[Greek] θέατρον (theatron), [Latin] theatrum, [Latin] spectaculum

[Greek] θέατρον (theatron), [Latin] theatrum, [Latin] spectaculum: theater, spectacle, a place for a public show, amphitheater, general audience room, place where games and dramatic spectacles are shown, spectators; Acts 19:29,31, 1Cor.4:9   The Greco-Roman stage often stages dramas and plays illustrating the human condition.

Background information:

Greco-Roman stage:

1. The Greek verb theatrizo means to bring one up to the stage or to publicly expose someone. 
2. This person would be a spectacle for scorn and contempt and be a “gazingstock”.
3. This would occur in a theatron (theater) or other public venue in which that person who be shamed.
4. The crowd (spectators) would sit on the edge of their seats waiting for any opportunity to ridicule this person.
5. Although originally known as a dramatic invention, this term later takes on a negative meaning.

Greek Hellenism: This term means theater (amphitheater), spectators, and spectacle (play). In the Stoic perspective, the deity becomes a spectator of the wise man fighting misfortune and encountering conflict.

Plato’s Symposium 194a: “How forgetful I should be, after noticing your and many spirit as you stepped upon the platform with your troop; how you sent a straight glance at the vast assembly.”

Polybius’ Histories 3.91.10: “If the Carthaginians succeeded in fixing their quarters in these plains, they would have the advantage of a kind of theater, in which to display the terrors of the power. They would make a spectacle also of the cowardice of their enemies.”

Polybius’ Histories 5.15.2: “But as the drinking went on, and grew less moderate, being forced to do just as the others did, they show themselves in their in true colors.”

Herodotus’ The Histories 6.21: “The Athenians made clear their deep grief for the taking of Miletes in many ways. When the Phrynichus wrote a play entitled ‘The Fall of Miletus’ and produced it, the whole theater fell to weeping.”

New Testament: This term means theater and spectacle.

Acts 19:29: “The city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed with one accord into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions.” 

1.  A serious disturbance broke out concerning the Way (the new Christian sect).
2. The silversmith Demetrius claimed that Paul persuaded and ‘misled’ a great number of people by saying these gods (idols) made by hands were not gods at all.
3. This becomes a danger to the silversmiths’ livelihood and Artemis’ status.
4. They city became filled with confusion and people ran into the theater.
5. The disciples would not let Paul respond to the silversmiths for fear of his safety.
6. The town clerk restrained the crowd by pointing out the Way did not rob the temple nor insult the goddess Artemis.

1Cor.4:9: “For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all, like people sentenced to death, since we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and human beings alike.” (Paul ironically contrasts his suffering to the Corinthians’ folly and glory. Paul, influenced by Hellenism, borrows the term spectacle.)

1Cor.4:10: We are fools and weak in Christ: seen by the “wise men” [in the world] as foolish, week, and more concerned with Christ.

1Cor.4:10: You are wise and strong in Christ: [a mockery and folly of their wisdom] 

1. You boast of your wisdom, prudence, and accomplishments.
2. You are unwilling to submit to esteemed fools.
3. You make much use of your worldly wisdom and carnal instincts.
4. You claim to profess Christ in such a manner in SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE WORLD. (misplaced priorities in focusing on the world)

[Greek] θεατρίζω (theatrizō), [Latin] spectaculum: to make a spectacle of, to bring up to the stage, to expose publicly, to make an example of, to make a public spectacle, to make a gazing stock, to expose to contempt; Heb. 10:33, Col.2:15

Heb.10:33: “At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.” (The writer of Hebrew anticipates the struggles and difficulties that the Christian will face. The writers encourages these Christians to persevere. The writer alludes to the spilling of blood and lives of the Christians under the Roman Empire.)

Col.2:15: “He despoiled the principalities and the powers, He made a public spectacle of them, leading them away in triumph by it” (Jesus, like a victorious conqueror, subdues the powers of the world by His death. His cross is likened to a chariot of triumph. This scripture also alludes to Christians under the Roman Empire.)

Conclusion:

Greco/Roman stage: Plays and dramatic performances quite often illustrated and provided a commentary on the human condition.

Roman Coliseum: This theater was the public venue for gladiator contests and various brutal or “artistic” methods to kill Christians. This was “great entertainment” for the people.

The silversmiths caused a riot because they accused Paul of “dis-information” about their idols.

Social media often presents creates and provokes spectacles in various walks of life.

In 1976 the atheist Richard Dawkins developed the notion of the meme, an idea or behavior that spreads across people in a culture, internet, and social media.

Theater, theatric, spectacle, spectacular

Update: The celebration of LGBTQ+ Jubilee event will be held at the Vatican. This event was previously cancelled because of the public outcry. Will this be cancelled again? We shall see.

Even today, Catholics and Christian are being opposed, marginalized, surveilled, persecuted, and martyred throughout the world.

An Italian traditional Catholic blog was removed by Google for “hate speech”. Evidently, reporting on the errors, scandals, and abuses in and outside the Catholic Church is considered “hateful”. (Like living in an upside-down world where traditional teachings are “hateful”.)

The Church looks more like a United Nations NGO rather than a divine institution in the world. The Church has become a worldly synodal Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences. SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE WORLD!

It was later discovered that the Vatican’s rationale for ending the TLM was based on a false narrative. The majority of bishops did NOT want to end the TLM. This narrative was primarily caused by Modernists and Synodalists’ in the Vatican hierarchy.

Detroit archbishop Weisenburger fired 2 distinguished professors from Sacred Heart Major Seminary for “undefined concerns of my theological perspectives.” So criticizing Pope Francis has become a fireable offence.

The US Catholic Bishops seems be doubling down against the US government for cutting off the money supply to the US Catholic Charities and NGO. These bishops are more becoming more entrenched and politicized about immigration and social justice issues. SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE WORLD! 

The Vatican plans to use ‘hot priests’ to reach the younger generation of would-be worshippers as congregations decline. There are also “glamour shots” of ‘hot priests’ on social media! SEEKING THE FAVOR OF THE WORLD!

You know you really have made a name for yourself when you become “baby-fied” into an AI baby image. You also have become a spectacle to many others. You have to admit it is funny!

By refusing to concelebrate a Novus Order Mass, the FSSP was canceled by the bishop Durand of Valence, France

“I know not how to describe in words the joy I feel before the spectacle of pulling down and destroying the idols by the very people (Indians) who formerly worshipped them.” St. Francis Xavier.

“The theater enchanted me with its images of my own miseries. What makes someone vicariously experience what does not have to be suffered? Yet the spectator was to feel sorrow at these stories, and this very anguish is pleasure.” St. Augustine

Many of us just love to be entertained by the latest memes, spectacles, AI images, “train-wrecks”, people “imploding”, and scandals in social media. Just need the popcorn.