May 2015 (Ongoing)
In the event that I read something interesting, I can never keep track of the links. Might as well put them on my blog pages.
Thieves on the Cross
The question is what exactly did the "thieves" on the cross do to warrant execution alongside Jesus. Superficially, crimes of petty theft seem somewhat trivial. I don't care for the gist of the linked article, that the New Testament writers took artistic liberty in what they wrote to make their points at the expense of what actually happened (this is written by an atheist/skeptic). Nonetheless, some interesting points are summarized regarding Roman crucifixion. Likely their crimes impacted Roman law, rather than Jewish local law, and were of some threat to Roman authority, along the lines of sedition, where a public, shameful execution was warranted. For a possible rebel to admit they were justly dying for what they did suggests murder may have been involved, and not simply against Romans who were generally hated and despised in Judea. This may suggest collateral damage to innocent peoples in the commission of their crimes against Rome or particularly heinous murders where the Romans, although minimally affected directly, handle the Jewish execution and do so publicly.
http://www.jdstone.org/cr/files/betweentwothieves.html
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