I watched the recent NOVA science show on PBS about the Bible (The Bible’s Buried Secrets), regarding what archeology tells us about the Hebrew Testament and the formative era of Judaism. To put it bluntly, what archeology tell us is that a lot of what is said in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament isn’t true. Especially in Genesis, the first book. OK, so we’ve know for a long time that the Earth and heavens weren’t made in a week, and that Adam wasn’t formed out of the mud with Eve being pulled from his ribs. But most of the great stories about Abraham and Jacob and Moses also turn out to be fabrications and retrojections from later events, events such as the Babylonian exile, events which do have historic foundation. Even David, although confirmed as an historic figure, was taken down a few notches from the powerful and glorious king that he is made out to be in scripture.
According to NOVA, the “nation of Israel” most likely gained its identity between 1200 BCE and 1000 BCE as a mix of refugees from southern Canaanite cities that were in turmoil (as Egyptian dominance subsided), and local nomads in the high country around Jerusalem (where the urban refugees were settling). There may well have been former Canaanite slaves in the group who had managed to run off from central Egypt, and perhaps there were charismatic leaders amidst them who inspired the Moses character. And those groups may well have wandered in the desert country between the Nile and the Canaan highlands for many years. So there were folk-tales available from which a narrative of a great past could be weaved, a past that was fabricated to deal with problems of the day (such as the crisis of conquest by Assyria and Babylon).
Interestingly, one of the biggest retrojections onto the days of Moses was the idea of monotheism; archeology shows that the early Jews continued worshiping a variety of gods, including the Canaanite fertility goddess, for many centuries after King David and Solomon. They finally decided that it was best to stick with one god, YHWH, in order to deal with the foreign invaders. That was the god which the Egyptian refugees encountered in their wanderings (being worshiped by villages in southern Sinai, perhaps the Biblical “Midian”), and was thus remembered by them as their protector.
(It would be interesting to research whether the memory of Asherah, the Canaanite fertility goddess whom the early Jews sometimes referred to as the “wife of YHWH”, lasted into New Testament times and contributed to the formation of the Virgin Mary myth in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels.)
The interesting thing is that many of the people who were contributing to this research and offering this interpretation were either from Israel or otherwise had typical Jewish surnames. I’d say that it is a good bet that many of the people who were debunking the great myths of the Jewish nation were and are Jewish. And that impressed me. These people seemed very relaxed about what they were doing and saying. No one was threatening their well being for saying that the great stories of the Bible aren’t literally true. Now compare that with the situation in Islam. Not too many years ago, a very early manuscript of the Quran was found in an obscure mosque in Yemen. Since then, only a handful of western scholars have been allowed to see it. Those who suggest that it may have been an ‘evolving work’ (such as Dr. Gerd Puin) have encountered hostility. You can find strong refutations by Islamic thinkers of the idea that the Yemen verses might show the “official version” of the Quran to have significant differences from what Mohammad or his immediate associates wrote during their lifetimes. E.g.
So, it might be a while until you see a NOVA episode regarding the “buried secrets of the Quran”. And that’s a shame. It is said that Islam is a relatively “young” religion; the NOVA special would indicate that the “Israel nation” identity was formed over 1600 years before the life of Mohammad. Well, the Jews are certainly acting quite admirably and maturely about what science is saying about their most sacred foundational myths and stories. Let’s hope that Islam will learn to live up to this example.
MORE IMMATURITY: I was listening to NPR yesterday and the announcer said that the “liberal blogosphere” (e.g. Daily Kos, Huffington Post) is somewhat upset with President-elect Obama for showing some centrist tendencies, e.g. considering Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, meeting with Senator McCain, and not committing to the prosecution of Bush Administration officials for torture. Plenty of immaturity out there; and perhaps Barack Obama has aged decades over the past two years. Perhaps.
Jim,
I did not see the program on Nova that you mention. However, back in 2006 when I was working on a Ph.D. in Patristics, I wrote a paper on “Gender Issues Attendant upon the Transition from the Feminine Sophia to the Masculine Logos: Part I.” This paper is online at http://www.theandros.com in Vol. 4, No. 1, Fall 2006. A portion of this paper deals with the very topic you mention–tracing Asharah/Astarte in the OT and as she was worshipped by the Jews. One interesting item I found when writing this paper was that in Jeremiah 44.15-28 there is an actual description of one of the ceremonies of the cult of Astarte as performed by Jewish women. In fact Raphael Patai (whom I quote) notes that this goddess was known as the “Queen of Heaven” and that some of the features of her cult were carried over into the “Early Syrian church in the veneration of the Virgin.” (I have to admit that one of the things I did NOT do was trace down exactly what the Early Syrian tradition of the veneration of Mary might have consisted of and how it might have related to the cult of Astarte/Asherah.) [Possibly a project for future research.] (Should I apologize here for “tooting my own horn?)
Furthermore, it does not surprise me one bit that a very early manuscript of the Quran has been kept “under wraps” and not been allowed to perusal by scholars. Somewhat the same kind of guarding of materials was practiced when the so-called “Gnostic materials” were first found in the late 1940s. It was literally years before only but a few scholars were permitted any access to the Gnostic materials. [Now they have been published for lay people–but it took decades for that.]
It does seem that either those who do have their hands on these types of documents want to keep any publication rights to themselves as being first in the field and/or there is serious fear that somehow the foundations of religion(s) will be destroyed rather than enhanced.
Furthermore, somewhat the same (although tangential) type of attitude applies to the New Testament. Bart Ehrman has a book, “Misquoting Jesus” in which he examines the mistakes/changes that have been/were made down through the centuries in the copying of the New Testament books. My own nephew described this situation somewhat akin to the old parlor game where one person whispers something to the person next to him/her, which person then passes the whisper on the to next, etc., down the line until the last person reveals out loud what was originally said at the beginning. Often what was said at the beginning seldom matches what was said at the end. While the analogy may not be perfect, it does hold when it comes to transcriptions of manuscripts of both the OT and the NT down thru the centuries.
On the second topic you mention: the blogosphere and people’s reaction to Obama. While you mention the liberal groups, I have been following the Catholic bishops; I’ll presume they are conservative. I’m astonished and dismayed at the reaction of some of the Catholic bishops in the U.S. to the election of Obama. Some of them are describing his election to the presidency as tantamount to the “end of time”–and preaching this/having this preached to the congregations in their dioceses. For the life of me I cannot believe that these men would take such an uninformed approach and attitude toward the election of this man to the presidency. Their thinking is based almost solely on Obama’s support for Roe v. Wade. It’s beyond me that men in positions of spiritual leadership would have such one-sided, blind views in regard to so many other issues at stake in today’s society.
As to Obama himself, I say give the man a chance. He really has not done anything at all yet except say who he is going to surround himself with as advisors and “helpers” in his administration.
It seems to me that “immaturity” is not peculiar to the liberals–there’s plenty of that out among the conservatives too.
I wonder: Has the country become so used to a president who do
Comment by MCS — November 22, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Jim,
I did not see the program on Nova that you mention. However, back in 2006 when I was working on a Ph.D. in Patristics, I wrote a paper on “Gender Issues Attendant upon the Transition from the Feminine Sophia to the Masculine Logos: Part I.” This paper is online at http://www.theandros.com in Vol. 4, No. 1, Fall 2006. A portion of this paper deals with the very topic you mention–tracing Asharah/Astarte in the OT and as she was worshipped by the Jews. One interesting item I found when writing this paper was that in Jeremiah 44.15-28 there is an actual description of one of the ceremonies of the cult of Astarte as performed by Jewish women. In fact Raphael Patai (whom I quote) notes that this goddess was known as the “Queen of Heaven” and that some of the features of her cult were carried over into the “Early Syrian church in the veneration of the Virgin.” (I have to admit that one of the things I did NOT do was trace down exactly what the Early Syrian tradition of the veneration of Mary might have consisted of and how it might have related to the cult of Astarte/Asherah.) [Possibly a project for future research.] (Should I apologize here for “tooting my own horn?)
Furthermore, it does not surprise me one bit that a very early manuscript of the Quran has been kept “under wraps” and not been allowed to perusal by scholars. Somewhat the same kind of guarding of materials was practiced when the so-called “Gnostic materials” were first found in the late 1940s. It was literally years before only but a few scholars were permitted any access to the Gnostic materials. [Now they have been published for lay people–but it took decades for that.]
It does seem that either those who do have their hands on these types of documents want to keep any publication rights to themselves as being first in the field and/or there is serious fear that somehow the foundations of religion(s) will be destroyed rather than enhanced.
Furthermore, somewhat the same (although tangential) type of attitude applies to the New Testament. Bart Ehrman has a book, “Misquoting Jesus” in which he examines the mistakes/changes that have been/were made down through the centuries in the copying of the New Testament books. My own nephew described this situation somewhat akin to the old parlor game where one person whispers something to the person next to him/her, which person then passes the whisper on the to next, etc., down the line until the last person reveals out loud what was originally said at the beginning. Often what was said at the beginning seldom matches what was said at the end. While the analogy may not be perfect, it does hold when it comes to transcriptions of manuscripts of both the OT and the NT down thru the centuries.
On the second topic you mention: the blogosphere and people’s reaction to Obama. While you mention the liberal groups, I have been following the Catholic bishops; I’ll presume they are conservative. I’m astonished and dismayed at the reaction of some of the Catholic bishops in the U.S. to the election of Obama. Some of them are describing his election to the presidency as tantamount to the “end of time”–and preaching this/having this preached to the congregations in their dioceses. For the life of me I cannot believe that these men would take such an uninformed approach and attitude toward the election of this man to the presidency. Their thinking is based almost solely on Obama’s support for Roe v. Wade. It’s beyond me that men in positions of spiritual leadership would have such one-sided, blind views in regard to so many other issues at stake in today’s society.
As to Obama himself, I say give the man a chance. He really has not done anything at all yet except say who he is going to surround himself with as advisors and “helpers” in his administration.
It seems to me that “immaturity” is not peculiar to the liberals–there’s plenty of that out among the conservatives too.
I wonder: Has the country become so used to a president who does not study and THINK (but who BELIEVES–which word by definition means one takes something on faith) that the people of our country have come to consider that THINKING is unusual, somehow “wrong,” somehow an aberation? Boy, are we in trouble if that is the case.
Then too, in the world of today, everybody seems to want problems solved with “one-line” solutions (the sound byte); everything must be done at the speed of light (electronic communication); no one is willing to take time and give some serious thought to something before coming up with an answer or a solution to a problem.
A very recent example of just this inadequate and ineffective approach to problems is the current “bail-out” measures that were pressed on the country by Paulson as having to be passed by Congress IMMEDIATELY and implemented IMMEDIATELY–with not even a week for thought about the situation. And here we are: Somehow that “immediate solution” is not/has not worked. And Paulson seems to be flabergasted at the fact that his “immediate” solution did not work. Maybe he should give some serious THOUGHT to the problem before suggesting a “solution.”
Then too as regards Obama: What is that old saying? When “both sides” are unhappy with you, you must be doing something right. With any luck that will be the case.
MCS
Comment by MCS — November 22, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
Jim,
I did not see the program on Nova that you mention. However, back in 2006 when I was working on a Ph.D. in Patristics, I wrote a paper on “Gender Issues Attendant upon the Transition from the Feminine Sophia to the Masculine Logos: Part I.” This paper is online at http://www.theandros.com in Vol. 4, No. 1, Fall 2006. A portion of this paper deals with the very topic you mention–tracing Asharah/Astarte in the OT and as she was worshipped by the Jews. One interesting item I found when writing this paper was that in Jeremiah 44.15-28 there is an actual description of one of the ceremonies of the cult of Astarte as performed by Jewish women. In fact Raphael Patai (whom I quote) notes that this goddess was known as the “Queen of Heaven” and that some of the features of her cult were carried over into the “Early Syrian church in the veneration of the Virgin.” (I have to admit that one of the things I did NOT do was trace down exactly what the Early Syrian tradition of the veneration of Mary might have consisted of and how it might have related to the cult of Astarte/Asherah.) [Possibly a project for future research.] (Should I apologize here for “tooting my own horn?)
Furthermore, it does not surprise me one bit that a very early manuscript of the Quran has been kept “under wraps” and not been allowed to perusal by scholars. Somewhat the same kind of guarding of materials was practiced when the so-called “Gnostic materials” were first found in the late 1940s. It was literally years before only but a few scholars were permitted any access to the Gnostic materials. [Now they have been published for lay people–but it took decades for that.]
It does seem that either those who do have their hands on these types of documents want to keep any publication rights to themselves as being first in the field and/or there is serious fear that somehow the foundations of religion(s) will be destroyed rather than enhanced.
Furthermore, somewhat the same (although tangential) type of attitude applies to the New Testament. Bart Ehrman has a book, “Misquoting Jesus” in which he examines the mistakes/changes that have been/were made down through the centuries in the copying of the New Testament books. My own nephew described this situation somewhat akin to the old parlor game where one person whispers something to the person next to him/her, which person then passes the whisper on the to next, etc., down the line until the last person reveals out loud what was originally said at the beginning. Often what was said at the beginning seldom matches what was said at the end. While the analogy may not be perfect, it does hold when it comes to transcriptions of manuscripts of both the OT and the NT down thru the centuries.
On the second topic you mention: the blogosphere and people’s reaction to Obama. While you mention the liberal groups, I have been following the Catholic bishops; I’ll presume they are conservative. I’m astonished and dismayed at the reaction of some of the Catholic bishops in the U.S. to the election of Obama. Some of them are describing his election to the presidency as tantamount to the “end of time”–and preaching this/having this preached to the congregations in their dioceses. For the life of me I cannot believe that these men would take such an uninformed approach and attitude toward the election of this man to the presidency. Their thinking is based almost solely on Obama’s support for Roe v. Wade. It’s beyond me that men in positions of spiritual leadership would have such one-sided, blind views in regard to so many other issues at stake in today’s society.
As to Obama himself, I say give the man a chance. He really has not done anything at all yet except say who he is going to surround himself with as advisors and “helpers” in his administration.
It seems to me that “immaturity” is not peculiar to the liberals–there’s plenty of that out among the conservatives too.
I wonder: Has the country become so used to a president who do
Comment by MCS — November 22, 2008 @ 12:09 pm