"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."ť Psalm 119:105
On The Two Babylons
posted Monday, July 16, 2007 :: 1:26 PM
Last week I mentioned a book by Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, as a recommended book to read to learn biblical history, specifically, how Nimrod's rebellion at Babel established paganism throughout the world, and how various aspects of that paganism carry on in our society today. The question was asked about a book by Ralph Woodrow, The Babylon Connection? which is supposed to debunk Hislop, and my opinion on the matter. Here it is.
I have Woodrow's book, and frankly, I did not find his evidence against Hislop convincing or authoritative. In my opinion, he did not, in that book, bring forth proofs which invalidated Hislop's research. He instead questioned Hislop's conclusions without showing that Hislop's facts or conclusions were false. That does not constitute proof of falsity.
Here is another critique of Hislop's book from a website which is much more careful in showing evidence of their statements. In this critique, the author gives three examples of errors of fact in Hislop's work, all of which have to do with the second part of Hislop's book, which is to show that Babylonian paganism infected the Roman Catholic Church. I concur with the author of this critique that these are in fact errors on Hislop's part; and of the three examples cited, none contain the footnotes and documentation which abound in the first part of Hislop's work. The first part of the work all has to do with showing the connection of Nimrod and Babylon to paganism as it has spread around the globe.
But in any critique, the author takes the most egregious errors of fact and exposes them to make his point solid and secure. The three examples cited are relatively minor compared with the entire content of Hislop's work, and in fact does not address the most important connections Hislop draws, with authority, between Babylonianism and paganism and its traditions which still abound in our society today. I can only conclude that those connections are not exposed because they cannot be exposed; they are irrefutable.
And I just have to take exception with the author's 2nd stated reason why he cannot recommend Hislop: "Outdated scholarly sources and the fact that The Two Babylons was written well over 100 years ago." The date of sources do not disqualify their facts, nor does the date of Hislop's authorship -- otherwise atheists can tell us that the Bible is an unreliable source since it was written thousands of years ago! (And some of them do say this, but age does not invalidate truth or facts.) I was frankly surprised to read this on a website of this caliber. But if anyone has evidence of the error of Hislop's main scholarship, especially in regard to the Nimrod and Babylonian connection to paganism, other than the two I have already discussed (the only two I could find, by the way) please let me know -- I am always learning and would appreciate a chance to study this subject further.
In fact, I read Hislop's work last after reading numerous other works of even greater antiquity, all of which confirmed Hislop's facts, especially in the first part of the book, the part dealing with the Babylonian connection to paganism. Those resources include Josephus, George Rawlinson's Five Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World, Jacob Bryant's Ancient Mythology, and others. This is why, when I read Hislop, his statements concerning Nimrod and Babylon did not surprise me, having encountered evidence for them in the numerous other works I had read in preparation for Story of the Ancient World.
Hislop footnotes and documents his information extensively from classical (Greek and Latin) sources, which were independently verified by Edward Joshua Cooper of Markree Castle, Ireland, who passed away in 1863, ten years after the first edition of Hislop's book was published. Cooper was a distinguished scholar and astronomer, the author of his own works on astronomy, a fellow of the Royal Society, of the Royal Astronomical Society, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy, as well as a member of Parliament for many years. He was a sincere Christian who, in his private time, personally examined 260 works cited in Hislop's footnotes in the original Greek and Latin and confirmed their accuracy.
Back in December of 2006, I asked that if Hislop's assertion that Christmas is a tradition which has been received from the Roman Catholic Church, and has been infected with Babylonian paganism, is false, then why did the Puritans who emigrated to America in 1620 forbid the keeping of Christmas as a pagan festival 200 years before Hislop was born? No one has answered this question yet, to my knowledge.
Anyone wishing to examine the Babylon connection which exists between Nimrod and paganism, can follow the series I am blogging beginning with this post, incidentally using none of Hislop's work as a source, since there is a dispute over him. But by the end of the series, we will see how much of Hislop's research has been verified.
"Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her [Babylon], My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:4-5
A homeschooling mom recently asked me what resources could I recommend for learning Biblical history, and to begin unlearning the evolutionary lies as they relate to history that most of us were fed, and which fill library bookshelves.
The Story of the Ancient World by Christine Miller and H.A. Guerber is Biblical and ancient history told in a storybook format and accessible to young and old alike. It contains distillations of truths gleaned from all the other resources I am recommending below. I am listing these other recommendations in the order they should be read if someone is just starting out on a study of Biblical history, from easiest and most general to hardest and most specific:
Rediscovering Biblical history, and the fact that there is mountains of evidence for it which has been buried and discarded, but never disproven, is a like a treasure hunt for a lifetime. The above is a good start, but as you begin, you will discover other books and resources, which will continue to add little pieces to the big picture. I hope you enjoy the search as much as I have.
One of the great books which helped me with Story of the Ancient World is A New System, or an Analysis of Ancient Mythology by Jacob Bryant. Jacob Bryant was a learned British scholar of the 18th century, the height of English and American classical education for men of this epoch. He was born in 1715, entered Eton in 1730, then King's College at Cambridge in 1736. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1740 and his Masters in 1744. His academic accomplishments were noted by the Duke of Marlborough when he sought a tutor for his son, and Byrant was engaged, given his own rooms at the Marlborough estate, and was made keeper of the famous Marlborough library, a masterpiece of ancient, classical, and medieval manuscripts in Greek, Latin, French, and other languages. When the son who had been tutored by Bryant became Duke of Marlborough in his turn, he made Bryant his private secretary. In this capacity he served until his death at 89 years of age, in 1804.
Of Bryant it was written, a few years after his death, that, "in point of classical erudition, he was, perhaps, without equal in the world." His lifelong study was not only in literature, but in the investigation of truth. "By truth, we are to understand religious truth, his firm persuasion of the truth of Christianity, to the investigation and establishment of which he devoted his whole life. This was the central point, around which all his labors turned; the ulitmate object at which they aimed."
He wrote extensively on the subjects of ancient history and mythology, of which A New System was the culmination of his life's study. This work was an attempt to "divest tradition of fable, and to reduce truth to its original purity." In it, he begins with the history recorded in Scripture as true history, and traced the ancient mythologies and histories of the Greeks, Babylonians, and Egyptians to the true historical events which they attempted to record. Meticulously researched, cross referenced, and footnoted, the inescapable logic of this work cemented his reputation as the formost scholar of antiquity in Britain.
However, toward the end of his life, Bryant published a paper attempting to prove that Troy never existed, and the Greek expedition recorded by Homer was never undertaken. This conviction arose from an acquired distrust of the Greeks as historians, for he discovered so many errors in their accounts through the course of his studies, that he came to distrust anything Greek. It might be this famous paper which prompted Schliemann to search for the ruins of Troy, which he discovered in 1871.
Thus Bryant was discredited, and with the rise of the acceptance of Darwinism and long ages to civilization, his seminal work forgotten. But his error about Troy does not disprove his other valuable work. I knew of Bryant, as he appears in quotes and footnotes of other academic works of ancient history that I had, and was able to find a copy of A New System earlier this year, after a long search. I will quote excerpts in future posts.
My copy of Answers magazine
arrived in my mailbox this afternoon. Wow! What a fantastic magazine!
It has more pages than the old Creation magazine, with more articles,
on creation / evolution, of course, and also the biblical worldview and
defending your faith. There is a pull-out kids section in the center of
the magazine, which was impressive, and lots of extras, like more
in-depth content online at the new Answers magazine website.
I have been a Creation magazine subscriber since 1997, and the new
Answers magazine looks even better than ever. What a great resource for
homeschoolers, as well as anyone interested in the creation / evolution
debate!
A new book just out looks like it must
go on the to-read list: The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to
Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success by Rodney Stark. Christianity
as the rhyme and reason of Western Civilization is a common theme
around here, and this book attempts to illustrate the connection in
detail. The thesis of the book is that Christianity is “fraternally
bound to reason; ” that reason and progress are Christian and biblical
ideas, and those ideas are at the root of scientific development,
economic prosperity, and political freedom. He paints a very different
picture of the Middle Ages than the one we have grown accustomed to:
that rather than the period following the Fall of Rome ushering in a
“dark age,” the Christian principle of reason and progress brought
about advancements that the Greeks and the Romans, because of their
pagan worldviews, were unable to make. In conjunction with Max Weber’s
classic, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, this book
will make a great addition to the rhetoric stage student’s applied
history studies.
A
Patriot’s History of the United States by Larry Schweikart (history professor at the University of Dayton) is a
wonderful overview of American history for the dialectic and rhetoric
stage student. I have just learned that the author’s website
has posted lesson
plans with discussion questions (!!!) especially for homeschoolers, as well
as bonus material (such as an entire chapter devoted to the role
religion played during the Civil War). More is being planned to help
homeschoolers utilize this excellent resource, including complete
exams! Thank you, Dr. Schweikart!
This will be my first year reading a devotional along with my daily Bible readings. The devotional I chose is For the Love of God, Volume One
by D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity
Evangelical Divinity School. Carson does not focus on just the inner
life, as so many devotionals do, but he seeks, through the course of
reading through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms
twice in the year, to bring greater understanding of Scripture in its
context, i.e., draw the “big picture” Scripture paints; to point out
the nature and character of the God of the Bible (thus drawing a
distinction between Him and the God of popular culture or convenience);
to illuminate how the God of the Bible works in the world and in the
lives of those who love Him. It is a devotional which lays the
foundation of the biblical worldview.
Today I read Genesis 1 and Matthew 1,
and Carson wrote on the beginnings that these two chapters relate, but
also what the foundational chapter of Genesis 1 teaches us about the
nature and characteristics of God. I think it will be a good year.
Every year at Christmas, we give a book to each of our children. We
try to choose each book carefully, one which will be of compelling interest to them today, and of permanent value
in the home library sixty years from today. We choose the
best editions we can find. Sometimes we have to go with used copies
from old bookstores or eBay if the book we want is not in print.
The
best history I have read in the past year has to be the new translation
of Ussher’s The Annals of the World, 75% of which is extra-biblical.
In Thomas Sowell’s latest column, he discusses the best books of the year that he would give as Christmas gifts,
as why. It is a nice little list. Thomas Sowell is one of the leading
thinkers in economics and public policy philosophy today, and I have no
doubt that one of his books will end up on a Greatest Books of Western
Civilization list a hundred years from now. His latest book, Black
Rednecks and White Liberals, is on my reading list.
The Heritage Guide to the Constitution
has just been released this month; it could prove to be an invaluable
guide for rhetoric stage applied history studies in Law. From the
inside flap:
“With the leadership of former Attorney General Edwin Meese, and in
conjunction with the nation’s preeminent think tank——The Heritage
Foundation——The Heritage Guide to the Constitution brings together more
than one hundred of the nation’s best legal experts to provide the
first ever line-by-line examination of the of the complete Constitution
and its contemporary meaning.
“Stressing the original intent of
the Framers as the authoritative standard of constitutional
interpretation, and never straying from the Constitution and the
definitive writings of the Framers——especially the invaluable notes
taken at the Constitutional Convention by James Madison, the widely
recognized analysis in The Federalist Papers, and Supreme Court Justice
Joseph Story’s 1833 classic Commentaries on the Constitution of the
United States——this volume is unique, comprehensive, and authoritative.”
I just received this book this week. There is a map, which became a
world-wide sensation in 1929 when it was discovered in a palace in
Istanbul, the old Constantinople. The map was dated to 1513, drawn by a
Turkish cartographer. This map showed Africa and South America in
correct longitude relative to each other, something unheard of for the
16th century. (The scientific problem of longitude wasn’t solved until the 18th century.)
But after a few years, the map faded from the
news, and was once again forgotten. Until a modern history of science
teacher at an American college became interested in the map, and he and
his students worked on solving the puzzle of the map’s origins. The
book I received this week is the story of that puzzle, the process of its solving, and the
conclusions reached by this professor and his students.
The
conclusion is that certain historical maps, one of which was by the
Turkish cartographer, were based on even more ancient maps: the
maps of the ancient sea kings. The ancient sea kings, the professor
concludes, were a civilized and advanced unknown people who could be
dated from the time of the Great Ice Age, based on coastlines, sea
levels, and glacier fields found in their maps. That these people
traveled the world, that they had wealth to finance these voyages, an
advanced knowledge of mathematics at least through trigonometry,
navigation, astronomy, and other necessary sciences.
It is
startling to think, except for those who take Genesis as authoritative
history. Genesis does not teach that cavemen gradually learned to walk,
talk, and use tools, but that God created the universe perfect, and man
perfect, with language, creativity, and intellect from the beginning;
that man and all of creation was marred by sin, that a global flood
wiped out mankind because of sin, that a Great Ice Age, which is
possibly alluded to in Job, followed the flood while man was spreading
out from Babel and the nations were being established. That advanced
ancient civilizations rose.
There is even an interesting passage in Genesis 10:25:
"To
Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days
the earth was divided, and his brother's name was Joktan."
Some
think the reference to the earth being divided is to the people
dividing and spreading out from Babel, and some think the reference is
to the earth being explored, mapped, and divided into its nations and
boundaries, for the world that was had perished, and the world that now
was was new and different. I have to go through my notes for Story of
the Ancient World to find the reasoning for the two theories, but I
have them documented. The true history of the ancient world would
amaze those who have been brainwashed with evolution all their lives.
Isaiah is one of my
favorite books in the Bible. I learned something about Isaiah a few years ago
that I had never seen before. Isaiah is divided into 66 chapters. Just as the
entire Bible is comprised of 66 individual books, written over the course of about 4000 years of time (and not one jot or tittle contradicts another jot or tittle, even though they might be separated by thousands of years. His word is completely consistent and absolutely true, and our God is amazing).
In the first 39 chapters of
Isaiah, the Lord speaks of His judgments. The first 39 books of the Bible
comprise the Old Testament, and teach us of His law and His judgment. In the
next 27 chapters of Isaiah, from chapter 40 to the end of the book, the Lord
speaks of His comfort. The last 27 books of the Bible comprise the New
Testament, and teach us of His grace and His mercy.
Isaiah had no way of
knowing how much would be added to Scripture after his death. But the Lord
knew. The Lord set the canon of Scripture, His living and breathing Word, long
before man did. It is comforting, is it not, that when these news reports come
out, as they do from time to time, of finding the lost gospel of Thomas or some
such nonsense, so that the world is in a dither with doubts over our Bible,
that there was a reason God intended for it to be lost all this time, LOL (if
it is even authentic at all, which I doubt). Those words are not
Spirit-breathed, as are the Scriptures we hold in our hands.
Of course we did not
need to know this about Isaiah in order to have confidence that the Scriptures
we have, which the church has had for 2000 years unchanged, are the Words of God
and not the words of man. Just as we do not need to know that the stars declare
of their Maker night to night to have confidence that the universe was created
for a purpose. But confirmation is sweet.
“The Story of the Renaissance and Reformation holds more information
than many students receive in a college-level world history course, yet
the book is written at a level that can reach across the entire family.
The storybook format is appropriate for reading aloud to younger students,
while the fact that many chapters focus on one person allows older students
to pursue research topics easily. With its charming illustrations, The
Story of the Renaissance and Reformation is an excellent addition to
the shelves of Charlotte Mason and classical homeschoolers.”
We have been going through various trials for several years now.
Things got even harder about seven months ago, over the holidays. I
know – how could things get any harder? They could.
My sister, whose ear is tuned in to the Lord’s heart, gave me The Psalms of David
by James Freemantle for Christmas. What a blessing this book of
illuminated Psalms has been to me! David was a man who suffered hard
things his whole life, yet his heart was after the Lord’s heart.
Reading his Spirit-inspired Psalms comforted my heart when I was
grieving, strengthened me to face another day, and helped me express my
heart to the Lord without sinning with my mouth. And the Lord’s promises to the righteous found all through the Psalms gave me hope that I would still see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Just recently I picked up Beside Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul
by C. H. Spurgeon. This book of 366 vignettes taken from Spurgeon’s
sermons and from 64 books of the Bible has been updated in modern
English. “Spurgeon’s choice perspectives on God’s mercy, provision,
protection, and compassion will resonate deeply within your spirit.
These timeless words will touch your hurt with the healing of the
Shepherd who knows His flock and who cares for them completely.” I will
be excerpting passages from time to time here; what I have read so far
is rich.
Then
there are those times when I cannot open the Bible, pray, go to church,
or do anything at all to help myself, my spirit has been so crushed. I
put on Enter the Worship Circle
and let the music and the songs based on the Psalms wash over me,
minister to me and strengthen me. I am reminded that no matter what
happens in this life, my Father God will never leave me or forsake me
here, in this life, and I will spend eternity with Him afterwards. I
just cannot stop the joy from overtaking the grief when I think of
that!
to be continued ... *** Update: continued in Flip the switch
“The
ancient muse of the golden age of Roman literature has stirred once
more, this time within the mind of Claudio Salvucci, native of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but with roots that extend back to his
ancestral home in ancient Latium. A student of the classics from his
earliest years, the author has crafted a work which builds upon the
fragmentary record of the founding of Lavinium left us by Livy,
Dionysius of Halicarnassus and others; all the while giving an obvious
nod towards his Vergilian mentor. Drawing not only from the classical
tradition but also from alliterative Anglo-Saxon poetry and classical
translations, the author has managed to craft an epic style in
modern-day English which is both musical and majestic. Set in ancient
Italy, The Laviniad picks up the tale following the death of
Aeneas, when his young son Ascanius is thrust to the fore as leader of
the Trojan remnant in Italy. Following the trials of this youth in the
face of his hostile Italian neighbors, the author spins his enthralling
yarn with tight, compelling poetry. Read an excerpt from The Laviniadhere.”
“This
year’s Pulitzer Prize for fiction went to a novel that was described by
its author as “a quiet book.” Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead is the
simple story of an elderly Iowa pastor, John Ames. And it’s something
of a milestone for contemporary Christian fiction. I’ve said before
that we’ve seen a long, unfortunate slump in Christian fiction—a period
when many religious novelists and publishers seem to believe that
quality writing just wasn’t important. But these days, there are signs
everywhere that we’re emerging from that slump. There is a renewed
appreciation that good literature is important, impacting the
imagination and the mind as nothing else can. And the honors showered
on Gilead, including the Pulitzer Prize, are conclusive proof that if
writers who are Christian hold themselves to high standards, and bring
true talent, wisdom, and insight to their work, the world will listen
and recognize the grace that moves their work.”
“Let's
say, just for the sake of argument, there are some intelligent people
out there who have never read anything by Thomas Sowell. (I know, I
know, the chances are remote, but work with me here.) They've never
enjoyed his fascinating excursion into group traits in "Ethnic
America," nor his penetrating analysis of what has gone wrong with the
schools in "Inside American Education," nor his brilliant dissection of
the inevitable pitfalls of regulation in "Knowledge and Decisions."
There is hope. His new book, "Black Rednecks and White Liberals,"
offers a taste of some of his earlier work and a cornucopia of new
insights. This book is so clarifying and wise even experienced Sowell
readers will find much that is new.”
Ten most harmful books of the 19th and 20th centuries
posted Tuesday, May 31, 2005 :: 10:37 AM
Human Events Online, a premier national conservative news weekly magazine, has posted Ten Most Harmful Books of the 19th and 20th Centuries,
as judged by a panel of fifteen conservative scholars and public policy
leaders, along with a brief synopsis of each book, its philosophy, and
harmful effects on society. The only book which didn't make it into the
top ten, which I believe should have been included, was Darwin’s The Origin of Species (it was an honorable mention).
Remember a few years back a Christian book that shot to the top of the bestseller charts, called The Prayer of Jabez? It seemed like everyone was reading it. I never read that one, but a book I am reading which has revolutionized my prayer life is The Prayer of Jesus by Hank Hanegraaff.
Our Father, which art in heaven Hallowed be Thy name Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil For Thine is the kingdom, and the power And the glory forever Amen.
These twelve lines are not just a mantra to repeat, but outline a pattern of instruction in prayer to follow, which Hank’s book helped me to understand and implement.
My intimacy with the Lord has deepened as a result, first because I think the Lord is pleased when we obey Him. Jesus did say, "Pray, then, in this way" when introducing this prayer (Matthew 6:5-15). But also because following Jesus’ pattern puts the Lord in His place and I in mine. He is the Father, I am His child. He is the Creator, I am the creature. He is the Potter, I am the clay. Worship is a natural result. We must humble ourselves to worship our Creator, and the Lord draws near to us as we draw near to Him. His tangible presence nourishes us, heals us, transforms us, guides us, and empowers us to face the day ahead. But not alone. Not alone!
Visit with Christine Miller awhile and let's share our thoughts on homeschooling, education, and life.
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"The Story of the Romans provides an introductory context for the culture and ideas so foundational to the development of Western thought.”
Anne Weiland :: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
:: read a chapter from this book
:: more books
"For new and veteran homeschool families alike, this extensive new release from the editors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine serves as a homeschool convention in a book. It details today's most viable education models, helping parents formulate an educational game plan and choose teaching methodologies. There are more than twenty contributors." Including Christine Miller, who wrote a chapter on Classical Education.
christine's reading
I am researching the holy days which were instituted by God as a celebration of the Messiah, instead of celebrating the holy days which were instituted by man to honor nature in place of nature's God.
:: Israel's Feast - Wooten
:: Annals - Ussher
My copy of 
“The
ancient muse of the golden age of Roman literature has stirred once
more, this time within the mind of Claudio Salvucci, native of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but with roots that extend back to his
ancestral home in ancient Latium. A student of the classics from his
earliest years, the author has crafted a work which builds upon the
fragmentary record of the founding of Lavinium left us by Livy,
Dionysius of Halicarnassus and others; all the while giving an obvious
nod towards his Vergilian mentor. Drawing not only from the classical
tradition but also from alliterative Anglo-Saxon poetry and classical
translations, the author has managed to craft an epic style in
modern-day English which is both musical and majestic. Set in ancient
Italy, The Laviniad picks up the tale following the death of
Aeneas, when his young son Ascanius is thrust to the fore as leader of
the Trojan remnant in Italy. Following the trials of this youth in the
face of his hostile Italian neighbors, the author spins his enthralling
yarn with tight, compelling poetry. Read an excerpt from The Laviniad 
Our Father, which art in heaven