Posts by Doug Mason

It is common knowledge that several NT documents attributed to Paul were indeed written by others. It is therefore possible to identify trends and alternate doctrinal positions held within Judaism.

Whether Paul existed or is a composite figure does not concern me. Regardless of that question, the genuine writings do represent a particular position, and that is what does interest me.

I doubt that Philo wrote or contributed to any NT writings. However, I would say that Philo's influence on the NT came in the form of rebuttals of Philo in some of Paul's statements.

Doug

4

Philo and Paul

by Doug Mason in

in my research into the second temple period, i have collected material on philo from two books.

i am making these scans temporarily available at:.

https://jwstudies.com/this_world__chap_10__philo.pdf.

Doug Mason

In my research into the Second Temple Period, I have collected material on Philo from two books. I am making these scans temporarily available at:

https://jwstudies.com/This_world__chap_10__Philo.pdf

https://jwstudies.com/Reading_Romans_in_Context__Philo_.pdf

These pages illuminate Paul's environment and they provide the contemporary context for some of his reasoning.

I was particularly taken with Pages 125-126 of the book, "Reading Romans in Context" (PDF file pages 20-21), which show how Paul misused Scripture in order to arrive at his predetermined conclusion.

I have not marked up these files. The material is not difficult to follow.

Doug

4

Enoch the Prophet

by Doug Mason in

in my ongoing research into second temple judaism, i scanned and marked up a chapter dealing with the book of enoch.. i have made this marked up chapter very temporarily available at:.

https://jwstudies.com/crucible__chapter_4__enoch_marked_up.pdf .

doug.

Much of the religious beliefs (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) owe their origins to the revolutions of this period commencing with the 3rd century BCE. Most of the OT's ideas were formed some 300 years earlier, by the 6th century BCE.

These new ideas, such as apocalyptic, eschatology, messianism, personified evil spirits (Satan,Mastema, Beliar, demons, etc.), war in heaven, final judgement, and so on, find their origins in this latter ("intertestamental") period, not in the OT. The period created sects such as the Pharisees, Essenes, etc., etc.

One of the canonised books that was influenced by this environment is the Book of Daniel. It was written in the 2nd century BCE, often drawing on imagery from books such as Enoch, Jubilees.

Doug

4

Enoch the Prophet

by Doug Mason in

in my ongoing research into second temple judaism, i scanned and marked up a chapter dealing with the book of enoch.. i have made this marked up chapter very temporarily available at:.

https://jwstudies.com/crucible__chapter_4__enoch_marked_up.pdf .

doug.

Doug Mason

In my ongoing research into Second Temple Judaism, I scanned and marked up a chapter dealing with the Book of Enoch.

I have made this marked up chapter very temporarily available at:

https://jwstudies.com/Crucible__chapter_4__Enoch_MARKED_UP.pdf

Doug

3

Nothing unusual to see here, I think

by Doug Mason in

in my slow but relentless foray into the “second temple period” i have marked up a few pages from one more source.

it does not contain anything that is extraordinary, i think.. http://www.jwstudies.com/reading_romans_in_context__intro__marked_up.pdf .

doug.

Doug Mason

Thanks HB, I will have a look at that author's books.

My position with the Bible is that I do not believe the writings represent a literal documentary. They are not histories in the sense we would understand.

If someone were to investigate, for example, the culture surrounding the 21st century Harry Potter phenomenon would not mean anyone thought the material represented true history. But it would show the culture of a segment of a community.

Likewise with the Judaeo/Christian writings. Studying the Bible shows the culture of some people at some time. It shows how the religious leaders prosecuted their arguments. But it does not mean they wrote a literal documentary.

The 21st century significance of the Bible lies with its adoration by some.

Doug

3

Nothing unusual to see here, I think

by Doug Mason in

in my slow but relentless foray into the “second temple period” i have marked up a few pages from one more source.

it does not contain anything that is extraordinary, i think.. http://www.jwstudies.com/reading_romans_in_context__intro__marked_up.pdf .

doug.

Doug Mason

In my slow but relentless foray into the “Second Temple Period” I have marked up a few pages from one more source. It does not contain anything that is extraordinary, I think.

http://www.jwstudies.com/Reading_Romans_in_Context__intro__MARKED_UP.pdf

Doug

17

If the Bible is truly the word of God then why are their so many different Translations ?

by smiddy3 in

not only are their different translations from different denominations ,like the greek orthodox ,russian orthodox ,roman catholic .various protestant versions and others as well as the nwt of jw`s.. however various denominations print different versions of the bible which fair enough may only be minor differences yet at the same time they are differences to what they previously printed .?.

and some have serious discrepancies .. as if they are trying to get to the true meaning of what god or jesus christ actually said or meant ?.

are they for real ?

Doug Mason

Hi Smiddy,

Yes, it is important to recognise the variant "Bibles". And there are further levels to drill down into.

It just so happens that for my own edification, I have just marked up several pages that I selected from a book that I find handy and enlightening. I will not describe why I feel these passages are relevant, only to say that while its focus is with the earlier Hebrew writings, the book lays down useful guidelines and principles.

I have made these personally selected pages and markup very temporarily available at:

http://www.jwstudies.com/Ancient_NE_thought__selected_pages_MARKED_UP.pdf

I would appreciate any reactions.

Thanks,

Doug

17

If the Bible is truly the word of God then why are their so many different Translations ?

by smiddy3 in

not only are their different translations from different denominations ,like the greek orthodox ,russian orthodox ,roman catholic .various protestant versions and others as well as the nwt of jw`s.. however various denominations print different versions of the bible which fair enough may only be minor differences yet at the same time they are differences to what they previously printed .?.

and some have serious discrepancies .. as if they are trying to get to the true meaning of what god or jesus christ actually said or meant ?.

are they for real ?

Doug Mason

The Scriptures were written by Jews (of which I count my ancestry, so I am not anti-Semitic), but the overall Bible Canons were decided by Christians. The Jews' Canons are found in the Masoretic (Hebrew) Canon and in the various Greek versions (including the LXX).

The earliest Christian canon was Marcion's while the first time we see the current 27 book NT Is in the 4th century, from the Trinitarian Athanasius.

The RC's voted on their Canon at the Council of Trent. Protestants have never taken a vote on the Canon, but go by Tradition. Martin Luther wanted to rip out a few of the 27 books.

The text has experienced constant change from the moment the first ink dried on the first scroll. The book "Textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible" by Emanuel Tov provides invaluable information on the HB (Masoretic and LXX).

Doug

6

References for "Second Temple Judaism"?

by Doug Mason in

i plan to develop a study on "the second temple period", the first 600 years of judaism (520 bce to 70 ce).

that's my hope, anyway.. i have listed potential resources, and i would like to know of other sources that could possibly be useful.. my list is at:.

http://www.jwstudies.com/references_for__second_temple_judaism_.pdf .

Doug Mason

Phizzy,

I had a few reasons for providing that list of sources:

1. I wanted to let you know what I had gathered.

2. This could take me quite a while to complete. I know that at the outset of writing any Study, I underestimate the time it will take -- and we appear to be heading for a long, hot, dry Summer

3. Who knows, at the age of 78, I might not complete it.

This "Second temple" period is crucial. At its ending, there was any number of Messianic claimants, while apocalyptic and eschatological fervour was high. Paul, part of the Jewish Diaspora, took on one of these Messiahs, spent years in solitude in the desert creating his thoughts, which he ultimately promoted. But his was not the only voice. His Messiah was not the only one.

Understanding the environment, particularly from the 3rd century BCE onward (including these latter writings such as 1 Enoch, Jubilees, Sirach, Daniel, DSS, etc.) is essential.

The Gospels were not literal documentaries. They were written in the wake of the Temple's destruction, some 40 years to 60+ years after Jesus "walked and talked, but did not write".

This is what we need to bring back to life.

Doug