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1. TWO POWERS IN HEAVEN: Christian Heresy or Theology of the TANAKH?
5. Points of Potential Confusion I’m not describing Zoroastrianism, though the rabbis opposed that dualistic system
Zoroastrianism had one evil, one good power
This pre-dates the rabbinic debate and heresy-hunt
I’m not describing Gnosticism’s “True God” (the good guy) vs. the Demiurge (the evil God of the OT)
The rabbis included this as a two powers heresy, but distinguished it from our focus today: two deities equal in essence that were good.
6. CURIOUS TEXTS
7. Genesis 19:24
8. Genesis 19:24
9. Amos 4:11
10. Amos 4:11
11. Isaiah 13:17a, 19
12. Isaiah 13:17a, 19
13. FOUNDATIONAL TEXTS
14. ??????? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ????????
YHWH is a man of war;
YHWH is his name. Exodus 15:3
16. The rabbis argued:
man of war = a manifestation or “mode” or YHWH in his justice
the revelation of YHWH’s name in the burning bush = YHWH in his mercy.
There were not two YHWHs, but one YHWH appearing in two forms. The POINT
18. There is no “name” mentioned.
The “son of man” to be identified with the young warrior is never described as a warrior.
In fact, it is the Ancient of Days and his council that kill the fourth beast in the rest of the chapter.
The prooftext could actually be used to argue two separate deities. PROBLEMS
20. ??????? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ????????
YHWH is a man of war;
YHWH is his name. Exodus 15:3
21.
MODE 1: YHWH = a man of war (violence)
MODE 2: YHWH’s name = mercy; deliverance Exodus 15:3
22. 1. What if these “modes” were fused into one entity – that is, the same entity is identified as the man of war and with the name? QUESTIONS
23. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
24. MODE 1: YHWH = a man of war (violence)
= The Angel of YHWH
(???? ????) The POINT
25. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
26. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
27. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
28. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
29. MODE 1: YHWH = a man of war
MODE 2: YHWH’s name = mercy
BOTH = The Angel of YHWH
(???? ????) The POINT
30. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
31. Judges 6
32.
34. The Angel of YHWH (???? ????), in whom both “modes” of the rabbis are fused, is tightly identified with YHWH and yet distinguished. They BOTH appear in the same scene, and yet BOTH are called YHWH. The POINT
35. 1. What if these “modes” were fused into one entity – that is, the same entity is identified as the man of war and with the name? SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS
36. If it is incorrect to say these two YHWH figures are just “modes” of YHWH, then there must be a more coherent way to understand what’s going on. ANSWER
37. Prior to the time of the rabbis the idea of a second power in heaven was quite acceptable -- and there was much speculation about the identity of the second power. Earlier Judaism’s Second Heavenly Power
38. Exalted Humans
39. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
40. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
41. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
42. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
43. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
44. Important Angels
45. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
46. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
47. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
48. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
49. Philo’s LOGOS
50. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
51. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
52. Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”Go to ESV Reverse Interlinear at Joshua 5:13, search on TEXT form for “drawn”
