‘Wine or Vinegar?’, ‘What Another 'JC' May Have Meant...’ & ‘毀滅與的’

Photographer - Tobi Brun

Wine or Vinegar?

The earliest of the New Testament Gospel texts –
Mark –
states definitively that wine (οἶνον),
mixed with myrrh (ἐσμυρνισμένον),
was permitted or offered (ἐδίδουν)
at what is generally considered
the crucifixion of Jesus ...
in ancient times,
by the way,
myrrh had many applications,
including in anointing kings and high priests.

Further,
Mark states that while this libation
was permitted or offered,
it was the person now known as 'Jesus' who –
it may be read –
gave sweet intoxication mixed with a healing balm (metaphorically).

Such manna (מָן)
should not be confused with חומץ (vinegar) –
rather,
it is properly recognised
as a reference to superlative rhetoric
or philosophy.

That manna is apparent elsewhere,
including in a passage in Matthew 27:46 –
purporting to represent
'reasoning' [λέγων]
'shouted again' [ἀνεβόησεν]
in a 'marvellous discourse' [φωνῇ μεγάλῃ]).

For those with an understanding of Aristotelian philosophy,
the application of dialectic methods
and creative translation of various languages,
the relevant transliterated Aramaic and Koine Greek
might be read as shown below.

Being, existence, causation and fate (YHWH)
laments the query,
"Why produce myriad peaceful fruits?"

There – and here – exists
the fundamental generative good
in each emerging moment, my deity,
mine is where what is me is:
in favour of survival;
against abandonment; and
left behind as an inheritance.

Expressed thus –
as may have been the case
for a philosopher, grammarian and rhetorician –
it is a life lesson
free from religious dogma
and relevant to all.

These are a couple of examples
of different interpretations
that may be applied
to the earliest Gospel texts ...
which,
believe it or not,
do not even include the name 'Jesus'.

As for the moniker 'Christ',
it is of only recent invention -
from about 100CE to 1300CE,
a word for 'Good'
was actually the epithet applied ...
and it was used in parallel with derivatives of an earlier descriptor:
χρυσός (meaning 'gold', 'precious' or 'treasured').

All might not be as we have been told
by those influenced by religious dogma –
including that this 'Jesus' died on a cross,
or was a man
(perhaps,
rather than a God,
she was an exceptional mortal woman).

Due to a progressive
(and terminal)
neurological condition,
I may never get the opportunity
to complete my PhD on this matter.

Regardless,
I enjoy sharing thoughts with others
as they arise ...
little by little, perhaps sense will prevail.

The action of the fates aside,
however,
what we can surely agree upon
is that the world needs more good works –
and for that,
all we need to act on
is our own 'divine' spark
(the best of intentions
produced in our own individual minds
[Michelangelo left that message
on the roof of the Sistine Chapel]) ...
after all,
as noted in James 2:20,
“faith without works is dead”
(and I suspect 'Jesus Christ' likely thought the same).

What another 'JC' may have meant ...

Julius Caesar (100 BCE – 44 BCE) –
Roman general, statesman, author and historian –
is believed to have once written,

“FERE LIBERNTER HOMINES
ID QUOD VOLUNT CREDUNT”.

The traditional reading of that passage
is something along the lines of,

“Men generally believe
what they want to believe”.

Rendered thus,
it is a maxim of sorts
that has a Stoic tone to it
(or some may perceive a Cynic).

An alternative reading –
one applying creative translation –
providing guidance
rather than observation
follows:

Humanity,
speak willingly, eagerly, gladly, cheerfully, vigorously and enthusiastically
that which wishes, intends, consents to and advances towards
imagination, thought, confidence and life-preserving trust.

Such an approach is consistent
with masterful philosophical approaches –
and consistent with the teachings
of another subsequent 'JC'.

毀滅與的
信仰是力量讓破碎的世界重見光明
信仰是力量讓破碎的世界重見光明
的與滅毀

Destroying, ruining and slander obliterates ...
provide, cause and participate in the optimal

Belief, justice and capability reproaching?
Broken.

Bindú?
The realm governed by a buddhá duplicating manifest brilliance:
hope in adverse circumstances, frankness and open-heartedness.

Truly,
to rely on this power and influence?
Pramāṇa.

Permitting destruction, ruin or exile?
Shattering, fragmenting and shredding.

The aim, standard and criterion?
A life, generations and a world
characterised by prudent views ...
only clarity, observation, intelligence, knowledge,
discernment, sensibility, understanding, and wisdom.

Winning the lottery?
Helping, supporting, befriending and choosing
extinguishing destruction, ruin and slander.

Douglas Colston hails from Australia, has played in Ska bands, married his love, fathered two great children and among other things, pursued a PhD he hoped would provide a positive contribution to the zeitgeist. Having been a former Pushcart nominee, his writing has appeared in anthologies and magazines, including: Tenth Muse; POETiCA REViEW; Impspired; Hive Avenue; Rue Scribe; Inlandia; and Revue {R}évolution.