Ministry Training Program World Religion “Gods of the OT World”

Ministry Training Ministry Training ProgramProgramWorld ReligionWorld Religion

““Gods of the OT World”Gods of the OT World”

World religions 2006

WHY STUDY THESE WHY STUDY THESE PRACTICES?PRACTICES?

• ““For whatever was written in former days was written for For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4Romans 15:4

• ““Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience” may fall by the same sort of disobedience” Hebrews 4:14Hebrews 4:14

• ““No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man”man”

1 Corinthians 10:141 Corinthians 10:14

World Religions 2006

TOOLS OF THE TRADETOOLS OF THE TRADE

• A Good (not cheap) Bible A Good (not cheap) Bible DictionaryDictionary

• A Bible background commentaryA Bible background commentary• Scholarly websites, (.edu)Scholarly websites, (.edu)• OT Survey ToolsOT Survey Tools• An inquisitive mindAn inquisitive mind• Diligence and ApplicationDiligence and Application

world religions 2006

World of PATRIARCHSWorld of PATRIARCHS

Monotheism not the norm in the ancient Monotheism not the norm in the ancient worldworld

Worship of YHWH outnumbered by Worship of YHWH outnumbered by paganismpaganism

Paganism is ‘folk’ religionPaganism is ‘folk’ religion

Primal, not “Primitive”Primal, not “Primitive”

Could be elaborate and sophisticatedCould be elaborate and sophisticated

Generally not “text-based” Generally not “text-based”

Experiential/oral traditionExperiential/oral tradition


World OF PATRIARCHSWorld OF PATRIARCHSPagan rituals often contained a ‘clergy’ or Pagan rituals often contained a ‘clergy’ or priesthoodpriesthood

Gender roles often inverted/women prominentGender roles often inverted/women prominent

Fertility, Seasons/Harvest are common themesFertility, Seasons/Harvest are common themes

Polytheistic/Pantheon of gods and goddessesPolytheistic/Pantheon of gods and goddesses

Local/Regional/City-based deitiesLocal/Regional/City-based deities

Anthropomorphism was very commonAnthropomorphism was very common

Gods are ‘humanized’, weak, capriciousGods are ‘humanized’, weak, capricious


MESOPOTAMIAN/SUMERIANMESOPOTAMIAN/SUMERIAN

ANU- Supreme god, lord of ANU- Supreme god, lord of constellations/heavensconstellations/heavens

INANNA- Mother goddess, fertility, love and warINANNA- Mother goddess, fertility, love and war

Priesthood and Temple worshipPriesthood and Temple worship

Gods of sun, water, earthGods of sun, water, earth

City gods/local godsCity gods/local gods

Gods have families and servantsGods have families and servants

Statues need care and feedingStatues need care and feeding

3000-2300 bc3000-2300 bc


Akkadian religionAkkadian religion

• King Sargon- mixed Semitic & King Sargon- mixed Semitic & BabylonianBabylonian

EL = Anu EL = Anu

Ishtar = InannaIshtar = Inanna

SIN = GOD OF SUNSIN = GOD OF SUN

CHEMOSH = GOD OF MOONCHEMOSH = GOD OF MOON


Ur dynastyUr dynasty2100 – (time of Abraham)2100 – (time of Abraham)

• Fall of SargonFall of Sargon

• Gilgamesh epic (flood story)Gilgamesh epic (flood story)

• Begin to be more concerned with life Begin to be more concerned with life than deaththan death

• Signs and OmensSigns and Omens

• Trained PriesthoodTrained Priesthood

• Early AstrologyEarly Astrology


Egyptian religionEgyptian religion

Obsession with death, immortality & Obsession with death, immortality & after-lifeafter-life

Half animal/half human figures are Half animal/half human figures are prominentprominent

Sphinx = body of lion with human headSphinx = body of lion with human head

Anubis = jackal-headed god of DeathAnubis = jackal-headed god of Death

Horus = hawkHorus = hawk

Individual Pharaohs had godsIndividual Pharaohs had gods

Numerology is significant (3, 4, 7)Numerology is significant (3, 4, 7)


Egyptian pantheonEgyptian pantheon

Ra = god of sun

Isis = goddess of fertility, corn harvest

Osiris = fertility and vegetation, ruler of after-world

Bull, sacred in most of Egypt (Exodus 32)

Dog, Ibis, Frog, Baboon, Crocodile also had powers


Egyptian symbolsEgyptian symbols


Canaanite ReligionCanaanite Religion

General correlation w/ gods of Mesopotamia General correlation w/ gods of Mesopotamia and Egyptand Egypt

El = father of the gods and humansEl = father of the gods and humans Asherah = consort of ElAsherah = consort of El Baal = son of Asherah and El, name means Baal = son of Asherah and El, name means

‘master’; also god of rain, crops and general ‘master’; also god of rain, crops and general vegetationvegetation

Anat = daughter of El, sister and lover of BaalAnat = daughter of El, sister and lover of Baal Molech/Moloch = god of war (child sacrifice)Molech/Moloch = god of war (child sacrifice) Mott = god of deathMott = god of death

1800 - 1200 BCE1800 - 1200 BCE


GODS AND MONSTERSGODS AND MONSTERSELEL

BAALBAAL

ASHERAH/ASHTORETHASHERAH/ASHTORETH

ANUANU

INANNAINANNA

MOLECHMOLECH

CHEMOSHCHEMOSH


Baal worshipBaal worship

Ritual prostitutionRitual prostitution

Child sacrifice (2 Kings 17:17, Jer. 19:5)Child sacrifice (2 Kings 17:17, Jer. 19:5)

Stone idols (2 Kings 3:2)Stone idols (2 Kings 3:2)

Burning incense (Jer 11:17)Burning incense (Jer 11:17)

Connected to worship of Ashtoreth and Connected to worship of Ashtoreth and the use of the Asherah pole (Judges 3:7, the use of the Asherah pole (Judges 3:7, 10:6, 1 Kings 11:5)10:6, 1 Kings 11:5)

Wild chanting, ecstasy, the pouring out Wild chanting, ecstasy, the pouring out of human blood (1 Kings 18: 25-29)of human blood (1 Kings 18: 25-29)


BAAL WORSHIPBAAL WORSHIP

Baal = ‘master’, possessor, husbandBaal = ‘master’, possessor, husband

Native religion of CanaanNative religion of Canaan

Each locale had own ‘version’ or local Each locale had own ‘version’ or local version of ba’al (Baal of Peor)version of ba’al (Baal of Peor)

Fertility god, controlled the seasonsFertility god, controlled the seasons

Said to ‘go away’ in winter, and Said to ‘go away’ in winter, and return in springreturn in spring

Wife of Baal “colorless reflection of Wife of Baal “colorless reflection of himself”himself”


dagondagon

Dagon is primary deity (polytheistic)Dagon is primary deity (polytheistic)

Body of fish, hands and head of manBody of fish, hands and head of manSyrians inverted into mermaidSyrians inverted into mermaid

Greek version is Aphrodite, goddess who comes from foam of Greek version is Aphrodite, goddess who comes from foam of the seathe sea

Water purifies and fertilizes cropsWater purifies and fertilizes crops

See 1 Sam 5 for cutting off head/feet!See 1 Sam 5 for cutting off head/feet!

1 Chron. 10:10- fate of Saul!1 Chron. 10:10- fate of Saul!


Chemosh Chemosh God of MoabGod of MoabHuman w/Bulls head with arms outstretchedHuman w/Bulls head with arms outstretchedJewish tradition holds his symbol to be a Jewish tradition holds his symbol to be a black star/Arabic symbol is black stoneblack star/Arabic symbol is black stonePerhaps identified with Mars/SaturnPerhaps identified with Mars/SaturnHe is giver of military success/bringer of war He is giver of military success/bringer of war Required human sacrifice for success in Required human sacrifice for success in battle (‘passing them [children] through the battle (‘passing them [children] through the fire’ (1Kings 11:7, 1 Kings 23:10, Ezek 16:20)fire’ (1Kings 11:7, 1 Kings 23:10, Ezek 16:20)AKA Ashtar and later AstarteAKA Ashtar and later Astarte


asherahasherah

Symbol of agricultural fertility and prosperitySymbol of agricultural fertility and prosperity

Symbol is a tree, or tree stump w/branches Symbol is a tree, or tree stump w/branches removedremoved

Sometimes symbolized by a conical stoneSometimes symbolized by a conical stone

Ritual prostitution/goddess of loveRitual prostitution/goddess of love

Often portrayed with lion or ibex at her sideOften portrayed with lion or ibex at her side

Mother and creator of mankindMother and creator of mankind

Seen as ‘tree of life’Seen as ‘tree of life’

Consort and lover of Baal, her brotherConsort and lover of Baal, her brother


Tammuz of EgyptTammuz of Egypt

Husband of Ishtar, traveled to underworld to Husband of Ishtar, traveled to underworld to bring him back from the dead (Adonis/Gk)bring him back from the dead (Adonis/Gk)

Ritual Sex/prostitution at templeRitual Sex/prostitution at temple Killed by a wild boar/sentenced to spend half Killed by a wild boar/sentenced to spend half

the year on earth and half in Hadesthe year on earth and half in Hades When he is away, winter comes, returns in When he is away, winter comes, returns in

springspring June feast celebrating his return involves June feast celebrating his return involves

tearing out of hair and orgies tearing out of hair and orgies


Babylonian/AssyrianBabylonian/Assyrianviews of the after-lifeviews of the after-life

Resurrection was a very big dealResurrection was a very big dealImmortality was an obsessionImmortality was an obsessionWent to ‘land of no return’Went to ‘land of no return’Must pas through the ‘judgment of souls’Must pas through the ‘judgment of souls’Underworld contained the water of life (used by Underworld contained the water of life (used by Tammuz to rescue his wife)Tammuz to rescue his wife)Elaborate burial rituals, never cremationElaborate burial rituals, never cremationPlace articles in tombs for the dead to use in the Place articles in tombs for the dead to use in the afterlifeafterlifeGreat distinction was given in afterlife based on the Great distinction was given in afterlife based on the manner of death (death in battle was great honor)manner of death (death in battle was great honor)


Babylonian/AssyrianBabylonian/Assyrianviews of the after-lifeviews of the after-life

Some believe that zodiacal signs are Some believe that zodiacal signs are operated by Sin, Shamash and Ishtaroperated by Sin, Shamash and Ishtar

Heavens are a ‘mirror’ of the earth and Heavens are a ‘mirror’ of the earth and each heaven has an earthly counterpart each heaven has an earthly counterpart (i.e. ‘copies of the heavenly things in (i.e. ‘copies of the heavenly things in Hebrew temple)Hebrew temple)

See Word document handout for more See Word document handout for more detailsdetails


Paganism in the n.t.Paganism in the n.t.Artemis/Dianna in Ephesus/Mother of the living Artemis/Dianna in Ephesus/Mother of the living (anti-Eve)(anti-Eve)Image of wood ‘fell from the sky’ (Act 19:35)Image of wood ‘fell from the sky’ (Act 19:35)Images carved in wood and later silverImages carved in wood and later silverHeaddress had veils, upper body covered with Headdress had veils, upper body covered with breastsbreastsOften represented with stags of lions on either side Often represented with stags of lions on either side Head of cult was high priest, male eunuchHead of cult was high priest, male eunuchMany, many prostitutes at temple, all ‘virgins’Many, many prostitutes at temple, all ‘virgins’Virgins symbolized by a bee, temple is ‘beehive’Virgins symbolized by a bee, temple is ‘beehive’Simon Magus (Acts 8)Simon Magus (Acts 8)Superstition (Acts 28: 1-6)Superstition (Acts 28: 1-6)


Practical applicationsPractical applications

Understand the reasons that God Understand the reasons that God prohibited these practicesprohibited these practicesUnderstand our tendency to adopt Understand our tendency to adopt the traditions, practices and values the traditions, practices and values of the culture we live inof the culture we live inForbid any form of it in yourself or Forbid any form of it in yourself or your houseyour houseTeach your Christians about idolatry Teach your Christians about idolatry and preach against itand preach against it


Practical idolatryPractical idolatryWorship of career and ministry above the spiritual Worship of career and ministry above the spiritual welfare of our kids (Sacrificing the children to Molech)welfare of our kids (Sacrificing the children to Molech)Worship of comfort and a good life above the worship Worship of comfort and a good life above the worship of God (living like the ‘nations around us’)of God (living like the ‘nations around us’)Manipulating God by ‘completing all the rituals’ yet Manipulating God by ‘completing all the rituals’ yet lacking a devout and self-controlled lifestyle (Col lacking a devout and self-controlled lifestyle (Col 2:20-22)2:20-22)Allowing career aspirations (the trade guilds of our Allowing career aspirations (the trade guilds of our day) to kill our love of Christ (Rev 2)day) to kill our love of Christ (Rev 2)Putting ‘democratic’ American ideals above the Putting ‘democratic’ American ideals above the lordship and kingship of Jesus Christ (Col 2:8-10)lordship and kingship of Jesus Christ (Col 2:8-10)Generally behaving and having lives than blend in Generally behaving and having lives than blend in with our neighbors and friends (compromise of with our neighbors and friends (compromise of Balaam Rev 2:14)Balaam Rev 2:14)Failure to renounce and denounce idolatry and false Failure to renounce and denounce idolatry and false worship when we see it in our churches (Ezek 33:1-9)worship when we see it in our churches (Ezek 33:1-9)


The real dangerThe real danger

Reduction of the role and nature of GodReduction of the role and nature of God

Reliance on ritual and chanceReliance on ritual and chance

Reversal (perversion) of gender rolesReversal (perversion) of gender roles

Revision of established biblical principlesRevision of established biblical principles

Rebellion against the will and plan of GodRebellion against the will and plan of God

Ministry Training Program World Religion “Gods of the OT World”

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Transcript of Ministry Training Program World Religion “Gods of the OT World”