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#5 Assumption of Mary

Assumption is a word associated with the Virgin Mary, although we have seen that there were two and maybe three precedents for this in the Old Testament with Enoch, Moses and Elijah. The New Testament does not describe the later years of Mary or how she died. Information concerning Mary’s death, burial and assumption comeContinue reading “#5 Assumption of Mary”

#4 Elijah Collected by Chariot

Elijah was born in c.900 BC. He saved the religion of Israel from being corrupted by the worship of Baal. Baal was a collection of gods including the Canaanite god of fertility. These gods had representations – idols that were worshiped in the idolatry prohibited by the Ten Commandments. When the prophet Elijah knew itContinue reading “#4 Elijah Collected by Chariot”

#3 Enoch and Moses Assumed Assumption

There are two cases of possible assumptions in the Old Testament. The first was of a man who disappeared and the second of burial in a grave that was never found. Enoch Enoch was the great grandfather of Noah. He was a prophet who walked with God. He is the first example of someone assumedContinue reading “#3 Enoch and Moses Assumed Assumption”

#2 No Bodily Relics of Mary

There are relics of many, if not most saints, but there are no relics of the Virgin Mary. John of Damascus or John Damascene (c.675 – c.750), a Christian Arab theologian wrote the following about a request for the relics of Mary to be sent: “St Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Council of ChalcedonContinue reading “#2 No Bodily Relics of Mary”

#1 The Assumption of Mary: Jerusalem or Ephesus?

Introduction The Assumption of Mary is a belief shared by Orthodox and Catholics, but not shared by Protestant Christians. The Assumption of Mary has been celebrated throughout the church since before the 5th century. The Feast of the Assumption was established in the eastern church on the 15th August by Emperor Maurice in about 600 AD. InContinue reading “#1 The Assumption of Mary: Jerusalem or Ephesus?”

#31 Apocryphal Books of Value and Not of Value

Apocryphal books not included in Catholic Bibles 3 and 4 Maccabees The books 3 and 4 Maccabees were written in Greek and conserved only in Constantinople by Orthodox Christians. They are not used or recognized by Catholics or Protestants. The theme of these two books follows the details of martyrdoms among Jewish Maccabean followers, especiallyContinue reading “#31 Apocryphal Books of Value and Not of Value”

#30 Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls found in the Qumran Caves date from the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD. The scrolls include entire books of the Hebrew Scriptures, Apocryphal books of the Bible and extra-biblical manuscripts some of which relate to the Essene community. They throw light on Rabbinic Judaism of the Second Temple era andContinue reading “#30 Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls”

#29 Discussion of ‘Lady Wisdom’

That Solomon was so wise and yet fell from grace is a cautionary tale. King Solomon asked God to give him wisdom rather than wealth. Solomon received this gift from God, as well as becoming fabulously rich. In his writings, Solomon personifies wisdom as ‘she’ and compares her to ‘Lady Foolishness’ (Proverbs 9:13) inviting theContinue reading “#29 Discussion of ‘Lady Wisdom’”

#28 Wisdom Literature of the Bible

The Israelites have a very ancient tradition of wisdom literature that goes back at least to the time of King Solomon who became king in 970 BC. In comparison Ancient Greece and Athens only started to rise to power after 478 BC. Greek philosophy only took root with Socrates (470-399 BC), Plato (428-348 BC) andContinue reading “#28 Wisdom Literature of the Bible”

#27 History Books of the Bible

The history books of the Bible were written by Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Baruch and Ezra – only five people. The period between the two Testaments has histories written by Judas and Simon Maccabeus, and by Yeshua ben Sira’s grandson. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible known as the Torah starting with Genesis. Continue reading “#27 History Books of the Bible”