Jan 31, 2011
Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Archaeology, FFOZ, Heresy, Judaism | 0 comments
Beth Alpha synagogue mosaic
Many people have disparaged Judaism as being filled with paganism, particularly orthodox Judaism’s rabbinic leadership. Some even claim that it is satanic at the root (G-d forbid). Many people have had similar remarks about Christianity, especially when they discover Messianic Judaism and discover all that Christianity has forgotten over the last two thousand years in relationship to it Jewish origins. Everything is then questioned, and its origins suspect. For instance: What is the origin of the Christmas tree? Was it originally an asheroth pole? What about the Easter bunny, and the name “Easter” itself? Are they connected to Ishtar, the pagan goddess of fertility? Was the star of David originally a magical symbol used by the pagans? Questions such as these continue to pound away at both Judaism and Christianity.
Biblical Archaeology Review recently published an article examining pagan symbols in Jewish worship, specifically looking at the various synagogues unearthed in Israel which portray zodiac symbolism in their floor mosaics. The most famous is the Beth Alpha synagogue, which sports a very large floor mosaic (28×14 meters, roughly 90×30 feet) whose central panel shows the complete zodiac. It is described as follows:
Figures of four women were at the four corners, with inscriptions (in Hebrew) identifying each as a season of the year. Inside the square was a wheel, 3.12 meters in diameter, with a smaller circle (1.2 m) in its center. The wheel was divided into 12 panels, each with a figure and a name identifying it as a sign of the zodiac. And in the center, a man was pictured driving a quadriga (four-horse chariot) through the moon and stars. Rays of the sun were coming out of his head; it was clear that he was Helios, god of the sun.
This article continues to describe in detail several such synagogues found in Israel with this type of imagery. Although there is still some mystery surrounding the use of these symbols (particularly in a house specifically designed for study & worship), I feel the author’s explanation of them plausible.
This brings a lot of questions to mind (for which I do not have the answers). When and how were pagan symbols introduced into Judaism and Christianity? What do we “accept” and what do we “reject”? Where do we draw the line? How far is too far? Are there such things as coincidence? What are the “majors” and what are the “minors” in all of this? If others believers continue to unknowingly incorporate pagan symbolism in their sincere worship, what is our responsibility? These are a lot of difficult questions. Fortunately, someone has done a lot of homework on the subject.
First Fruits of Zion has recently published a 4-disc audio teaching on this very subject. It’s called “What About Paganism?” Toby Janicki tackles this subject and brings in a ton of information relating to both Christian and Jewish practice which may or may not be pagan in origin and gives suggestions as to our response. This is a good starting point to get some honest discussion on the table in regard to this topic, rather than living on our assumptions. It is based on historical evidences and the teachings of Yeshua. When we abide in the teachings of our Master, Yeshua, we will “know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Jul 22, 2007
Posted on Jul 22, 2007 in Apostolic Midrash, Apostolic Writings, FFOZ, Heresy, Judaism, Paul, Yeshua | 0 comments
Better late than never… Here are my notes from the “To Whom Shall We Go?” seminar last month. I hope they come in handy for someone. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about trying to decipher them.
Right-click (pc) or Control-click (mac!) to download:
Dec 20, 2006
Posted on Dec 20, 2006 in Heresy, Yeshua | 3 comments
In case there was any confusion with my last post, here is my “official” stance on the Messiahship of Yeshua. I believe (with perfect faith) that Yeshua of Nazereth is the long awaited Mashiach proclaimed by the Torah and the Prophets. The evidence within the Apostolic Scriptures is overwhelmingly convincing when viewed with the proper linguistic and cultural understanding to conclude otherwise. Yeshua is HaMashiach.
In the days ahead we (a group of my colleagues and I) will be making available a large repository of conclusive evidences of the validity of his messiahship from both classic perspectives as well as fresh, scholarly insights. If you have insights you would like to include, please contact me in this regard as we are in the compilation process.
shalom chaverim,
-Darren
ps. Happy Hanukkah! Yeshua is the Light of the World! (And YOU are the light of the world…Matthew 5:14-16… Flip the switch!)
Dec 3, 2006
Posted on Dec 3, 2006 in Heresy, Interfaith, Judaism, Miscellaneous, Yeshua | 28 comments
Following on the heels of Boaz’s comments (http://www.diggingwithdarren.com/blog/index.php?p=154#comment-423), I thought we could move the discussion over to this post and keep it focused. If you have sources that you believe to prove the Messiahship of Yeshua, then please post them here.
Jay – I know you will enjoy playing devil’s advocate here. Feel free to post your prooftexts of why you feel that he is not.
Everyone – please keep your comments focused to the topic, and keep personalities out of the way. This is a great exercise for being able to actually back up what we believe, as Peter encourages us to do
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15,16
Lastly, Mr. Benzvi – I appreciate your concern. However, I believe you would do well to heed the words of Peter, also.
I look forward to a healthy discussion on a vital topic.
Shalom,
-Darren
Sep 1, 2006
Posted on Sep 1, 2006 in Apostolic Writings, Heresy, Yeshua | 0 comments
It seems dubious author Michael Baigent has thrust his pen into the side of Yeshua again in his new book The Jesus Papers. A followup to his 1982 hit and miss Holy Blood, Holy Grail in which he has Jesus escape the cross through drug use and elope to France with Mary Magdalene. This was the inspiration behind Dan Brown’s overwhelmingly popular, over-hyped, fraudulent and highly imaginative DaVinci Code. (As a matter of fact, Baigent filed a lawsuit against Brown for “stealing” his material.) It “just so happens” to fall right on the heals of the publication of The Judas Gospel and the DaVinci Code blockbuster hit. But he claims it is only “coincidence.”
Baigent’s premise in The Jesus Papers is the same as Holy Blood, Holy Grail, only this time he takes it a step further. He claims to have found what he calls the “Jesus Papers,” written letters from Yeshua to the Sanhedrin uncovering the “truth” about Yeshua’s feigned death and the ensuing details of his “life after death.” Hershel Shanks has a good time poking fun at this wasted ink called a novel in his recent review of it. Take a peak and have a few laughs, and don’t worry about it shaking anyone’s faith but those who have none.
