1) We, as Messianic Jews, agree that authentic first century (and current) Jewish theology rejects popular Christian notions of hell, Satan, and other
forms of dualism that have their roots in paganism and typify the spiritual neophyte. Can you explain the origins of non-Jewish theology as it appears in ‘New’ Testament writings and/or do you have prepared lessons that deal with each instance of such occurrences?
2) Is there evidence that translators and transcribers added to or altered the original text and if so, where and why?
3) Where in scripture does man first reject the revelation that God resides within and does this rejection subsequently result in the blood covenant?
Thank you, John ad Malka |
Dear John and Malka,
Of course a lot of mythology creeps into Christianity from the influence of Greek and Roman paganism in the first through third centuries BCE. But, specifically, Zoroastrianism has perhaps the strongest influence on early Judaism and later Christian theology. I would recommend that you go to the Jewish Encyclopedia, the Encyclopedia Judaica or to the Encyclopedia Britannica and read about Zoroastrianism. There are extensive articles in all three texts.
There is considerable evidence that translators did, indeed, alter the text as they saw fit, namely from translation to translation. For example, the Aramaic version of Onkelos, Circa 400 CE, has over 1500 variations in just the book of Genesis alone. That is almost one per verse.
I would like to say in answer to your third question that man first rejected God's revelation in the Garden of Eden and this would subsequently result in what we know today as the Blood Covenant. I do have a CD Series on that subject that you might find interesting.
Best wishes, Roy Blizzard
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