It seems a bit silly to receive teachings about the Bible containing religion within it. The whole connection between God and mankind revealed through Scripture stirs the development of religion; many of the different concepts and actual worship tools are derived through Scripture reference. Religion from the beginning developed into the religious works of believers in this modern-day.
When Dr. Heiser lectures on the third worldview context as the religious culture, he is not speaking directly of the developments of religious efforts derived through the worship of God by connecting spiritual things in Scripture in a way that can be celebrated in congregational gatherings. Rather, he speaks of biblical times, and how civilizations, cultures and peoples surrounded the writers’ religious connections and identify with their beliefs [1].
One of the important interpretive points to be considered must be the religious world of the writer. Since the worldview of Scripture authors are formed by three contexts (historical, cultural, and religious) then these three must be considered before a full interpretation of Scripture can be accomplished. The Scripture authors understanding of who God is, how He contacts them, relates to them, rewards the people for obedience, and punishes for disobedience are critical pieces of knowledge to acquire before interpretation of Scripture. The different laws and rules, sacred spaces and rituals, and other religions and philosophies that interconnect with the authors’ religious understanding make an important contribution into how the authors express the Word of God. And it I not just their religious connections that must be examined, but the response of associated people in the authors’ lives recorded by Scripture to their religious expressions. Religious context becomes a window to the spiritual world of the people and the authors at the time of the writing of Scripture.
Ancient Near Eastern religions origins are sketchy at best. There was no written account of the practice of early religions prior to 2500-3000 B.C. Any knowledge of these religions is conjectured, and unsupported by the lack of record evidence [2]. But, it is important to note that the religion of Israel is fully supported through the accounts of the Old Testament, and considered definitive amongst Bible scholars, at least on a generalized historical level. Whether it is Mesopotamia’s pantheon of gods or Palestinian idolatries or Egypt’s worship of nature as gods makes little difference in discovering the earliest history of religion. Many of the ideas concerning religion are developed through the records contained in the Old Testament and a considerable amount of information concerning the religions of the nations is discoverable [3]. It is within Scripture that the early religion activities of foreign races to Israel connect and conflict in such a way that a great deal of information about them can be developed. It is incumbent for Professional Theologists to study the religions of the various people in the biblical world with first source Scripture, and secondary sources of writings and archaeological finds that create a fuller picture of ancient religions recorded within the Word of God.
Bibliography
Dockery, David S., Trent C. Butler, Christopher L. Church et al. Holman Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992.
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Lasor, W. S. Religions of the Biblical World The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1978-1988.
Footnotes
[1] Michael S. Heiser, Bi101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software).
[2] David S. Dockery, Trent C. Butler, Christopher L. Church et al., Holman Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992), 38.
[3] W. S. Lasor, Religions of the Biblical World, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1978-1988), 79.
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About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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