Posted on 06/29/2009 6:42:19 AM PDT by NYer
That’s very true about DNA. But how would a person obtain it and how would you know it was St. Paul’s? I’d say there is a 99% chance the remains are those of the saint.
I could be wrong but I thought he was
a Roman (that is an proto-Italian).
“Not having a sample of Paul’s DNA, a DNA sample would tells us what? Male. Middle eastern maybe, and not much more than that.
exactly!
Back in the 4th century, they didn't have dna analysis; what they did have was common sense, something most folks lack today. Once the persecution of christians ended, they took the bones of St. Paul, erected a Church and buried his remains, with dignity and respect. No one can prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that these bones belonged to St. Paul. It is presumed that those early christians who suffered unmercifully under the Roman empire, safeguarded the bones of this beloved disciple until such time as they could erect a memorial. I suggest you familiarize yourself with Persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire, for a better understanding of the early Church.
Bravo! But you beat me to it. ;^)
Rome Catacomb Reveals "Oldest" Image Of St Paul
Pope: Scientific analysis done on St. Paul's bones
Oldest Icon of St. Paul Discovered
On St. Paul and Justification
On St. Paul and the Second Coming
On St. Paul and the Resurrection
On St. Paul and the Cross
On Paul's Christology
On How St. Paul Knew Christ
St. Paul's Teaching on the Church
On Paul's Dealings With Peter
On Paul and the Other Apostles
On Paul, an Apostle of Christ
St. Paul's Faith Based Not on Conversion of Thought, but Personal Meeting With Christ, Pope Says
Paul's Conversion
[St.] Paul's Biography
On Paul's World and Time Period
Pope Benedict said to plan examination of St. Paul
The Conversion of St. Paul
Remains of St. Paul may have been found
Paul's Teaching on the Church
Vatican archaeologists unearth St. Paul's tomb
Paul's Teaching on the Holy Spirit
Paul of Tarsus, Continued: He Lives From Christ and With Christ
Paul of Tarsus: Be Imitators of Me, As I Am of Christ
HOMILIES PREACHED BY FATHER ALTIER ON THE FEAST OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
St. Paul's Vision
Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul -- January 25
Original Sin According to Saint Paul
St. Paul the Eccentric
Either we believe in carbon dating or we don’t. Since it seems every few years, the Carbon Dating Society (sounds kinda kinky, doesn’t it?) changes their calibrations, I do not believe in carbon dating. I also do not need the Pope to “prove” anything to me. I believe. That is one of the basic tenants of our religion, isn’t it? We just believe. (that is not to say that I don’t question certain things, but those are of a contemporary matter, not these ancient items).
While this is interesting information, it has no impact on my faith.
“Not having a sample of Paul’s DNA, a DNA sample would tells us what? Male. Middle eastern maybe, and not much more than that.
Exactly. We cannot KNOW. The Pope simply gave an opinion
that may or may not be correct. Same old same old.
The bones could be anyones’s since there is no way to identify Paul’s bones as belonging to Paul.
condition of the skeleton would be of interest, as would its contents, but I guess that is asking too much (exhumation).
Catholics seem to really love old bones and relics.
And it must be true because the DNA tests are fprth coming. This is the difficulty of having relics
And how are these remains known? Tradition and oral history are nice enough but please folks this just says we have some bones and they may come from the time of Paul
Amen. If someone really wants to venerate Paul, he should read all the Epistles attributed to him. If you really absorb and honor their content, you are a Christian beyond a doubt. Also, the carbon date indicates someone who lived 100-200 A.D. Paul died before 100 A.D.
There is a test that can be done to measure trace elements found in the body (I think usually from teeth). These trace elements are absorbed into the body from drinking water. Since these trace elements vary from place to place it can fairly reliably determine where the individual came from. If the traces in this body were to match those of people in the area of Tarsus it wold be extremely convincing.
It is evidence consistant with the tradition that Paul’s remains have been interred in the tomb since the first century. That’s not a small thing.
Roman citizenship, not birth. Believe he was of the tribe of Benjamin.
If, if if.........not too convincing.
I definitely believe in Carbon Dating
It may not be for everybody- but a good friend of mine met his new wife this way.
BWAHAHAHA
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