't follow the specifications given to Moses because he was creating a permanent building, as opposed to purely a tent. So for example, the specific instructions for the tent required badger skins to cover the structure whereas Solomon's Temple would've required something else.

The number of lampstands was multiplied quite a bit, whereas only one was specified for the Tabernacle--I don't know that God excluded there being more than one?

I don't think Solomon intended to subvert the literal instructions as originally given. He may have been inspired in any changes that he made.

As far as the angelic embroidery there was no specification as to how the artwork would be done for the Tabernacle. It may have been the option of the artists to create what were thought to be "angelic figures" at the time?

The "artwork" for the ark was a bit more specific, though, since the cherubim had to have wings that touched and faces that were covered.