-Caveat Lector- nessie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > -Caveat Lector- > > >Guess who said this: Render Unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's; and to > God, that which is Gods.....words to that effect, > > And what exactly WAS Ceaser's? To most people living in Roman occupied > Palestine, whatever it was, it wasn't anything of theirs. > <snip> You know, if you look at that story in full historical context, it takes on a somewhat different importance. Because of the prohibition on worship of other gods, the Temple priests coined special money *for use only in the Temple*. The moneychangers were there specifically to change "unclean" coins for "clean" ones that could properly be used by worshippers. Like all moneychangers, of course, they adjusted the exchange rate to benefit themselves and their patrons on the Temple staff...and it was in fact the exhorbitant fees charged for changing money, as well as for sacrificial animals, that Jesus was objecting to when he scourged the moneychangers out of the Temple. Remember, "you have made it a den of thieves"--literally. And there's another element operating. Jesus is sitting *in the Temple precincts*, probably in the Porch of the Gentiles, with his disciples. When that Pharisee poses the question about paying taxes, Jesus asks him for a coin--specifically a denarius, that is, a *Roman* coin. This was, quite frankly, a trap for the Pharisee. Roman coins at that time bore the image of the Emperor Tiberius. And Tiberius had recently been deified in the Province of Syria, which Jerusalem was part of. So this utterly stupid Pharisee pulls a denarius out of his purse...thus admitting openly that he has flouted the Temple priesthood's interpretation of Mosaic law by bringing the graven image of another god into the Temple. And Jesus rubs the Pharisee's face in this faux pas by telling him curtly, "Give Caesar the things that are Caesar's; give God the things that are God's." Yep, you better believe the crowd loved it... Bob ================================= Robert F. Tatman [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remove "nospam" from the address to reply. NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml POSTING THIS MESSAGE TO THE INTERNET DOES NOT IMPLY PERMISSION TO SEND UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL E-MAIL (SPAM) TO THIS OR ANY OTHER INTERNET ADDRESS. RECEIPT OF SPAM WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF THE SENDER'S ISP. ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
