Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 04-14-2012, 06:54 PM

I have not had time to digest this. Perhaps Stephan Huller can put it into context.

Israel's Other Temple: Research Reveals Ancient Struggle over Holy Land Supremacy

Quote:

... Until recently, the generally accepted school of thought was as follows: In the fourth century BC, the Samaritans split off as a radical sect. In the Bible, they appear as outsiders and idol worshipers; they are evil. The parable of the "good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25-37) offers a rather atypical portrayal of a member of this sect.

...

Increasingly, though, it looks as though the Bible has handed down a distorted picture of history. Papyrus scrolls recovered from Qumran on the Dead Sea, as well as a fragment of the Bible that recently surfaced on the market for antiquities, necessitate a "complete reassessment," says Schorch.

Yet the most exciting indication of how history actually transpired has now been unearthed by Yitzhak Magen. Working behind security fences, the archaeologist has been digging on the windswept summit of Mount Gerizim.

His findings, which have only been partially published, are a virtual sensation: As early as 2,500 years ago, the mountain was already crowned with a huge, dazzling shrine, surrounded by a 96 by 98-meter (315 by 321-foot) enclosure. The wall had six-chamber gates with colossal wooden doors.

At the time, the Temple of Jerusalem was, at most, but a simple structure.

Magen has discovered 400,000 bone remains from sacrificial animals. Inscriptions identify the site as the "House of the Lord." A silver ring is adorned with the tetragrammaton YHWH, which stands for Yahweh.

Duvduv · 04-14-2012, 07:02 PM

Like many articles in the media on such subjects this one in English from Der Spiegel is far from clear and seems to merely follow the usual narrative especially that advocated by the Samaritans themselves, with traditional Jewish views as usual being relegated to the an unimportant status. Besides, how do they know that Gerizim wasn't also used by other peoples for sacrifices in their own religious rites?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I have not had time to digest this. Perhaps Stephan Huller can put it into context.

Israel's Other Temple: Research Reveals Ancient Struggle over Holy Land Supremacy

Quote:

... Until recently, the generally accepted school of thought was as follows: In the fourth century BC, the Samaritans split off as a radical sect. In the Bible, they appear as outsiders and idol worshipers; they are evil. The parable of the "good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25-37) offers a rather atypical portrayal of a member of this sect.

...

Increasingly, though, it looks as though the Bible has handed down a distorted picture of history. Papyrus scrolls recovered from Qumran on the Dead Sea, as well as a fragment of the Bible that recently surfaced on the market for antiquities, necessitate a "complete reassessment," says Schorch.

Yet the most exciting indication of how history actually transpired has now been unearthed by Yitzhak Magen. Working behind security fences, the archaeologist has been digging on the windswept summit of Mount Gerizim.

His findings, which have only been partially published, are a virtual sensation: As early as 2,500 years ago, the mountain was already crowned with a huge, dazzling shrine, surrounded by a 96 by 98-meter (315 by 321-foot) enclosure. The wall had six-chamber gates with colossal wooden doors.

At the time, the Temple of Jerusalem was, at most, but a simple structure.

Magen has discovered 400,000 bone remains from sacrificial animals. Inscriptions identify the site as the "House of the Lord." A silver ring is adorned with the tetragrammaton YHWH, which stands for Yahweh.

stephan huller · 04-14-2012, 07:05 PM

Let's start with the obvious - the article is in a popular German magazine and it is intelligently written. If it wasn't for the Dutch and the Germans we would be further along in our return to the dark ages.

steve_bnk · 04-14-2012, 07:16 PM

Ancient cultures showing a culural bias? Who would have thought.

stephan huller · 04-14-2012, 07:28 PM

I am eating but it is hilarious that people would even suggest the Bible is 'Jewish' when Jerusalem isn't mentioned by name and almost all the action happens around the Samaritan cultic center or in Samaria

stephan huller · 04-14-2012, 07:30 PM

My friend Rory Boid published an article which demonstrates that even though the Samaritan book of Joshua survives only in Arabic today it goes back to a more original version than the Jewish text

stephan huller · 04-14-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

The Samaritans never rebuilt their temple. From then on, the victors wrote the (biblical) history books and forced their rivals into oblivion.

Yet there is a coda here. The Dositheans were a very influential tradition which argued rightly - like Stephen in Acts - that the Pentateuch insists upon temporary structures rather than solid buildings. The Dositheans may well have had influence over early Christianity and certainly Jesus polemic against the temple.

Duvduv · 04-14-2012, 08:24 PM

I wouldn't hold my breath. We already know of the current known Samaritan Torah relying on the masoretic targums in the work of Rabbi Chaim Heller.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephan huller

My friend Rory Boid published an article which demonstrates that even though the Samaritan book of Joshua survives only in Arabic today it goes back to a more original version than the Jewish text

Diogenes the Cynic · 04-14-2012, 08:38 PM

Those temple remains kind of speak for themselves, though. It is very odd that the Bible would make no mention of it.

Duvduv · 04-14-2012, 08:48 PM

Apparently it wasn't important in Ezra's time. In all likelihood it wasn't built yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

Those temple remains kind of speak for themselves, though. It is very odd that the Bible would make no mention of it.

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04-14-2012, 07:05 PM	#3
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	Let's start with the obvious - the article is in a popular German magazine and it is intelligently written. If it wasn't for the Dutch and the Germans we would be further along in our return to the dark ages.

04-14-2012, 07:16 PM	#4
steve_bnk Contributor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,602	Ancient cultures showing a culural bias? Who would have thought.

04-14-2012, 07:28 PM	#5
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	I am eating but it is hilarious that people would even suggest the Bible is 'Jewish' when Jerusalem isn't mentioned by name and almost all the action happens around the Samaritan cultic center or in Samaria

04-14-2012, 07:30 PM	#6
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	My friend Rory Boid published an article which demonstrates that even though the Samaritan book of Joshua survives only in Arabic today it goes back to a more original version than the Jewish text

04-14-2012, 08:38 PM	#9
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	Those temple remains kind of speak for themselves, though. It is very odd that the Bible would make no mention of it.

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