Remains of Apostle Paul May Have Been Found

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | December 6, 2006

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

ROME (AP) - Vatican archaeologists have unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul that had been buried beneath Rome's second largest basilica.

The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least A.D. 390, has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project's head said this week.

~ snip ~

[quark]

A bit sacrilegious, but here goes:

There once was a man from Glengozzle
Who discovered a remarkable fossil.
He knew by the bend
And the wart at one end
'Twas the Peter of St. Paul the Apostle!

[razorback-bert]

Bones to be on ebay soon.

[sgtbono2002]

Pretty sick to see Freepers making fun of Catholicism.

Probably some of the the same ones
who criticise the ACLU

Some things are in bad taste to joke about, this is one of them.

[Izzy Dunne]

I am dating my self

You should really try dating other people, now and then.

[nothingnew]

ping

FMCDH(BITS)

[agrarianlady]

It would be kind of interesting, in a way, if it really *were* Paul's remains (which I sort of doubt), if it could be determined if he had any particular disease, i.e. the "thorn in the flesh".

[ops33]

I agree with you. A person can disagree with Catholic teaching concerning the Virgin Mary but the do not need to disrespect the Church.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

This was originally reported by Pravda and I was doubtful. Now that the AP has picked it up I know it must not be true.

[adiaireton8]

Of course our bodies, when resurrected, will be different, because they will be glorified and clothed with immortality. But your resurrected body will be the body you have now, not a brand new body. Otherwise it wouldn't be you. That is why, when you said that "her physical body doesn't matter", that's gnosticism. Our physical body *does* matter; it is part of who we are, and at the resurrection we will be reunited with our bodies (these very bodies), but our bodies will be glorified.

-A8

[AF_Blue]

Peter Paul Almond Joy's got nuts.
Peter Paul Mounds don't.

Peter Paul used to be one of the main sponsors of the orginal Charlie Brown animated specials, which is why I remember them.

[Arthalion]

Our physical body *does* matter; it is part of who we are, and at the resurrection we will be reunited with our bodies (these very bodies), but our bodies will be glorified.

In many areas of the world, ground conditions are such that skeletons completely disintegrate within a century or two, often leaving nothing more than teeth to mark the location of the burial. Is it your position that these people will not ressurect? How about those who lived good, holy lives, but who's relatives decided on cremation after their death? And those unfortunate souls lost at sea, or in the worlds wild places, where all remains vanish into nothingness into just a few decades? Are they cursed to eternal damnation simply because there is no body to resurrect?

The focus of gnosticism is on the unknowable God, not on the irrelevance of our bodies. Nowhere in the Bible does it claim that these particular physical bodies will be resurrected, and if you want to be technical, any burial other than a cave, crypt, or above ground vault violates the traditions laid down in the Bible.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

As mentioned in post 31, I am not disrespecting Mary. She was honored by God for a season and she will be talked about with honor until He returns. But Roman Catholic teaching about her being snatched up as was Enoch are mere fancy - and end up disrespecting the Lord with all the spurious none sense that captivate to many.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Wow, self ping for later read and follow up.

[adiaireton8]

I never claimed that our bodies must remain intact until the resurrection, in order for them to be resurrected. Nor has the Church. But those who say that our "physical body doesn't matter" are devaluing the material part of our human nature. Gnosticism is particularly distinguished by its low view of matter and anything material, including the body. The Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the body stands in direct opposition to the gnostic/platonic rejection of the body.

-A8

[Tao Yin]

Before 1950, the assumption of Mary was open to Theological debate, but once the Pope defined it as doctrine it is considered a closed topic in the Roman Catholic Church.

Outside the RCC, it's still open to debate. Personallly, I think all of the focus on Mary is a bit silly, although I will light a pink candle for her soon.

[Salamander]

Not to mention those who were literally vaporized on 9/11.

Will a lack of "physical remains" keep them out of heaven?

I happen to believe that all-powerful God will find you on resurrection day, no matter "where" you "are".

[uncbob]

You think the cremated wouldn't have decayed in the grave? Ashes, decay...all to dust.

Well yeah but some pass through a worm's system first

[norton]

Christ is holy, Catholicism is a human edifice that grew up around that precept.

[what's up]

That is why, when you said that "her physical body doesn't matter", that's gnosticism

When I said "physical body" I meant the one on this earth which decomposed. That was only said in the context of the fact that claiming that Mary's body on earth had decomposed was not dishonoring her.

In other words, decomposition of our earthly physical bodies doesn't matter.

[therut]

Well most non Catholics do not realize that Catholics teach that Mary was taken into heaven. They are not being rude as they do not understand the idea.