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Category Archives: bible
Job 7
The problem with most Western readers is that, lacking an education in Ancient Near Eastern thought, they tend to agree fundamentally with Job’s friends. When Job turns to address himself to God, Westerners see him making false accusations, as if … Continue reading
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Tagged civilization, culture, human vanity, mysticism, scripture, spirituality
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Job 6
Job addresses his friends together as if they had all agreed with the words of Eliphaz. What kind of arrogance is it that dismisses the suffering of another simply because one feels no pain? Job begins by reasserting that this … Continue reading
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Tagged ancient hebrew culture, legalism, moral intelligence, mysticism, religion
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Job 5
Eliphaz continues to manifest an inflated ego. He is utterly certain his contentions are self-evident and that God could never do anything perplexing to humans. He advises Job to choose anyone he likes as judge, because they would say the … Continue reading
Job 4
As we dig into the comments of Job’s friends, we need to keep one thing in mind: They are passing judgment on Job’s words, as if a private complaint among friends is tantamount to defaming God. Meanwhile, they ignore his … Continue reading
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Tagged eliphaz, false dichotomy, logic, philosophy, scripture, wisdom literature
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Job 3
It’s too easy to summarize the meaning of Job’s speech: He’s depressed. There is nothing to suggest moral failure. Some folks have come to visit Job in his distress and he’s about as entertaining as he can be, with truly … Continue reading
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Tagged ancient civilizations, literature, morality, scripture, spirituality, survival
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Spirit of Babylon Revisited
Mea culpa; I’ve been wrong on this issue. I need to rewrite my stuff about Babylon as a symbol. What I had said was close. The problem I identified is bad enough, but it was not the core meaning of … Continue reading
Job 2
The same scenario in the Spirit Realm comes around again, where God holds court with His angelic servants. Satan appears faithfully, but without faith. He suggests Job’s words of praise were a cheap attempt to bargain with God for nothing … Continue reading
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Tagged ancient near east, civilization, culture, health, religion, scripture, social isolation
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About the Bible
I’m not picking on anyone in particular here. We talk about the Bible as “God’s Word.” Chances are these days, if some brand of English is your native tongue, you received a really bad education. You aren’t entirely to blame … Continue reading
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Tagged culture, epistemology, holy bible, intellect, propaganda, scripture, western civilization
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Job 1
Job is introduced as one who exemplifies the highest moral standing possible for humans. His possessions and standing made him famous, easily the most blessed of men in the land. At every feast and festival, Job would ritually atone for … Continue reading
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Tagged moral intelligence, mysticism, scripture, spirituality, Two Realms
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Job: Introduction
This is Hebrew poetry at its finest. Unfortunately, we are forced to read it in a very different language, bathed in a completely alien intellectual tradition. Here it is enough to note that Hebrew focuses on the interplay of thoughts … Continue reading
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Tagged hebrew literature, hebrew poetry, mysticism, scripture, writing
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