2/1/11 Tuesday Lecture

More Evidence of Literacy

1. Mezad Hashavyahu Ostracon (writing on broken pottery)

- If a worker comes to work for the day, he will leave his coat as collateral, and the Hebrew Bible criticizes against people who keep the coats and abuse the poor (Exodus 22:25-26, Amos 2:8)

--> Yaveh Yam Letter references this story and was important because it showed that common letters were beginning to reflect Biblical literature (rise of the text)

2. Torah Amulets at Ketef Hinnom

- Number 6:24-26 and Deuteronomy 7:9 was quoted on two silver amulets

--> Literature is even worn as jewelry now

==> Was the text written before references on ostracons and jewelry were made (Bible is real)?  Or were they established oral traditions that weren't written down until much later?

==> When things are written down, it can be analyzed in different ways; if everyone says it's true, the bible becomes more credible; Texts transcend rulers as they can connect time and space; fate of Jerusalem will closely follow the interpretation of texts

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon takes Jerusalem

1. exiles (2nd one at 586 BCE is the destruction of the temple)

2.Josiah's death: (1) 2 Kings gives no explanation, tone is factual and positive (2) Chronicles says Josiah was killed because he seemed to be aiding [the evil] Babylonians, tone is critical and of rationalizing

 --> example of people trying to wrestle with God's broken promise

3. Evidence: 4/290 tablets found near the Ishtar Gate mention Judean royal family which was a "receipt" of their allowances

4. Broken promises: (1) Davidic Dynasty (2) Place for God's people (3) "Chosen" people (4) Temple

Cognitive Dissonance - uncomfortable feeling caused by holding two contradicting ideas at the same time

What can you do?

--> Abandon the text

--> Change the text/rationalize
- Sing the blues: Lamentation 1, Psalm 79, Psalm 137 are reflections on the tragedy which say that God was punishing them for their sins

- God put his "name" on the throne, things are reinterpreted to be conditional (depends how good you act)

This lecture was very thought-provoking for me.

1. It's crazy how the promise to David, which was said by one prophet (Nathan), became such a huge deal in religion, and applies to so many people.

2. I most definitely experience cognitive dissonance on a daily basis

- Things I want to do vs. have to do (ex: movie vs. lecture)

- Christianity vs. science (ex: theory of evolution)

- American vs. Korean culture

- Church Sunday school vs. Holy Jerusalem class

- For example... with the creation story of God creating the world in 7 days, I have personally rationalized it by reinterpreting "days."  The concept of time for God and humans are vastly different, and 1 day for God could be millions of years on Earth.  I actually do firmly believe this, but was surprised to know that scholars considered this as "rationalizing."  The religious would view this as having strong faith.  The human mind that wants to rationalize and stay firmly rooted is very interesting.  I have very mixed feelings about this, and in essence, am practicing cognitive dissonance here!

3. Why were the Israelites the chosen people?  The Christian God is one of love and benevolence.  Christians currently go on missions around the world to evangelize, implicitly believing that all humankind is to be saved.  Why did God only protect the Israelites?  What about the Egyptians, Phonecians, and Assyrians?  Did he not care if they went to hell?  On a bigger scale, it's the relationship between God and mankind.  It seems very uncharacteristic of God to select only the Israelites.  I guess this is going into the controversial topic of predestination...

4. Why did God break his promise and let the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem?  The Christian God is all-knowing and controls all events on this Earth.  He knew that destroying Jerusalem would lead some to dissent and abandon the text, hence creating unbelievers.  This directly goes against God's desires.  I guess someone could rationalize my statement by telling me that God is very complex and we cannot pin down exactly who He is...

5. Some things like the Name Theology seem to be a bit of a stretch