検索キーワード： "Dennis Logan" 宗教学

In this volume, we have attempted to gather the most interesting and influential Gospels and Apocalypses attributed to the Apostles, in the hope that these books may reveal to the listener something hitherto unknown.

In Samuel Johnson's famous quote, "When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully," we find a sobering observation about the power of impending death to focus one's thoughts. Thus is was for the mind and spirit of this soon-to-be martyr.

Did Christianity begin as a mystery cult led by a man named Jesus? Did the initiation ritual contain mysterious ceremonies that only Jesus could perform? Who was the young man in the Gospel of Mark wearing nothing more than a sheet? Why was he there? Was he about to undergo the rites and rituals of initiation into the Jesus cult, or was he simply there to be baptized into the faith? Are there other “Gospels of Mark” out there? What do they say about Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection?

The similarities the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) shares with the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS), as well as many similarities with the Septuagint (LXX), challenge the longstanding view that the Samaritan Pentateuch is a later, borrowed, and altered form of the Masoretic Text (MT). The historical devaluation of the Samaritan Pentateuch requires reevaluation, based upon the contextual cohesiveness of the Samaritan Pentateuch, agreement with the most ancient texts of the DSS and LXX, and the uninterrupted and non-dispersed oral transmission of the Ancient Israelite Samaritans.

In early Christianity, a diverse body of texts emerged alongside the canonical scriptures, many of which aimed to fill in gaps left by the New Testament narratives. Among these apocryphal works, the Gospel of Nicodemus, which includes the Acts of Pilate and the account of the Harrowing of Hell, stands out for its rich portrayal of the events surrounding Christ's trial, crucifixion, and descent into Hell. These texts, though non-canonical, offer a unique glimpse into early Christian beliefs and the theological debates that shaped the development of the faith.

Joseph Lumpkin's compelling short study on the Book of Leviticus delves into the essential role shared laws and beliefs play in maintaining societal cohesion. Just as a nation thrives on a unified language, culture, and legal system, so too does a religion rely on a common set of beliefs. These elements are intertwined, with religion shaping culture, culture influencing religion, and language reflecting both. Leviticus serves as a foundational blueprint, ensuring religious, legal, moral, and cultural unity for a fledgling nation—a theocracy led by Moses.

Joseph Lumpkin's concise study of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Torah, offers a profound exploration of its role as a pivotal bridge between the wilderness narratives and the subsequent history of Israel in the Promised Land, detailed in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. The name "Deuteronomy," derived from the Greek "Deuteronomion," meaning "second law," aptly captures its purpose as a reiteration and expansion of earlier laws.

Dive into the profound exploration of the Pentateuch with Joseph Lumpkin's insightful study, "The Five Books of Moses." This work seamlessly blends scholarly analysis with literary critique, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the foundational texts of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In Genesis, Lumpkin illuminates the themes of creation, covenant, and human nature, connecting ancient insights with contemporary interpretations to underscore the text's enduring relevance.

Dive into the legendary Emerald Tablets of Thoth the Atlantean through Maurice Doreal’s classic English translation.

This volume presents the complete The Book of Giants, placed back into its original context within The First Book of Enoch, along with notes and commentary. The volume also contains the complete books of Second and Third Enoch with commentary. Together, these four books of Giants, First Enoch, Second Enoch, and Third Enoch, make up the majority of the Enochian library.

The Gospel of Barnabas depicts the life of Jesus, claiming to be by Jesus' disciple, Barnabas. Two manuscripts are known to have existed, both dated to the late 16th century and written, respectively, in Italian and Spanish. The Spanish manuscript is now lost. The text now only exists in a partial 18th-century transcript.

The story of Joseph and Aseneth was written between 100 BCE and 100 CE, in a midrash style. This translation is rendered in a modern, easy to read format with history, background, and commentary. Joseph and Aseneth is an epic story of love, desire, sanctification, and forgiveness. It is also a story of religious intolerance, racism, sexism, subterfuge, betrayal, and hate.

Rendered in plain and understandable language, this little book is a wellspring of wisdom intermingled in a story even children will find entertaining. Its wisdom rivals that of Proverbs. It is a wonderful way to teach "life lessons." The Story of Ahikar is one of the oldest sources of wisdom literature. Its influence can be traced through the Koran, as well as the Old and New Testaments. The oldest version, which we can only assume to be the original Papyrus, appears to have been produced circa 500 BC. It is written in Aramaic and was discovered among the ruins of Elephantine.

In the bible of one of the oldest Christian sects, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, are the books of Enoch and Jubilees. These ancient texts are missing from the bibles of other Christian sects and denominations. The books reveal the secrets of the Watchers, the fallen angels who mated with women. The texts describe the offspring of this unholy union and how it brought evil into the world in the forms of the Giants, the Men of Renown, and the Nephilim, who were half human and half demon.

Following in the apocalyptic visions of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation, The War Scroll reveals the conflict between good and evil in the final days of mankind. The War Scroll is a very important piece of literature in our understanding of the concepts of divine justice and retribution held by the Jewish community of the Essenes and the Qumran Community in the time of Jewish persecution by Rome. The scroll reflects a belief that in the end times, evil would be eradicated by the Power of God and his Sons of Light.

In 1868, a French archaeologist and his team were excavating a cemetery in Egypt when they came upon a certain tomb from the eighth century. In the tomb was a monk, reclining peacefully with hands folded on his breast, clasping a small book which he believed to be sacred, holy, and inspired. This book contained the Gospel of Peter. A portion of The Gospel According to Peter had been restored to the Christian community after having been lost over a thousand years.

3 Enoch, also called The Third Book of Enoch, The Hebrew Book of Enoch, and The Book of the Palaces, purports to have been written in the second century A.D. by a Rabbi, who became a 'high priest' after he had visions of an ascension to Heaven, 90 AD - 135 A.D. The book is part of the Merkabah tradition, which are writings with the theme of ascension into heaven. The name is derived from a Hebrew word meaning chariot, referring to Ezekiel's vision beginning in Ezekiel 1:4.

Quoted in the book of Jude, and used to form our view of angels and demons, this book connects the dots of doctrine and prophecy in the scriptures. Details are revealed about the "Sons of God, (angels), that left their positions in heaven to marry human women", having children that became giants and monsters called Nephilim who introduced violence, sorcery, and evil spirits into the world. This book, along with the Book of Jubilees, is considered sacred to the Christian church in Ethiopia, and is placed in their Bible alongside the Old Testament books.

The value of The Book of Jasher is seen in the large quantity of additional detail revealed from the period between divine creation and the time of Joshua's leadership over Israel when the Israelites enter into the land of Canaan. The Book of Jasher includes details about the antediluvian patriarchs, angels, watchers, the flood, the tower of Babel, and many other events mentioned in the Bible. The tales are expanded and infused with detail not previously available. This means we receive insight into the lives of Abraham, Noah, Enoch, Joseph, and many others.

No discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls has rocked the Christian world like that of the newly translated Gospel of Judas. Imagine Judas, the man all of Christendom has hated for 2,000 years, now portrayed as the chosen one, the martyr, the scapegoat, and the man instructed and appointed by Jesus himself to orchestrate and carry out the greatest treachery of all time. Come with us as we explore the Gospel of Judas. We will attempt to fill the gaps in the text and the theology.