B.A.N.E.
Bible and Ancient Near Eastern studies are an exciting means of supplementing our understanding of the ‘context’ of scripture. In this section you will find comparative studies of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There will be articles on the texts of the Bible along with its transmission down through history and many other fascinating trails that are able to give the reader insight into the past cultures, languages & peoples of the biblical period. Along these lines, as we dig into the extant and relevant materials related to scripture we will try to capture the setting of Israel and the Greco-Roman period which forms the backdrop for genuine New Testament analysis. The average reader of the Bible rarely considers the ‘scenic view’ as he/she wanders through their daily devotions. Each chapter read provides an intimate glimpse into various centuries which need to be understood in order to grasp the meanings intended by each biblical author. The importance of context cannot be emphasized too much. Imagine how clearer Israel’s captivity in Egypt would seem if you better understood ancient Egypt? Consider the origins of the Hittites mentioned in scripture and popular renderings today for the Philistines and Phoenicians. Even a bare bones knowledge of Assyriology illuminates the reader when studying Kings & Daniel and other genres of related literature in the canon of scripture. Since there is so much material to cover and vast amounts of information to glean, articles will be written in bite size portions so at to make it possible to give careful and close readings to those portions which the reader seeks to digest.
Moreover, in our Islamic materials, aside from Sutton’s notes on the life of the apostle of Islam Muhammad, Moshe Hanna will write clean but critical essays on some aspects of Islam’s history. His background is rooted in the Middle East tradition and he possesses a vast array of tools that allow him to open up Quranic materials in light of the Islamic period of revelation. With 9/11, the war in Iraq and the influx of Muslim immigrants in the West of recent times, precision and clarity is needed in coming to terms with the beliefs of those who claim to adhere to the supposed final revelation of God as given to Muhammad.
With the above data in the back of your mind we hope that you enjoy the materials posted and those soon to be published online.
Moreover, in our Islamic materials, aside from Sutton’s notes on the life of the apostle of Islam Muhammad, Moshe Hanna will write clean but critical essays on some aspects of Islam’s history. His background is rooted in the Middle East tradition and he possesses a vast array of tools that allow him to open up Quranic materials in light of the Islamic period of revelation. With 9/11, the war in Iraq and the influx of Muslim immigrants in the West of recent times, precision and clarity is needed in coming to terms with the beliefs of those who claim to adhere to the supposed final revelation of God as given to Muhammad.
With the above data in the back of your mind we hope that you enjoy the materials posted and those soon to be published online.
Conversations on the Dead Sea Scrolls
An overview of the Dead Sea Scroll issues
Ancient Judaism in the Gospels
This paper seeks to explain the forms of Judaism which existed in Jesus' day.
An introduction to Islamic Studies V
A heavily annotated paper on the roots of Islamic warfare.
Two Medieval Manuscripts
Is there a difference beween the Ben Naphtali and Ben Asher text?
An Introduction to Islamic Studies IV
People often wonder about the early history of the word Allah. Some even question its mean...
Directions for Furthering your Biblical Studies
Things you will need for a thorough bible study.
An Introduction to Islamic Studies III
Any good apologist should begin with a sect's sources. Here are a few ideas.
Jesus Scholarship
A few thoughts on how Jesus is and should be studied.
Scribal Notes
on the Traditional Texts of Scripture authored by the disciples of Jesus Christ...
An Introduction to Islamic Studies I
I Contemporary thoughts on the sword verse II Surah 9:5 interpreted contextually & ...
An Introduction To Islamic Studies II
An explanation of the origins of Islamic law.
An Open Letter to Fellow Americans
It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible...
Clashing Civilizations: America & Islam (Part 1)
In whatever way one works toward a definition it is understood that within its meaning lay...
Clashing Civilizations: America & Islam (Part 2)
We need to reassert ourselves again in society and vote in Godly leaders who will work to ...
Miracle Scriptures
Word, my friend, is the only text of miracle scripture in existence today and without the ...
The Eternal Sonship of Christ
To deny that Jesus is the only begotten of the Father is to overturn the entire plan of sa...
