Starting Assumptions for
Week 2
|| January 23, 2009 at 2:00pm
Assumptions. As a follower of Christ for over 20 years, it could certainly be said that I have some. The bible is full of ancient myths which have been consolidated into condensed liturgical rituals, rituals which are latent with a wealth of information from a variety of different cultures and civilizations. This week offers readings from two of it's earliest sources.
Starting with the epic of Gilgamesh, I must say upfront that I am not as familiar with it as Egypt; nor am I familiar with the Star Trek episode of Darmok. I have however been exposed to a few of Zechariah Sitchin's writings. I don't put a lot of credence into his theories, but I do agree with the overall premise that some of the myths related to Gilgamesh are in fact earlier versions of those found in Genesis. Modern-day mythology doesn't take myths all that seriously, but Sitchin is a good example of one who goes to the opposite extreme. An example that comes to mind relates to whether the gods genetically altered apes into men for the purpose of mining gold or otherwise serving the gods as slave labor. These gods are said to be "shining ones" that came down from heaven to dwell upon the earth. What appears to escape his attention is that gold is often symbolic of divinity and purity. These are far more likely to have been transmuting lesser or grosser physical bodies into vessels that are more suitable for the incarnation of the gods.
In fact, that's the whole reason why these "genetically altered apes" would have been made into men to begin with; for they were to be made suitable for housing the divine by tilling the earth from which they were taken. Sitchin partially gets the right idea when he points out that one deity seeks to conceal certain knowledge from humanity while another seeks to help humanity grow through spiritual illumination. But here again, he is forcing a modern form of fundamentalism upon mythological texts. It's not my purpose to elaborate much on this here, but it's sufficient to say that this epic could shine some much needed light upon the biblical texts provided that one understands the true meaning and nature of Myth. While I am certain that this epic would make for some fascinating reading on it's own merits, I am choosing the egyptian theme given that it has a much more direct and long-lasting influence upon the formation of the entire biblical canon.
Moving on to the egyptian myths and legends, I again need to emphasize that I am not real familiar with the actual details. I have seen some of the Mummy movies, but it's the National Treasure movies that fascinate me the most. I am particularly fond of those scenes where suddenly entire "lost libraries" are found hidden away, awaiting for an appointed time of disclosure. My interest in lost knowledge differs from many others though, because I fully expect it to shine new light upon our all-too-familiar biblical texts. I believe that this, in turn, will vindicate the Church who preserved the texts rather than exposing her as a fraud. But I digress. It is sufficient to say that there are many underlying egyptian myths that are assumed throughout the biblical canon. A good example starts out with the story of Joseph saving his brothers in Egypt only to then have future generations falling into servitude to Pharaoh. Later, an egyptian prince named Moses discovers his calling as a hebrew prophet. He goes on to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt, but it would be Joshua/Jesus who leads them into the promised land of Canaan; as both names are identical in the Greek and the two stories are intimately related.
Going forward, Egypt would become a symbol of bondage to sin. This image of egyptian bondage is rather unfortunate though. It is just as accurate to say that Egypt is the "outer realm" of learning and experience. The egyptians were a people that celebrated the mysteries and one does not have to look much further than the pyramids to find a greatly advanced civilization. It is my desire to explore the egyptian myths to better understand how they have been updated and transformed throughout the biblical canon; especially within the context of the New Testament. Also, there is a question that asks about what comes to mind when we think of Babylon. The tower of Babel was originally the gate of God, but it later became known as a place of confusion given that the Lord scattered the languages. Many assume that this is because the Lord does not desire humanity to reach the heavens or to be of one accord, but that is not the case. This was more of a correctional matter to ensure that humanity comes together as one in the Son rather than through globalization, humanitarianism, socialism, etc. Whereas Egypt is often pictured as the "outer realm" of learning and experience, Babylon is often pictured as the inner "soulish realm" of psychic experiences, visions, trances, dreams, prophecies, and other such things.
Finally, l want to briefly conclude by saying that I am curious about Ishtar, the cult of Isis, Osiris, Horus, and other aspects of egyptian religion. I recognize some of the images but I'm not real familiar with the actual details. I do recognize the Key of Life and the Green Man. I'm not sure about the bull, but I've been told that the children of Israel sacrificed a lot of cattle specifically because they were worshipped by the egyptians. I think the Eye is somehow related to the sun-god Ra, but I have a different understanding of solar, lunar, and earth based religions than what is espoused by modern-day scholars and theologians. I don't see a maximum word restriction for this assignment, but I am approaching a 1000 words. So, it can be seen that an absence of one is an open-ended invitation for a journal entry in a post like this. (lol)
Storytelling for Week 2:
Adamus
smitten with Wisdom || January 25, 2009 at 11:30am
In the primordial adornment of space, there was a fluid-like substance called Eternity wherein the Great Father dwelt. Indeed, He was eternity and deep within Himself he bore forth a Son who exclaimed: "Behold, I am the rising one at dawn, Adamus at high noon, and the setting one at evening."
This great being of Light first appeared as a shining seed floating upon the milk of eternity. Great maternal and paternal sparks accompanied him as companions and Adamus surpassed the eternal from which he came into being. He brought forth divine offspring as a mighty ruler of the gods. He created each according to his desire, starting first with Dryness: the god of Wind and his counterpart Moisture: the lioness headed goddess who was called "the Spitter" on account of the rain sent by her. These two deities were afterward seen as stars housed in the heavens wherein they would become known as the Gemini twins.
It came to pass that Time and Night, the earth god and the sky goddess, brought forth the god of Agriculture and his counterpart goddess: Fertility. Likewise came forth the god of Correction and his counterpart goddess: Nurture.
Adamus spoke at the dawn of Creation, admonishing the heavens and the earth to arise from the eternal substance. In the great splendor of his beauty, they appeared. Dryness uplifted and enthroned the night above wherein she formed the backdrop under which time lay prostrate below. Her feet walk along the line where the earth kisses the eastern sky but her hands work along the western horizon. Nestled in the darkness, great jewels of starry light are beheld which sparkle along her body and over her ever-enduring limbs. Whenever Adamus uttered the deep thoughts of his mind, they came into being according to his desire. Whenever he gazed into the cosmos, his desires appeared before him; for he created everything that moved within the water and upon dry land. Even humanity came into being from the desires of his heart and the sight of his eyes.
Adamus the Creator, who was the chief ruler of the gods, became the first to exercise dominion upon the earth. He traveled among men and took on a form like their own, but for him the centuries were as years. He possessed many names which were unknown to both men and the gods, but there was one particularly special name from which he derived his divine power. The goddess of fertility walked upon the earth as a woman, but the ways of humanity had brought great weariness upon her. She desired to be among the powerful gods. And as one who could cast a spell with her voice, she eagerly desired to have a power equal to that of Adamus. Deep within herself, she yearned to apprehend the secret name of the chief god.
Nevertheless, it was concealed deep within his very own being and never was it made known in speech.
Day after day, Adamus traveled forth with his companion gods following him. He sat upon a seat from which authority is exercised and made known his will by speech. Old age, however, was beginning to catch up with him. Moist words began to drip from his mouth and fall upon the dry ground below. Fertility followed along his path. Whenever she came across his gifts, she would bake them with the earth in which they lay. She formed them into the shape of a spear which now possessed the power to impart wisdom. She raised it up and then cast it upon the path in which Adamus was sure to pass by as he surveyed his kingdom. But this sacred instrument of knowledge was invisible to both men and the gods.
In time, the ever-aging Adamus would walk along the path with his companions. Wisdom awaited him, for he is now stung by its burning venom. He cried aloud in great pain, the sound of which reached into the highest heaven.
Confused, his companion gods began to inquire: "What has happened to you? Did you step into something?"
Adamus could not answer, for he was shaken at the core of his being. His whole body trembled as his lips shivered. Venom deluged his flesh just as the Nile floods Egypt. He gradually began to regain sobriety over his heart and subdued it's fears.
He began to speak: "Gather around me, my children, that I may reveal to you that which has come upon me. I am undone by a great pain of which I know not. It's something which I cannot perceive, but I have inward knowledge of it within my heart. I did not do this to myself nor am I able to reveal who has struck me in this manner. Never have I experienced such pain and sorrow."
He continues: "I am a god and a son of God; Indeed, I am almighty, son of the Almighty. Eternity, my father, brought forth my secret name and concealed it deep within my heart so that no magical practitioner could ever know it, for in knowing it, they could do great harm to me. I was just minding my own business and something bite me. It is not fire, but it does burn within me. It is not water, yet it makes me cold. Hear me in this: It is my will that each of you be brought before me to speak forth the words which have the power to be felt in the heavens above and upon the earth beneath."
Each did as they were commanded, but only fertility could offer Adamus the answer which he sought.
Original story: Egyptian Myths & Legends: The God Ra
Author's note: In my story, I have attempted to offer a glimpse into how I personally read these texts from a mythological perspective. This recasting of the story probably needs to be checked for accuracy and tweaked accordingly, but I am fairly certain that it remains faithful to the ancient myths. I ran out of word allowance, or else I would've gone on to help illustrate how fertility is a primordial image of Eve. As such, I purposefully chose my language in such a way as to offer insight into how these primordial images are shown to be fulfilled within canonical scripture. The iconic images provided below are meant to be a personal devotional that partially illustrates my own sense of idealism; but for my audience, they are whatever they are for them.
Apocalyptic Beauty: The sun god riding upon his chariot; Acts 1:11; Psalm 22:3,22 &
Apocalypse 12:11; 9:10; 22:6-17,20. Copyright unknown. Web source: Jesus8880
Eucharistic Adoration & Sacrifice: "Do this in anamnesis of Me" Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24
"for this end have I come into the world, that I may put away all blood offerings" The Gospel of the Holy Twelve / Nazirenes 75:9
Copyright1 unknown; Copyright2: The Triumphant Lamb & Book with Seven Seals, Christian Symbols, Rudolf Koch;
Web sources: TheRealPresence1 & TheRealPresence2
Preparing for Birth: Bridal worship of the Word wherein those called by his Name sing forth the new Song of the Lamb.
Psalms 19; 45; 147; Apocalypse 4; 5; 12;19:11-16; among others; Copyright unknown. Web source: GatewayBirthServices
Essay for Week 2: Magical
Words
in Egyptian Legends || January 26, 2009
at 10:30am
Story 1: The God Ra
Naturally, I found this story to be fascinating. There were times when it seemed as if I was reading a biblical story given some of the language and themes explored. The two characters of Ra and Isis particularly caught my attention.
In Ra, I see a primordial image of Adam. In the Myth, we are told that the deep thoughts of his mind came into being according to his desire, that he created all things, that humanity was born from his eye, that he was the chief ruler of the gods: the first king upon the earth, that he took on a form like theirs, and so forth. Many of these characteristics are spoken of Adam in Genesis, but the Church Fathers made the connections much more explicit when they spoke of the new or last Adam, Jesus Christ, for the canonical New Covenant scriptures were essentially written as a Trinitarian commentary of the canonical Old Covenant.
In Isis, I see a primordial image of Eve. In the Myth, we are told that she dwelt in the world as a woman, that she had grown weary of mankind's ways, and that she desired to be among the gods. Further, she was an enchantress which means that not only could she cast spells with her voice, but more importantly she could captivate the minds of others through song. As such, she desired to have power equal to that of Ra's when it came to the heavens above and the earth beneath. She therefore eagerly desired to obtain his secret name which had been hidden in his bosom and never revealed in speech.
Going forward, we read a story wherein Isis creates a type of alchemical elixir from which she fashions a serpent that can not be seen by men nor the gods. Ra is bitten after she places it in his path. We are given a number of details that describe how He was affected and how she managed to obtain the secret name from Him. Serpents, in antiquity, were often a symbol of danger and wisdom or sacred knowledge. Most people reading this myth automatically assume danger, death, and pain. That's a valid way of looking at the text and it's natural to do so in light of our exposure to certain myths related in canonical Scripture.
For my part, I prefer to explore the myth from the perspective of what happens when one encounters wisdom or sacred knowledge. In this case, Isis took something that came from Ra, she alchemically transformed it, and then she offered it back to him. He is thus smitten by something of which he has inner knowledge, but outwardly he is at a loss for words. I am not certain how the actual Egyptian myths evolve down through the centuries or how it was transformed in the Greco-Roman world, but I do see connections with what later became known as the Christian religion.
Story 2: The Book of Thoth
Without a doubt, this was my favorite story of them all. I was hooked from the first paragraph in which we discover a king's son, Nefer-ka-ptah, who didn't care much for the world around him but rather desired to read the ancient records written on papyrus within the House of Life and engraved on stone in the temples. More importantly, he studied these writings of his ancestors all day and everyday, for this is a key characteristic of the lives engaged by scribes, monks, and scholars.
As the story develops, Nefer-ka-ptah finds himself in the Temple one day praying to the gods and searching the sacred records. He gets so caught up in what he is doing, that he looses awareness of his surroundings. Suddenly, a priest captures his attention and goes on to explain the futility of reading what he considers to be worthless writings, for he knew where the Book of Thoth lies hidden and that it is of far greater value than what is found here; as a side note, I don't particularly care for the way this priest is characterized but I do understand the point being made. Knowledge can neither be bought nor sold nor abused for political gain. To do so only brings trouble upon oneself in the long run, much better is to obtain through proper words & deeds.
As for the Book of Thoth itself, that's where I particularly enjoyed this story as it relates both to Nefer-ka-ptah and his wife. It essentially promises to impart the Secrets of Creation to anyone who reads from it, but the book itself is guarded by scorpions, snakes, and a serpent that can not die; hence, only the worthy could open its pages. He had already acquired the knowledge required to overcome these obstacles as a result of his years spent within the temple immersed in the texts of his forefathers.
And so it goes, he cunningly overcomes his obstacles and acquires the Secrets by reading the Book of Thoth. His wife had already predicted trouble should he obtain this knowledge, but rejoiced when he returned from his journey. Further, she herself read the book and knew the Secrets as well. They then attempted to prevent others from reading it by having the words erased from the pages. This would bring them the trouble which she had earlier feared.
Story 3: Dedi and the Children of Rud-dedit
In this one, we are given the story of a skilled magician that can restore life to creatures which have died, make a lion follow him, and knows the secrets of Thoth's habitation. I have always liked stories which describe holy men as possessing the Secrets of Creation; whether it be communication with animals, the power of life over death, the ability to hear the thoughts and intentions of mankind, the knowledge of heavenly bodies, their movements, and their influence on things below.
The Book of Thoth: A symbolic depiction, Copyright unknown, Web source: CrystalLinks
An excerpt from an alternative scripture source which has been a personal inspiration for me.
"And Iesus, after that he had finished his study of the law, went down again into Egypt that he might learn of the wisdom of the Egyptians, even as Moses did. And going into the desert, he meditated and fasted and prayed, and obtained the power of the Holy Name, by which he wrought many miracles. And for seven years he conversed with God face to face, and he learned the language of birds and of beasts, and the healing powers of trees, and of herbs, and of flowers, and the hidden secrets of precious stones, and he learned the motions of the Sun and the Moon and the stars, and the powers of the letters, and mysteries of the Square and the Circle and the Transmutation of things, and of forms, and of numbers, and of signs... And the beasts of the field had respect unto him and the birds of the air were in no fear of him, for he made them not afraid, yea even the wild beasts of the desert perceived the power of God in him, and did him service bearing him from place to place. For the Spirit of Divine Humanity filling him, filled all things around him, and made all things subject unto him, and thus shall yet be fulfilled the words of the prophets, The lion shall lie down with the calf, and the leopard with the kid, and the wolf with the lamb, and the bear with the ass, and the owl with the dove. And a child shall lead them." The Gospel of the Holy Twelve / Nazirenes 6:11-15
Famous Last Words for Week
2 ||
January 27, 2009 at 11:00pm
Well, this week has went fairly well. I read a number of interesting Egyptian myths and legends over the weekend. Many of them confirmed my earlier assumptions in greater detail than I actually expected, but others have given me a reason to more carefully explore them from their own contextual background. It's one thing to see how the biblical texts assume an underlying Egyptian mythological background, but it is another thing to explore the Egyptian texts through the eyes of an Egyptian living in antiquity.
Besides, each of the gods and goddesses have their own stories which originate and evolve over time with different things being added or subtracted as each generation experience the myths and legends for themselves. It would be interesting to see how much of my own assumptions carry forward into the later myths and legends. Will Ra and Isis continue to serve as primordial images of Adam and Eve, or will their evolving characters serve as the model for other biblical characters? Or maybe another god or goddess will begin to more accurately serve the needs of the biblical authors when it comes to condensing the various myths into their current canonical form wherein the liturgical life of ancient Israel has been documented.
Regardless, there's only so much that one can explore in a single week. It looks like the story of Noah and the tower of Babel will be my next theme. One thing that I've found interesting, about the past couple of weeks, is the whole concept of word count. It's not hard for me to meet the minimum requirements, but it can be a challenge to limit myself to the maximum.
And yet, I actually do write better whenever I do adhere to one. I have always been the type of personality that likes to say the same thing 12 different ways to ensure that there is no room for misunderstanding me; that is, I go out of my way to ensure that I am understood by those who might actually take the time to read what I have to say. Why? Well, I believe in the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and it is my desire to see others expressing themselves with greater clarity and detail. I've never been a big fan of concise writing, but this class is helping me find a greater appreciation for it.
Should I continue to belabor my point?
Seriously though, I have enjoyed the week. The whole process of setting up my own web page was particularly rewarding. I have mostly confined my web development skills to both myspace and blogspot over the past couple of years given that their online structure has served my purposes well. I have since outgrown them however and I have wanted to develop a more professional web site for myself, but the whole process has seemed really intimidating. Our first web design assignment, however, has helped demystify the whole process. As such, I suspect that I'll be much better prepared to tackle such a daunting task once this semester draws to a conclusion. Rather than rambling along, I think I'll conclude this here and start preparing for week 3