I never take the opinion of one person as gospel. An atheist is sure about what he/she posts. Does that make it accurate? I'm not questioning JohnDB's sincerity. I was asking where his understanding comes from. I'm sure it's not just something he dreamed up one day.
I ask questions a lot.
Why is this scripture written?
Why is it written this way? Why was it translated this way?
Lots of why questions. There's never an idle story or word written.
Usually, when people give testimonials they can't stop. But when writing them out and spending significant amounts of money to do so they adopted a style of writing that was extremely brief but included every important detail. This is scripture...so accuracy (by the author) was very very important.
And then these scriptures were usually translated into two languages before we got them. So going back to original language and concepts can really help.
Now...with the abbreviated writing style these 2,000+/- years later in a different culture the questions must be asked. The "common knowledge" isn't known as readily anymore.
And when a footnote is placed in the margin of my Bible of an alternative reading the questions demand investigation into why it's there.
My "hardcore" studying began over 30 years ago when I found myself without answers. And my studying went into hyperdrive when simply parsing out John 1:12. And fueled even more by the staff in the story of the sending of the 12 in Mark's Gospel.
I had been raised in church my whole life. I even went to a private Christian High School my Junior and Senior years. But no one had ever discussed these things.
And I wanted to know and understand...a guy who went to church his whole life and doesn't know these things? The only reasons I could think of were worse than lame.
So...
For this section.
I started from scratch. The root text of what was said. (I'm not good at Aramaic or Hebrew but I have excellent guides)
And throw in cultural norms.
How does this recorded conversation sound like? Why is Nicodemus spending his "luxury time" in search of Jesus? Daylight hours (spent on investigation) would be work related and not even get a second thought by anyone. So this notion of (middle of the night to hide it from others) has to be an incorrect assumption.
Nicodemus is a Rabbi (most likely although of what order of magnitude is unknown) Rabbi never gave another Rabbi equal billing when discussing theology or class. We have a hard time telling anyone that they did a good job of relating theological positions...we barely can tell some that we agree...but Nicodemus is so full of praise it's either over the top and disingenuous or something else... like sincerity.
So...why is Jesus saying what he is saying? Is he teaching or rhetorical remarks? What could Jesus be talking about? Is there a clue in original language? (Aramaic) how does this story fit in the theme of the Gospel?
How does this fit in with Jesus' normal disposition when people are friendly towards him?
And on and on the questions go. And the answers come bringing more questions and answers.
