In this lecture we touched upon the importance of writing in terms of religion. With the switch to Aramaic, it was much easier to write and learn. This allowed the state to implement consistent rules for writing, using one common language for communicating with one another. This allowed for widespread use in literature. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, then, become religions based upon literature. These faiths are based upon texts and rules where the written rule became more authoritative than the king. Writing became an important literary tradition to these three religions.
We then went on to talk about the who is the "messiah." A "messiah" is someone who has oil on the head. This smearing of oil anoints, designates this person as something of importance. And there are two lines of anointed ones: priest and king. The Isaiah prophesies talk about the messiah. But to whom is this referring to? The Christians believe that Jesus is this messiah that Isaiah mentions. However, this text is written 700 years before Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is not the messiah referred in this text. The prophecies of Isaiah 7:3-17, Isaiah 9:1-7, and Isaiah 10:33-11:10 are all referring to Hezekiah. Hezekiah is going to become king of Jerusalem, descendant of David, fulfilling God's promise to David . And there shall be peace when he comes, since there is no need to fear Assyria anymore. Isaiah 36-39 Deliverance from Assyria for Jerusalem is the big event that started the ball rolling showing that Jerusalem is enviable, and that God is personally protecting it. 2 Kings 17-18 is almost word-for-word. Talking about how the Assyrian king will not take Jerusalem and that God will protect the city. Accord to Biblical text, God delivers Jerusalem from the might of Assyria, and the Assyrians retreat. “For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the save of my servant David.” - 35. Jerusalem survived the Assyrian onslaught. God is protecting this city as an eternal promise to David. Jerusalem was spared this Assyrian onslaught because of God. Something significant happens. Jerusalem starts sucking in other traditions. The praise of Jerusalem based upon the growth of writing (writing literature and accounts) + this event led to the growth of Jerusalem legend. And as a result, Zion theology was born, saying that this is the city that God PHYSICALLY resides and presides.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
AN N EA 10W Lecture 7 (Wk 4)
In this lecture we moved on to take about Hezekiah's Jerusalem. How exactly does one make a golden age? First of all, someone of status or importance must die, in order to be memorialized. Secondly, they have to do great things such as build great Palaces, and create a "united" kingdom. Lastly, they have to build a great temple to remind people of the great things they have done. David and Solomon's reign, then, is considered the "Golden Age." However, under Solomon's son, Rehoboam, the kingdom was divided in to Israel in the North, and Judah in the South. Ending the "Golden Age." In the north, King Jerobaom built alternate shrines in Dan and Bethel. Whereas, in the south, alternate Judean shrines were seen at Beer-Sheva and Arad. But Jerusalem still maintained the status as the capital of the Judean Kingdom. Between the north and the south, there was constant fights, where each kingdom would call upon a bigger empire to defend and protect them, paying them in gold or sending tributes in return for their services.
We later go on to talk about the rise of the Assyrian Empire in 745 BCE. The main Assyrian Kings: 1) Tiglath-Pileser III; 2) Shalmaneser V, who wiped out the north taking over Israel, ethnic cleansing; 3) Sargon II, continues the deportation; 4) Sennacherib, conquers Phisitia, Judah, but not Jerusalem, furthering the idea of God protecting Jerusalem. But later on the Assyrians are conquered by the Babylonians. The Assyrians were ruthless killers, using violence as a deterrent to scare others. They performed massive deportations of their victims, and impaled rebels outside the city walls, using public displays such as crucifixions to scare others.
But it is also during this time where Jerusalem starts to grow. The western hill starts to build up because of all the people escaping from the City of David into the North, expanding the city of Jerusalem. With increased population comes urbanization and industrialization. The Assyrians then adopt Aramaic, the Phoenician alphabet. This, then, becomes the language used for merchant/craft literacy, starting trade specialization. The olive, oil industries were all flourishing during this period. However, with urbanization comes massive changes in lifestyles. In Jerusalem, the family structure has been changed from being more group orientated to individualized. On top of that, there is a mixing of religious movements, leading to the centralization of power where one king consolidates one set of rules for everyone. Bringing about issues of social justice regarding the rise of craft specializations and the distinctions between social classes. Jerusalem is not done yet. Hezekiah was preparing for invasion of the Assyrians, therefore, he fortified Jerusalem and increased the water supply and started to store grain in Royal Storage Jars with LMLK seal impressions, showing that four different administrative centers where in charge of collecting the grain just in case attacked by Assyrians.
We later go on to talk about the rise of the Assyrian Empire in 745 BCE. The main Assyrian Kings: 1) Tiglath-Pileser III; 2) Shalmaneser V, who wiped out the north taking over Israel, ethnic cleansing; 3) Sargon II, continues the deportation; 4) Sennacherib, conquers Phisitia, Judah, but not Jerusalem, furthering the idea of God protecting Jerusalem. But later on the Assyrians are conquered by the Babylonians. The Assyrians were ruthless killers, using violence as a deterrent to scare others. They performed massive deportations of their victims, and impaled rebels outside the city walls, using public displays such as crucifixions to scare others.
But it is also during this time where Jerusalem starts to grow. The western hill starts to build up because of all the people escaping from the City of David into the North, expanding the city of Jerusalem. With increased population comes urbanization and industrialization. The Assyrians then adopt Aramaic, the Phoenician alphabet. This, then, becomes the language used for merchant/craft literacy, starting trade specialization. The olive, oil industries were all flourishing during this period. However, with urbanization comes massive changes in lifestyles. In Jerusalem, the family structure has been changed from being more group orientated to individualized. On top of that, there is a mixing of religious movements, leading to the centralization of power where one king consolidates one set of rules for everyone. Bringing about issues of social justice regarding the rise of craft specializations and the distinctions between social classes. Jerusalem is not done yet. Hezekiah was preparing for invasion of the Assyrians, therefore, he fortified Jerusalem and increased the water supply and started to store grain in Royal Storage Jars with LMLK seal impressions, showing that four different administrative centers where in charge of collecting the grain just in case attacked by Assyrians.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
AN N EA 10W Lecture 6 (Wk 3)
During this lecture, we discussed the promise to David in 2 Samuel 7. This is probably one of the most important verses in the Hebrew bible, especially to Christians, who then constructed the New Testament. This passage basically touches upon the concept of a messiah coming out of the sky, showing that Christianity as a sector of Judaism. Basically here, God promises David that he will build David a "house" (meaning the line of David, House of David, his descendants). There is an eternal promise made that the Davidic line is for eternity, always be a ruler on the throne of David. However, the promise is "broken" later by the Babylonians. Or is it? God cannot break his promise, therefore, this must be all part of God's plan, that in the New Testament, Jesus will be called the son of David. This tie is due to the promise made by God, promise of a new temple to come. Another theory, 1 Chronicles 21:28-22:10, is that David could not build God's house because he killed a lot of people, therefore, has too much blood on his hands to build anything holy. Hence why Solomon built the Temple, and not David.
We then go on to take about where Jerusalem derives its sacredness. These five reason are: 1) God chose Jerusalem; 2) Ark of the Covenant; 3) Creation and the Sabbath; 4) Jerusalem and Mt. Moriah; 5) Melchizedek's Salem and Jerusalem. Because of these five reasons Jerusalem has been able to establish itself as a place of sacredness, attract traditions from the bible early on, and build the traditions to increase its influence, sacredness.
Next, we switch topics to talking about Solomon's Jerusalem. Jerusalem becomes a sacred place because of the Temple of Solomon, due to "Solomon's Prayer". This prayer allowed the consecration of space through prayer. The thing about Solomon, is that unlike David, there are no archeological evidence of his existence, only literary references. It is said that he wrote the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. And he was anointed down at the Gihon spring in 1 Kings 1:33-34. However, sadly there are no remains of his temple, only literary remains. But the lack of evidence just means we have evidence, therefore, one cannot really make any claims with certainty. However, there has been comparative archeological evidence of temples at Arad, Tel ta'yinat and Ain Dara. These temples were fashioned exactly after the description of Solomon's Temple, almost identical to these other temples from the 8th and 9th century BCE in the region. Showing that maybe the biblical text regarding Solomon's temple is accurate because it also describes other temples in the same region.
We then go on to take about where Jerusalem derives its sacredness. These five reason are: 1) God chose Jerusalem; 2) Ark of the Covenant; 3) Creation and the Sabbath; 4) Jerusalem and Mt. Moriah; 5) Melchizedek's Salem and Jerusalem. Because of these five reasons Jerusalem has been able to establish itself as a place of sacredness, attract traditions from the bible early on, and build the traditions to increase its influence, sacredness.
Next, we switch topics to talking about Solomon's Jerusalem. Jerusalem becomes a sacred place because of the Temple of Solomon, due to "Solomon's Prayer". This prayer allowed the consecration of space through prayer. The thing about Solomon, is that unlike David, there are no archeological evidence of his existence, only literary references. It is said that he wrote the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. And he was anointed down at the Gihon spring in 1 Kings 1:33-34. However, sadly there are no remains of his temple, only literary remains. But the lack of evidence just means we have evidence, therefore, one cannot really make any claims with certainty. However, there has been comparative archeological evidence of temples at Arad, Tel ta'yinat and Ain Dara. These temples were fashioned exactly after the description of Solomon's Temple, almost identical to these other temples from the 8th and 9th century BCE in the region. Showing that maybe the biblical text regarding Solomon's temple is accurate because it also describes other temples in the same region.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
AN N EA 10W Lecture 5 (Wk 3)
Today's lecture was very short since our first drafts for paper 1 was due and I guess Professor Cargill had something to go to after lecture.
Basically we continued taking about David's Jerusalem. Continuing to discuss how there was no archeological evidence for the possible existence of David until the 9th century. With the discovery of the Tel Dan Inscription, there never was any mention of David. Before then, archeologists treated the bible as an ancient text, different from that of a historical text. But after unearthing this stone tablet, a reference to the house of David was found which just means that someone back then believed in the existence of David or referred to themselves as David's descendants. This does not necessarily mean David ever exist, but it makes it plausible, reaffirming the stories in the bible.
We go on to talk Warren's Shaft which was discovered in the 1850's. It was thought to have been used to access water from the Gihon Spring. But recently, archeologists think that it seems to be more of a natural cave and are unsure of its purpose. Was it actually used to help fetch water from the spring? Only time will tell. At least there are bible passages that refers to this physiological existence adding a bit more credibility to the passage. Next, we move on to the Siloam Channel and the Gihon Spring. Sidenote, apparently Gihon means gushing, so it means the gushing spring. I think that makes sense since it is the only spring in Jerusalem. In Judaic tradition kings must first ride on a royal donkey marching to the Gihon spring in order to be anointed, to become king. Which is interesting because in Matthew, there is a passage that makes a claim regarding Jesus setting himself up to be the King of Irsael with his anointment fashioned after Jewish Kings. Professor Cargill went on to talk about the Hezekiah Tunnel Inscription and how it showed the authenticity of the idea of Hezekiah expanding the water works.
Lastly we ended the lecture discussing the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark is basically a portable shrine central to almost all the biblical conquest stories. It is believed to have the presence of God, hence, a portable axis mundi until it was placed in a permanent location. God basically commanded the construction of this ark placing great significance upon it.
From what I can see, David seems like an interesting king. I cannot wait to learn more about this character.
Basically we continued taking about David's Jerusalem. Continuing to discuss how there was no archeological evidence for the possible existence of David until the 9th century. With the discovery of the Tel Dan Inscription, there never was any mention of David. Before then, archeologists treated the bible as an ancient text, different from that of a historical text. But after unearthing this stone tablet, a reference to the house of David was found which just means that someone back then believed in the existence of David or referred to themselves as David's descendants. This does not necessarily mean David ever exist, but it makes it plausible, reaffirming the stories in the bible.
We go on to talk Warren's Shaft which was discovered in the 1850's. It was thought to have been used to access water from the Gihon Spring. But recently, archeologists think that it seems to be more of a natural cave and are unsure of its purpose. Was it actually used to help fetch water from the spring? Only time will tell. At least there are bible passages that refers to this physiological existence adding a bit more credibility to the passage. Next, we move on to the Siloam Channel and the Gihon Spring. Sidenote, apparently Gihon means gushing, so it means the gushing spring. I think that makes sense since it is the only spring in Jerusalem. In Judaic tradition kings must first ride on a royal donkey marching to the Gihon spring in order to be anointed, to become king. Which is interesting because in Matthew, there is a passage that makes a claim regarding Jesus setting himself up to be the King of Irsael with his anointment fashioned after Jewish Kings. Professor Cargill went on to talk about the Hezekiah Tunnel Inscription and how it showed the authenticity of the idea of Hezekiah expanding the water works.
Lastly we ended the lecture discussing the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark is basically a portable shrine central to almost all the biblical conquest stories. It is believed to have the presence of God, hence, a portable axis mundi until it was placed in a permanent location. God basically commanded the construction of this ark placing great significance upon it.
From what I can see, David seems like an interesting king. I cannot wait to learn more about this character.
Friday, January 14, 2011
AN N EA 10W Lecture 4 (Wk 2)
In this lecture we talked about Jerusalem before David and how it was a continuous settlement. It contains a main water source (the Gihon Spring), it is an agrarian society, and the residents can communicate and trade via the watershed highway. Professor Cargill later went to talk about how the bible provides literary evidence for the events documented in the bible, but there are also hard scientific evidence regarding the claims made in the bible. These claims are either scientifically backup up or not and the bible is treated like any other ancient text. Some of the archeological evidence includes buildings, and especially pottery remains. Most of these remains are from the Bronze age in Jerusalem and show that there has been a long standing settlement long before the Israelites. Jerusalem must have existed because it is mentioned in early non-biblical texts. For example, there are execration texts found at ≈ 1900BCE. These text basically are written in hieroglyphics on clay figurines with names of Egyptian Enemies. One such figurine had the name "Russalimum" (Jerusalem). Meaning that Jerusalem, even at that time was big and worthy enough to be cursed at. Some other examples were the towers that guard the pool of the Gihon Spring, probably built to protect the water since water is important. And lastly the Amarna letters, which are letters written from the King of Jerusalem asking the Egyptian Pharaoh to send help.
We later went on to talk about the textual problems with conquest. Because in different parts of the bible different things are said, in some parts the Jebusites are conquered but in other parts they are not. From here we can probably hypothesize that the bible is written by different authors, and hence the bible probably is a collection of many books (passed down through oral or written tradition). Along with the concept of conquests comes three scholarly traditions. 1) what the bible says is essentially true, the Israelites suddenly arrived in Jerusalem may it be by conquest or non-conquest. 2) the Israelites slowly immigrated to Jerusalem. 3) Israelites were Canaanites, therefore, they were always there. Depending on which theory you believe, your views about Jerusalem might be different.
Lastly, we talked about the existence of David and how it is quite controversial. A lot deny David and Solomon's existence stating that they are only mythical beings. But until the discovery of the Tel Dan Inscription, David's existence has become more plausible. This inscription basically shows us that some people refer to themselves as the house of David, proving that someone though he existed a long time ago.
We later went on to talk about the textual problems with conquest. Because in different parts of the bible different things are said, in some parts the Jebusites are conquered but in other parts they are not. From here we can probably hypothesize that the bible is written by different authors, and hence the bible probably is a collection of many books (passed down through oral or written tradition). Along with the concept of conquests comes three scholarly traditions. 1) what the bible says is essentially true, the Israelites suddenly arrived in Jerusalem may it be by conquest or non-conquest. 2) the Israelites slowly immigrated to Jerusalem. 3) Israelites were Canaanites, therefore, they were always there. Depending on which theory you believe, your views about Jerusalem might be different.
Lastly, we talked about the existence of David and how it is quite controversial. A lot deny David and Solomon's existence stating that they are only mythical beings. But until the discovery of the Tel Dan Inscription, David's existence has become more plausible. This inscription basically shows us that some people refer to themselves as the house of David, proving that someone though he existed a long time ago.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
AN N EA 10W Lecture 3 (Wk 2)
During the first lecture of week 2, we learned about the consecration of holy space. Basically in order to construct a sacred space, the sacred space must be founded first. Then it is consecrated and its reputation becomes very important. So important that it starts to attract and borrow stories and legends. Some examples of borrowed stories include that of the story of the Garden of Eden for which it is said that Adam is buried under the Dome of the Rock (which replaced Mt. Zion in Jerusalem). Genesis 14 points out that the priest king Melchizedek actually ruled over Salem (Jerusalem), therefore , bringing ties upon Melchizedek and Jerusalem. Most importantly, Jerusalem attracts the trading of Akedah (the binding of Isaac). In Genesis 22, God told Abraham to go to the land of Moriah to sacrifice Isaac. Since Mount Moriah = the Dome of the Rock, therefore it also equals Jerusalem.
We later go on to talk about how not only is there sacred space, there is also sacred time. For example, in Genesis 2, the sabbath is created. In Deuteronomy 5, it talks about the passover stating that the reason for keeping the Sabbath is because of the Exodus. We later moved on to talk about Jerusalem as the Garden of Eden, the Axis Mundi which connects heaven and hell, the cosmic mountain (mountain of God), and as a place of worship, and the place of the underworld ("hell"). It is at this mountain where God gives his 10 commandments. The professor then provided many more references in the bible to prove these points. I found it extremely interesting how Jerusalem was able to suck in stories so easily. I have personally never been to Jerusalem, but it feels like a place full of ancient history, which to me is pretty exciting.
We later go on to talk about how not only is there sacred space, there is also sacred time. For example, in Genesis 2, the sabbath is created. In Deuteronomy 5, it talks about the passover stating that the reason for keeping the Sabbath is because of the Exodus. We later moved on to talk about Jerusalem as the Garden of Eden, the Axis Mundi which connects heaven and hell, the cosmic mountain (mountain of God), and as a place of worship, and the place of the underworld ("hell"). It is at this mountain where God gives his 10 commandments. The professor then provided many more references in the bible to prove these points. I found it extremely interesting how Jerusalem was able to suck in stories so easily. I have personally never been to Jerusalem, but it feels like a place full of ancient history, which to me is pretty exciting.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
AN N EA 10W Lecture 2 (Wk 1)
So this is the first real lecture for my Jerusalem class. In this lecture we discussed Jerusalem as a sacred space due to its physical, and later on, biblical attributes. We went over how Jerusalem could possibly be significant in three faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This is heavily due to Jerusalem's geographical context. For one, there are many routes that lead to and from Jerusalem. For example, the Via Maris and the King's Highway. But most importantly Jerusalem is located on a hill and surrounded by three different valleys: the Kidron Valley, Hinnom Valley, and the Central (Tyropean) Valley. Because of Jerusalem's topography, people have interpreted the mountains surrounding Jerusalem as God's way to surround his people. Therefore, the Jerusalem (which is on a hill), shall become the highest hill and tallest mountain to be closer to God. Jerusalem, then, is deemed the axis munde, or center of the world, connecting heaven to earth.
Another reason is that the marker of most ancient cities is water. Since water is seen as holy in many faiths and traditions. In most ancient civilizations there either is a sea port to trade, or a river valley to retrieve water from. Yet, Jerusalem only has manmade tunnels and shafts (Warren's Shaft and Hezekaih's Tunnel) and the tiny Gihon Spring for their source of water, but still is a very important city to three faiths. But because of these sources of water Jerusalem has been able to grow as a city and become a sacred place. Due to the fact that water has always had a sacred value.
At first I didn't think much of this class, it was only a class to fulfill more requirements. But after listening to Professor Cargill's interesting and funny lecture I really am looking forward to this class. Not only can I learn about the holy city, but hopefully I can discover more about my faith as well.
Another reason is that the marker of most ancient cities is water. Since water is seen as holy in many faiths and traditions. In most ancient civilizations there either is a sea port to trade, or a river valley to retrieve water from. Yet, Jerusalem only has manmade tunnels and shafts (Warren's Shaft and Hezekaih's Tunnel) and the tiny Gihon Spring for their source of water, but still is a very important city to three faiths. But because of these sources of water Jerusalem has been able to grow as a city and become a sacred place. Due to the fact that water has always had a sacred value.
At first I didn't think much of this class, it was only a class to fulfill more requirements. But after listening to Professor Cargill's interesting and funny lecture I really am looking forward to this class. Not only can I learn about the holy city, but hopefully I can discover more about my faith as well.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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