tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243298472011-04-21T19:04:51.980-07:00Biblical-Pseudepigraphal-Apocalyptic Studies, Theology, Philosophy, Textual Criticism, Archaeology, Historyslaveofonenoreply@blogger.comBlogger1811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-20985719141407817612007-01-21T23:14:00.000-08:002007-01-21T23:32:03.577-08:00

For more thrilling adventures in blogdom as well as photography, essays, movies, poetry, stories, et al, visit Echo of Eden (www.echoofeden.com). WARNING: Do not use Internet Exploder. Use a standards-compliant browser like Firefox, Opera, Netscape, Safari, Konqueror... (And, no, I'm not trying to sneak a Nietzsche)

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-43365433176032907852007-01-19T09:00:00.001-08:002007-01-19T09:00:43.233-08:00

Summarized arguments against the Documentary Hypothesis of the Pentateuch as detailed in The Documentary Hypothesis and the Composition of the Pentateuch by Umberto Cassuto. (See also argument 1)2 - Language and Style1. LanguagePro:There are characteristic linguistic differences in the Pentateuch. Because an author rarely changes linguistic usage from chapter to chapter in the same composition,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-33619940077698175112007-01-18T08:29:00.000-08:002007-01-18T08:32:27.839-08:00

Summarized arguments against the Documentary Hypothesis of the Pentateuch as detailed in The Documentary Hypothesis and the Composition of the Pentateuch by Umberto Cassuto.1 - Divine namesPro:Variations in the use of divine names shows that Torah was composed of(by) different texts(authors) which can be identified by the use of their particular names (Elohim for source E; Yahweh for source J,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-6200452684136338672007-01-16T17:02:00.000-08:002007-01-16T17:21:21.628-08:00

This is the unofficial announcement. Although Deus Creator Omnium will be put to rest by the end of the month, from the ashes will spring slaveofone's Digest. As mentioned in my first post, this blog is only temporary. It has awaited the establishment of my personal web space at the Echo of Eden, which features much more than a blog... The time is at hand.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-63775422979114837982007-01-15T16:33:00.000-08:002007-01-15T16:43:04.963-08:00

How will the struggle for justice be waged? And I think that is one of the most important questions confronting our generation. As we move to make justice a reality on the international scale, as we move to make justice a reality in this nation, how will the struggle be waged? It seems to me that there are two possible answers to this question. One is to use the all to prevalent method of

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-5018828284293088572007-01-11T20:30:00.000-08:002007-01-11T20:53:49.862-08:00

I've never actually stood out on the sidewalk waving homemade signs admist a crowd of protestors. My Libertarianism was enough to anger me, but it was faith--my desire to follow Yeshua--which actually put me on the street corner with my signs. The whole thing was spurred on by Bush's proposal to send more troops to Iraq. I guess I had imagined not escaping without having something hurled at

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1167975092899614232007-01-04T21:00:00.000-08:002007-01-04T21:31:32.960-08:00

I may be shooting myself in the foot by doing this...  But since I stumbled onto a way to get into Biblical Archaeology Review's and Bible Review's Online Archives through a simple, innocent word search on Google, there are probably several others already making use of the secret back door... If you like what you see and are able to purchase the BAR and/or BR archive CDs, do so here.i{content:

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1167766296148956022007-01-02T11:23:00.000-08:002007-01-02T13:15:01.716-08:00

The next issue of Automata Magazine with compilation CD featuring industrial-electronic, ambient, gothic, and experimental music by Christian artists is now available. Beginning and ending the CD are two short, dark ambient pieces by yours truly! Never heard of these genres before? Want to sample the eclectic underground and read CD reviews? Now's your chance! Order Automata and CD for only

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1166751391862225632006-12-21T17:14:00.000-08:002006-12-21T17:36:31.883-08:00

While reading 2 Samuel, it came to me that what I was reading sounded strangely familiar. As I went digging, lo and behold, a psalm came to light virtually identical to the section I was reading. Here is a brief excerpt from the duplicate passages:And David spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1166392026749904982006-12-17T13:46:00.000-08:002006-12-17T13:51:41.353-08:00

Although an exhibition tour was available (Tuesdays through Sunday's at 3 p.m.), I chose to avoid the mass of sheep and go solo. This usually provided me an unspoilt view of each and every artifact.The exhibit began with an introduction to St. Catherine's Monastery at Sinai. Then, suddenly, I was staring a 1500-year-old, hot wax icon of Saint Peter in the face. From there, I wandered back and

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1166151762053903012006-12-14T18:32:00.000-08:002006-12-14T20:22:46.693-08:00

There is a new Gospel Harmony that might just make Tatian and Ammonius of Alexandria wake up and take notice. It's called ONE or The Unified Gospel of Jesus. See the web site here. This harmonization aims to eliminate or transcend the distinctives between various texts and present the entire story of Yeshua in a single, cohesive, user-friendly novella. It even comes in two varieties depending

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1166027643818764832006-12-13T08:32:00.001-08:002006-12-13T08:34:03.833-08:00

For almost two years, that girl struggled against the grip of death. And every week, I'd get another reminder of the bleeding, the nausea, the fatigue, the sleepless nights and the never-ending pain... Oh, but then she would actually eat a bite of solid food! Or, look, she went outside and saw a friend! There were ups and downs. Days where the sun looked bright and where it looked like it might

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1165940523671859892006-12-12T08:21:00.000-08:002006-12-12T08:22:03.713-08:00

Some time ago, I wrote about the undeniable archaeological evidence of a character straight out of the book of Jeremiah--Gemariah, son of Shaphan (here). While the details surrounding this seal are not as tidy and clean compared to the other, the evidence and circumstances suggest, in my opinion, that the seal is authentic. Or is it too incredible to believe? Then again, if it's true that the

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1165821884205982042006-12-10T23:16:00.000-08:002006-12-10T23:24:44.223-08:00

When it comes to apparent biblical inconsistencies or contradictions, I try to be cautious and presume innocence before guilt. It is easy to mistake something as an error when one does not understand it. It is even easier to do so when dealing with a text which has come down to us with variants or was written in a foreign language, culture, and world-view. That having been said, I think I've

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1165280777373949622006-12-04T16:23:00.000-08:002006-12-04T17:56:23.620-08:00

I've been reading Umberto Cassuto's The Documentary Hypothesis and the Composition of the Pentateuch, an assault on the Modern interpretative hypothesis of the Old Testament that took the scholastic world by storm. Below is my review as posted in LibraryThing.Wow... "Classic" doesn't do this book justice. With seven swipes of his historical-literary sword, Cassuto beheads the Documentary

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1164872182407043832006-11-29T23:12:00.000-08:002006-11-29T23:41:04.783-08:00

Click on the links to check out my current Fedora Core 5 incarnation...Desktop 1Desktop 2Desktop 3

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1164602504024143462006-11-26T20:37:00.000-08:002006-11-26T20:41:44.040-08:00

Jesus said, Whom do men say that I am?And his disciples answered and said, Some say you are John the Baptist returned from the dead; others say Elias, or other of the old prophets.And Jesus answered and said, But whom do you say that I am?Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Logos, existing in the Father as His rationality and then, by an act of His will, being generated, in consideration of

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1164429672464542842006-11-24T20:39:00.000-08:002006-11-24T20:41:12.480-08:00

What do Allah and Yahweh say can verify or falsify their words?And if ye are in doubtAs to what We have revealedFrom time to time to Our servant [Muhammad]Then produce a SurahLike thereunto;And call your witnesses or helpers(If there are any) besides Allah,If your (doubts) are true.But if ye cannot--And of a surety ye cannot--Then fear the FireWhose fuel is Men and StonesWhich is prepared for

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1164161813247831982006-11-21T18:14:00.000-08:002006-11-21T18:16:53.263-08:00

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.--Isaiah 55:11, ESVWe may also be familiar with the old translation “my word...shall not return unto me void” (KJV).The language of voidness or emptiness in relation to Yahweh's word recalls the state of creation prior

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1164082151246366802006-11-20T19:59:00.000-08:002006-11-20T20:09:11.266-08:00

Tonight was bikes only night for the Griffith Park Light Festival. I couldn't believe how many people showed. It was so much fun to bike alongside so many other bikers and enjoy the music and lights. Even though the Los Angeles sprawl and interstate were blocks away, it felt like a different world. No traffic, no noise, the air was cool and crisp, and the night was dark. I must've biked the

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1163634607255882022006-11-15T15:39:00.000-08:002006-11-15T15:50:07.270-08:00

There's an incredible new exhibit at the Getty, now till March, featuring some of the rarest and oldest Byzantine icons and manuscripts direct from St. Catherine's monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. The Getty's "Holy Image, Hallowed Ground" page, brings you up close and personal with several flash interactive icons and audio. The web page alone is worth a visit. But if you're around or going

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1163227050542590672006-11-10T21:53:00.000-08:002006-11-10T22:37:31.263-08:00

In the first "epistle of Clement" of which our single copy comes from Codex Alexandrinus, a passage which does not exist in known scripture is quoted--being referenced like unto other scripture (it is written). Some people believe--and there is reason for this belief--that this epistle may have been written by the Clement mentioned by Paul himself in Philippians 4:3. If true, that would make

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1162951468766740782006-11-07T18:04:00.000-08:002006-11-07T18:18:02.316-08:00

In 1967, archaeologists at the site of Tell Deir Alla uncovered two piles of crumpled plaster from around 800 BC on which were written portions of a book by Balaam--the same Balaam known until that time only in Numbers. Balaam was not, of course, a prophet of Israel. He appears in Numbers to be more of a prophet-for-hire. That he was a known and respected prophet in the ancient world--if only

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1162855784589315162006-11-06T15:19:00.000-08:002006-11-06T15:29:44.616-08:00

The truth is usually too convenient for people, so they like to play with it, twist it, and make things difficult. I rarely discuss the politically-motivated, pompous global warming scare simply because it's so ridiculous. But since I found a nice article that lays the facts bare, thought I'd pass it on...Scores of scientific papers show that the medieval warm period was real, global and up to

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1162746415461919602006-11-05T09:06:00.000-08:002006-11-05T13:51:28.196-08:00

In the ancient Jewish, historiographical theology romance Joseph and Aseneth, a man who identifies himself as Chief of the House of the Most High and commander of the whole host of the Most High (14:8, 15:12) comes to comfort Aseneth and fill her with new life after a prolonged, repentive mourning drains her of the old one. There are several fascinating things worth mentioning about this

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1162539051482326742006-11-02T23:13:00.000-08:002006-11-02T23:30:51.496-08:00

And it is fucking cool!Like the Aleppo Codex page, the Great Isaiah Scroll page features a colored digitization of the entire beast in flash interactive. It allows you to manipulate the scroll manually by rolling or unrolling it to the colomn of your choice. Zoom in and examine individual passages in close-up with a handy spyglass pane.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1162399030983764202006-11-01T08:25:00.000-08:002006-11-01T08:37:11.016-08:00

Tickets go on sale today for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition! If you're within driving distance of San Diego, purchase a ticket in advance and secure a place at this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. Don't miss the opportunity to literally stand in front of part of the greatest archeaological discovery of the 2oth Century. The showing will include the oldest Ten Commandments in existence!

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1162257668405770272006-10-30T16:28:00.000-08:002006-10-30T17:21:08.500-08:00

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will make expiation for his land, for his people.--Deut 32:43, ASVBe glad, O skies, with him, and let all the sons of God worship him. Be glad, O nations, with his people, and let all the angels of God prevail for him. For he will avenge the blood of his sons,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1161903752571030912006-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:002006-10-26T16:02:32.590-07:00

Question: When is a house of prayer a house of prayer? Answer: When Yahweh's people are redeemed.In today's Western culture, we have mostly lost the use of symbolism to instruct, enlighten, and illicit change. But in the ancient world, lives were structured around, maintained, and altered through the power of symbolism. Yeshua is one person who showed himself a masterful artisan of symbol.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1161658814556041792006-10-23T19:58:00.000-07:002006-10-23T20:00:14.570-07:00

One authoritative, ancient Jewish tradition about who wrote what in the Old Testament is preserved as follows...Who wrote the Scriptures? — Moses wrote his own book and the portion of Balaam and Job. Joshua wrote the book which bears his name and [the last] eight verses of the Pentateuch. Samuel wrote the book which bears his name and the Book of Judges and Ruth. David wrote the Book of Psalms,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1161318022771210212006-10-19T20:56:00.000-07:002006-10-19T21:20:22.786-07:00

The kavod...is a luminous manifestation by which God descends to earth and is made visible. The kavod resides in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and the Jerusalem Temple. It is the precursor of the shekhinah, or Divine Presence, of later Jewish sources, but is not entirely identical in conception.--Victor Hurowitz, Understanding the Priestly Source, Bible ReviewAn earlier, more primitive

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1161098495130685602006-10-17T08:15:00.000-07:002006-10-17T08:21:35.150-07:00

This is sometimes also called the Jesus Papyrus or the Huleatt manuscript. P64 is one of the earliest extent Greek manuscripts of the New Testament containing portions of Matthew. I've found that on many less than scrupulus sites, P64 is listed as a manuscript which refers to Yeshua as God. Thus, for instance, you have this dubious quote floating around the internet, about which no reference or

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160976618882838332006-10-15T22:13:00.000-07:002006-10-15T22:30:18.903-07:00

Learning Biblical Greek? Want to interact with the NT texts in their original language? http://www.zhubert.com/ provides tools that will be invaluable to both student and teacher. View the Greek of any passage of the NT and chose which manuscript you want to use. Translate any passage from any available manuscript and save or edit your translation. Build vocabulary cards--you can even

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160787295090479002006-10-13T17:09:00.000-07:002006-10-13T17:54:55.236-07:00

About this book of the Revelation of John, I....consider it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic... I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it... Christ is neither taught nor known in it.--Martin Luther, Preface to the Revelation of St. John, 1522My own opinion about Revelation is that it has done more harm than good. It has been the catalyst and origin of most anti-Christian

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160609180141706872006-10-11T16:24:00.000-07:002006-10-11T16:26:20.156-07:00

In several instances, there appear to be parallels in John's gospel to the dual-theism expressed by Philo. I wrote briefly on this in one of my first posts (Philo's Logos, The Second God) in which I showed how John 1:1 could be understood to refer to two separate gods, both of whom are identified with Yahweh. The following verse from John may be another instance in which Yeshua could be described

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160408458741686242006-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:002006-10-09T08:40:58.760-07:00

Apply to Fuller's Theology School for Fall of 2007. Five year goal, two classes a quarter every quarter, Fall 2007 - Summer 2012. Double Major: Master of Arts in Theology, Biblical Studies and Theology; Master of Arts in Theology, Ancient Near Eastern Literature and Languages.Use the time between now and Fall 2007 to get involved in one or two small groups. Become a member of a church--find an

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160262852836421082006-10-07T16:14:00.000-07:002006-10-07T16:16:54.230-07:00

Got Apocrypha? The original 1611 KJV did.Throughout the 1611 KJV, there are notes (*) in the margins linking a verse with other verses of scripture. Many of these notes link scripture passages with verses in the Apocrypha. So, for instance, here we have the KJV pointing to the Wisdom of Solomon right alongside verses from Matthew, 1 John, and Jude for further reference and instruction concerning

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160147871856851732006-10-06T08:16:00.000-07:002006-10-06T08:17:51.883-07:00

(See Voyages - 2)A few things I find interesting just in this portion of text... Some objects are given masculine instead of neuter pronouns. For instance, it doesn't say “yielding fruit after ITS kind”, it says “yielding fruit after HIS kind.”Another interesting thing is that the translation does not always follow the Hebrew. There are notes in the sides which, like a modern translation, give

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160065541629313452006-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:002006-10-05T09:25:41.653-07:00

THEFIRST BOOKEOF MOSES,called GENESIS.CHAP. I.I The creation of Heauen and Earth, 3 of the light, 6 of the firmament, 9 of the earth feparated from the waters, 11 and made fruitfull, 14 of the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, 20 of fifh and fowle, 24 of beafts and cattell, 26 of Man in the Image of God. 29 Alfo the appointment of food.1 In *the beginning, God created the heauen, and the Earth.2 And

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1160026738596207002006-10-04T22:31:00.000-07:002006-10-04T22:38:58.616-07:00

Until recently, I had never actually seen the real deal. I don't think many nowadays have. Not even the electronic versions on-line are the original, honest-to-goodness 1611 KJV. When I saw it, I was amazed. It was far more than I thought it would be. It was not just a tome of scripture or a marvel of antiquated scholarship, it was a wonder of artistic craftsmanship and human industry that,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1159840173021785722006-10-02T18:41:00.000-07:002006-10-02T18:49:33.036-07:00

You have heard it said that in terms of the two testaments, "the new is in the old concealed and the old is in the new revealed." But I say to you, the new does not reveal the old and neither is the old concealed, rather, the new is an extension of the old, reaching in a new direction. It has its foundation in the old, and apart from the old cannot be understood, yet nevertheless has replaced

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1159735954748330982006-10-01T13:51:00.000-07:002006-10-01T13:52:34.770-07:00

"You got to know when to hold 'em": Trumping the Bauer Thesis by Michael Svigel.This essay argues that presuppositions about the resurrection of Yeshua result either in a historical view of the origins of Christianity characterized by unity out of which diversity sprung or by a diversity that was overpowered and funneled into a controlling singularity--orthodoxy.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1159549749024389472006-09-29T10:08:00.000-07:002006-09-29T10:09:09.046-07:00

Disclaimer: everything that follows stands likely to be completely baseless...Where did the paleo-Hebrew script found in the DSS come from? What is its purpose? What does the form of the script itself communicate historically?Contrary to what I previously imagined, the paleo-Hebrew of the DSS is not an ancient version of the Hebrew script. The pre-exilic script--specifically the script

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1159296259464100162006-09-26T11:44:00.000-07:002006-09-26T11:44:19.483-07:00

Old news, but still cool news...When it comes to one of the greatest special effects outfits in the business, it's not Microsoft or Apple, but Linux that ILM trusts to get the job done and get it done better than anyone else. Star Wars Episode II and Episode III depended on linux computers."The old system is so slow that the clones firing lasers appear to be throwing javelins. We've seen about a

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1159147338344067162006-09-24T18:17:00.000-07:002006-09-24T18:22:18.360-07:00

God is not a man, that he should lie, neither a son of man, that he should repent.--Numbers 23:19a, ASVAnd also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent for he is not a man that she should repent.--1 Sam 15:29, ASVThese two verses are interesting in that they virtually reproduce the other. Unlike Samuel, Numbers clearly follows the structure of a poetic parallelism:A1 - God is not a manB1

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158937926029709322006-09-22T08:11:00.000-07:002006-09-22T08:12:06.046-07:00

Those who love ambient, dark ambient, or neofolk can say who Caul is, but can they say who God is without putting him in a box? How can a time-bound man with his limited reason understand or describe Him Whom is timeless and infinite? Caul's latest offering, free to download from Dark Winter, is a musical expression of this apophatic theology. Here in the spiritual-sonicscape of Apophasis is no

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158852203665603672006-09-21T08:23:00.000-07:002006-09-21T08:23:23.686-07:00

Even though the printing press has enabled us to copy texts much more faithfully than ancient scribes could achieve, even technology perpetrates mistakes...Thou shalt commit adultery.--The "Wicked" Bible, 1631The fool hath said in his heart there is a God.--The "Fool" Bible, 1763Blessed are the placemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.--The "Placemakers" Bible, Geneva Bible,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158763220259317682006-09-20T07:39:00.000-07:002006-09-20T07:43:34.346-07:00

Some people have said the the Prince of Persia in Daniel is the Satan. Well, if the oldest extant copy of the relevant portion of the book of Daniel is correct, then unless the Satan is several people, this interpretation is without literarary support.The princes of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, so I remained there

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158683487255445152006-09-19T09:25:00.000-07:002006-09-19T15:23:07.553-07:00

Time again for the leading publisher of scholastic biblical and ANE literature to have their end of the summer/back to school sales special. Last year at this time, I purchased $200 worth of books for half that. And, once again, prices have been cut on many titles by 50%. Peruse the list of available discounted titles here and try not to drool.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158650879363239302006-09-19T00:07:00.000-07:002006-09-19T00:27:59.376-07:00

And Moses said to God, Behold, I shall go forth to the children of Israel, and shall say to them, The God of our fathers has sent me to you; and they will ask me, What is His name? What shall I say to them? And God spoke to Moses, saying, I am THE BEING. And He said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, THE BEING has sent me to you.--Exodus 3:13-14, AB

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158526408447764092006-09-17T13:45:00.000-07:002006-09-17T13:53:28.463-07:00

Cosmological Argument = A+Ontological Argument = D -Teleological Argument = B -Moral Argument = Asensus divinitatis = C -Pascal's "Wager" = F

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158481823736101282006-09-17T01:26:00.000-07:002006-09-17T01:30:23.750-07:00

Biiible - bible search and study tool in Google design. Useful?

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158269717919765012006-09-14T14:26:00.000-07:002006-09-14T14:35:17.953-07:00

We're all familiar with the conundrum, why do they call it music video television (MTV) if they don't play music videos? Here's a few more...Why is it called The History Channel when all they play are shows on World War I, World War II, and veitnam? When was the last time the History Channel played anything unrelated to Western Wars in the last century? Shouldn't it rather be called the War

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158193748396456722006-09-13T16:32:00.000-07:002006-09-13T17:29:08.710-07:00

Some observations...In many believing environs, the Pauline Epistles seem to be the entire base of Christianity. Those letters that stand out and carry the most weight in any discussion are usually 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans. In a number of cases, I've noticed a disproportionate appeal to and use of these specific texts or the Pauline corpus as a whole compared any other

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1158023120555878972006-09-11T18:04:00.000-07:002006-09-11T18:05:20.573-07:00

Where is the arena for progress in OT scholarship? Where can thoughts and arguments go from here?I just finished reading one of the most intelligent, lucid, and practical surveys in a long time by David Clines in Response to Rolf Rendtorff's "What Happened to the Yahwist? Reflections after Thirty Years". Rendtorff, in his essay (also hosted at the SBL site, here) assessed the dying climate of

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157751900601904102006-09-08T14:26:00.000-07:002006-09-08T17:28:17.820-07:00

There's a term for those who purchased homes in the last several years while the market was accelerating to its historically unrivaled peak...they're called FBs, Fucked Buyers (or Borrowers). And this is why... Prices were so high, the FBs were forced to borrow substantially more than they could reasonably afford without an exceptionally hot market to sustain it. Now, with the reality of home

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157645685686681392006-09-07T09:13:00.000-07:002006-09-07T09:14:46.186-07:00

When I speak of folklore, I do not necessarily speak, as some might suppose, of fiction, myth, superstition, or the like--although these can definitely become part of it. Here I will follow the definition of folklore described by R.M. Dorson in Folklore and the Old Testament by J.R. Porter: "the study of traditional culture, or the unofficial culture, or the folk culture, as opposed to the elite

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157476820067062792006-09-05T10:18:00.000-07:002006-09-05T10:58:58.563-07:00

Imagine if you were a professional archaeologist legally excavating a site on the grounds of Jerusalem itself and as you dug and sifted, you pulled up from deep inside the ground, in a layer already dated to the fall of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, physical evidence engraved in clay of a person mentioned until that time only in the Bible. Now imagine if that person lived, according to the Bible,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157306028646032842006-09-03T10:40:00.000-07:002006-09-03T10:53:48.663-07:00

From teaching myself Hebrew, I'm learning to recognize root words, the three foundational consonants. One root I've become familiar with is M-L-K, which variously translated means king, kingdom, etc. But something curious I stumbled on is the wording of "Angel of the Lord" in the OT. Angel, here, is actually "malak". King is "melek." Both "king" and "angel" share the same root word MLK. So,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157223268835740312006-09-02T11:54:00.000-07:002006-09-02T11:54:28.846-07:00

Exorcism was a major characteristic of Yeshua's kingdom-praxis.just as...David and the son of David (Solomon) were known for exorcising demons (1 Samuel 16:14-23; Josephus' Antiquities, Book VIII, 2:5; see also the Exorcism Psalms of 11QPsAp: On Expelling Demons, Trusting the Lord for Protection, The Lord Has Power to Strike Down Demons, Psalm 91).

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157124106179213622006-09-01T08:19:00.000-07:002006-09-01T08:21:46.196-07:00

Yeshua chose three disciples to be his closest confidants, receive special instruction, and exercise his authority and power: Simon Peter, James, and Johnjust as...David chose three warriors to be his closest confidants, receive special instruction, and exercise his authority and power: Josheb Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. (2 Samuel 23:8-11)

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1157085178121128262006-08-31T21:06:00.000-07:002006-09-01T10:35:14.160-07:00

Although a blatantly antichristian artist, this song captures lyrically an exceptionally vivid and powerful description of the crucifixion that stirs my soul.Oh Christ, oh Christ, you were condemnedTo die on Roman's cross at endPilatus he had not the willTo send the right man to the hillSo he was nailed like ugly scumTo trunks of shame the Carpenter's doneAnd he screamed out, "I had the will,But

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155875910433945302006-08-17T21:25:00.000-07:002006-08-17T21:38:30.446-07:00

Due to a vacation on the Oregon coast, I will not be blogging or responding to comments for two periods of seven days. In the meantime, check out my links, forage through my archives, leave some venomous messages, or learn something from other biblioblogs on the right.There is a season for everything under the sun. This is my season of silence.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155842835375948302006-08-17T12:15:00.000-07:002006-08-17T17:48:44.066-07:00

In my discussions with Trinitarians, I often hear verses in the NT used as a kind of proof-text for Yeshua's ontologically deity. This is one of them:Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!”--John 8:58This, for some, is insurmountable proof that Yeshua claimed himself to be Yahweh. Some point to the use of the divine name "I Am" as the vital

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155686872587862232006-08-15T16:53:00.000-07:002006-08-15T17:32:38.560-07:00

A phrase that refers to something as a 'prophecy' after the event—that after something occurred, it was written or recorded as if being prophesied prior to the event.Vaticinia ex eventu is sometimes heralded by Modernistic prejudice instead of historic and scientific evidence. An example of this is the dating of the book of Daniel from the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is widely dated shortly after the

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155493580495132132006-08-13T11:25:00.000-07:002006-08-13T11:26:20.510-07:00

So I finally saw the film. Seems to make everyone's top ten, twenty, pick your number, greatest films of all time. Also seems everyone who's seen it recommends it highly, while everyone who hasn't seen it has no clue it even exists. I was formerly one of the ignorants, but cumulative praise via word of mouth finally sent me on a mission to Blockbuster.As anyone who takes a gander at my favorite

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155411946525807562006-08-12T12:45:00.000-07:002006-08-12T12:45:46.816-07:00

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.--Luke 6:35-36, NETI don't think I've ever read a more powerful passage in all scripture. This, right here, sums up the entire mission of Yeshua, what it means to

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155342713751541652006-08-11T17:30:00.000-07:002006-08-11T17:34:58.380-07:00

“While I was watching, thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.”--Daniel 7:9aThrones? Why more than one?“And with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man was approaching. He went up to the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty. All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving him. His authority is

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1155174766288910072006-08-09T18:52:00.000-07:002006-08-09T18:52:46.306-07:00

The Hebrew in the OT is not precise. Unlike Greek words, which mean something very specific, Hebrew words are based on concrete imagery that has specific meaning according to context. Sometimes, the context itself is not very specific either. Add to this the fact that the Hebrew OT was originally written without vowels, that different vowels can completely change the meaning of words, and that

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1154752346335329742006-08-04T21:28:00.000-07:002006-08-04T21:32:26.363-07:00

Folklore and the Old Testament by J.R. Porter.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1154715283986981712006-08-04T11:08:00.000-07:002006-08-04T11:14:44.006-07:00

Alttestamentler.I stumbled across this word today. I'm not entirely certain what it means. In context, its definition appears to be akin to "Old Testament scholar" or "researcher in OT traditions history".

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1154624296223383222006-08-03T09:43:00.000-07:002006-08-03T10:27:00.626-07:00

I'm going to change it a wee...hee hee...One book that changed your life:He Is There And He Is Not Silent by Francis SchaefferOne book that you think everyone must read:Jesus and the Victory of God by Tom WrightOne book that you’ve read more than once:The Eye of the World by Robert JordanOne book that you wish had been written:History of the Antedilluvian Peoples by Sumerian JoeOne book that you

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1154380653317720892006-07-31T14:04:00.000-07:002006-07-31T14:17:33.333-07:00

People are outraged at the deaths of civilians at Kana--and they should be. We should mourn and decry the destruction of human life--more precious than anything! But the fact that people were killed is not the whole story. What the media does not tell you is how the terrorists are purposely firing their rockets from and storing their weapons in civlian houses, buildings, and areas where they

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1154298940222044692006-07-30T15:23:00.000-07:002006-07-30T15:35:40.240-07:00

It is strange to see people speaking of a book like they would of a loved one... To me, the scriptures are intriquing texts that I wish to understand and enjoy the pursuit of such understanding as well as the sharing of it, but not something that I approach a priori with a love, commitment, and devotion in my heart. I hope that enables me to come to conclusions that are based in sound reason,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1153798610885453072006-07-24T20:36:00.000-07:002006-07-24T20:36:50.900-07:00

I finished reading a debate that occurred recently between William Craig and Bart Ehrman called Is There Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? and am very disappointed with Ehrman. In fact, I'm willing to say that if this was a boxing ring, Ehrman was KO'ed. There were, however, some “blunders” on Craig's part also (read the debate to get the pun). I'm not at all sure if I can agree

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1153601009574952162006-07-22T13:17:00.000-07:002006-07-22T13:45:57.553-07:00

I learned my first Hebrew verb paradigm... The root is KTL, the word is katal. My grammar makes use of the same word repeatedly throughout in order to learn all the various methods of conjugating person, gender, and number, but nowhere did I find an explanation of what the word actually means. I looked in the back, which gives all the vocabulary taught in the grammar, but katal wasn't there.So

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1153540820022448162006-07-21T20:42:00.000-07:002006-07-21T21:00:20.036-07:00

I've been long sick and tired of the different political agendas...fed up and over with the various name-calling, party bashing, and the purposed coloring and one-sidedness of information and argument between parties. Someone asks a question or gives an opinion that may very well be ignorant or untrue, but instead of coming at that question or opinion with reasoned evidence AND with a respectful,

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1153414785247551302006-07-20T09:57:00.000-07:002006-07-20T09:59:45.260-07:00

"Comparative Customs and the Patriarchal Age" by Martin Selmanas taken from Essays on the Patriarchal Narratives edited by A.R. Millard & D.J. Wiseman

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1153323839428231682006-07-19T08:41:00.000-07:002006-07-19T08:44:14.426-07:00

As an answer to my own query here, the reason for placing the patriarchs in MBI or MBII is based on various occupied sites, cities, or settlements described in the Biblical narratives and their presence or absence in the archaeological record. Shechem, for instance, did not exist as an urban center in EBIV-MBI, but did so exist in MBII. Thus, if Shechem is presented in the Jacob narrative as a

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1153081578010194732006-07-16T13:25:00.000-07:002006-07-16T13:27:39.806-07:00

Others have denied facts, or asserted facts, in hopes of saving their lives, when they were under sentence of death: but these men attested a fact at the expence of their lives, which they might have saved by denying the truth. So that between criminals dying, and denying plain facts, and the apostles dying for their testimony, there is this material difference: criminals deny the truth in hopes

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152898233310027582006-07-14T10:17:00.000-07:002006-07-14T10:30:33.323-07:00

Without the Jesus of history the Christ of faith is merely a docetic figure, a figment of pious imagination. The Christian religion claims to be founded on historic fact, on events which happened sub Pontio Pilato; and having appealed to history, by history it must be justified.--George B. Caird, Jesus and the Jewish Nation

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152811779826627152006-07-13T10:26:00.000-07:002006-07-13T10:29:39.840-07:00

Reign of Malevolence.I'm finally out there...

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152720474233255402006-07-12T09:01:00.000-07:002006-07-12T09:07:54.250-07:00

There is, to my apprehension, nothing more unreasonable, than to neglect and despise plain and sufficient evidence before us, and to sit down to imagine what kind of evidence would have pleased us; and then to make the want of such evidence an objection to the truth; which yet, if well considered, would be found to be well established.--The Trial of the Witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152644813851283932006-07-11T11:54:00.000-07:002006-07-11T12:06:53.866-07:00

Besides Albright's "donkey caravaneer" argument and the use of the Amorite hypothesis (both of which have been beaten down like a dead camel), is there any archaeological reason and evidence to link Abraham with MBI or MBII (A or B)? There must be some good reason besides sociological parallels that might fit Abraham into any time between EBIV and the Late Bronze Age... Is there?

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152577151008784412006-07-10T17:11:00.000-07:002006-07-10T17:51:45.263-07:00

Although I have not yet formed my beliefs regarding resurrection and have set aside all manner of decision until I have read The Resurrection of the Son of God by Tom Wright (which will be the essential and pivotal foundation wherewith my beliefs about resurrection will be formed and solidified), if I were to state my current thoughts, they would echo precisely what a Christian of the second

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152497846421467072006-07-09T19:17:00.000-07:002006-07-09T19:17:26.423-07:00

One of the newest pictures of Pluto and its moons, two of which (Nix and Hydra) were not officially named until recently.Absolutely incredible.Yahweh reveals himself qualitatively in what he has made.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152241645079466202006-07-06T20:07:00.000-07:002006-07-06T20:07:25.113-07:00

In Genesis 2:2, many bibles say that Yahweh completed his creation activity on the seventh day.And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made...--KJVAnd on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done...--ESVOther bibles translate it "by the seventh day" instead of "on" or "in" the seventh day so that the days of creation are six full days instead of six full days and part

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1152083622164921002006-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:002006-07-05T00:54:33.733-07:00

This tablet has been dated to the Early Bronze Age (specifically EBIV for those familiar with the dating vernacular).In layman's terms, that's between 2300 and 2000 BC. This is the earliest period usually ascribed to Abraham by those who believe he was a historic figure. Interestingly enough, the map names Ebla--a city with one of the ancient libraries of cuneiform texts that richly expanded

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151955311395483082006-07-03T12:20:00.000-07:002006-07-03T12:35:11.410-07:00

1. You should not trust or believe what a totally depraved person says.2. If it is true that a Calvinist is totally depraved...3. You should not trust or believe what a Calvinist says.If this one point of Calvinism is true (total depravity), then you cannot trust or believe Calvinism. Calvinism is, therefore, self-defeating.In order to deny this logical syllogism, you have to either 1.

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151795543175605062006-07-01T16:08:00.000-07:002006-07-01T16:18:58.446-07:00

The reason for what we call “natural evil” is the failure of mankind to have dominion and rule over creation as he was purposed to by Yahweh in Genesis. Yeshua became the “second Adam” in that he succeeded in fulfilling the purpose of the first—dominion and rule over creation.Yeshua was a like a magnet that naturally aligns metallic bits to its order, and he took dominion and rule over creation

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151711357877810022006-06-30T16:43:00.000-07:002006-06-30T16:50:36.053-07:00

"Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151564022857455552006-06-28T23:52:00.000-07:002006-06-28T23:55:26.930-07:00

סָבִיב שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר אָלֶף וְשֵׁם־הָעִיר מִיֹּום יְהוָה ׀ שָֽׁמָּה׃--Ezekiel 48:35

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151267268911850912006-06-25T12:53:00.000-07:002006-06-25T13:41:54.353-07:00

Continued from 1, 2, and 3...The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts has some great things on-line like Codex Washingtonensis, although most of them are more recent.The Aleppo Codex has its own site in flash where you can literally thumb through the pages (although it seems to be down at the moment...perhaps so they can finish adding content).Mark Goodacre's NT Gateway has links to

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151115558530286072006-06-23T19:08:00.000-07:002006-06-23T19:19:18.546-07:00

I know. It doesn't happen often. Islam is by definition and nature Fideist. But every once in awhile, you'll get a Muslim willing to accept evidence, history, and reason...if they can get away safely:Al Aqsa official: Jewish temples existed.I believe the appropriate response is "No shit, Sherlock."

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1151076682686623532006-06-23T08:29:00.000-07:002006-06-23T08:31:22.703-07:00

Okay, so I don't pronounce SUSE correctly. It's not really a word, however, and the Germans who came up with it use a pronunciation unfamiliar to American English, so I think I'm okay saying "soos". After all, it sounds better than some of the other pronunciations ("suzi" or "suze") IMHO.Anyway, I'm teaching myself Biblical Hebrew. The noun I learned today is samech shurek samech, S-U-S, or "soos

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1150997204424282432006-06-22T10:25:00.000-07:002006-06-22T10:26:44.440-07:00

One of my favorites is the Hebrew language scholar Fred Miller. Besides great links and commentaries on Isaiah and Zechariah which are a must-read for anybody studying those prophets, what makes his site essential are the Dead Sea Scrolls.Read the entire Great Isaiah Scroll from scanned images of the DSS, in modern Hebrew translation, or in English translation, including commentary and notes

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1150946750075856382006-06-21T20:17:00.000-07:002006-06-21T21:03:14.123-07:00

Another fun place to hang out is Christian Hospitality.For the Fundamentalist in all of us, they have scanned facsimile images of the true bible (joking): Ben Chayyim's MS from the Second Rabbinic Bible and Stephanus' 1550 Textus Receptus.If you like your Church Fathers raw, then maybe you'd rather go for scanned images of Iranaeus, Eusebius, or Hippolytus in Greek and Latin here. But perhaps

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1150822385644148532006-06-20T09:33:00.000-07:002006-06-20T09:54:53.840-07:00

Most biblical manuscripts, codices, and papyri are available for reading and download if you know where to look. One good online cache of digitized texts is the Religion and Technology Center Ebind Index. You will need to input a user name ("any" ) and a password ("any") to access the site and features, where you can peruse such things as: The critical edition of the Samaritan Pentateuch, Der

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1150735230929050162006-06-19T09:40:00.000-07:002006-06-19T09:40:30.946-07:00

The Epistle of Barnabas is a Christian writing from the end of the first to the beginning of the second century. Many of the early church fathers not only considered it scripture, but believed it was written by Barnabas himself. Curiously, the Epistle quotes from (and considers prophetic scripture) a text that previously did not exist independently until it was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls...In

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24329847.post-1150588573658753892006-06-17T16:22:00.000-07:002006-06-17T16:56:13.673-07:00

Teaching myself Biblical Hebrew is fun, but more difficult than any other languages I've dabbled in. And I think I've isolated the reason: writing, translating, and reading Tiberian Hebrew is more like a pictographic exercise than something like Spanish or Greek because it doesn't follow Roman forms (which I'm most familiar with as an English speaker) and also because it has no vowels.Instead

slaveofonenoreply@blogger.com0