The Good News of Judaism - 2,000 years of Judeo-Christian Wisdom and Magic

2,000 years of Judeo-Christian Wisdom and Magic
Even though this has been said before, it should be said again that the sayings, and even the parables, of Jesus Christ were not all of His own, but were the culmination of many centuries of ancient Israelite and Jewish tradition. These words of wisdom did not inspire, nor impress, the Greco-Roman elites and their philosophers or cause them to believe, on the contrary. What did finally cause them to convert was the miraculous transformation they saw in people who were diseased, sick, or in despair, as well as the very real supernatural miracles performed by the Apostles, Disciples, and the dozens of Saints who came after them. The Rabbis crucified R. Joshua ben Joseph because they thought He was practicing black magic or was hopelessly (and helplessly) possessed by the Devil. 2,000 years later, His magic lives on within the most famous compilation of Jewish wisdom and advice ever written- commonly known as the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Enjoy the following comparisons.

MIDRASH: The builder mixes a thick sand with a thinner one in the mortar, by which contrivance the latter becomes very strong and the building more substantial. In creating the first pair, something of this method was adopted. Adam was the strong and Eve the weaker. This mixture of the weak with the strong is beneficial to the human race. (Genesis Rabba 14)
GOSPEL: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Mark 10:7-9)

MIDRASH: Man was originally formed with a tail like the lower animals, but this was afterwards taken from him out of consideration for him. (Genesis Rabba 14)
GOSPEL: Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

MIDRASH: Man in celibacy is in sublime ignorance of what is meant by the words good, hell, joy, blessing, peace and expiation of sin. He is, in fact, not entitled to the dignified name of man. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: Jesus replied, 'Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others- and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.' (Matthew 19:11-12)

MIDRASH: God designed man for work, to work for his own sustenance. He who does not work shall not eat. (Genesis Rabba 14)
GOSPEL: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

MIDRASH: After Adam's fall came Abraham, who established in the world the knowledge of God. As a builder puts the strongest beam in the centre of the building, so as to support the structure at both ends, so Abraham was the strong beam carrying the burden of the generations that existed before him and that came after him. (Genesis Rabba 14a)
GOSPELS: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

MIDRASH: Dreams, something like prophecy, are the offspring of imaginations and comparisons which we may form whilst awake. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: Because Mary's husband, Joseph, was a good man, he did not want to disgrace her in public, so he planned to divorce her secretly. While Joseph thought about these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, 'Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' (Matthew 1:19-21)

MIDRASH: After Adam's fall came Abraham, who established in the world the knowledge of God. As a builder puts the strongest beam in the centre of the building, so as to support the structure at both ends, so Abraham was the strong beam carrying the burden of the generations that existed before him and that came after him. (Genesis Rabba 14a)
GOSPEL: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

MIDRASH: Here in this life we have the Spirit = the soul, blown into our nostrils, hence it goes from us at death. In the future, the soul, when restored, will be given to us, as it is said in (Ezekiel 37:14): a complete gift never to be returned. - Genesis Rabba 14
GOSPEL: Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost...Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee onto a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him (again), they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto Me in Heaven and on Earth.' (Matthew 27:50, 28:16-18)

MIDRASH: The river Euphrates is the chief and choicest of all rivers. - Genesis Rabba 16
GOSPEL: And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:4-5)

MIDRASH: The Greeks, amongst other insults which they heaped on Jews, had a satirical saying. The Jews should write on the horn of an ox- alluding to the making of the golden calf, that they are not the portion of the God of Israel. (Genesis Rabba 16)
GOSPEL: They said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband. The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this. What do you say we should do?' They were asking this to trick Jesus so that they could have some charge against him. But Jesus bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he raised up and said, 'Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her.' Then Jesus bent over again and wrote on the ground. (John 8:4-8)

MIDRASH: Sleep is a sixtieth portion of death, a dream is the same proportion of prophecy and the Sabbath of the Future bliss. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, 'You men could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.' (Matthew 26:40-41)

MIDRASH: 'Why,' asked a matron of Rabbi José, 'did God steal a rib from Adam?' 'Steal, did you say?' replied the Sage. 'If one were to take away from your house an ounce of silver, and give you in return a pound of gold, that would not be stealing from you.' 'But,' Persisted his friend, 'what need was there for secrecy?' 'It was surely better,' replied R. José, 'to present Eve to Adam when she was quite presentable, and when no traces of the effects of the operation were visible.' (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (of Jesus).There was a violent earthquake, for an Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow...The Angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples'...So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy...Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:1-9)

MIDRASH: That woman exercises more influence over man than he possesses over woman was illustrated by a couple who were famous for their piety, but who were eventually divorced. The man married a woman of questionable habits, and soon copied her conduct and became like his new wife, conspicuous for his evil deeds; whilst the divorced woman married a notorious sinner, and converted him into a pious man. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.' Jesus answered him, 'Simon, I have something to tell you'...Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.' Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.' (Luke 7:37-48)

MIDRASH: Dreams, something like prophecy, are the offspring of imaginations and comparisons which we may form whilst awake. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?'...While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.' (Matthew 27:17-19)

MIDRASH: Dreams, something like prophecy, are the offspring of imaginations and comparisons which we may form while awake. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: On coming to the house, they (three wise men) saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:11-13)

MIDRASH: Sleepiness and laziness in a man are the beginning of his misfortune. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, 'You men could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak'...Then he went back to his followers, and again he found them asleep, because their eyes were heavy. So Jesus left them and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing. Then Jesus went back to his followers and said, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinful people. Get up, we must go.' (Matthew 26:40-46)

MIDRASH: Man in celibacy is in sublime ignorance of what is meant by the words good, hell, joy, blessing, peace and expiation of sin. He is, in fact, not entitled to the dignified name of man. (Genesis Rabba 17)
GOSPEL: 'The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if his wife has sexual relations with another man.' The followers said to him, 'If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better not to marry.' Jesus answered, 'Not everyone can accept this teaching, but God has made some able to accept it. There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to become fathers. Others were made that way later in life by other people. And some men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of Heaven. But the person who can marry should accept this teaching about marriage.' (Matthew 19:9-12)

MIDRASH: Rabbi Meier wrote a scroll for his own use, on the margin of which he wrote, in connexion with the words: 'And God saw that it was good,' 'This means death, which is the passing from life transitory to life everlasting.' - Genesis Rabba 9
GOSPEL: Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what does it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?' (Matthew 16:24-26)

May the LORD God bless you in the name of the Judeo-Christian tradition.

The Maccabee - Meaning and Morality of Enoch

Meaning and Morality of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

Part I. Meaning of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

- In general, the name Enoch comes from the Hebrew verb 'hanak' meaning dedicate

Various Meanings of Enoch

- Hebrew word for Imprint, pierce into, instruct, make wise (Fuerst's Hebrew & Chaldee Lexicon To The Old Testament)

- Hebrew word for Initiated (Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names)

- Hebrew word for Dedicated (NOBS Study Bible Name List).

Other References to Enoch

- The name Enoch is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'trained and vowed, dedicated; profound'

- The name Enoch is closely related to the Hebrew word 'hanak' and its derivatives. In the Bible, 'hanak' is used in reference to an action in connection to a building (1 Kings 8:63), a wall (Nehemiah 12:27), an altar (Numbers 7:10), or an image (Daniel 3:2). (HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)

- Hebrew Derivatives of the name Enoch include 'hanik', meaning trained servant (Genesis 14:14) and 'hanukka', meaning dedication (Psalm 30)

- The word Enoch, when used as a noun, also makes a reappearance much later in the Bible as the name Hanukkah, the still celebrated Feast Of Dedication (John 10:22)

- Remarkably, one of the roots of the name Enoch, namely 'hanak' also yields the derivative hek, meaning palate, mouth, with connotation of speech (Proverbs 8:7, Song of Solomon 5:16)

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The Bible of Enoch, Enoch and Enoch

- There are three separate Enochs mentioned in the Bible. Enoch is first mentioned as a son of Cain.

- Enoch is mentioned once again as the name Cain gives to his newly-built city in honor of his son Enoch (Genesis 4:17).

- Finally, Enoch is mentioned a third time as being a son of Jared, of the line of Seth, third son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 5:19). This particular Enoch, who is said to have 'walked with God,' is from the seventh generation of Adam (where Adam is the first). These three different Enochs can be understood in the following manner:

I. Enoch: the son of Cain, father of Irad

II. Enoch: a city built by Cain and then deliberately named after his son Enoch

III. Enoch: the son of Jared, father of Methuselah, from the line of Seth, also a direct descendant of Adam from the seventh generation. As the Bible states; Enoch 'walked with God' and then disappeared without a trace. As this miraculous event has traditionally been understood by both Judaism and Christianity, Enoch, son of Jared, is one of only two men in history (Elijah is the other one) who has never experienced bodily death. Instead, Enoch, like the Prophet Elijah who came after him, was taken directly up into Heaven, both physically and spiritually, by God.

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The Biblical Passages about Enoch

Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael became the father of Methushael, and Methushael became the father of Lamech. (Genesis 4:16-18)

Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch. Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch...Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:18-24)

So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:23-24)

The sons then of Ruben the firstborn of Israel were Enoch, and Phallu, Esron, and Charmi. (I Chronicles 5:3)

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, 'Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.' (Jude 1:14-15)

NOTE: Enoch is also mentioned in I Chronicles 1:3 and Luke 3:37

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Part II. Morality of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

The Seven Blessings of Enoch

I. Blessed is he who opens his lips in praise of the God of Sabaoth and praises the LORD with his heart.

II. Blessed is he who opens his lips blessing and praising God.

III. Blessed is he who blesses all the LORD’s works.

IV. Blessed is he who looks down and raises the fallen.

V. Blessed is he who keeps the foundations of his fathers made firm from the beginning.

VI. Blessed is he who imparts peace and love.

VII. Blessed is he who speaks with humble tongue and heart to all. (II Enoch 52:1-13)

The Seven Cursings of Enoch

I. Cursed is he who opens his lips for the bringing of contempt and calumny upon his neighbour, because he brings God into contempt.

II. Cursed is he before the LORD all the days of his life, who opens his lips to curse and abuse.

III. Cursed is he who brings the LORDs creation into contempt

IV. Cursed is he who looks to and is eager for the destruction of what is not his.

V. Cursed is he who perverts the decrees of his forefathers.

VI. Cursed is he who disturbs those that love their neighbors

VII. Cursed is he who speaks peace with his tongue, while in his heart there is no peace but a sword. (II Enoch 52:2-14)

For all these things will be laid bare in the weighing-scales and in the books, on the day of the great judgment. (II Enoch 52:15)

The Six Additional Blessings of Enoch

1) Blessed are those who enter the good houses, for in the bad houses there is no peace nor return from them. (II Enoch 61:2)

2) Blessed is the man who shall bear their yoke and shall drag them along, for he shall be released on the day of the great judgment. (II Enoch 48:7)

3) Blessed are the just who shall escape the great judgment, for they shall shine forth more than the sun sevenfold, for in this world the seventh part is taken off from all, light, darkness, food, enjoyment, sorrow, paradise, torture, fire, frost, and other things; he put all down in writing, that you might read and understand. (II Enoch 67:8)

4) Bessed is the man who in his patience brings his gifts with faith before the LORD’s face, because he will find forgiveness of sins. But if he take back his words before the time, there is no repentance for him; and if the time pass and he do not of his own will what is promised, there is no repentance after death. (II Enoch 62:1-2)

5) Blessed is the man who does not direct his heart with malice against any man, and helps the injured and condemned, and raises the broken down, and shall do charity to the needy, because on the day of the great judgment every weight, every measure and every makeweight (will be) as in the market, that is to say (they are) hung on scales and stand in the market, (and every one) shall learn his own measure, and according to his measure shall take his reward. (II Enoch 44:3)

6) Blessed is the man who has not been born or who has been born and shall not sin before the Lord’s face, that he come not into this place, nor bring the yoke of this place. (II Enoch 41:3)

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Some Timeless Advice of the Ancient Prophet Enoch

Keep Your Heart Pure and Free of Evil

Keep your hearts from every injustice, which the LORD hates. When man puts a good thought in his heart, brings gifts from his labours before the LORD’s face and his hands made them not, then the LORD will turn away his face And if his hands made it, but his heart murmur, and his heart cease not making murmur incessantly, he has not any advantage. (II Enoch 61:1-4)

When the LORD demands bread, or candles, or the flesh of beasts, or any other sacrifice, then that is nothing; but God demands pure hearts, and with all the rest simply tests the heart of man. (II Enoch 45:3)

The LORD see all the imaginings of man, how they are vain, where they lie in the treasure-houses of the heart. (II Enoch 53:2)

If one man makes himself appear good to another by deceit of tongue, but has evil in his heart, then will not the other understand the treachery of his heart, and himself be condemned, since his untruth was plain to all? (II Enoch 46:3)

Do No Harm to your Fellow Man or Risk Judgment

He who works the killing of a man’s soul, kills his own soul, and kills his own body, and there is no cure for him for all time. (II Enoch 60:1)

He who puts a man in any snare, shall stick in it himself, and there is no cure for him for all time. (II Enoch 60:2)

He who puts a man in any vessel, his retribution will not be wanting at the great judgment for all time. (II Enoch 60:3)

He who works crookedly or speaks evil against any soul, will not make justice for himself for all time. (II Enoch 60:4)

The Golden Rule

Just as a man asks something for his own soul from God, so let him do to every living soul, because the LORD knows all things, how in the great time to come there is much inheritance prepared for men, good for the good, and bad for the bad, without number many (II Enoch 61:1)

Turn the Other Cheek

If any harm or damage befalsl you, return (them) not either to neighbor or enemy, because the Lord will return (them) for you and be your avenger on the day of great judgment, that there be no avenging here among men. (II Enoch 50:5)

Always Give to Charity

Stretch out your hands to the poor according to your strength. (II Enoch 51:1)

Whoever of you spends gold or silver for his brother’s sake, he will receive ample treasure in the world to come. (II Enoch 50:6)

Show Kindness Towards Others

Help the faithful man in affliction, and affliction will not find you in the time of your trouble. (II Enoch 51:3)

Injure not widows nor orphans nor strangers, lest God’s wrath come upon you. (II Enoch 50:7)

Hide not your silver in the earth. (II Enoch 51:2)

It is good to go morning, midday, and evening into the Lord’s dwelling, for the glory of your creator. Because every breathing (thing) glorifies him, and every creature visible (physical) and invisible (spiritual) returns him praise. (II Enoch 51:5-6)

Now therefore, my children, in patience and meekness spend the number of your days, that you inherit endless life.(II Enoch 50:3)

Always Fear the LORD your God

There is none better than he who fears God, he shall be more glorious in time to come. (II Enoch 43:2)

Walk before his face with terror and trembling and serve him alone. (II Enoch 67:2)

Endure Suffering with Patience

Walk, my children, in long-suffering, in meekness, honesty, in provocation, in grief, in faith and in truth, in (reliance on) promises, in illness, in abuse, in wounds, in temptation, in nakedness, in privation, loving one another, till you go out from this age of ills, that you become inheritors of endless time. (II Enoch 67:7)

And every grievous and cruel yoke that come upon you bear all for the sake of the LORD, and thus you will find your reward in the day of judgment.(II Enoch 51:4)

Endure for the sake of the LORD every wound, every injury, every evil word and attack. (II Enoch 50:4)

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Enoch.

The Maccabee - Against the Documentary Hypothesis

‘Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’

- Jeremiah 23:29

Understanding the Documentary Hypothesis

Historically speaking, the theory that Moses 'did not write the Pentateuch actually has been around for more than a millennium.' Even so, the vast majority of believers, both Jew and Christian, 'still maintained that Moses was its author' well into the 17th century. It was around this time that the Dutch-Jewish philosopher Benedict Spinoza began to attack this common-held belief about Moses. This led to his eventual excommunication from Judaism by the Rabbinnical authorities some years later. This 'questioning' of the authorship of the Bible continued in the following manner:

- French physician Jean Astruc created the original Documentary Hypothesis in 1753 by listing the different names of God used in the Torah.

- After many changes and alterations, Karl Graf came out with a revised version of the 'initial hypothesis in the mid-nineteenth century.'

- Julius Wellhausen then resummarized Graf’s Documentary Hypothesis and proceeds to preach and promote it 'in European and American scholarly circles.'

- In the end, the refutation of Moses as author of the Torah, known as as the Documentary Hypothesis, also became 'known to many as the Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis.'

Since these earlier times, attacks upon the Judeo-Christian belief in the authorship of Moses and the first five books of the Bible have, in fact, 'been thrust consistently into the faces of Christians.' A staunch belief in the Documentary Hypothesis has become near universal in secular settings. One sources notes that this still unproven theory has garnered a cult-like belief in others, especially non-believers:

It is becoming increasingly popular to believe this theory...Numerous commentaries, religious journals, and Web sites consistently promote it. And many professors who teach religious courses espouse it. Undoubtedly, it is champion among the topics discussed in classes on a critical introduction to the Bible. In most “scholarly” circles, if one does not hold to the Documentary Hypothesis (or at least some form of it), he is considered fanatical and uneducated.

To sum it up, the Documentary Hypothesis boldly claims that, instead of being written by Moses around 1,200-1,500 years ago, the 'Pentateuch was compiled from four original source documents -designated as J, E, D, and P.' It further contends that these four theoretical documents were all created 'by different authors, and eventually were compiled into the Pentateuch by a redactor (editor).' According to the classic Documentary Hypothesis, the conjectured dates of authorship can be seen in the following manner:

Alleged Authorship of the Torah

I. The J (Yahwehist) document was supposedly written around 850 B.C

II. The E (Elohist) document was supposedly written around 750 B.C.

III. The D (Deuteronomist) document was supposedly written around 620 B.C.

IV. The P (Priestly) document was supposedly written around 500 B.C.

V. The R (Redactor) document, or final version of the Torah, was supposedly written around 200 B.C.

These unproven, and basically unprovable, source documents, have now been accepted as historical fact by nearly all of those who ascribe to the Documentary Hypothesis. In many ways, the main point of their claims has to openly and boldly deny that Moses wrote the first five books of the Holy Bible. This is spite of the fact that these dates have no scientific validity whatsoever. As one scholar notes:

Every dating of the pentateuchal 'sources' rests on purely hypothetical assumptions, which ultimately only have standing through the consensus of scholars.

- R. Rendtorff

Some believe there is an underlying reason why the followers of the Documentary Hypothesis insist on such late dating of the authorship of the Torah. Their real goal may little more than an attempt to discredit Scriptures and, with it, Christianity. The denial of Moses as the author of the Torah usually provides a stepping stone for further denials concerning the Bible. Here are just a few statements by those who believe in the Documentary Hypothesis:

One of the certain results of modern Bible study has been the discovery that the first five books of the Old Testament were not written by Moses.

- Gottwald, 1959

It is obvious that the Book of Genesis was not written by a single author (Moses).

-Rendtorff, 1998

The most determined biblicist can see that there is no way Moses could have written the Torah.

- McKinsey, 1995

At present, however, there is hardly a biblical scholar in the world actively working on the problem who would claim that the Five Books of Moses were written by Moses - or by anyone per­son.

- Dr. Richard E. Friedman, University of California at San Diego

This conventional wisdom and denial of Moses' authorship has now managed to permeate the entire world of academia and Biblical scholarship. Indeed, it is a given that statements such as those just cited 'have made their way into thousands of classrooms.' The results are quite tragic, as more and more students become non-believers due to this pernicious fallacy known as the Documentary Hypothesis. One source notes: 'Sadly, before hearing skeptics and liberal scholars present their ineffectual arguments for such beliefs, students frequently become so spellbound by the intellectual façade and bold affirmations of certainty that they rarely even consider the evidence at hand.' The evidence, if seen and studied carefully, still seems to indicate that Moses was indeed the real author of the Pentateuch. The scholarly facts, even today, are as follows:

The fact is that there are Old Testament specialists who have been trained in schools like Harvard and Princeton and Chicago University, who have received earned doctorates, who have become skilled in all of the relevant languages and archeological discoveries, who have attended and participated in all of the leading scholarly conventions, and who have authored texts that are studied by college and seminary students all over the world, who still adhere to the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.

Given all of the misleading scholarship out there these days, it should come as no surprise that when Andrew Brown, author of The Darwin Wars, wrote about a conversation he had with England's leading Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, he became flabbergasted when 'Dr. Sacks defended the proposition that Moses wrote (or dictated) the first five books of the Bible'. Andrew Brown surprised response was simply: 'That is the most shocking thing I have ever heard an intellectual say.' Nevertheless, more and more prominent scholars are now beginning to break with Wellhausen's Documentary Hypothesis and even going so far as to attack it as illogical and irrational. Here is one disgruntled scholar on the need for change:

Redaction history and tradition history are [not helpful]...in explaining the origin of the Pentateuch. There is a preference for the view that much of the Yahwistic material was written later than originally thought, implying a much longer period of oral and written transmission of many of the Pentateuchal narratives. The way literary criticism and tradition history were applied in the past is largely invalidated by current folklore research which should be used as a corrective as well as to devise a new theory on how the Pentateuch originated.

- Van Dyk, P. J., Current Trends in Pentateuch Criticism.

Most importantly, scholars of various stripes are also beginning to tear away at the specifics of the Documentary Hypothesis, most notably the four source document theory (J, E, P and D), which presupposes four unique original sources for the Pentateuch. Noted scholar Professor Kitchen now admits that 'even the most ardent advocate of the documentary theory must admit that we have as yet no single scrap of external, objective...tangible, evidence for either the existence or history of ‘J’, ‘E’, or any other alleged source-documents'. His admission of error is starting to become more typical among the liberal circles of secular Biblical scholarship. Indeed, one writer claims that 'certain liberals have been forced to admit that the JEPD hypothesis is really without merit.' Just recently, a man named Umberto Cassuto, a professor at the University of Jerusalem, wrote a book called The Documentary Hypothesis. In the book, he freely confesses that the main arguments for Wellhausen's theory are 'without substance.' Furthermore, he states that the entire Documentary Hypothesis field of study happens to be 'founded on air' and will inevitably become 'null and void'. In summary, 'there simply is no support for the documentary theories of the higher critics, and there is much evidence against them.'

Refuting the Documentary Hypothesis

The Documentary Hypothesis, sometimes called 'the Graf-Wellhausen hypothesis after the two men, K.H. Graf and Julius Wellhausen, who gave it its classic expression', presupposes that the five Books of Moses, namely the Torah or Pentateuch, are actually derived from four different source documents, called J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), D (Deuteronomist), and P (Priestly Code). These original sources can be organized in the following manner:

J- Starting with Genesis 2:4, it includes large portions of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

E- Includes Genesis 15 and Exodus 3:15 for example

D- Includes most of Deuteronomy

P- Starting with Genesis 1:1, it includes large portions of Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers and all of Leviticus.

When going about the business of refuting the Documentary Hypothesis it is necessary to organize the arguments in fairly precise manner. One Biblical scholar R.N. Whybray, as well as others, has concluded that 'the Documentary Hypothesis is founded on four presuppositions.' Those four assumptions, with the pertinent refutation just beneath them, can be listed as follows:

ASSUMPTION: An evolutionary, unilinear approach to Israelite history.

REFUTATION: Most scholars agree that 'Wellhausen built his theory on a now-discredited evolutionary philosophy with its roots in the thought of G.W.F. Hegel.' Since then, the whole philosophy of Hegelianism has been thoroughly discredited. Because of this, it seems more than likely 'that the history of Israelite religion cannot be portrayed in the simple, highly evolutionary manner that Wellhausen thought possible.'

ASSUMPTION: The possibility of dividing the Pentateuchal texts on the basis of stylistic criteria.

REFUTATION: Some of the earliest proponents of the Documentary Hypothesis claimed 'they could easily separate one text from another on the basis of style.' In reality, the entire Torah is written in standard Biblical Hebrew. The only real way a single style could ever really be found for each source document, namely J, E, P, and D, 'would be if each monotonously and rigorously maintained a highly idiosyncratic style.' This has not been the case when it comes to the Pentateuch.

ASSUMPTION: A simple compilation of documents by redactors.

REFUTATION: According to the claims of the Documentary Hypothesis, later editors of the Torah, called redactors, supposedly used the documents they had availible and then proceeded to use a 'cut-and-paste' procedure where they simply cut 'up each document and then joining the whole into a continuous narrative.' There is no actual proof that this sort of organizational effort ever existed. Indeed, 'no true analogy to this somewhat bizarre editorial procedure is available.'

ASSUMPTION: Easy determination of the purposes and methods behind the documents and redactions.

REFUTATION: The founders of the Documentary Hypothesis believed they would be able to easily 'deduce the purposes and methods of the redactors, despite the fact that enormous cultural differences existed between the scholars who studied Genesis and the men who wrote it.' Scholars then began to speculate in a somewhat bizaare manner about the aims of the original writers and later editors (redactors). To be specific 'it was assumed that each writer aimed to produce a single, continuous history but would tolerate no inconsistency, repetition, or narrative digressions.' However, the editors (redactors) 'were said to be utterly oblivious to every kind of contradiction and repetition.' These strange assumptions bear no historical accuracy or proof that they are true.

It must be emphasized that the Documentary Hypothesis blithely assumes that the Torah was originally made up of four documents which were all 'first composed as continuous, single narratives and only later were brought together and edited into the present work.' This false assumption led to many errors in Biblical analysis. To bolster the arguments of the Documentary Hypothesis, many different 'modifications were proposed.' Problems with the original Hypothesis just caused their reasoning to become that much more complex and illogical. Some of the 'modifications' included 'dividing the four sources into even smaller sources...whereas others reduced the number of sources, questioning the existence of E altogether.' When it comes to the authorship of the Pentateuch, here are the seven major claims of the Documentary Hypothesis:

The Seven False Claims of the Documentary Hypothesis

1. TWO NAMES OF GOD: Torah Passages which refer to God as Yahveh originate from the J source document, while passages which refer to God as Elohim originate from the E (or P) source document.

2. DUPLICATION AND REPETITION: Genesis contains some duplicate stories and repetitions suggest they were originally portions of two different documents woven together into one text.

3. CONTRADICTION AND CONFUSION: Genesis contains contradictions which 'indicate the existence of the separate documents.' This implies 'that one document had one tradition, but a second had another.'

4. LANGUAGE AND STYLE: The language and style of the original source documents vary. J is a masterful storyteller, while P is prosaic and wordy. Each document also seems to have its own preferred vocabulary.

5. MEANING AND THEOLOGY: Each original source document, 'when extracted from the present text of Genesis, shows itself to have been a continuous, meaningful piece of literature.' The source documents appear to have 'a specific literary and theological purpose behind each.'

6. COMMON SENSE: Even a simple, basic reading of the Torah seem to indicate that the text 'obviously involve more than one source.' The best example is Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, 'which can hardly come from a single source.'

7. PRIESTS AND LEVITES: The confusion over the 'Israelite priesthood found in the Pentateuch is best explained by the Documentary Hypothesis.' While some passage imply that all levites are priests, other passages state that only the descendants of Aaron are. This suggests at least two separate sources.

To summarize, it has been these seven claims that the Documentary Hypothesis has done fairly well in trying to explain. The fact of the matter, is that Wellhausen's theory explains problematic parts of the Torah without ever suggesting that they may not be problems at all. What follows are detailed refutations of the seven false claims of the Documentary Hypothesis.

FALSE CLAIM #1: TWO NAMES OF GOD:

- The theory that passages using Yahveh (J source) or Elohim (E source) for God come from separate sources 'has been challenged from several directions.' To cite one example, Genesis 22:11 uses the name Yahweh even though it is considered to be a part of the E (Elohim) source document. Also, at the very beginning of the Torah, there is a combination of the two names into 'the unusual Yahweh Elohim.'

- Biblical scholar M.H. Segal also shows that the two different divine names, Jahveh and Elohim, are used interchangeably in other Scriptures which are definitely known to have originated from a single source. In short, later Biblical passages use the two names for God as if the author saw the two names as simply different terms for the same God.

- The so-called decision of E and P sources not to use the name Yahveh (J) is simply a fictitious assumption. Likewise, there is 'absolutely no reason that J should avoid' using the word Elohim.

- The unexplained use of the two different names for God can also be surmised without resorting to the Documentary Hypothesis. In sum, Biblical scholar Umberto Cassuto claims that these two names simply 'bring out different aspects of the character of God.' Yahweh is seen as the covenant name of God, emphasizing his special relationship to Israel, just as Elohim speaks of God’s universality as God of all earth. Seen simply, 'Elohim is what God is and Yahweh is who He is.'

- Another scholar named Segal also contends that 'the interchange of the divine names is often for the sake of variety or reflects popular usage'.

- Biblical scholar Whybray proposes that 'the alternation of names may be unconscious because of the [singular] identity of the two names'.

- It can rightfully be claimed that Yahveh and Elohim have 'semantic overlap'. When the emphasis is about God as the 'universal deity...Elohim is used'. Similarly, when a passage that mentions 'God as covenant savior...Yahweh is more likely to be utilized'. Also, when neither aspect of God 'is particularly stressed, the names may be alternated for variety or indeed for no specific reason'.

- The use of Yahveh and Elohim as different names of God doesn't necessary imply two different sources for the text. Indeed, it appears there are 'many examples from Egyptian and Mesopotamian sources of a single god being called by several names in a single text.' It should be also noted that no 'Egyptologist would ever use divine names for source criticism'.

- In conclusion: 'the criterion of divine names, the historical and evidential starting point for the Documentary Hypothesis, is without foundation. It is based on misinterpretation, mistranslation, and lack of attention to extrabiblical sources'.

FALSE CLAIM #2: DUPLICATION AND REPETITION

- Some believe 'the use of doublets and repetition as evidence for multiple documents in Genesis is perhaps of all the arguments the most persuasive for the modern student'. In reality, it is 'the most spurious and abused piece of evidence'. Given everything, the use of duplication and replication in Biblical passages simply signifies 'rhetorical concepts' which made use of these exact forms of expression.

- On the contrary, when it comes to many ancient texts 'there is no stronger indication that only a single document is present than parallel accounts.' The use of what is called 'Doublets', menaing 'two separate stories that closely parallel one another, are the very stuff of ancient narrative.' They are, in fact, precisely 'what the discriminating audience sought in a story.'

- Given the examples of other documents, it can be rightfully claimed that 'simple repetition, first of all, is common in ancient Near Eastern literature.' This can be seen 'in the Ugaritic Epic of Keret' where a certain King Keret receives specific instructions to go to the land of Udum, ruled by King Pabil, and then demand to marry the King's daughter named Hurriya. The carrying out of these instructions is simply a repetition of what the original instructions actually state in the text.

- Repetition in the Bible is found in both the Old and New Testament. One involves the Book of Genesis 24, where the servant of Abraham meets the future wife of Isaac and the encounter is then repeated as a story. In the Book of Acts, Paul's encounter with Christ on his way to Damascus is described three different times (Acts 9:1-19, 22:3-16, 26:9-18).

- In summary, and 'in light of the love for repetition and parallelism in Hebrew narrative and poetry', it should come as no surprise that 'Hebrew narrative is sometimes redundant even within a single story.' This practice may seem meaningless or pointless in the English language, but in its original tongue it is considered to be quite beautiful.

FALSE CLAIM #3: CONTRADICTION AND CONFUSION

- The Biblical account of Noah and the Flood first states in Genesis 6:2 that he should bring one pair of every kind of animal, but then it says in Genesis 7:2 to bring seven pairs of clean animals, This contradiction can easily be explained in that 'provision had to be made to ensure that there would be sufficient livestock after the flood.'

- The entire flood story, according to the Documentary Hypothesis, is actually two sources (J and P) combined together to create one contradictory story. The reality is that 'recent research has demonstrated the whole narrative to be far more coherent than was once recognized.'

- Some followers of Wellhausen's theory have attempted to cite a discrepancy between the flood's 40 days of rain and also its apparent 150 additional days of rain. This argument is completely wrong-headed and a misreading of Genesis. In reality, 'the present chronology in the text is not the confusion it is sometimes implied to be.'

- One scholar named Emerton still insists that 'there is a discrepancy between the 150 days of rain and the 40 days of rain' in the story of Noah and the flood. To be sure, 'the text nowhere implies that the rain lasted 150 days.' Instead, the 150 days refers to 'the time from the beginning of the flood until the water had abated enough for the ark to ground.' With this in mind, the flood story can be said to be both 'structurally unified and formally of a type of literature (flood narrative) that is far older' than Wellhausen's theory dates it.

- In conclusion, the story of Noah and the flood uses an 'ancient narrative technique, as evidenced in its profound concern for narrative structure'. Given everything written down in Genesis concerning the flood, this account also 'cannot be said to be chronologically confused.'

FALSE CLAIM #4: LANGUAGE AND STYLE

- The Documentary Hypothesis claims to have found 'radically different styles' of writing in the Pentateuch and finds this to be proof that it actually had at least two different sources (J and P). This is simply the 'result of artificially dividing the text.'

- So-called differences in writing style found in the Torah cannot be proven because nobody knows anything 'of the common speech of the people of ancient Israel'. Differing word choices could simply be 'for the sake of a special nuance in a given circumstance, or indeed for the sake of variety'.

- Recent development of computer analysis of the Biblical text now shows that the so-called triple authorship underlying the Book of Genesis is unlikely. Instead, 'there is massive evidence that the pre-Biblical triplicity [J, E, and P] of Genesis' may well be a unity instead. The Documentary Hypothesis claim that Genesis was 'worked over by a late and gifted editor into a trinity' is basically considered to be false.

FALSE CLAIM #5: MEANING AND THEOLOGY

- The original Documentary Hypothesis contended that the evidence for multiple source documents, which then became the Pentateuch, included differences in metaphysical meaning and theology found in the texts themselves. The fact remains, however, that splitting a text into two opposing sources is actually quite easy. In short, opponents of Wellhausen have clearly proven 'it is not difficult to separate a single Biblical narrative into two artificially complete documents.' Because of this, any 'theological analysis' becomes 'all the more tenuous.'

- Even the most staunch supporter of the Documentary Hypothesis has trouble these days in taking seriously any of the broad or sweeping generalizations concerning 'the theological background of Genesis'.

- Under continuing assault by recent Bible scholars, the theological arguments promoting 'the Elohist has disappeared from view entirely and the Yahwist is fast fading from existence.' One scholar named Whybray has gone far in showing that 'consensus for a theology of the Yahwist among critical scholars is collapsing.'

- In conclusion, the hypothesis claiming theological differences in the Pentateuch 'has no value as a guide for continued research.'

FALSE CLAIM #6: COMMON SENSE

- Appealing to their view of the first five Books of Moses, which presupposes Moses did not write it, the Documentary Hypothesis and its adherents claim that common sense dictates in determining that the Pentateuch must have had more than one author who lived much later than Moses. However, recent authors who support the Documentary Hypothesis are now urging more 'caution' strongly suggesting that confidence in Wellhausen's theory is waning and 'that confidence in the criteria has eroded considerably'.

- In growing desperation, supporters of Wellhausen are starting to rely heavily 'on specific texts as justification for continued adherence to the hypothesis.' This is spite of the fact that interpretation of these specific Biblical passages are quite varied and heavily disputed today.

- One scholar makes the point that, even though it may be possible that Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 may originate from separate sources, these particular sources most probably have 'nothing to do with the four documents of the Documentary Hypothesis.'

- In conclusion, no matter what is involved 'there is no text in Genesis which is best explained by the Documentary Hypothesis.'

FALSE CLAIM #7: PRIESTS AND LEVITES

- The Documentary Hypothesis contends that, since there is a discrepancy as to who is actually a Priest (a Levite or descendant of Aaron), there must be at least two authors responsible for the Torah. It also claims to have the 'best explanation of why the term Levite is used inconsistently in the Old Testament.' Nonetheless, there is little historical evidence to prove this to be the case.

- The reality is that, when it comes to the question of who exactly is a Priest, 'a better solution can be obtained by reading the Pentateuch as a work that was substantially produced, as the text affirms, during the period of the Exodus.'

- Similar attempts at finding original source documents underlying the Greek classics the Iliad and the Odyssey proved to be popular in the last century, but are now considered little more than 'antiquarian scholarly curiosities.' It is to be hoped 'that the same fate awaits their sister theory, the Documentary Hypothesis.'

Judaism's Refutation of the Documentary Hypothesis

Although critics accuse biblical writers of revealing erroneous information, their claims continue to evaporate with the passing of time and the compilation of evidence.

- ApologeticsPress.org

Remember, the main theory of Wellhausen and company is that the Torah 'was written by several different authors between about 950 BCE through 450 BCE, at which point it was assembled into the present single document, probably by Ezra.' One should keep in mind that 'this hypothesis is pretty much universally accepted by secularists.' Even so, Judaism has a few resounding refutations to this theory. They can summarized as follows:

The Samaritan Pentateuch- The Samaritans have their own five books of Moses which is nearly identical to the Torah. However, Somaritans 'have not shared a common tradition with Jews since the division of the United Monarchy following the death of King Solomon.' This means that their Torah, and indeed both Torahs, must have written previous to Ezra (450 BC). This is because the Samaritans 'would not have accepted a book composed by Ezra.'

Mention of Jerusalem- There is absolutely no mention of Jerusalem in the Torah, meaning that it was probably written at the time of Samuel or before, because the city of Jerusalem had become 'the center of Judaism from the time of King David (1000 BC) up until the present.'

Religious Documentation- If Ezra (450 BC) assembled the Torah from different documents (J, P, E, and D) then there would most probably be evidence of their existence somewhere in the historical record (950-450 BC). This has not occurred. In fact, 'no copies of the alleged pre-Ezra documents have ever been discovered anywhere, nor are they ever mentioned in any ancient literature.' Logically speaking, if the pre-Ezra had been considered so religiously important to Judaism 'it is implausible that they quickly and entirely disappeared.'

Talmud Without Torah- At the same time that scholars of the Documentary Hypothesis reject the Torah as historically false, they also place great emphasis on a certain passage in the Talmud (Bava Basra 109b) that speaks of the existence 'in ancient Israel a priesthood descended from Moses'. From this single verse, they claim that these priests must have written the E source document.

Two Names for God- The Talmud many times mentions God’s two character traits - the trait of mercy and the trait of justice. Mercy is represented by the name YHVH while justice is represented by Elohim (Midrash Braishis Rabbah 73:3).

Different Styles in the Torah- Advocates of the Documentary Hypothesis point out that different parts of the Torah are written in different styles. There is a simple explanation for this. The Talmud Tractate Megilah 31b states that 'Deuteronomy was written by Moses - it is a speech given by Moses, rather than having been simply dictated to him by God. Based upon this, we can understand why different portions of the Torah are written in different styles although they actually have a Mosaic authorship.'

In conclusion, the scholars who developed the Documentary Hypothesis were woefully ignorant of Judaism and Jewish folk-lore. Because of this, Judaism's refutation of Wellhausen's theology is especially convincing and accurate. Amused by all the fuss, one Jewish scholar simply states: 'Rather than refuting the single authorship of the Torah, Bible critics have merely rediscovered the midrash.'

The Slow Death of the Documentary Hypothesis

If new approaches to the text, such as literary criticism of the type advanced here, deem the Documentary Hypothesis unreasonable and invalid, then source critics will have to rethink earlier conclusions and start anew.

- The Redaction of Genesis by Rendsburg

Is the Documentary Hypothesis a dying theory? Does this mean that Biblical scholarship can now move on into the 21st century, instead of being stuck in a discredited 19th analysis made by Wellhausen and others? Did Moses, in fact, write the first five Books of the Bible? According to some scholars, the answer to all these questions is yes. Even the on-line reference site Wikipedia, which is still in favor of the Documentary Hypothesis, is honest enough to admit it:

While the terminology and insights of the documentary hypothesis-notably its claim that the Pentateuch is the work of many hands and many centuries, and that its final form belongs to the middle of the 1st millennium BC-continue to inform scholarly debate about the origins of the Pentateuch, it no longer dominates that debate as it did for the first two thirds of the 20th century.

- Wikipedia, Documentary Hypothesis

The number of former believers and ex-followers of Wellhausen, and his theory concerning the authorship and dates of the Pentateuch, happens to be growing larger with each passing day. Many of them have realized that the general claim about the Torah being based upon four sources, namely the J, E, D and P source documents, is, in the end, utter nonsense. Some have gotten quite angry with Wellhausen's continuing success and acceptance among modern Biblical scholars. Here are just a few opponents of the Documentary Hypothesis as it stands today:

The time has long passed for scholars of every theological persuasion to recognize that the Graf-Wellhausen theory, as a starting point for continued research, is dead. The Documentary Hypothesis and the arguments that support it have been effectively demolished by scholars from many different theological perspectives and areas of expertise.

- BibleArcheology.org

Gorden J. Wenham points out that there has been a significant change regarding the Wellhausen documentary hypothesis. In the past, rejection of this hypothesis had been from orthodox Jews and conservative Christians. However, questioning of the documentary hypothesis today has come from mainline scholarship.

- HISTORICAL CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE: METHODOLOGY OR IDEOLOGY? by Eta Linnemann

The whole structure of the Documentary Hypothesis is so vitiated with obscurantism and circular reasoning on the basis of unproved and unprovable hypotheses that it hardly deserves the status of true scholarship at all. It appears rather to be an exercise in biased subjectivism that shuns any serious consideration of conflicting evidence.

- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr

The Documentary Hypothesis must be abandoned. Regardless of the theological presuppositions with which one approaches the text, and regardless of whether one wishes to affirm the tradition of Mosaic authorship or move in new directions, one must recognize the hypothesis to be methodologically unsound.

- BibleArcheology.org

Wellhausen's Documentary Hypothesis has come to an end. Other major scholarly views of the 20th century...are cratering. Nothing substantial, however, has replaced these views.

- Rendtorff, Rolf, The Paradigm Is Changing: Hopes - and Fears

It is now accepted that the documentary hypothesis is hampered with serious difficulties.

- Van Dyk, P. J., Current Trends in Pentateuch Criticism.

We must reject the Documentary Theory as an explanation of the composition of the Pentateuch. The theory is complicated, artificial, and anomalous. It is based on unproved assumptions. It uses unreliable criteria for the separation of the text into component documents.

- Moses H. Segal, professor emeritus at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem

The Wellhausen hypothesis...must be perceived as an exercise in subjectivism rather than a scientific treatment of the objective data bearing upon the date of the composition of the Pentateuch. The whole concept of differing recensions of the Mosaic tradition, a J-document originating in Judah and an E-document developed in the Northern Kingdom, has in this century been called into serious question by disillusioned Wellhausians like Wilhelm Moeller, B.D. Eerdmans, Johannes Pedersen, and Ivan Engnell, all of whom completely reject the whole Documentary Hypothesis as an artificial, modern occidental type of interpretation totally unsuited and irrelevant to ancient Semitic literature.

- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr

These days, the old truths of Wellhausen's Documentary Hypothesis are becoming less and less accepted with each passing year and continue to be thoroughly discredited by a growing number of scholars and researchers. Indeed, the assumptions of the past concerning the actual origins of the Pentateuch 'have disappeared, and in their place scholars are confronted by competing theories which are discouragingly numerous' as well as 'exceedingly complex'. The simple historical facts of Wellhausen's theory are now gone with the wind. As one noted scholar opines:

The theories current in Old Testament studies, however brilliantly conceived and elab­orated were mainly established in a vacuum with little or no reference to the Ancient Near East, and initially too often in accordance with a priori philosophical and literary principles.

- Kenneth Kitchens, Ancient Orient and the Old Testament

The tried and true J, E, P, and D source documents, which continues to be the foundational cornerstone for the Documentary Hypothesis have also become invalidated by more and more current researchers. In his work The Redaction of Genesis, scholar Rendsburg openly proclaims that 'the standard division of Genesis into J, E, and P strands should be discarded'. He blames their inadequacy on the fact that the Documentary Hypothesis is an old 19th century theology that has been hopelessly outdated. With today's growing knowledge about the ancient world, Rendsburg states 'there is much more uniformity and much less fragmentation in the book of Genesis than generally assumed'. This means that scholars are once again facing the same conclusion of the past, that Moses truly is the author of the Pentateuch . In the meantime, the Documentary Hypothesis, and all that it came with it, continues to pass away, to die, slowly but surely.

Moses Wrote the Torah, the Pentateuch

An objective and truly scientific handling of the evidence can only lead to the conclusion that Jesus Christ and the New Testament apostles were absolutely correct in assuming the genuineness of the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.

- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr

When one finally becomes convinced that the Documentary Hypothesis is indeed a incorrect theory, the question remains as to who wrote the Torah, also called the Pentateuch. Traditional Judaism has always believed that Moses was the author of the first five Books of the Bible and Christianity followed suit in the centuries after its formation. There is still every reason to believe that this is the historical truth even though the existence of Moses still cannot be scientifically proven. Considering the severity of laws espoused in the Torah, many Bible researchers say this indicates that it must have been written by Moses, before the people ever slipped into idolatrous practices. One auther states the following:

Consider the implications of Moses’ instructions to his people as recorded in Deuteronomy 13 and 17...In these two chapters we find the death penalty prescribed for any individual, family, or community that became involved in idol-worship. In the time of Josiah, or even in the time of Hezekiah, there was scarcely a community in all of the kingdom of Judah that was not infected with idolatry. Had such a law been propounded and carried out with rigor, it is safe to say that at least 50 percent of the total population would have been stoned to death. No school of prophets or priests would ever have ventured to propound such severe measures...these passages in Deuteronomy fits only a time in the history of Israel when the entire nation was committed to the worship of Yahweh alone. There is no known period which fits into this framework but the time of Moses and Joshua.

Two recent books also bolster the claim that the Book of Genesis may well be a unified document with only one actual author. One of these is called Before Abraham Was, by Kikawada and Quinn, and it shows 'an INCREDIBLE thematic unity and artistry of the composer of Genesis 1-11.' The other book is The Redaction of Genesis, by Rendsburg. This book goes far in proving that there truly 'an INCREDIBLE linguistic unity and artistry of the composer of all of Genesis.' Slowly, more and more modern scholars are returning to the belief that the Torah was written at a much earlier date than that espoused by the Documentary Hypothesis. Here is just one example of this phenomenon:

In the light of these considerations, the objective evidence of the text and of all pertinent historical records bearing upon the career of Israel leads us back to the genuineness of the Mosaic date as the only plausible period for the composition of the Pentateuch...Suffice it to say that the indications in the Pentateuch of a pre-Conquest time of composition of the books of Moses are altogether compelling.

- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr

In Judaism, Genesis through Deuteronomy was always considered to be a singular work, usually called the Book of the Law. This is cited in 2 Chronicles 25:4 and Mark 12:26. This makes good sense because even a quick glance at the content 'of its individual components will confirm that each book presupposes the one that precedes it.' One scholar notes astutely:

Without Genesis, Exodus reads like a book begun midway; without Exodus, Leviticus is a mystery; and so on. They were not intended to be five separate volumes in a common category, but rather, are five divisions of the same book. Hence, the singular references: “the Law” or “the Book.”

- ApologeticsPress.org

Given this tradition, it seems incredible that the Documentary Hypothesis was ever believed or copied. One should remember, however, that the propenents of Wellhausen's theory were neither Jewish nor Christian believers. It is safe to assume that they had ulterior motives in creating the Documentary Hypothesis. They knew full well that to prove that Moses did not write the Torah was to also discredit, and perhaps eventually, destroy the Judeo-Christian tradition. As one author contends:

Prove that Moses did not write the books of the Pentateuch and you prove that Jesus was totally mistaken and not the infallible Son of God he claimed to be. Upon your faith in Moses as the writer of the five books attributed to him rests also your faith in Jesus as the Son of God. You cannot believe in Jesus Christ without believing what Moses wrote.

- Genesis and Evolution, by M.R. DeHaan

One should also take into account the fact that the authorship of Moses is a given througout the Holy Bible, including the New Testament. Within the Pentateuch itself, one can read numerous times about how Moses wrote the law of God. Here are just a few pertinent passages from Scriptures:

- Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. (Exodus 24:4)

- The LORD said unto Moses, ‘Write thou these words...' (Exodus 34:27).

- Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD. (Numbers 33:2).

- Moses wrote this law and delivered it unto the priests. (Deuteronomy 31:9).

- The law was given through Moses. (John 1:17)

- And beginning from Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)

- For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath. (Acts 15:21)

In addition, authors of the New Testament 'showed no hesitation in affirming that Moses wrote the Pentateuch.' Even Paul agreed with this, stating: 'For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law,' It is rather ironic that 'both Jesus’ disciples and His enemies recognized and accepted the books of Moses.' Christian believers should take care to understand that the authorship of the Torah should not be taken lightly and should feel assured in the belief that Moses wrote it. One scholar notes:

A final reason that one must defend the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch, instead of sitting by idly and claiming that “it doesn’t really matter who wrote it,” is because Jesus Himself acknowledged that “the Law” came from Moses....The truth is, by claiming that Moses did not write the books of the Pentateuch, one essentially is claiming that Jesus was mistaken.

- ApologeticsPress.org

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.

The Maccabee - Jesus Christ Mentions the Apocryphal Testament of Abraham

Many scholars tend to be dismissive of the relationship between Christ and the Apocrypha, boldly contending that Jesus specifically rejected the Apocrypha and only accepted the 39 Books of the Protestant Old Testament as Biblical Canon. Thus, Protestant denial of the Books of the Maccabees, for example, is then considered a God-given command which they proceed to eagerly follow: Sorry to throw a wrench into their claims, but this must be exposed for what it is- a lie. More and more scholars are now understanding that some of the more obscure, and misunderstood, portions of the Gospels have Apocryphal roots and origins. Here is just one example:

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

- Matthew 7:13-14

Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able.

- Luke 13:24

What is Jesus Christ stating here? Or, to be specific, what is He talking about anyway? Well, most people rightfully assume that the 'narrow gate' is a sinless, Christian life and faith, while the 'wide gate' is a sinful, non-believer's life and faith. The question is, where did Jesus get this imagery from? Did Jesus simply make it up, or was he referring to a popular Jewish legend concerning the gates of Heaven that was typical of the era and that is specifically mentioned in the Apocryphal Book called the Testament of Abraham. Here is the exact quotation:

So Michael turned the chariot and brought Abraham to the east, to the first gate of heaven; and Abraham saw two ways, the one narrow and contracted, the other broad and spacious, and there he saw two gates, the one broad on the broad way, and the other narrow on the narrow way. And outside the two gates there he saw a man sitting upon a gilded throne, and the appearance of that man was terrible, as of the LORD. And they saw many souls driven by angels and led in through the broad gate, and other souls, few in number, that were taken by the angels through the narrow gate. And when the wonderful one who sat upon the golden throne saw few entering through the narrow gate, and many entering through the broad one, straightway that wonderful one tore the hairs of his head and the sides of his beard, and threw himself on the ground from his throne, weeping and lamenting. But when he saw many souls entering through the narrow gate, then he arose from the ground and sat upon his throne in great joy, rejoicing and exulting.

And Abraham asked the chief-captain, 'My Lord chief-captain, who is this most marvelous man, adorned with such glory, and sometimes he weeps and laments, and sometimes he rejoices and exults?' The spiritual one said: 'This is the first-created Adam who is in such glory, and he looks upon the world because all are born from him, and when he sees many souls going through the narrow gate, then he arises and sits upon his throne rejoicing and exulting in joy, because this narrow gate is that of the just, that leads to life, and they that enter through it go into Paradise. For this, then, the first-created Adam rejoices, because he sees the souls being saved. But when he sees many souls entering through the broad gate, then he pulls out the hairs of his head, and casts himself on the ground weeping and lamenting bitterly, for the broad gate is that of sinners, which leads to destruction and eternal punishment. And for this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne weeping and lamenting for the destruction of sinners, for they are many that are lost, and they are few that are saved, for in seven thousand there is scarcely found one soul saved, being righteous and undefiled.'

- The Testament of Abraham 11

The Broad Gate

GOSPEL: For the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

APOCRYPHA: For the broad gate is that of sinners, which leads to destruction and eternal punishment. And for this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne weeping and lamenting for the destruction of sinners, for they are many that are lost, and they are few that are saved, for in seven thousand there is scarcely found one soul saved, being righteous and undefiled.

The Narrow Gate

GOSPEL: Enter through the narrow gate...For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

APOCRYPHA: when he sees many souls going through the narrow gate, then he arises and sits upon his throne rejoicing and exulting in joy, because this narrow gate is that of the just, that leads to life, and they that enter through it go into Paradise. For this, then, the first-created Adam rejoices, because he sees the souls being saved.

Indeed, the similarities between the Gospels and the Apocrypha are quite astounding, to say the least. Most scholars today are fairly convinced of the Testament of Abraham's staunchly Jewish origins and believe that an original version in Hebrew has been tragically lost to history. Nearly all of them agree that the Testament of Abraham isn't an originally Christian text, and may have been written down in Greek either by Essene or a Pharisee. The Testament of Abraham did not borrow from Jesus, but vice versa. This leads to only one inescapable conclusion, Jesus Christ mentions an Apocryphal legend in the Gospels directly and specifically.

This single comparison goes far in legitimizing the Apocrypha, including the Books of the Maccabess. One could surmise that Jesus could have been familiar with the Testament of Abraham and mentions the legend in passing in the Gospel texts by both Matthew and Luke. One thing is for sure, the Gospels do, in fact, contain evidence, that Jesus Christ was familiar with the Apocrypha, which may have been considered Biblical by some at the time, and He even mentions certain portions of them in the New Testament. To deny this would be to deny reality.

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.

The Maccabee - Understanding the Enemies of Circumcision

‘Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’

- Jeremiah 23:29

The Opposition to Circumcision

No son of a man may be forcibly circumcised.

- Yebamoth 48a

Jews have seen anti-circumcision agitations previously in history, so this new early 21st century round of attempts to criminalize male circumcision should be seen as nothing new, but a perpetual cycle of clearly Pagan, anti-Biblical, attempts to destroy Judaism, and quite possibly Christianity as well.

Of course, there have been anti-circumcision movements before, but most Jews historically have continued the religious practice of circumcision even under the threat of death.

- The Jewish Journal – North Boston

A quick look at the internet shows that opponents of male circumcision are organized and their numbers are growing more numerous with each passing day. Their rhetoric has also became far more belligerent. In short, there is ample reason to worry about the future of circumcision, both in this country and around the world. Here is a small sampling of some of the more strident, and scary, websites dedicated to the enemies of circumcision:

Anti-Circumcision Quotes from an Online Search for ‘Circumcision’ on Google

- Circumcision. A Barbaric Practice, A Human Rights Violation…

- Circumcision Is Barbaric And Unnecessary. Jews Against Circumcision

- Do not circumcise, it is barbaric, primitive and a human rights violation. Circumcision is barbaric and…

- circumcision is barbaric…Also, check out the links for more info on this evil practice.

- Is circumcision a barbaric ritual that harms a child physically? Or is it a deep meaningful…

- When our son was born, my wife decided circumcision was barbaric, but my parents insisted it was an essential…

- Circumcision (Bris Milah) is a cruel, barbaric procedure that can traumatize…

- I do find that male circumcision is barbaric and totally pointless for christians…

- Why circumcision should be abhorred- Circumcision is a barbaric tradition with deep roots in religious dogmas, like infant baptism….

Thus, it should come as little surprise that the enemies of male circumcision are at it again both in California and Massachusetts. A recent ‘San Francisco measure proposes to make the circumcision of males under 18 a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or a year in jail.’ Also, Santa Monica is discussing a similar proposal. This attempted prohibition against circumcision is especially worrisome to Jews. As one source notes bluntly:

[The] measure clearly is aimed at a particular part of the community, and there’s no doubt that this proposition knowingly targets Jews. Marc Stern, a lawyer for the American Jewish Committee, had the matter exactly right when he said: “This is the most direct assault on Jewish religious practice in the United States. It’s unprecedented in Jewish life.”

- The Los Angeles Times

Out on the east coast, there is an effort to ban circumcision in Massachusetts where an anti-circumcision group has filed the Male Genital Mutilation Bill presented to the Massachusetts Legislature. The proposed new law ‘calls for a ban on circumcision for males under 18, unless medically necessary, and with no religious exemptions.’ The Jewish Journal of North Boston reports:

The leader of this current initiative, Matthew Hess, president of the group called the Bill to End Male Genital Mutilation, was quoted in the Boston Herald (February 21, 2010) as saying “circumcision is painful and unnecessary, violates a baby’s human rights and decreases sexual sensation in mature males.”

- The Jewish Journal – North Boston

It should not be too far of a stretch to say that the motivation behind the move to ban circumcision in San Fransisco and elsewhere is clearly anti-Semitic and possibly indicates a serious, and perhaps enduring, hostility towards the Judeo-Christian God and the Biblical tradition.

It would have been nice to see the force behind the misguided anti-circumcision campaign in Santa Monica…voicing appropriate disgust, from a movement that created a repulsively anti-Semitic comic to advance its cause online.

- The Los Angeles Times

Luckily, the state government of California has managed to come to the rescue in the name of religious freedom, especially Jewish religious freedom for trained Rabbis to practice infant male circumcision. Specifically, ‘Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill prohibiting cities and counties from banning male circumcision, his office announced’ recently. More good news came when the San Francisco ballot measure meant to outlaw child circumcision there was struck down by ‘a judge in July [who] ordered the circumcision ban off the November ballot.’

Support against the enemies of circumcision also came from Assemblyman Mike Gatto, a Democrat from Los Angeles, who got a bill passed unanimously that heads off future anti-circumcision laws and bans their implementation. Mr. Gatto publicly stated that bans on circumcision amounted to ‘an affront to the exercise of personal, medical and religious freedom.’

These small victories for the forces of circumcision should not be taken for granted as the avowed enemies of circumcision will most probably only grow that much stronger. This is especially true in a nation where the number of males being circumcised has dropped below 50%. Some of the opponents’ arguments against the practice of male circumcision include the following:

Opponents of circumcision liken it to “genital mutilation” – the forced removal of a healthy body part from an unconsenting child.

- The Miami Herald

Opponents of circumcision claim that the outdated procedure affords no medical benefits, that it causes unnecessary pain for infants, and that the lack of a foreskin may reduce sexual pleasure and performance.

- Wiki-Answers.com

Given the history of anti-circumcision movements, ‘Jewish groups have decried anti-circumcision efforts as anti-Semitic.’ This is probably accurate, but the enemies of circumcision are now using more sophisticated reasoning in order to have the procedure made illegal and to deny accusations of anti-Jewish bias. Here are some of them, followed by the rebuttals of male circumcision proponents:

Accusations of Circumcision Opponents

- the procedure is out-dated

- Has no medical benefits

- Causes unnecessary pain for infants

- Reduces sexual pleasure and performance

Advocates of Circumcision Findings

- The procedure is modern, clean, and hygenic

- May reduce cancer risk and other disorders

- Infant pain is slight and easily forgotten

– Does not affect either sexual pleasure or performance

One of the new opponents of circumcision, a Jewish professor named Ronald Goldman, began his opposition to Jewish circumcision sometime during the mid-1990s. He founded the Jewish Circumcision Resource Center which ‘serves to support the questioning of circumcision among Jews.’ Dr. Goldman has published two books, one entitled Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma, and another book called Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective. They have both met with success and now ‘both books have become primers on their subjects.’ Clearly, Ronald Goldman is an enemy of circumcision, who somehow envisions an uncircumcised Jewish future. One sources sums it:

Goldman says his organization decided to issue the statement because of the increased attention to the topic, accompanied by a general lack of awareness about the harm of circumcision. “There may be a misunderstanding of the reasons why many people question circumcision,” Goldman says. “We wanted to clarify that and take the opportunity to raise awareness about the practice.”

- Jewish Circumcision Opponents Grow More Vocal, by Rebecca Wald, Beyond the Bris

Dr. Goldman began his crusade after being made uncomfortable and a little nauseous at a traditional Jewish bris, an infant male circumcision ritual performed by a professional Rabbi. Ever since this ‘unfortunate’ encounter, Goldman has moved on to become a very well-organized and influential opponent of Jewish circumcision. Nonetheless, he claims that he wants ‘to assure Jews that questioning circumcision can be done respectfully and compassionately.’ The actual historical facts concerning Jewish male circumcision show Dr. Goldman’s concerns to be completely unfounded. As a reliable source writes:

Jews have circumcised tens of millions of their infant sons for over 3,000 years with few complications and without the dire pain, trauma, and other horrible effects claimed by opponents of circumcision.

- The Jewish Journal – North Boston

Another outspoken opponent of male circumcision is Dr. George C. Denniston, most probably a Gentile. He believes that history ‘shows that the arguments in favor of circumcision are questionable.’ He disparages studies that showed that circumcision may prevent cervical cancer in female sexual partners. Dr. George C. Dennistone also belittles the studies showing that circumcision can prevent urinary tract infection and penile cancer. Obviously, Dr. Denniston is a zealous enemy of circumcision and he makes this quite clear in the following statement:

Who has the right to order or perform such surgery on a newborn infant? I contend that no one does – certainly not the physician who should know better – since there is no proven medical reason to do so, and the procedure is known by many to be harmful. Circumcision can always be performed in adulthood for men who desire it, with fully informed consent.

- Unnecessary Circumcision, by George C. Denniston, M.D.

Notice that he now insists that newborn infants have rights, which is absurd considering they are completely dependent upon their parents and other adults for survival. Dr. Denniston also defames circumcision as being ‘harmful’. He even goes to extreme lengths in ‘proving’ that circumcision causes harm to sexual function by quoting Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher from the Middle Ages! No, Dr. George Denniston’s motivations are easily seen in this closing argument:

Physicians who continue to perform routine circumcision are not only harming infants but are also harming the integrity of the medical profession. It is hard to accept that these physicians – many of whom have been circumcised themselves – are using their medical licenses to continue this contra­indicated practice. This is tragedy perpetuating itself.

- Unnecessary Circumcision, by George C. Denniston, M.D.

As can be seen, the opponents of circumcision are growing bold and more dangerous everyday. Those who support circumcision and its practice, both religious and otherwise, need to become more vigilant and more wary in their understanding of the enemies of circumcision.

May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.