Book Description
The Jesus Family Tomb tells the story of what may very well be the greatest archaeological find of all time – the discovery and investigation of the Jesus family tomb. The tomb in question houses ossuaries (bone boxes) with inscriptions bearing the names of Jesus of Nazareth, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Judas, the son of Jesus. This crypt has been overlooked and ignored for years and exists today under a patio just outside of Jerusalem. The authors have tracked down the location and been granted unequaled access to inspect the findings within the tomb. The artifacts were found, recorded and catalogued by professional archaeologists in a controlled setting. There is no question of their authenticity.
A fascinating combination of history, archaeology, and theology, the revelations inside the book will change the way we think about God, religion, and everything we have learned about the life and death of Jesus.
With a foreword by James Cameron.
Customer Reviews:
whose in the boxesThe Jesus Family Tomb.......2007-08-23
The Jesus Family Tomb
The Jesus Family Tomb by Simcha Jacobovici and Charles Pellegrino reads like a murder mystery or a cheap spy thriller. It is interesting and holds the reader's attention despite a glaring misrepresentation of accepted investigative procedures. Jacobovici and Pellegrino have an agenda and the facts are made to fit.
There are several misleading and non-factual theories presented. The alleged "Jesus, son of Joseph" ossuary may actually be inscribed "Hanan" according to Dr. Stephen J Pfann, a noted expert in Semitic languages who agrees with ancient phonetic writing scholar, Dr. Rochelle Altmann, about the inscription on the alleged Jesus bone box.
There are also experts in disagreement with the so-called Mary Magdalene ossuary inscription. Both Richard Bauckman of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and Ben Witherington, a professor at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky, believe the inscription speaks of two people placed in the same bone box, a common practice in first century Judea.
The authors state that by statistical analysis the chances are 600 to 1 in favor of this being the Jesus Family tomb. However, the reliability of the assumptions made prior to the analysis, along with the way they are stated in words, is critical to the acceptability of the results of the analysis. Any statistical analysis that accepts disputed data and rhetorical debris-"In"-; will produce garbage-"Out."- What are the numerous assumptions accepted as fact concerning the ossuaries? This is the relevant analysis question to be addressed before the statistics are reviewed.
The use of DNA analysis in The Jesus Family Tomb provides a popular appeal in addition to a scientific aura. The subsequent DNA analysis of two ossuaries in the Talpiot tomb showed that they were not linked by DNA. However, there had been looters in the tomb and in the ossuaries. Dr. Ian Barnes of the University of London says that there is a good chance that "the DNA belongs to someone who excavated the tomb." It is totally absurd to do a mitochondrial DNA analysis on two ossuaries that have disputed inscriptions, (out of the ten ossuaries present in the Talpiot Tomb), then theorize that Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene were married and had a son, Judah.
"Patina" testing is a method of analyzing mineral deposits, which build up on artifacts over years to determine the archaeological origin of those artifacts. The James ossuary, displayed in 2002, is linked by Jacobovici and Pellegrino to the Jesus tomb by patina testing. The James bone box has a forged inscription which says "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Dr. Ronny Reich of Haifa University in Israel says that the inscription patina of James ossuary is fraudulent.
The most disturbing inconsistency in The Jesus Family Tomb is the selective reliance on New Testament scriptures. The genealogy of Mary is cited (Luke 3:23-38) as an example of numerous "Matthews" in Jesus' family. It is an attempt to rationalize the Matthew bone box and its auspicious presence in the Talpiot tomb (p.78). Jacobovici also cites Acts 1:23-26 as though it carries historical authority (p.78). He also quotes Mark 6:3 which names Joseph as one of Jesus' brothers. Jocobovici and Pellegrino use this canonical scripture to reference Joseph as historical fact (p.77). The authors quote the New Testament as authoritative in saying Philip was the apostle to the Greek-speaking Jews (p.206). Jocobovici quotes Mark 15:26 saying the Romans referred to Jesus as King of the Jews (p.90). The authors quote John 2:19 about Jesus claim to rebuild the temple in three days (p.28). The aforementioned citing are a sampling of Jocabovici and Pellegrino's selective splicing of their tale with New Testament scriptures which are, historically, the only support for their background information. No justification is presented for trusting certain texts over others. As illustrated above, the authors rely on certain portions of the accounts of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John while simultaneously ignoring other portions. It is an attempt to "have it both ways." The authors use the New Testament text (especially historical data), as support for their hypothesis while at the same time ignoring the message and contradicting the world- view of the whole New Testament canon.
Archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Reed, Professor of Religion at the University of La Verne says, "It's what I would call archeo-porn. It's very exciting, it's stimulating, you want to watch it, but deep down you know it's wrong."
What do you do when your proof is shaky at best? Get a famous Hollyowood director to sign on!.......2007-08-12
First off, this isn't really a book about the alleged Jesus Family Tomb. Rather, it's about the making of the Discovery Channel special. If that kind of "behind the scenes" stuff interests you, you will probably enjoy this book.
I myself was rather disappointed with this book. I really wanted to see proof of a historical Jesus. Unfortunately the best the authors can come up with is the names on the tomb. Since the names "Jesus," "Joseph," and "Mary" were among the most common names at the time, that's not very compelling proof. Even the so-called "stastical analysis" presented is not very convincing. I felt like they brought director James Cameron aboard to lend some credibility to this project, knowing that they could not present any convincing proof.
A nice little read.......2007-08-04
A nice little summer read. Simcha is great, I love his enthusiasm. Not a hard-core scholarly book, but lots of info that will make you go hmmmmmmmm.
Fiction or fact?.......2007-07-26
I read to be informed, inspired, entertained, amused, shocked, and hopefully, enlightened. It is hard to find a book that can encompass all of the above. But this book did just that.
Not only does the author claim to have found the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth, but that we also now have Jesus' DNA. The first thing that went through my mind was, you guessed it, can we bring Jesus, or a copy of him, back to life? After all, both Christianity and Islam claim that Jesus will come back to earth! Will this be the way?
More fascinating is that in the tomb were supposedly Jesus' wife Mary Magdalene and their son Judah. So were Jesus and Mary Magdalene married as has been proposed by many recent scholars (as well as by Dan Brown in The Da Vinci Code)?
If this is really the tomb of Jesus, how will this affect Christianity? And how will this affect Islam? According to Islamic belief, Jesus Christ did not die on the cross, and both his body and spirit were lifted to heaven in order for him to return again to earth before the Day of Judgment. According to Islam, Jesus' body is not on Earth, but in Heaven together with his spirit.
There are many skeptics to the claims in this book. The names in the tomb are common names. In the era of Jesus many were called Mary, Joseph, and Judah (the author does calculate the possibility of these names together and comes with a very convincing probability). Why would Jesus have a family tomb when such tombs were a practice of the wealthy, which Jesus was not? Why would his tomb be in Jerusalem, and not in his home town of Nazareth? If this is really the tomb of Jesus, why was it kept a secret throughout the centuries? The author does give his own opinion to those questions, and they are very convincing, but a more important question is how were Jesus' followers able to keep Jesus' tomb a secret when they kept burying Jesus' descendants in it. First, Jesus was buried, then his brother, then his wife, and probably his son last. Regardless of the sequence to the burials, all those burials and the tomb were kept a secret, especially when we are talking about a city with only about 100,000 citizens?
However, one has to keep an open mind and come to his own conclusions. I found the book very convincing, but I also found other books claiming that Jesus was buried in Pakistan and India just as convincing. So who is right? Or is no one right? Or are the scriptures alone right? But which scriptures are right, the Christian scriptures or the Islamic scriptures, which came later and attempted to correct the earlier misconceptions and errors in past religions?
The documentary and the subsequent book did anger a lot of people, and that was expected. A quick visit to amazon.com in this book review section will reveal very hostile people towards the author, which I personally don't think is right or moral. Worse than the simple hostile reviews are the threats against the author which forced him to seek police protection. Those threats forced the entire second printing of the book to be pulled from the shelves of bookstores, and sent back to the publisher. According to the author, "this was the first time in the entire history of American publishing, that a book was pulled from distribution while it was still on the New York Times Best Seller List, and that a film was pulled from a network while it was still ranking in the Neilsons as the highest rated show that the network had aired in nearly two years."
God is great! I love God, no matter what name one gives Him and no matter who His prophets or chosen religion is. I live by the universal MESSAGE of all religions, and if one looks carefully, it is all one and the same. The MESSAGE! The rest is interesting and historical, but the message is the core. We should concentrate on the message of Jesus and all live together peacefully and in the pursuit of other's happiness and well being!
Good documentary.......2007-06-27
This book and The Jesus Dynasty by Tabor just about wrap up the story about the real Jesus.
Book Description
Bestselling authors and Jesus experts John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg come together to explore the last seven days of Jesus's life. Using the best of biblical and historical scholarship, they rediscover a new way of understanding the Passion Week and its monumental events. True to form, they turn the traditional understaning of Passion Week on its head to reveal its true significance in history and for faith.
Jesus's kingdom message was revolutionary in that it questioned people's basic loyalties at a time when those loyalties were jealously guarded by the Roman Empire. Jesus knowingly entered his last week knowing he'd be directly challenging the Romans. For example, the first day of the last week of Jesus's life (Palm Sunday), there were two triumphal entrance parades that occurred. One was a peasant rabbi with a revolutionary message, the second an imperial Roman army escorting the Roman governor to Jerusalem to oversee the holiday festivities. This initiated a week of growing tension in which people were asked to chose which way they would follow – the current Roman empire, or Jesus's revolutionary way of love, forgiveness, and grace.
These brilliant authors reveal the moving story of someone who dared to face imperial wrath to bring a new way of life.
Customer Reviews:
What the Gospels Really Say About Holy Week.......2007-07-06
Borg and Crossan, in this slim readable volume, set out a simple proposition: to understand Jesus and what was important to him, it is vital to understand the week leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. And the only way to really understand that week is to read what the Gospels actually say, not what we've been told they ought to say.
In some ways Borg and Crossan are biblical literalists. They try to sweep away traditional interpretations that have accrued to the Bible stories and instead try to read them in the context for which they were written. To do this they bring to bear a knowledge of biblical history that makes clear some parts of the Gospel story, which appear opaque to modern readers who don't know the milieu. Especially when Jesus is preaching in the temple, this explication really helps clear up common misunderstandings associated with Christian teaching.
There are times when the authors veer from the strictly literal, however. This is most apparent when they write about the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter. Since the Gospels slide over that day with only a fleeting mention, the authors fall back on legends of the Harrowing of Hell. There's nothing wrong with this in principle, but when the authors bring in references to the Gospel of Peter, which is little more than a late anti-Semitic forgery, they risk descending into silliness.
Also, many readers may object to the strongly political aspect of this book. Though the authors don't blow their noses on the spiritual importance of Jesus and his teachings, their emphasis in this writing lies on his anti-imperial politics. Some readers may balk and think the authors are devaluing the spiritual teachings; I think the authors are just shining a spotlight on a theme they believe has been neglected.
On balance this book is, for the most part, eye-opening. By peeling away later doctrine to couch the Holy Week story in its historical context, this book makes it possible to cast a clear eye on the spiritual and the social importance of Holy Week. For instance, I've never had anybody previously explain that Jesus' peaceful entry into Jerusalem on a donkey was a deliberate contrast to Pilate's military entry on the same day from the other direction. But I have seen many preachers who wrongly think the worshipful crowd on Palm Sunday is the same bloody-minded crowd on Good Friday.
This book is not without its flaws. The authors sometimes get caught up in trivia and lose sight of their central thread. And the authors' liberal politics may put off some potential members of their audience. But this book is definitely worth reading for both clergy and a lay audience. Not only is it a concise overview of Christian theology, it is also helpful to peel back the myth and obfuscation that has fallen over what the Gospels really say about Holy Week.
Contradictions, Assumtions, False Statements, Omissions.........2007-05-27
Here is my main objection: The authors first adopt an idea and then reconstruct their story to fit that idea. I divided the authors' "misdeeds" into four classes: Contradictions, Assumptions, False statements and Omissions.
A) Contradictions:
1)In preface pVIII we read: ..."We intend [a much simpler task:] to tell and explain, against the background of Jewish high-priestly collaboration with Roman imperial control, the last week of Jesus's life on earth as given in the Gospel According to Mark.
1a) However in a subtitle is printed: "What the Gospels REALLY Teach About Jesus' Final Days in Jerusalem".This "deceit" allows them to use other Gospels when the authors can support their claims. But it is worse, when they omit the passages in Mark which do not support their claims.
2)Throughout the book Pilate is described as a sovereign ruler having the Jewish hierarchy
under his control.
2a) However in Mk15:9 we read: "Pilate answered, " "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?"" and in v.12 "... Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" These perplexed questions are NOT what one would expect from a supreme commander...
2b) If Pilate were convinced about Jesus' role as a leader of an actual political insurgency, he
would have executed at least some of his disciples.
B) Assumptions:
On p.2 we read :"Two processions entered Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30".
However Mark's gospel says NOTHING about this coincidence or a planned thing. Moreover, there is NO support elsewhere that it happened the same day
On p.4 authors write about "...a planned political demonstration."
The only scientific support is the following sentence: "As one of our professors in graduate school said about forty years ago,.."
C) False statements:
1) p.144 reads "Both Barabbas and Jesus are revolutionaries. Both defied authority. But the first
advocated violent revolution and the second advocated nonviolence."
1a) From the other reliable historical documents we learned that Romans were rather tolerant
occupants with regards to the religious beliefs; they even accepted Greek gods. Therefore
we can assume that only violent uprisings were recognized and considered dangerous for
the Romans. The itinerant rabbis proclaiming nonviolent utopias were probably taken
for "religious cranks" and to the Romans posed no danger.
D) Omissions:
1) Mk 14 chapter tells the story about Jesus being anointed by an unknown woman, about apostles complaints of wasting money. But Jesus answered in Mk 14:7 (p.85)."....For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me..."
We ought to agree that Jesus's answer deserves a deeper analysis.
2)On p.150-151 the authors regard imperial centurion's words "Truly this man was God's Son"
simply as an "empire testifying against itself"..
2a) However, this centurion entrusted to lead the execution squad must have had a very
deep spiritual awakening besides a simple change of political view.
3) p.154 "It is common to refer to Martin Luther King, Jr., Mohandas Gandi , Oscar Romeo, and
Dietrich Bonhoffer as sacrificing their lives for the causes they were devoted ."
3a) Ignoring the heroes fighting the "domination system" of communism is more than a
simple omission.
Conclusion: The authors proposed to discuss the last Jesus's week according to Mark's Gospel. However, by focusing on the Jewish high-priestly collaboration with Roman imperial control they lead us to see Jesus mainly as an earthly revolutionary, although a non-violent one. This is in my view a dishonest simplification and selling Jesus short. We know that according to the MARXIST philosophy we were born into two certain antagonist social ranks, rich and poor and the history is progressing through this irreconcilable class struggle. However, Jesus gave us an example NOT to follow so called "history necessity", but to "die to ourselves", to be "born again" and that way to transcend that class awareness and to build the "Kingdom of God " regardless of the class, race, nationality AND religious differences.
A Holy Week Reader.......2007-04-09
I just finished reading The Last Week as a daily reader during Holy Week. Unlike some readers, I really did not find it to be great. Borg and Crossan do a great job in unearthing the political tensions behind the events of Holy Week. This sheds a new light on Jesus' final week in Jerusalem. However, I kept wondering why a rebel against the Roman authority should be the center of our Christian belief. In overemphasizing the political Jesus, I really felt that Borg and Crossan de-emphasized the spiritual Jesus to too great a degree. If Jesus was no more than he is made out to be in The Last Week, he is not worth following.
I am glad to have a deeper understanding of the political Jesus, but am equally glad to experience the spiritual Jesus in the services of Holy Week - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the great Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday. These act as a counterweight to The Last Week.
The book is worth reading, but it is limited by the fact that it only speaks to a part of What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem (the subtitle of the book).
Excellent Book.......2007-04-06
The authors bring a new light to the Gospel of Mark. What did the Gospel of Mark say to the people in 90 C.E.? Jesus' story becomes even more powerful when studied in the time period it occurred.
Jesus is reduced to a Jewish Che Guevara.......2007-04-03
I am in full agreement with the main premise of this book:
Jesus' last week was laden with the tension between 'The Kingdom of God' and Empire's Domination System.
On this point, the book is a good one. What is most disappointing about it is the writers' aversion to the miraculous.
The multi-dimensional Jesus is flattened out in order to fit their political-historical-rational mindset:
Jesus is reduced to being no more than a Jewish Che Guevara.
Jesus did/does embody the full spectrum of being-human, and that includes
his opposition and resistance to power-over-the-other; be it political, religious or personal.
By stoping there, the book falls short;
there is a lot more to this story and thus it is lamentable
that so much of that is left out or just simplistically explained away!
Good history, weak theology, nothing mystical.
For the whole story of the 'Politics of the Cross':
Jacques Ellul (The Politics of God & The Politics of Man) and William Stringfellow (Conscience & Obedience);
Dorothee Soelle (The Silent Cry) and John Howard Yoder (The Politics of Jesus);
Richard Rohr (Hope Against Darkness) and Walter Brueggemann (Peace);
Simone Weil (Gravity and Grace) and Christopher Blumhardt (Salt and Light), to name just a few.
Book Description
Top Jesus scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson's blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion.
Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus's final week of life. They begin their story on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem. The first entry, that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate leading Roman soldiers into the city, symbolized military strength. The second heralded a new kind of moral hero who was praised by the people as he rode in on a humble donkey. The Jesus introduced by Borg and Crossan is this new moral hero, a more dangerous Jesus than the one enshrined in the church's traditional teachings.
The Last Week depicts Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor. In this vein, at the end of the week Jesus marches up Calvary, offering himself as a model for others to do the same when they are confronted by similar issues. Informed, challenged, and inspired, we not only meet the historical Jesus, but meet a new Jesus who engages us and invites us to follow him.
Download Description
"
Top Jesus scholars Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson's blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion.
Using the gospel of Mark as their guide, Borg and Crossan present a day-by-day account of Jesus's final week of life. They begin their story on Palm Sunday with two triumphal entries into Jerusalem. The first entry, that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate leading Roman soldiers into the city, symbolized military strength. The second heralded a new kind of moral hero who was praised by the people as he rode in on a humble donkey. The Jesus introduced by Borg and Crossan is this new moral hero, a more dangerous Jesus than the one enshrined in the church's traditional teachings.
The Last Week depicts Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor. In this vein, at the end of the week Jesus marches up Calvary, offering himself as a model for others to do the same when they are confronted by similar issues. Informed, challenged, and inspired, we not only meet the historical Jesus, but meet a new Jesus who engages us and invites us to follow him.
"
Customer Reviews:
Not be confused with the facts..........2007-05-28
My main objection: The authors first adopt an idea and then reconstruct their story to fit that idea. I am aware that we are dealing with a popular, NOT an academic book, but still I consider that unfair, since most of us are learning from such books.The authors made several contradictions, assumptions, false statements and omissions. They contradict themselves by writing in the preface that they will use Mark's Gospel only and they present good reasons for it. However, in the subtitle it is printed: "What the Gospels REALLY Teach About Jesus'...".This contradiction allows them to use other Gospels when the authors can support their objectives. What is worse, they omit the passages in Mark which do not support their objectives. Throughout the book Pilate is described as a sovereign ruler having the Jewish hierarchy under his control. However, even from the authors' quotes taken from the Mark's Gospel the Pilate's questions to Jesus are NOT what one would expect from a supreme commander. Furthermore if Pilate were convinced about Jesus' role as a leader of an actual political insurgency, he would have executed at least some of his disciples. Among the farfetched assumptions: :"Two processions entered Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30". However, Mark's gospel says NOTHING about this coincidence or a planned thing. Moreover, there is NO support elsewhere that it happened the same day. Among the false statements I would classify the authors' conclusion that Jesus had to be executed since he was a revolutionary, although a non violent one. It is well established truth from the other reliable historical documents that the Romans were rather tolerant occupants with regards to the religious beliefs; they even accepted Greek gods. Therefore one can assume that only violent uprisings were recognized and considered dangerous for the Romans. The itinerant rabbis proclaiming nonviolent utopias were probably taken for "religious cranks" and posed no danger to the Romans.Indeed such a view was taken by Pilate at the beggining of the trial, as recorded by all four Gospels.
In conclusion one can say that the authors by focusing on the Jewish high-priestly collaboration with Roman imperial control lead us to regard Jesus as an earthly revolutionary, although a non-violent one. This is in my view a dishonest simplification and selling Jesus short. It is well known that according to the MARXIST philosophy we were born into two certain antagonist social ranks, rich and poor and the history is progressing through this irreconcilable class struggle. However, Jesus gave us an example NOT to follow so called "history necessity", but to "die to ourselves", to be "born again" and that way to transcend that class awareness and to build the "Kingdom of God " regardless of the class, race, nationality AND religious differences.
.
Useful for Bible teaching, preaching.......2007-05-13
A scholarly, but accessible treatment of the biblical account of Holy Week. Well worth it: either to read straight through, or to use it as a reference book.
A Loving account by non-believers.......2007-05-07
Two deep friends and New Testament scholars combine to review this last week of Jesus. Both have previously written extensive scholarly works clarifying their non-belief in the supernatural story of Jesus. In this work they are not challenging the main account in Mark, but adding simply written expansions of what happened. While denying the divinity of Jesus, they clearly love the man and are advocates for his intent to establish "The Kingdom" on earth--a wish for fairness and justice.
Interactive Christianity: transcendence through service and justice.......2007-04-08
"The Last Week" by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan address several problem areas in the traditional interpretations of the Passion of Jesus Christ and the events of Easter Week. Rather than seeing his teachings and purposeful orchestration of his last week as metaphor, most Christians have come to accept Jesus himself as metaphor. His suffering, death and resurrection have become a "passion" sacrifice or atonement for the failings of humankind. Crossan and Borg re-examine this metaphor. These authors describe the passion as an intensely and profoundly fundamental belief that the current, normal societal norm of political and economic dominance of government (legitimized by religious authority) be challenged and replaced. What Jesus offers in its place is human compassion and human service -- resulting in a transcendence of humanity itself. It is a solution that replaces man's kingdom and priorities with those of God and his kingdom, stressing that the work is not done by Jesus alone, but by Jesus as he inspires and transforms others to be him. As transformed, humans recognize "the dominant life of human normalcy versus the servant life of human transcendence." Focusing on Mark as the earliest and "cleanest" version (before the elaborations added by Matthew, Luke and John), Crossan and Borg stress a second theme: to quote St. Augustine, "We without God cannot, and God without us will not." The key to the mystery of Easter Week is identification of God as within humans and the acceptance of responsibility by humans to take on Jesus' role. No doubt, this is a radical interpretation and one that requires the most of our time and effort on this earth. The one drawback of the text (why it rates a four and not a five star standing) is that points made are often repeated. Perhaps, however, they need to be restated to bring full attention to them.
Jesus's last eight days.......2007-03-15
In this simple exposition written for a general audience, two leading New Testament scholars use the Gospel of Mark to explain what happened to Jesus during his final week. They use Mark because most scholars consider it the earliest of the four Gospels, the primary source for Matthew and Luke, and because when you read carefully you see that Mark details the last eight days of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. He even specifies "morning" and "evening" for three of these days:
Palm Sunday: "When they were approaching Jerusalem" (11:1)
Monday: "On the following day" (11:12)
Tuesday: "In the morning" (11:20)
Wednesday: "It was two days before the Passover" (14:1)
Maundy Thursday: "On the first day of Unleavened Bread" (14:12)
Good Friday: "As soon as it was morning" (15:1)
Holy Saturday: "The Sabbath" (15:42, 16:1)
Easter Sunday: "Very early on the first day of the week" (16:2).
Mark even describes what happened at five three-hour intervals on Good Friday (pp. ix-x). The book, then, consists of eight chapters, one for each day of Holy Week.
For Borg and Crossan the gospels are not records of straightforward historical facts remembered by the author, but stylized interpretations of the believing community. There's an element of truth in this, of course; you could say the same about nearly all written history. But I'm sometimes dubious about historical reconstructions two millennia after the events that claim to know more and to know better than the first witnesses, or that do not give compelling explanations about how and why the first recorders got things so badly wrong and yet attracted the allegiance of so many converts (who must have known they were "wrong" about the literal facts).
Borg and Crossan do a wonderful job of illuminating the religious background of first century Judaism and especially the centrality of the temple, and the cultural and political background of the Roman empire, showing how the Biblical texts and these two contexts interact. If you've read any of Borg's many books, it will come as no surprise that the authors understand the "passion" of Jesus not as a sacrifice or substitution (as it has been understood by much if not most of Christendom), but as an incarnation of God's justice which subverts the status quo of political oppression, economic exploitation, and religious legitimation. The 2007 edition of this book has the sensational sub-title What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem.
Average customer rating:
- Calculations are only as good as your numbers
- Pants on fire?
- Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
- Very Interesting
- History as Science Fiction
|
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
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History: Fiction or Science? Astronomical methods as applied to chronology. Ptolemy's Almagest. Chronology III
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Discovering the Mysteries of Ancient America: Lost History And Legends, Unearthed And Explored
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Before the Pharaohs: Egypt's Mysterious Prehistory
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They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies
ASIN: 2913621058 |
Book Description
Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Book Description
The Complete Parallel Bible presents four of the most highly respected modern language Bible translations arranged side by side for easy comparison. The parallel format brings new insights into the distinct characteristics that distinguish the texts used by Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians. This unique work highlights the importance of the translation process in defining the priorities and concerns of these different groups, and reveals interesting contrasts in literary styles, verse placement, and canonical content. The volume includes three translations that have an imprimatur (NRSV, NAB, NJB). Available in cloth and fine leather bindings.
Customer Reviews:
Not suitable for in-depth study.......2003-01-02
The text is small due to the multiple versions, the notes which are in the original versions have not been included (possibly for brevity), the physical size and weight makes it less portable. Suggest the NRSV or New Jerusalem versions are far better alternatives.
One of a Kind.......2002-04-30
When it somes to parallel Bibles this is one of a kind! There
are parallel New Testaments, but to my knowledge this is the
only parallel Bible that includes the OT and NT. The four translations are excellent, representing good variety of
expression. The NRSV and NAB are good, fairly literal translations, while the REB and NJB are beautiful literary translations of the Bible. I use this parallel bible very often,
espcially when I am studying a passage in the OT. Also, I often
keep this Bible open when I am using the NASB or NIV text in the
study of an OT passage. Highly recommended.
Love the layout but the print's too small to read.......2001-12-15
I chose this because of the translations, the apochrypha, and the side by side comparison. Unfortunately, the print is very small, making it difficult to read. I'm very disappointed.
Great Bible.......2001-05-20
I really like this Bible, the different translations help any theology student or laymen with this marvelous book.
Good bible.......2000-11-02
A good parallel bible which presents us with 4 scholarly translations, as well as the protestant/orthodox/catholic accepted books of the bible. A good intro as well to the development of this bible.
#Special note, this bible is not in leather, and very thick, and is hard back. You probably won't want to take this one to church, but will use it for in depth studies. What else would we expect though from something published by Oxford?
Amazon.com
In 1956, scholars from L'Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem set their minds to translating the Scriptures from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, hoping they could preserve the most sacred Christian traditions and stories. By 1966, the first English-language Jerusalem Bible was published. Since then it has become a favored text for lay readers and scholars alike. The accessible language and richly recounted stories, poetry, and letters in this edition is consistent with previous versions. However, this latest version stands out because of its clear format--clean double columns with easy-to-read type and quick reference headings.
Book Description
The New Jerusalem Bible: Standard Edition will satisfy the great need for an authoritative version of "the greatest story ever told" in a package so attractive, user friendly, and affordable, this edition is destined to become a classic. Using the same translation that has been hailed as "truly magnificent" (Journal of Bible Literature), the Standard Edition has a completely redesigned interior, set in a two-column format for easy reading. With all the best features of much more cumbersome and costly versions, this Bible is a must-have for home, church, and school.
Customer Reviews:
Substantively great, but the binding leaves something to be desired. .......2007-08-07
I enthusiastically agree with the other reviewers' comments about the high quality and usability of the NJB's translation, layout, scriptural cross references, footnotes, indexes, and introductory materials. This is the best study Bible I've ever seen and is wonderfully "comfortable" to use for both study and devotional use.
I do have one complaint--the binding is not that great. I've owned two hardbound copies, and they've both had the same defects: the inner binding comes apart near the beginning of Proverbs, some of the last pages of the indexes and the first few pages of the maps fall out, and the binding on the outer spine splits up the left joint from the bottom.
That said, the NJB's wonderful substantive qualities far outweigh those binding issues. That's why I've just ordered my third copy.
I LOVE this Bible!!!.......2007-07-28
It's a "Catholic" Bible, but I'm not. I LOVE the accurate use of the name of Yahweh. It is a good translation and better than most. I probably have dozens of Bibles, and this is my favorite, after studying and reading the Bible for 37 years.
Excellent translation with excellent introductions........2007-06-19
While a previous reviewer was concerned about the introductions for each book of Sacred Scripture in this edition that criticism misses the mark. There is considerable justification for the comments about authorship, textual development, and questions raised about traditions within each book. But to find the full scholarly apparatus that lies behind each introduction needs work and access to scholarly articles and books. There's no way that the short introductions can reproduce the whole corpus of scholarly justification for the mature judgements presented. Having said that, the New Jerusalem Bible is an excellent English translation. It is worth much more than the price asked by the publisher.
Bible Study.......2007-02-14
This Bible was a replacement for a very old one I had loaned to another person. He loved it so much, that even in his wakening it was beside his bed and said that he studied so much the more. Therefore, I gave it to him and purchased this one. This one is smaller in size, but fit my needs. .The print is easy to read
Solid Study Bible.......2006-11-16
The NJB is a solid study bible, purporting to give the reader the best in terms of scholarship and translations.
In my view this Bible has several advantages, including being quite easy to read (key sections are marked in bold headings outlining the theme of a passage), the English is plain (Paul says we are God's work of Art in Galatians, while in many other Bibles a more roundabout phrase is used) and there are good introductions and notes, and also useful chronologies and information at the back.
Some of the commentary is Roman Catholic in terms of theology and if you are from a Protestant Confession, the NIV study bible might be more suitable. However generally this bible will be useful to most students from any denomination.
Book Description
The history of Bible translation within the Catholic Church is characterized by a rich tradition of rendering the Scriptures into the language of the faith community. The CCNT features eight complete Catholic New Testaments that show the full range of expression for this central text of study, worship, prayer, and contemplation. A wide spectrum of people - including new and experienced Bible readers, homilists, and teachers - will gain from having this resource on their bookshelves. The Douay-Rheims, RSVCB, NRSVCB, and NAB are called formal equivalent translations (popularly referred to as "word-for-word" translations). This means that scholars rendered the New Testament's original language into English that is as close as possible to its original wording. The result is a translation that is particularly valuable for careful analysis of the text. Meanwhile, the JB, GNB, NJB, and Christian Community Bible represent the "thought-for-thought" school of Bible translation (technically described as dynamic or functional equivalent). This method places the priority on the intended meaning of the original vocabulary, adapting it to English syntax and grammar. Such a translation tends to be easier to read and understand. The texts are conveniently displayed on facing pages (four translations per page), with the same set of verses on each one. The order in which the translations appear on the pages demonstrates a progression in translation philosophy from formal to functional equivalency.
Customer Reviews:
The Catholic Comparative New Testament.......2007-09-11
For people who are interested in comparing the differences in translations, this is an excellent reference. It is interesting how changing a word can have a significant impact on the meaning of the whole verse.
The big advantage of this book is that you have 8 different versions on facing pages of each verse in the New Testament. It certainly beats getting 8 versions of the bible and looking up a verse in each copy. The only shortcoming is that the verses do not include any notes which can be a disappointment to serious students of the bible.
I found it very useful.
Frank G.
A very good purchase.......2007-08-21
This is a bible that is well worth the money. I saw it in a book store, and I am going to order it as soon as I'm done writing this review. Yes I really feel it is that good!!! What I like about this paticular parallel bible is the fact that it's using translations you don't normally find in other parallel bibles. I can almost guarantee you probably don't have at least two to three of these bibles in your collection (I have almost one book shelf devoted to different translations and I don't have a couple of them). That makes this a great resource!!! I especially love the fact that the Douay-Rheims, Revised Standard, and the New American Bible are used here. I'm not Roman Catholic. I just know a good purchase when I see it. Excellent choice of 2 to 3 fairly uncommon bibles to help your research library. The Douay-Rheims alone makes this a great purchase. That bible is very hard to find at an affordable price. This is a wise purchase in my humble opinion.
Excellent resource.......2007-07-28
There are times when I purchase a reference-type book like this, read it a little bit at first, and then use it once and a while (and then pick it up and read it from time to time).
This book is like that but even more! I have been using it quite a lot since, and really do enjoy perusing it as I go through the different versions. There are times that I like Douay-Rheims, other times the New American, and at times the Christian Community Bible (it is good to include an edition from the Philippines, for another perspective from around the world). The other translations are good, as well.
An excellent resource!
Great tool for Bible study.......2007-01-18
The Catholic Comparative New Testament is an excellent tool for Bible study. It is easy to use. It gives you 8 diffent translations at a glance. Why look up a passage in a single version Bible when you can compare 8 Bible versions at once? This book should be owned by all serious Bible students.
Must Have for Catholic Libraries.......2006-11-07
This Comparative NT is a must have reference for any Catholic home library. Whether you are doing bible study, exegesis, or just personal reading, this is an outstanding collection of translations of the Catholic New Testament. This is the first time I have come across a collection of Catholic translations in one volume. It is a masterful work.
Average customer rating:
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Who is Israel? What is a Jew? Where is Jerusalem?: A Biblical Mandate for Prophetic Reformation in the New Millennium
Harold E. Brunson
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0595419925 |
Book Description
The title of this book raises the critical interpretive questions, "Who is Israel? What is a Jew? Where is Jerusalem?" The content answers these questions through an exhaustive analysis of the key passages in both the Old and New Testaments. Hermeneutically, the book advocates two essential interpretative keys to understanding biblical ecclesiology and eschatology: first, an interpretive paradigm demanding that the interpretation of the terms "Israel," "Jew," and "Jerusalem" be subject, not to historic or obvious definitions of the terms, but rather to the Apostolic definitions of these terms in the New Testament; secondly, an interpretive paradigm demanding that one's understanding of Old Testament prophecy be subjected to Messianic and Apostolic authority; in other words, one should not look to popular or even scholarly expositions and interpretations of prophecy but rather to the Messianic and Apostlic interpretations of Old Testament prophecy.
Book Description
Helen Keller, Time Magazine's woman of the century, reveals her mystical side in this best-selling spiritual autobiography. Writing that her first reading of Emanuel Swedenborg at age fourteen gave her truths that were “to my faculties what light, color and music are to the eye and ear,” she explains how Swedenborg's works sustained her throughout her life.
This new edition includes a foreword by Dorothy Herrmann, author of the acclaimed Helen Keller: A Life, and a new chapter, “Epilogue: My Luminous Universe.”
Customer Reviews:
Light in My Darkness.......2006-12-15
Helen Keller was born June 27,1980 in Tuscumbia Alabama. Her father was an officer for the Confederate army and her mother was a wife. Keller wasn't born deaf and blind that started once she got older. She was about 14 months olds when she started the Perkins School for the Blind.As she grew older she moved to New York to attend Wright Humason School for the deaf. She went to Radcliff college in 1900 and graduated four years later. She died June 1, 1958 in Eastern Conneticut.
Raven C
I could not wait to get done........2005-03-27
I have always been very impressed with the life of Helen Keller. The difficulties she overcame in life were phenomenal. This book, however, was not interesting to me in the least. I am sad to hear about how she moved away from her traditional Christian background and followed the false teachings of Swedenborg. The book is more about Swedenborg than it is about Helen. It is a strong promotion of Swedenborg's New Church. She claims that he had a special ability from God to find the truth in scripture. The problem is, he like all other cult founders, only takes portions of scripture and uses them out of context. He claimed to have special revelations that no one else ever did. Beware of anyone who makes such claims. According to the book, Helen was pretty silent on her beliefs for the last thirty eight years of her life. I hope she was silent out of her realization that Swedenborg is not master of the truth, but Jesus is the truth instead. I do not recommend you use your time reading this book. It can be spent much more wisely.
Touching Story, Stunning Ideas.......2003-05-10
This book was not only touching because of Helen Keller's fascinating story, but also an uplifting reassurance that life is worth living. Her ideas, those from and about Emanuel Swedenborg, strike me as poingantly true. Helen Keller's unique perspective on the world adds an amazing depth and reality to this work. I absolutly reccomend it for anyone and everyone.
Beautiful!.......2000-09-08
I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me look again at what I believe and see it more clearly. This is a great introduction to the ideas of Emanual Swedenborg and the New Church.
Wonderfully informative, inspiring reading........2000-06-06
The newly revised and updated second edition of Helen Keller's autobiography originally published in 1927 includes a substantial foreword by Keller biographer Dorothy Herrmann. The deaf, dumb and blind Helen Keller (1880-1968) became an internationally known spokesperson for the blind. Her amazing story of being taught to communicate by Annie Sullivan is very well know. But what is not so well known Keller's faith in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg whose spiritual vision gave her "the light in my darkness, the voice in my silence". Light In My Darkness is wonderfully informative and inspiring reading and this splendid edition will re-introduce a most remarkable woman to a whole new generation of readers.
Customer Reviews:
An essential read for those interested in 1st century Christianity.......2007-05-26
I enjoyed and highly praised Ms. Barker for her book "The Great Angel" in which she demonstrates that the first Abrahamic Jews were instead Henotheistic - that is, a belief in multiple Gods while reserving worship for one of those many Gods - and so picked up this book shortly thereafter I was done with "The Great Angel". I was not disapointed at all. Once again Ms. Barker has shown that, despite the common protests of Evangelical Christians, the first Christians, like the early Hebrews, not only followed strict ordinances and priesthood institutions, including Temple ceremonies, but that they had Henotheistic - if not polytheistic - views. She also deomstrates how the first Christians viewed Jesus as Yahweh incarnate - not El or God the Father - and shows plainly from biblical texts - both cannonical and non-cannonical - that Jesus was not viewed as God icarnate until later Greek and Latin Church Fathers basically did what Josiah did in 621 B.C.E. that is, change and alter biblical texts into conforming with their Hellenized views. (This is something that Mr. Ehrman shows effectively in his book "Misquoting Jesus")
But the part that I was most impressed with was Ms. Barker section of the book that deals with the Melchezidek Priesthood and it's role in the early Christian Temple ritual. I can't do the book any justice by trying to explain this in my review, so I will instead simply recommend that the reader read it for him/herself.
So, in the end, this book was a convincing and compelling tome that shows that, contrary to what anti-Mormon critics such as James White want you to think, the first Christians not only practiced Temple rituals but that they held Henotheistic views as well.
So I would recommend this book as an essential read to those who are interested in 1st century Christianity. I also would recommend "The Great Angel" to read along with this excellent tome.
(Looks like Joseph Smith is coming out on top once again against his critics. And it looks like he was right about one thing, that is, that Temple ritual is essential within God's Plan of Salvation and was understood by the first Christians. Praise to the Man!!)
Good Reference.......2006-11-08
While I do not agree with Barker's main conclusion - that El/Elyon was exclusively equivalent of the Christian "Father in Heaven" and Yahweh was the preexisting Jesus (I think "Yahweh" applies to both) - this book is a great reference into the primary sources. A must have for any serious theological library.
What is old is new again.......2006-08-01
Margaret Barker taps into the Temple ceremonies of Israel and the Early Christian Church to show a pattern of supression among the leaders in both. The sacred oral traditions of temple worship are wonderfully covered. Her insight into pre-exile Israelite beliefs, the Deuteronomist purge and the very early christian writings is inspiring. I loved every page and recommend it to those who share a belief in the lost cult of the temple.
A Better Understanding of Christianity.......2004-02-04
This book bridges the gap between Judaism and Christianity and refutes alot of preconceived ideas that Hellenistic Platonic ideas embellished what began as a simple Jewish Messianic movement. Barker claims that the rituals of the Orthodox Church go back to a more ancient form of Judaism based on the First Temple which was suppressed in the 7th century BC by King Josiah and later Ezra who rewrote the Old Testament which we now have. However, the beliefs of this form of First Temple Judaism were still prevalent in Jesus' day and were revered by groups such as the community responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish Apocryphal literature. After 70AD this form of Judaism survived in Christianity.
Some of these ideas are found sporadically in the Old Testament ie Ezekiel's vision of the Chariot Throne, Isaiah's visions in the Holy of Holies, and the seventh chapter of Daniel's "Son of Man". However, the emphasis on the Melchizedek Priesthood, Enoch, and Heavenly ascents which are found in the New Testament, especially Hebrews and Revelation, are all but absent in the Old Testament.
First Temple Judaism stressed the idea that certain mortals achieved a divine status and ascended to Heaven while they were still alive, that Yahweh, the Lord of Israel was the Son of God and that Wisdom was his mother. The emphasis and revered status of Wisdom was replaced by the Law by Jewish reformers returning from Babylon.
Jesus saw himself as the incarnation of the Lord of Israel, the preexistant Son of God. The vision he had of Heaven opening during his baptism, of the entire world when he was in the wilderness, and his transfiguration were all part of a belief system which can only be found in the New Testament and Jewish apocryphal literature, particularly the books of Enoch, The Ascension of Isaiah, and the Odes of Solomon.
Barker defends Philo's premise that Plato was more influenced by Judaism than the other way around. Pythagorus, who influenced Plato, received his religious ideas in Palestine and Syria during the time of Ezekiel and before the reform of Judaism.
The Eucharist, which is the most important sacrament beside baptism, is the continuation of the Day of Atonement ritual in which Jesus took the roles of the High Priest as well as the sacrifice. Orthodox churches still perform the ritual in a separate area of the church which corresponds to the Holy of Holies in the First Temple which represents Heaven on Earth.
Many of the rituals of the primitive church to include the liturgy, signing with the cross, praying toward the east, were passed down from Jesus and the disciples in secret and were not committed to writing because the deeper meanings of these rituals could only be understood by a few. Some of the earliest fathers attested to this to include, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Ignatius of Antioch, and Basil of Caesarea.
The Orthodox liturgy is a reenactment of the events portrayed in the book of Ezekiel and Revelation. The deeper meanings of these two books can only be understood as such and not turned into ridiculous modern day science fiction.
Barker spends alot of time discussing the significance of the ancient Holy of Holies which contained the ark and the throne of the Lord and how ancient kings, beginning with Solomon were anointed with divine status there and how prophets received revelations there. The figure of Wisdom, the feminine aspect of God the Father, was described in The Gospel of the Hebrews as Jesus' mother, not unlike Philo writing about Wisdom giving birth to the Logos. The Trinity doctrine and the veneration of Mary were not Hellenistic additions to Christianity but sprang from the very Judaism which Jesus and his followers belonged to which was suppressed and all but destroyed by both Christians and Jews later on.
I'm glad I ordered the paperback version of this book when I did. It should definitely be brought back.
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- The Next World War: What Prophecy Reveals About Extreme Islam and the West
- The Origins of the Cold War, 1941 - 1949, Third Edition
- The Origins of Zionism
- The Revenge of Gaia: Earth's Climate Crisis and the Fate of Humanity
- The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Tools and Tactics for the Master DayTrader: Battle-Tested Techniques for Day, Swing, and Position T
- The Complete Book of Foaling: An Illustrated Guide for the Foaling Attendant
- Just Shut Your Mouth & Do What You're Told : Surviving In The Army
- Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
- Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment
- The Crucible
- Plant Physiological Ecology: Field methods and instrumentation
- Resume Kit/Book and Disk: Do-It-Yourself
- Long Term Care Planning Guide 9th Ed. 1999
- Los Angeles Design Index: Residential and Commercial
The Jesus Dynasty: The Hidden History of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity
The Lost Tomb of Jesus
The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History (Plus)
The Bone Box
The Gospel of Judas
