Did God Have a Wife?: William G. Dever
Dever, one of the world's most renowned archaeologists has finally asked the BIG question, and his research, archaeology, and scholarship have come up with the most stunning answer. Yes, God was married!
His analysis of the folk religion, and how the common folk worshipped was one of the powerful aspects of this book, the stuff that never made it into the Bible, yet is reflected in the archaeology of the people in the countryside. This is archaeology at its level-headed best.
A very shocking book, as well as revealing for his amazingly coherent, and provocative challenges, and answers to the nay-sayers of Asherah being God's wife.
I highly recommend it. (*****)
Giorgio Santillana, Hertha von Dechend: Hamlet's Mill
This is not the easiest book to read or understand, but it is by far one of the most influential ones I own for the sheer power of generating ideas and themes to research and write on. It is archeoastronomy detective work like no other text. Scholarly, erudite, difficult, astounding, breath-taking. I also rate this one as one of those books in my all time favorite top 10.
I know others have not found their overall thesis convincing, but archeoastronomy is indepted to this book for having a serious start, and it has also come a long way since, especially with John Major Jenkins work on "Maya Cosmogenesis 2012" and "The Galactic Alignment."
Archeoastronomy became a hobby of mine directly because of this book. I highly recommend it. It was reprinted for the 3rd time in 1992, and well worth shelling out the dough for it. (*****)
Jason Lotterhand: The Thursday Night Tarot
In his down to earth style and humor, Lotterhand opens up the world of the Tarot symbolisms and what they can mean for us in our every day to day lives. Without stuffy erudition, nor with New Age silliness, Lotterhand goes through the Major Arcana of the Tarot Cards and analyzes their interpretations as he understands things. You can't help but come away from this book feeling good. This is the collection of his classes he has taught for years and years, including questions from many of his students and his responses.
I have read it many times, and will continue reading it as a perfect introduction as to what the Tarot symbolisms and use really means, not what phony prognosticators of the New Age Movement have hijacked the Tarot to mean. Their use of it is an "adulterated use" to quote Paul Foster Case, another of the true Tarot interpreter geniuses.
The overall view of the Tarot following Lotterhand's interpretation is one of love.... love for God, our fellowman, as well as for ourselves. That Tarot has nothing at all in any form to do with Satan worship, devil loving wickdness, and magic is more than proven by Lotterhand's scholarship in this fascinating area. I highly and strongly recommend this cure for the disease of understanding Tarot as an evil Devil inspired system. (*****)
Leonora Leet: The Secret Doctrine of the Kabbalah
This book just simply stunned me. It is one of the most fascinating analysis of Sacred Geometry and modern Quantum Physics along with a detailed discovery after discover after discovery of the Jewish religious system called Kabbalah.
Leet's geometric charts make the book even easier to understand, but the depth of her cogent reasoning concerning the cosmos, geometry, and music is a sight to behold.
Her follow up book "The Universal Kabbalah" is quite interesting in the first few chapters and then bogs my mind down with so much detail and analysis that it is far over my head, though I am working on deciphering it.
Leet spent over 20 years analyzing and writing about her discoveries. The most significant one concerns the Kabbalah Tree of Life diagram which is remarkably elucidated by Leet, both in the historical aspects of its changes, as well as the reasons why it is the shape and form that it is, and the meaning of sacred geometrical extensions of the already existing lines of the Tree of Life.
A most significant contribution, not only to my own understanding of Kabbalah and Geometry, but for my own enthusiasm of learning more about the Kabbalah (****)
Margaret Barker: The Great High Priest
With her astonishing range of scholarship and working with ancient archaeological and linguistic data, Barker has changed our understanding of the ancient Hebraic Priesthood as well as religion. This book is a milestone. (*****)
Menas Kafatos, Robert Nadeau: The Conscious Universe
The Quantum Physics notion of Complementarity (two particles being connected, no matter how far apart they are in the universe), as well as understanding how the part relates to the whole is what is explored in this gem of a little book.
This is no spiritual guru linking of science and religion together by mis-representing one or the other or both of the disciplines, but a sober, real look into the ideas of consciousness, and how Quantum Physics has come around to recognizing the universal aspect of consciousness in *all things*. An amazing book, quite technically written, but with amazing conclusions. The main conclusion being that consciousness can no longer be separated from the problem of the way science operates. (****)
Robert Eisenman: The New Testament Code
Again, with his impeccible schoalrship and thirst for detail Eisenman extends his analysis and evidence for a First Century Early Christian provenance for the Dead Sea Scrolls using the internal materials of the scrolls themselves, their literary usages, their dramatis personae, and their descriptions of what sins abound with the wicked foreign leaders, which can only possibly apply to the Herodians.
I wish Eisenman's writing style was easier however. For this reason I can't give it a 5 star rating. His information is astonishingly useful however, and rather controversial, my kind of book! (****)
Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism: Howard Schwartz
Magnaminous! This compilation from all periods of Jewish mythology, using hundreds, if not thousands of the texts, shows without doubt or question that there was a Jewish mythology, and its power of presentation for relevance is unsurpassed in all of mythology.
From the Creation, the the Shekhinah as the wife of God, to Israel's woes, and successes, this detailed, and humorous, insightful, powerful book has so much in it from the lives of the Patriarchs, the prophets, and the rabbis, that it will take many months to read all the way through it. I have referenced it several times, and spent not a few very delightful evenings (even rainy days) browsing through its pages, and the excellent scholarly discussions by Schwarts itself placing things in context. This is a book I turn to again and again and again with new "Aha!" insights from every single page. (*****)
« March 2007 | Main | May 2007 »
The more scholarly presentation of what archaeology is, and what it can do, as well as understanding what "emperical facts" of the past are, is what this podcast discourses about. What can history tell us of the historical Nephites, or the Historical Jesus, or Abraham for that matter? Listen and enjoy finding out.
Here is an analysis of the Christianizing of Abraham that might be quite helpful to all of us involved in Abraham studies. It's studies like this that help make Nibley's studies all the more meaningful.
Here is the next podcast in this series. I show how the first Psalm in the Book of Psalms is a perfect summary of our hero Abraham. I was stunned how this incorporates all that Abraham was and did and encompassed his life's attitude, to both his trials and his blessings. Nibley showed how the rivalry with Pharaoh did not undo Abraham, and how, in fact, the true Priesthood coming into Pharaoh's life was actually the blessing that he needed. The Egyptian ideology is correctly understood in relationship to the portrayal in the Book of Abraham. Enjoy!
Download simplifying_nibleys_research09.mp3
As I was sitting in our pleasant bookstore (Barnes & Noble, and yes, they have a nice seating section with cushy chairs!) tonight, I run across a most scholarly, stimulating, and outrageously expensive book (oh MY GOSH! $128! It's by E. J Brill, and now you know the rest of the story) of Natalio Fernandez Marcos, The Septuagint in Context: Introduction to the Greek Versions of the Bible, Brill, (2000), who noted something very interesting to me on the council of the gods, and Elohim in particular. When the ....
Here is the interview of historian William (Bill) Hamblin, a BYU historian, today on talk radio. He discusses his book on warfare from last year, and many interesting aspects of warfare in Medieval times, and in our own day. A very well done interview, and well worth listening to......
http://classical89.org/thinkingaloud/audio/01_Religious_Conflict.mp3
Here is #8 in the Nibley series of podcasts. I discuss the ancient patterns of myth, ritual, and drama as they apply to the Book of Abraham Facsimile #3, as Nibley discussed in his book Abraham in Egypt, and as Theodore Gaster discussed in his book Thespis: Ritual, Myth and Drama in the Ancient Near East, Gordian Press, 1975. I also discuss and elucidate three important studies of El and Yahweh; R. Scott Chalmers, "Who is the Real El? A Reconstruction of the Prophet's Polemic in Hosea 12:5a," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2006: 611-630; John Pairman Brown, "Yahweh, Zeus, Jupiter: The High God and the Elements," in Zeitschrift fur Alttestamente Wissenschaft, (ZAW): 1994, #2: 175-197; Paul E. Dion, "YHWH as Storm-god and Sun-god, The Double Legacy of Egypt and Canaan as Reflected in Psalm 104," Zeitschrift fur Alttestamente Wissenschaft, (ZAW): 1991, #1: 43-71.
Enjoy listening!
2007 FAIR CONFERENCE
On Thursday August 2 and Friday August 3 we will be holding our annual
FAIR Conference at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah.
Some of our excellent speakers this year include:
* Richard Turley. Richard has recently been involved with new
studies and a book on the Mountain Meadows Massacre. He has
discovered new information on this tragic event.
* Steven L. Olsen. Assistant managing director of the Family and
Church History Department, Steven will be discussing "Are the
Church Archives Closed?" Is there really a top-secret collection
of Church historical documents that casts doubt on the
beginnings of the Church? Can Church history really be studied
or do we just get the whitewashed version?
* Larry Morris. Writer and editor with FARMS, Larry will be
speaking on "The Cowdery Controversies." This will include many
of the questions related to Oliver Cowdery including issues of
Book of Mormon production, his testimony and his witness.
* Brian Hauglid. Brian will be speaking on "Whence the Book of
Abraham? A Case Study for Re-Thinking LDS Apologetics." The Book
of Abraham is often the subject of apologetic questions and
Brian hopes to answer some of those questions for the believer.
* John L. Sorenson. Professor emeritus of anthropology at BYU,
Dr. Sorenson will be talking about the Book of Mormon and "The
Trajectory of Book of Mormon Studies." John is well known for
his trailblazing studies in the Book of Mormon, including the
theoretical mapping of Book of Mormon locations.
* David Bokovoy. With degrees in near-eastern and Judaic studies,
David will be speaking on that great Book of Mormon mystery:
understanding Isaiah. His presentation is titled "Isaiah in the
Book of Mormon: The Things of Joseph and the Things of the Jews."
* Craig Foster and Steven Mayfield will be speaking on the history
of anti-Mormon protestors.
* Terryl Givens. Terryl is the acclaimed author of two classic
apologetic books that every LDS household should own: "By the
Hand of Mormon" and "The Viper on the Hearth: Mormons, Myths, and
the Construction of Heresy." He will be speaking on understanding
outside traditions on the pre-existence.
* Blake Ostler. A returning presenter for FAIR, Blake will be
speaking on spiritual experiences as the basis for belief and
commitment.
This is just a small sampling. There will be others speaking, as well.
(We wouldn't dream of leaving out Dan Peterson.) We are also planning
a panel discussion on the future of anti-Mormonism. Of course, at this
early date we must include the disclaimer that speakers and talk
titles are not guaranteed and are subject to change.
This year¹s conference is not one to be missed. The regular price to
attend this two-day conference is $59.95, but to encourage people to
sign up early (and to keep our volunteers from having a heart attack
trying to handle last minute sign-ups), you can register for only
$49.95 between now and the end of May. This earlybird registration fee
is a non-refundable donation, allowing you to attend all sessions on
both days for a discounted price. You can find out more information
about signing up here:
http://www.fairlds.org/conf07a.html
Mark your calendars now! We look forward to seeing you at the
conference!
I had the good pleasure of meeting Bill Hamblin of BYU, one of the history professors, as well as a regular contributor to FARMS, both in producing research articles, as well as being a mainline editor for some of their publications. I have incredible news.... Bill is almost as handsome as I am. No, I mean, really, would I lie about this? I shall have pics up soon of he and I together.
I was able to peruse his new book which shall be out next month or so, on Solomon's Temple, being published by Thames & Hudson. Daniel C. Peterson, head editor at CPART, one of the significant branches of the formerly called FARMS, now the Neal A. Maxwell Institute, has also noted it has lavish illustrations throughout, which I have found to be the case. It looks fantastic, and I am very eager to read this contribution to Old Testament ideas and history. I was surprised at its size, being some 218-220 pages..... rather big! I am very excited to get it when it becomes available.
My wife and I had a most enjoyable saturday afternoon with him in Provo, and he was nice enough to both show me some of his library (slobbering and green with envy I am!), as well as take us to Tucano's, a very fine and wonderful Brazilian restaurant, all you can eat, and man did we all eat all we could eat! Pleasant conversation, with pleasant people, on a pleasant day, does it ever get better than that?
The various stories concerning Buddhist teachings are always enlightening, very interesting, and some of them are downright amazing as they hit you right between the eyes with the point! Consider:
A powerful, majestic Samurai once went to see a little monk. Says he to the monk, "Monk! Teach me about Heaven and Hell!" The Samurai was gruff as he was acustomed, of course, to meeting with obedience and deference from his subjects.
Looking at this mighty warrior, the little monk replied loudly in utter contempt, "Teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you anything. You're filthy. You stink. You have more muscles than brains. Your sword is rusty, and you're a disgrace to the honorable Samurai class itself! Get out of my sight you pathetic wretch."
The Samurai was speechless with rage. His muscles bulged. His face got red, and so he swung his sword high above his head, preparing to deal a deadly swift, merciless blow of death to the pathetic little monk.
"That is hell," the monk said softly.
The Samurai froze. Suddenly he was overwhelmed by the compassion of this tiny, frail, defenseless man who had just risked death to give this teaching. As he slowly lowered his sword, he was filled with gratitude and wonder.
"That is heaven," the monk said softly.
There are some on the Internet who are apparently so bent out of shape and disturbed in their own personal lives that they feel the need to lash out at others and make all sorts of innuendo and personal attacks and silly arguments in order to try and make themselves feel better due to their own lack of personal achievement. For the record, I would just like to say my monicker, "The Backyard Professor," is not because I have "self-ordained" myself to something vastly superior to others. It is a nickname that I began to be called by family and friends, and several friends said it was a great name, and I ought to get the domain for it and just go with it, since that is what I actually am. They reasoned in this manner since I study an awful lot in my backyard. I love reading in the sunshine, what can I say man? And my backyard is rather a cozy and gorgeous forest of trees and birds, squirrels and other wildlife to boot! That is how I acquired this monicker, not because I can't get a legitimate college degree (I can and have, and am going for more), or because I "ordain" myself to personal greatness. This inane type of attitude is too bad since it is such a sourpuss and whining approach. I say this just for the record. My friends and family affectionately and humorously call me "The Backyard Professor," and if others have taken it personal and use it for any other reason, well, I just can't help it if they miss the point. Apparently they need more schooling of their own.
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