I just republished this chapter on my stack, and included the following note:
"There appears to be only one outside confirmation of the existence of a kingdom “of the house of David” and no details on this apart from the biblical narrative.
It seems quite possible that the biblical stories of the Old Testament were invented, though possibly in part based on oral legends.
Meanwhile, the existence of a messianic movement during and prior to the 1st and 2nd centuries, including the followers of Jesus in Galilee, is credibly documented by the Jewish historian Josephus and confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls. This raises the question of whether the legendary activities of David “hiding in caves” and conducting subversive operations contrary to officialdom could have been inspired at a later time, such as during Babylonian exile of Judaic tribes or the tumultuous period just preceding the New Testament era."
Dec 25, 2023·edited Dec 25, 2023Liked by NEVERMORE MEDIA
Very intriguing and thought provoking post brother.
I am feeling that Immortal Technique line.
Here are a few songs from my old playlists (and a few newer additions) that this post evokes into my conscious mind and some that I just feel guided to share with you now :
Dec 25, 2023·edited Dec 26, 2023Liked by NEVERMORE MEDIA
My pleasure, I am glad your post motivated me to go 'diggin in the crates' (if you will) as I have not heard some of these songs in years myself and am enjoying the flash back (and enjoying looking at what the artists shared with new eyes as my perspectives have changed a lot since I listened to them last).
Having personally experienced the intersection of the spiritual and material realm for a time, like a mystic or old fashioned prophet I was astonished to recognize how plainly false and incredibly dangerous this well-known verse is:
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices 2COR 2:11 KJV
Yikes, what arrogant nonsense. I realize a case could be made like, "It was true when Paul said it" but that doesn't help anyone's overall view on infallibility or divine inspiration.
This is no different than everyone who tries to tell you "technology doesn't affect me", "I'm not fooled by propaganda", or the big one, "I don't believe any lies".
Dec 23, 2023·edited Dec 23, 2023Liked by NEVERMORE MEDIA
To the author of NeverMore Media - Substack
You wrote:
When I got older, I learned about the dark side of Christianity, and I stopped identifying as a Christian. Around the same time, I started really questioning the veracity of scripture.
My answer:
There is no dark side of Christianity except a Christianity that is not found based upon the Holy Bible. The dark side of Christianity you mention is a pseudo Christianity with doctrines inspired by the devil; doctrines of demons the Bible carefully makes its reader aware of in 1 Timothy 4:1.
NOTE: Christianity not based upon the truth found in holy Scripture is the most vilest sort. The false representation of Christianity, artificial and simulated, is on mission to destroy the work of God, and the "true" Church of Jesus Christ (it is necessary for me to add the word "true" otherwise it may be thought to reference mormonism). The extent evil has progressed in the world through pseudo Christianity that it should use titles reserved only for the true church of Jesus Christ is remarkable, and damning for those who will stand before the Almighty at judgement.
The apostle Paul, writing to the church in 2 Corinthians 11, tells us that many will come in the name of Jesus Christ, claiming to be His representatives, but are false ministers of His Word.
Below is verses 13-15 of 2 Corinthians 11 Paul gives the church warning.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
This Scripture reference is taken from the New King James Version.
For context, please read the entire chapter of 2 Corinthians 11.
I don't know how effectually this can be put, but I suspect you have been deeply disappointed and offended by some masquerading as Christians absent of the life of Jesus Christ in them as we find in the Bible. As a result, blame is first placed on those misrepresenting Christ, then on Christ Himself, and then on His Word—usually in that order. Whatever evil they are doing in the name of the Lord to misrepresent Him; sometimes deleberately and sometimes deceived, cannot be the Lord's fault or His Word—His Word always remains true. It is the culprits who misrepresent Him that should be implicated.
To whatever degree the Lords name and His Word is profaned, or blasphemed, the evil doers responsible eventually reap the consequences as Scripture explains; for some the consequences will be severe.
As an servant of Jesus Christ, I appeal to you to reconsider your decision to follow Him.
Holy shit man! I love Nick Cave. His songs and lyrics almost get me to go to church again! I guess what I love about Nick is his struggle with religion, on again off again. I think he is back in the church after his son's deaths. Any hew, I take what I need from it.
There was a special on tv forever ago, about the theory of Jesus surviving, and going along a trade route into India? Asia? Maybe the city was Ladakh (I tried searching for the village but I can’t remember enough details from the show). Regardless, it was a city where their holy man had scars on his hands and feet with teachings similar to Jesus.
Dec 22, 2023·edited Dec 22, 2023Liked by NEVERMORE MEDIA
I think he's a classicist (classical scholar) and author of 2 books. Other than his controversial YT channel entitled Lady Babylon, he authored "The Chemical Muse..." which is out-of-print, however, I found it via my local library system to check out for free. Amazon has had used copies from $50 to $300 off and on. His earlier book, "Original Sin...", is on Amazon for under $15. I'm still uncertain what to think of his findings, especially from "Original Sin...".
Does it really matter whether Jesus of Nazareth existed or not? Christianity is most certainly a thing no matter what really happened, and as you said, one cannot understand Western history without an understanding of the Abrahamic religions, whether one think there is any basis to them or not.
I think it matters especially to those of us who were raised under Christian beliefs and later began to question what we'd been taught. And it also matters to those who are just beginning to question and are wondering what to do with the confusion.
I just republished this chapter on my stack, and included the following note:
"There appears to be only one outside confirmation of the existence of a kingdom “of the house of David” and no details on this apart from the biblical narrative.
See Dr. Bart Ehrman article. https://ehrmanblog.org/did-king-david-actually-exist/
It seems quite possible that the biblical stories of the Old Testament were invented, though possibly in part based on oral legends.
Meanwhile, the existence of a messianic movement during and prior to the 1st and 2nd centuries, including the followers of Jesus in Galilee, is credibly documented by the Jewish historian Josephus and confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls. This raises the question of whether the legendary activities of David “hiding in caves” and conducting subversive operations contrary to officialdom could have been inspired at a later time, such as during Babylonian exile of Judaic tribes or the tumultuous period just preceding the New Testament era."
Interesting! I'll check this out at some point.
If anyone else has any information about the historical King Solomon (if such a person existed), please share it here!
Very intriguing and thought provoking post brother.
I am feeling that Immortal Technique line.
Here are a few songs from my old playlists (and a few newer additions) that this post evokes into my conscious mind and some that I just feel guided to share with you now :
Pep Love - Trinity Lost - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJJ3D2E6gWg
Gangstarr-Above The Clouds - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucvta7xDo_4
First Contact · Eligh & Amp Live - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynpIwFYCS5g
The Ride of your Life · Gift of Gab - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFE66SEwo7Y&list=PLLL8yEr8Od9G2wSEet9QS3-N7Vrzn6zMJ&index=1
Reaching Humanity (feat. Alais Clay) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ6tWWtmWKw
Last Emperor - Meditation : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXG1WQEd_4g
Remember Who You Are - The Living Legends (feat. Eligh) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW32QVnXEy4
SON OF SATURN - ALIGNMENT OF THE ELOHIM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2iE7_gyMoo
Lauryn Hill - War in the mind MTV Unplugged 2.0 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pkjOuqrkd4
Cyne - Steady - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7YNh2gQdB8
Intro | Dub Fx | Theory Of Harmony : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLpzjy0e3ak
The Awakening · Senim Silla : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLpzjy0e3ak
Kenichiro Nishihara - Power Of Self (ft. Substantial) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=175gaXmN0MA
Light Me On Fire - ft. MC Xander | Dub Fx | Theory Of Harmony
Eligh - The Healer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_R3p8OKHSA
"Aloha Ke Akua" Live at Wanderlust (Acoustic) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7vvp252vFw
K-Os - Heaven Only Knows - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPLQuRTk-oo
The Grouch - Lighthouses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LVA-TjH9RE
I Heard You Had a Voice Like an Angel / Psalm 137 - Shad : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF7fI0Z4Aqs
Gift of Gab - Way of the Light : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr-wxGYQ8bA
And God Is The Water
from The People's Knowledge by Lyla June - https://lylajune.bandcamp.com/track/and-god-is-the-water
Nahko and Medicine For the People - Love Letters to God : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-QGkYNc0Ls
Nahko "Wash It Away" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un07--y3Bh4
I Am · Satsang : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX5GpicCZLE
Okay thats it for me today bro, hope you like the tunes and that you have a very Merry Christmas! :)
Awesome! Thanks so much!
My pleasure, I am glad your post motivated me to go 'diggin in the crates' (if you will) as I have not heard some of these songs in years myself and am enjoying the flash back (and enjoying looking at what the artists shared with new eyes as my perspectives have changed a lot since I listened to them last).
Cheers brother.
ps - I am curious how many of these songs (and artists) you have listened to before.
Having personally experienced the intersection of the spiritual and material realm for a time, like a mystic or old fashioned prophet I was astonished to recognize how plainly false and incredibly dangerous this well-known verse is:
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices 2COR 2:11 KJV
Yikes, what arrogant nonsense. I realize a case could be made like, "It was true when Paul said it" but that doesn't help anyone's overall view on infallibility or divine inspiration.
This is no different than everyone who tries to tell you "technology doesn't affect me", "I'm not fooled by propaganda", or the big one, "I don't believe any lies".
To the author of NeverMore Media - Substack
You wrote:
When I got older, I learned about the dark side of Christianity, and I stopped identifying as a Christian. Around the same time, I started really questioning the veracity of scripture.
My answer:
There is no dark side of Christianity except a Christianity that is not found based upon the Holy Bible. The dark side of Christianity you mention is a pseudo Christianity with doctrines inspired by the devil; doctrines of demons the Bible carefully makes its reader aware of in 1 Timothy 4:1.
NOTE: Christianity not based upon the truth found in holy Scripture is the most vilest sort. The false representation of Christianity, artificial and simulated, is on mission to destroy the work of God, and the "true" Church of Jesus Christ (it is necessary for me to add the word "true" otherwise it may be thought to reference mormonism). The extent evil has progressed in the world through pseudo Christianity that it should use titles reserved only for the true church of Jesus Christ is remarkable, and damning for those who will stand before the Almighty at judgement.
The apostle Paul, writing to the church in 2 Corinthians 11, tells us that many will come in the name of Jesus Christ, claiming to be His representatives, but are false ministers of His Word.
Below is verses 13-15 of 2 Corinthians 11 Paul gives the church warning.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
This Scripture reference is taken from the New King James Version.
For context, please read the entire chapter of 2 Corinthians 11.
I don't know how effectually this can be put, but I suspect you have been deeply disappointed and offended by some masquerading as Christians absent of the life of Jesus Christ in them as we find in the Bible. As a result, blame is first placed on those misrepresenting Christ, then on Christ Himself, and then on His Word—usually in that order. Whatever evil they are doing in the name of the Lord to misrepresent Him; sometimes deleberately and sometimes deceived, cannot be the Lord's fault or His Word—His Word always remains true. It is the culprits who misrepresent Him that should be implicated.
To whatever degree the Lords name and His Word is profaned, or blasphemed, the evil doers responsible eventually reap the consequences as Scripture explains; for some the consequences will be severe.
As an servant of Jesus Christ, I appeal to you to reconsider your decision to follow Him.
John 3
Holy shit man! I love Nick Cave. His songs and lyrics almost get me to go to church again! I guess what I love about Nick is his struggle with religion, on again off again. I think he is back in the church after his son's deaths. Any hew, I take what I need from it.
There was a special on tv forever ago, about the theory of Jesus surviving, and going along a trade route into India? Asia? Maybe the city was Ladakh (I tried searching for the village but I can’t remember enough details from the show). Regardless, it was a city where their holy man had scars on his hands and feet with teachings similar to Jesus.
Do you have any thoughts or comments about D.C. Ammon Hillman, PhD classicist work?
I'm not familiar with that name... Would you care to relieve me of my ignorance?
I think he's a classicist (classical scholar) and author of 2 books. Other than his controversial YT channel entitled Lady Babylon, he authored "The Chemical Muse..." which is out-of-print, however, I found it via my local library system to check out for free. Amazon has had used copies from $50 to $300 off and on. His earlier book, "Original Sin...", is on Amazon for under $15. I'm still uncertain what to think of his findings, especially from "Original Sin...".
Does it really matter whether Jesus of Nazareth existed or not? Christianity is most certainly a thing no matter what really happened, and as you said, one cannot understand Western history without an understanding of the Abrahamic religions, whether one think there is any basis to them or not.
I think it matters especially to those of us who were raised under Christian beliefs and later began to question what we'd been taught. And it also matters to those who are just beginning to question and are wondering what to do with the confusion.
Have you read the book “Not Just a Carpenter”? I think it makes a solid case for rational faith in Christ.