[Vision2020] Xian, Xtian

[Ralph Nielsen]

Donovan, you forgot to give us your professional Xtian opinion about  
the Oxford English Dictionary. Is it "is a valid source of historical  
information"?

I have known about this contraction for years before you were even a  
zygote. I have copies of the Greek New Testament, where Christ is  
spelled with a capital "X."

I received my first serious instruction in the Bible from James  
Brashler, a scholar who worked for many years translating some of the  
Nag Hammadi codices from Coptic and Greek into English. I have  
attended regional conventions of professional Bible scholars for more  
than a dozen years. Three years ago I went to their international  
convention in San Antonio TX. There were 8,400 of us; I was  
privileged to hear some of the top Bible scholars alive today. I have  
some of their books in my library.

I have the feeling that you don't like that the Hebrew Bible (OT)  
says there is no meaningful life after death and nobody went to  
heaven (except two people). If you think I'm wrong, perhaps you would  
like to tell us how many people in the OT died and went to heaven.  
(OT is a standard scholarly abbreviation for Old Testament. I hope it  
doesn't offend you.)

Best regards,

Ralph Nielsen


On May 21, 2008, at 7:29 PM, Donovan Arnold wrote:
> Ralph,
>
> If you honestly believe the "Urban Dictionary", as you quoted, is a  
> valid source of historical information, then you are also aware  
> that using the word "Xtian" is offensive to Christians and I  
> believe you are being disingenuous that is not your intent.
>
> "3. xian
>
> A word that atheists use because, for some reason, they think it's  
> supposed to insult Christians. "
>
> "Donovan, I'm just trying to educate you a bit about the Bible and
> Christianity."
>
> Again, I think you are being disingenuous, Ralph. That isn't your  
> interest, you don't understand Christianity, and your attitude is  
> contemptuous. If you spent a little time in a Christian Church and  
> listened to a Pastor, you would understand why your understanding  
> of the Bible and Christ is incorrect, as is your perceptions of  
> what and why Christians believe what they do.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Donovan
>

> Ralph Nielsen <nielsen at uidaho.edu> wrote:
> From Urban Dictionary.com
>
> Xtian
>
> An abbreviation for "Christian". Based upon the first letter (Chi,
> which looks like an X) of the Greek word for Christ (Christos). The X
> therefore being a traditional symbol for Christ. Xtian is often used
> rather than Xian to avoid confusion with the Chinese city.
>
> This abbreviation is often mistaken as derogatory by some Christians
> unaware of the history of the people of their faith.
>
> Example: Nero used the Xtians as a scapegoat and had them persecuted.
>
>
> RN: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Xtian has been used
> since the middle of the 16th century. We also use Xmas for Christmas
> and Xian for Christ.
>
> XP (Chi Rho), another abbreviation for Christ, has been known since
> before the time of Constantine, in the 4th century. It is a fairly
> common in church decoration in Catholic and Episcopalian churches. I
> would imagine it is in Greek Orthodox churches as well.
>
> Donovan, I'm just trying to educate you a bit about the Bible and
> Christianity. I take the Bible seriously and when I use the abbrev.
> "Xian" I'm taking Christ and Christianity seriously. If you find this
> offensive, the problem is your ignorance, not my knowledge.
>
>
>
>
>
>