Several thoughts come to mind after reading this essay. While it is probably true that Cleopatra was very smart, she is remembered for two things: her legendary beauty and her suicide. Hedy Lamarr was an inventor that created a technology known as frequency-hopping spread frequency that stopped Germany from disrupting the paths of Allied torpedoes in WW II. Of course, she is remembered most for her appearance in the Hope/Crosby "road pictures" and for her nude scene in the movie ECSTASY.
Admittedly, many of my beliefs are considered antithetical to most contemporary Christians; but I cannot help but admire those Jewish heroes who chose suicide over torture and death by the Romans at Masada. I cannot help but wonder whether the modern world would not have more information about John the Baptist if he had not submitted to arrest and was subsequently beheaded by Herod of Antipas.
While we are advised to imitate Christ, to turn the other cheek, to be humble and pious, we all have our nature and history to motivate us. Was George Patton an evil man? Did he do God's work? How about Truman and the Bomb?
Life sometimes seems like an open book and sometimes it seems like a wadded scrap of paper.
Regarding John the Baptist, still today there is a small group that claims his heritage. From this we understand John’s purpose in sending his disciples to ask Jesus if he was The One. It was not because John doubted, but rather a final effort to make sure his disciples followed Jesus and not him. Unfortunately, 2,000 years later we know some just could not change their allegiance
Do you have any recommendations of books that tell the story of Jesus' cousin? I have tried in vain to learn more about him and never learned about any group (Essenes?) who continued to believe he was Elijah reincarnated.
While I can understand her feeling the need to end her life, at this time in my life I could not do so. Of course I am not facing Octavian and the torture she would have endured.
She was a remarkable woman. From my memory though part of her undoing was her lust for power and greed. Ultimate power corrupts.
She was undoubtedly a shrewd politician, a truly extraordinary figure. Her actions—ousting her brother and captivating both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony—demonstrate a keen, almost uncanny, instinct. Yet, even her remarkable cunning had its limits, leading her to a point where she was ultimately cornered with no escape.
You may be correct about the intellect. For a woman in the arena during that time she would need to be able to talk to several different tribes at once.
One of the facets of the Christian worldview is the one that sees a median as we live life on a sine curve. The highs are less high in terms of our claim to greatness as we acknowledge the work of God, and the lows are less low because of our trust in Christ. Should Cleopatra have had the opportunity to be a Christian, she would have been able to see it is not easy to humiliate a humble person. Jesus demonstrated that entirely.
Several thoughts come to mind after reading this essay. While it is probably true that Cleopatra was very smart, she is remembered for two things: her legendary beauty and her suicide. Hedy Lamarr was an inventor that created a technology known as frequency-hopping spread frequency that stopped Germany from disrupting the paths of Allied torpedoes in WW II. Of course, she is remembered most for her appearance in the Hope/Crosby "road pictures" and for her nude scene in the movie ECSTASY.
Admittedly, many of my beliefs are considered antithetical to most contemporary Christians; but I cannot help but admire those Jewish heroes who chose suicide over torture and death by the Romans at Masada. I cannot help but wonder whether the modern world would not have more information about John the Baptist if he had not submitted to arrest and was subsequently beheaded by Herod of Antipas.
While we are advised to imitate Christ, to turn the other cheek, to be humble and pious, we all have our nature and history to motivate us. Was George Patton an evil man? Did he do God's work? How about Truman and the Bomb?
Life sometimes seems like an open book and sometimes it seems like a wadded scrap of paper.
You make valid points. I'm glad I'm not God and do not have to pass judgement on any of them
Regarding John the Baptist, still today there is a small group that claims his heritage. From this we understand John’s purpose in sending his disciples to ask Jesus if he was The One. It was not because John doubted, but rather a final effort to make sure his disciples followed Jesus and not him. Unfortunately, 2,000 years later we know some just could not change their allegiance
Do you have any recommendations of books that tell the story of Jesus' cousin? I have tried in vain to learn more about him and never learned about any group (Essenes?) who continued to believe he was Elijah reincarnated.
While I can understand her feeling the need to end her life, at this time in my life I could not do so. Of course I am not facing Octavian and the torture she would have endured.
She was a remarkable woman. From my memory though part of her undoing was her lust for power and greed. Ultimate power corrupts.
She was undoubtedly a shrewd politician, a truly extraordinary figure. Her actions—ousting her brother and captivating both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony—demonstrate a keen, almost uncanny, instinct. Yet, even her remarkable cunning had its limits, leading her to a point where she was ultimately cornered with no escape.
You may be correct about the intellect. For a woman in the arena during that time she would need to be able to talk to several different tribes at once.
One of the facets of the Christian worldview is the one that sees a median as we live life on a sine curve. The highs are less high in terms of our claim to greatness as we acknowledge the work of God, and the lows are less low because of our trust in Christ. Should Cleopatra have had the opportunity to be a Christian, she would have been able to see it is not easy to humiliate a humble person. Jesus demonstrated that entirely.
A wise reflection!
Wow Jason yet another great one! Loved this - I can totally relate to this!