Biblical Heritage Center Blog

  In a “moral universe” there are shared standards and shared values and relationships that are built on what people share. In an “individual universe” each individual creates his or her standard, values what he or she likes – he or she is the highest power. We have the power to choose which universe will be “our universe.”   Continue reading at – http://mailchi.mp/9839faee358f/have-you-considered-a-moral-universe-option

  We believe it because there is a universal problem in the world and the wisdom in Genesis can help people deal with it better than they are dealing with it now! The problem is people hurt people! We believe the Bible can become the most powerful source of bringing people together and uniting them through the ancient wisdom recorded in Genesis, combined with powerful subconscious biological functions of human brains. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/2f6019ea81d9/how-many-people-in-the-world-do-not-want-to-be-hurt-by-other-people

  The unrealized master idea of the grand narrative of The Torah’s Wisdom of the Beginnings is for the Creator’s Kingdom to become a reality on Earth: “Humans acting together as the Creator’s Representatives and Co-Shepherds over all life on Earth by doing acts that are TOV.” That wisdom is reflected clearly. Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor pointed out many examples of that wisdom throughout all of the Jewish Scriptures. But something that we discovered together made t he unrealized master idea above equally important for Christians. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/29fffd47a549/the-wisdom-that-bridged-the-gap-separating-a-preacher-and-a-rabbi  

  It is abundantly clear that our generation lacks a shared vision for what life should be like today. The Creator’s vision is not a religious vision. It is not a Jewish or Christian thing. It does not require a theology. It is mutually inclusive and has universally beneficial shared values for today! A preacher (Jim Myers) and a rabbi (Jeffrey Leynor) agreed and shared it! Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/9cf1ec35b177/a-great-grand-narrative-with-shared-values-for-21st-century-lives

  The grand narrative of the Jewish Scriptures and the teaching of the Jewish Jesus is recorded in the first ten chapters of Genesis. The seven parts together are the ancient wisdom text of a temple. Part 1 begins by introducing an unnamed Creator (something you won’t see in your English translation). Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/f26c8d08e649/a-universal-grand-narrative-shared-by-a-preacher-and-a-rabbi

  The Jerusalem Post (12/15/22) published an article b y  Judy Siegel-Itzkovich about a very important archaeological discovery near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Below is short overview of the article and link to it with pictures of the coins. This is a very important discovery. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/c0f6ba0bae79/silver-coins-found-near-temple-mount-prove-jewish-history-of-israel

  The gods of Babylon were born and subject to powers beyond them. The gods were dependent upon physical existence too. The Genesis story has no notion of either the birth of the Creator or a biography or mythology. The Creator’s existence was as self-evident as life itself. Interestingly, many Bible believers today have beliefs that are linked to ideas about Babylonian gods. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/cf8599e68612/genesis-and-enuma-elish-a-clash-of-grand-narratives

  The Bible, and how it fits into 21 st lives, are a subject that many people are interested in today. I have been focusing on how the Bible fits into lives today. The stories in the Bible play major roles in the creation of the life narratives and grand narratives that affect billions of lives. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/b68d397e2566/ two-very-important-reasons-the-bible-benefits-21st-lives

What “God’s will” meant to Jesus may surprise you. It wasn’t for people to believe anything about him. It wasn’t for people to view prayer as a way to get God to do things for them. It was for “His will to be done on Earth like it is done in Heaven.” Find out “what was going on in Heaven.” Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/6aa5383ec5a1/who-cares-if-gods-will-is-done-on-earth-part-2

  Who cares if “God’s will is done on earth?” The first part of the answer is “at least 2,400,000,000 Christians” who know those words are from the “Lord’s Prayer” – the prayer that Jesus taught his followers to pray. The second part of the answer is “people whose lives are affected by the 2.4 billion people in part one!” Continue reading at -  http://mailchi.mp/65e0cf50f7cf/who-cares-if-gods-will-is-done-on-earth

  Jesus had just finished discussions with the Pharisees and Sadducees about issues that were important to them when a scribe asked him this question -- “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Torah?” Jesus used the question to teach his “ radical interpretation of the commandment of mutual love. ” Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/708d69ac98f5/which-commandment-is-the-greatest-commandment

  The belief model people have for “going to heaven” affects much more than “their life after death or after judgment day.” It affects how they live until they die, or judgment day comes. It affects the types of relationships they have with others and the roles they play as members of families, communities, workplaces, and nations. What beliefs do you have about the afterlife? Continue reading at – http://mailchi.mp/3186188d3401/another-option-for-going-to-heaven

  The rich man’s request reveals something very important about his actual father – he raised all of his sons to be just like him . He is aware of that and has no doubt that when his brothers die, they will join him in SHEOL. Why did he want Abraham to send Eliezer? Surely they would have recognized the guy the dogs were licking by the gate. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/1a7d9073cfe1/conclusion-of-the-parable-of-eliezer-and-the-unnamed-rich-man

  When Eliezer, the poor man, died angels came and carried him to Abraham’s bosom. When the rich man died, his body was carried to a grave and buried it, but that wasn’t the end of story. He raised his eyes and saw the poor man and another man who died over 1,800 years earlier, Abraham! Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/f7660368da5b/the-parable-of-eliezer-and-the-unnamed-rich-man-part-2  

Rich men spend lots of money on things like monuments to make sure their names will be remembered. This rich man is “just an unnamed rich guy.” He flamboyantly displayed his wealth by the clothes he wore and his lifestyle. The poor man is named -- Eliezer – and he was probably not on the guest list! He didn’t show up in expensive clothes – he was covered with sores. But Jesus included a hint about him – Eliezer means “ God helps.” Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/2793092bbb08/the-parable-of-eliezer-and-the-unnamed-rich-man  

  When the Jewish audience heard the words “you blessed of my Father” and “kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world” they knew Jesus was referring to the first story in Genesis – and they understood links to the Babylonian story Enuma Elish. Continue reading at – http://mailchi.mp/14e20ff4fba3/an-ancient-kingdom-prepared-for-the-blessed

  Is there a common foundation upon which the tens of thousands of Christian biblical heritages stand? That was the question Dr. Ike Tennison, Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor, and I discussed many times. We found the answer to the above question was surprised that it’s linked to the Wisdom of the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/300104fec680/jesus-and-the-wisdom-of-the-creator-of-the-heavens-and-the-earth

  Is there a common foundation upon which the tens of thousands of Christian biblical heritages stand? That was the question Dr. Ike Tennison, Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor, and I discussed many times. We found the answer to the above question was surprised that it’s linked to the Wisdom of the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/300104fec680/jesus-and-the-wisdom-of-the-creator-of-the-heavens-and-the-earth

  In Genesis 1 the Hebrew word ELOHIYM is translated “God.” In Genesis 2 it is translated “gods.” In Genesis 1 the Hebrew word ADAM is “two people.” In Genesis 2 it is “one man.” People who only read English translations are unaware of differences like these and being aware of them is essential to understand what the Bible is teaching. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/37f7be7b5b93/seeing-genesis-through-the-eyes-of-ancient-scribes

  Exploring the Bible and Biblical Heritages emerged from over a decade of using the guideline above. I created it in the late 1980s as a way to deal with conflicts in beliefs in my Bible study meetings. People with conflicting beliefs focused on defending their beliefs and attacking people that disagreed with them. But after I created the guideline and people started using it -- things changed . When a belief conflict arose, the guideline acted like a GPS that guided to the next actions to take. Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/c1b871ebd988/the-goals-and-rewards-of-exploring-the-bible-and-beliefs

  The parallel between the missions of Udjahorresnet and Ezra are striking. Udjahorresnet was an Egyptian priest sent by a Persian king to Egypt to create the infrastructure required for the implementation of the “ Laws of Egypt ” and the “ Law of the King of Persia .” Ezra was sent by a Persian king to Jerusalem to create the infrastructure required for the implementation of the “ Law of Yahweh ” and the “ Law of the King of Persia ” Continue reading at - http://mailchi.mp/217beae24a0b/ezra-temple-scribe-and-representative-of-the-persian-king

  Without a Bible, biblical heritages would not exist. Therefore, a top priority for explorers of biblical heritages is to acquire accurate information about “ the Bible .” But biblical heritages have two major types of religious institutions today -- Jewish and Christian . The “ divine authority claims of those institutions ” – proof that they are the authorized representatives of God -- are directly linked to words in their Bibles. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/4908aef4dead/the-first-canon-of-biblical-heritages

I was an adult and an ordained minister. I was very familiar with the parable Jesus taught about the Day of Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). But, I did not understand what Jesus taught about entering eternal life. The Gospel of Jesus had been lost by the second century. It had been replaced by the gospels of other people. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/084c7665303e/why-i-didnt-know-what-jesus-actually-taught

  The “Presence of God” is with every person. Two people and God are involved in each act of TZEDAQAH – the giver, the receiver, and God. The foundation of the original Jesus Movement is this: Anything that involves one or more people, involves the presence of God. Continue reading at – https://mailchi.mp/758a2b7f8f08/the-foundation-of-the-original-jesus-movement

  The first ten chapters of Genesis contain direct links to Babylonian scrolls, which were written in languages that were lost and not rediscovered until the 19 th century CE. Today, we are able to understand the link between those texts and “the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.” Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/2f2a93b7d529/the-kingdom-prepared-from-the-foundation-of-the-world

  When Jesus said, “Come you blessed of my Father,” he was referring the Creator’s blessing of the humans in Genesis 1. It reveals the Creator’s vision of how humans are to live on earth. Sadly, very few people understand who and what they have within them. This wisdom has the power to change lives today – as well as revealing the meaning of the parable of Jesus. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/d8194b628efb/the-meanings-of-blessed-of-my-father

  (This article by Rabbi Leynor was originally published in June 17, 2015.) My friend and TOV Center Partner, Jim Myers, received a 6-page list of Biblical quotes in a reaction to his blog about the Real Yeshua --  Jesus the Jewish teacher . I noticed after reading through this huge list, that the point of the writer was to convince and prove his " RIGHTNESS ." I've been " evangelized " my entire life. I've been " Saved " more than most of you!! People always felt compelled to debate with me and convince me of the "Rightness" of their beliefs . Over the years of my studies, I learned many facts , even some that made my own BS uncomfortable. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/66683cdf4256/being-right-vs-acting-righteously

  Teachings about the Day of Vengeance are found in many places in the Jewish Scriptures . The English word “ vengeance ” is linked to the word “ revenge ,” and that word does NOT reflect the meaning of the Hebrew word in the verse in Isaiah. A better translation would be, “God will compensate people for what they have done in their lives” on that day. Read more at – https://mailchi.mp/7471ab852649/gods-pay-day-for-all-nations-of-the-earth

  Those who took advantage of God’s favor in the Year of Acceptance changed their status from wicked to TZEDEQ . They are called the “Trees of TZEDEQ ” -- “the planting of God.” The first “ planting of God ” was the Garden in Eden . When Adam was driven out of it, he was completely separated from the Tree of Life! Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/84513fca5569/gods-second-garden  

  When Jesus said, “today the words in Isaiah’s prophesy have been fulfilled,” that meant “he is the Anointed One, the Year of Acceptance and the countdown to the Day of Vengeance have begun. From that day on, each day will bring everyone closer to the day mankind will be judged by God! Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/c1842693068a/the-anointing-of-jesus

  My goal today is to anchor “ Jesus Christ Son of God ” to the time and places where he lived and taught, his language and culture, and the contexts of the ancient manuscripts of Matthew , Mark , and Luke . Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/21965789bffd/what-does-jesus-christ-son-of-god-mean  

  Catholicism and Protestantism existed in a very different world until the 18 th century, when science and the Enlightenment began challenging their Creeds and Statements of Faith. Some even denied that the Scriptures were a source of truth and produced a rationalist theology. In 1895 the Five Fundamental Beliefs for being a true Christian was published. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/9ebd34596ddd/create-transparency-instead-of-belief-conflicts

  Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence and in similar or sometimes identical wording. Their linguistic models of Jesus are similar, but not identical. John’s content and linguistic model of Jesus, stand in stark contrast to those of the Synoptic Gospels. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/77dbb92ed693/which-jesus-model-are-you-using

  Exploring Biblical Heritages increases the awareness of how brains process information. At the subconscious level, brains use high speed neural circuits to make its “best guesses” -- which are right about 60 to 80% of the time. Explorers develop skills to move beyond “best guesses” to more accurate information. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/caff3b98f965/same-words-different-punctuation-marks-very-different-stories

  The Creator in the first story in Genesis uses a standard to judge the results of His actions. That standard is central focus of the story – and the whole Bible . It reveals what God values the most. Continue reading at – https://mailchi.mp/8641bb1a4627/what-does-the-creator-value-the-most  

  How studying the biological functions of the brain became part of Exploring Biblical Heritages and why every Bible reader and believer should understand it. Everyone in America has a right to believe whatever they choose, but the public should clearly understand that beliefs generate corresponding behaviors. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/345abfffabfd/which-model-for-love-does-your-brain-use

  The answer to that question depends on the context and which meaning of “ love ” we use.  The English word “ love ” is defined in most dictionaries as -- “ an intense feeling of deep affection .” In other words, “ love is what one feels .” Is that how we love God? - https://mailchi.mp/d14dea6ac879/how-does-one-love-god

  Individual realities emerge from the brain’s billions of zapping neurons with their trillions of synaptic connections. It is from this inner universe of synaptic constellations that e verything we think and feel and do emerges. The human capacity for belief, the specifics of belief, and complex belief structures -- shape our daily lives, our societies, and the world around us. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/e4f88ae28099/the-biology-of-beliefs-and-the-creation-of-individual-realities

  Exploring Biblical Heritages requires learning what “human” means from science. No generation before us, in the history of mankind, has understood this information. It transforms the way we understand human behaviors. It is amazing to me that there are similarities between 21 st century scientific discoveries and wisdom principles embedded in the first ten chapters of Genesis. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/c7d7c1480150/exploring-biblical-heritages-requires-an-awareness-of-the-biology-of-beliefs-part-1

  Today is July 4, 2022. I was looking through blogs that Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor and I published on the TOV Center Blog and one that was published on May 10, 2017 caught my attention. It is a good reminder that much of what happens in a democracy is determined by the character of individual citizens. Read the blog at - https://mailchi.mp/fa00c929e873/democracy-without-character-does-not-guarantee-good-outcomes

  After 200 CE new “Christian Scriptures” were being created in multiple places and Christians were hearing a lot of conflicting ideas. This is clearly seen in writings of the Early Church Fathers . Keep in mind that at that time there was no central body of Christian authority, no single standard to judge books by, and no “ Doctrine of the Inerrancy of Scriptures .” Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/1fab479c83e8/the-creation-of-the-new-testament-part-3

  What do you know about Marcion or Irenaeus? Marcion created the first new Christian Scriptures that only had one Gospel. Irenaeus created another version of Christian Scriptures that had four Gospels. There were over 100 Gospels circulating among other Christian groups at that time. Irenaeus is why New Testaments today have four Gospels – instead of 1 or 100 Gospels . Continue reading at – https://mailchi.mp/4e26fda52aed/the-story-of-the-creation-of-the-new-testament-part-2  

  If there was no New Testament, what would we know about Jesus, the apostles, or Paul? How many Christian religions would exist now? The answer to the first question is “ nothing .” The answer to the second question is “ none .” Considering the importance of these answers, it is amazing that very few Christians know anything about the history of the New Testament. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/b5d10ecfce62/the-story-of-the-creation-of-the-new-testament-part-1

  BHC’s Exploring Our Biblical Heritages is different from most discussions about Jesus and religions. Facts about the biological processes of the brain and the roles that governments, money, and power played in his life and in the religious institutions that created our beliefs about him are essential. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/b4ade39e2a4e/exploring-beliefs-about-jesus-requires-much-more-than-a-bible

  I encourage those with Christian biblical heritages and who value the teachings of the Jewish Jesus , to make The Our Father Prayer and the Meditations part of your daily rituals. I also encourage those who are not interested in praying the prayer to make the Meditations part of your daily rituals. In order for a democratic society to survive and thrive, members must have something they share in common and be committed to it. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/1195e7f46a99/discover-the-power-of-praying-or-meditating-on-the-our-father-prayer

  In Matthew we find “ evil ,” while Luke has “ evil one .” Who or what wants to test us and do we need to be protected from? The answer to that question will come as a shock for many Bible readers! Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/1f4fcf67b7b2/do-not-bring-us-into-the-hands-of-a-test-and-protect-us-from-evil

  The structure of the “Our Father Prayer” links the basic survival needs of eating to another basic survival need – forgiveness of sins. Food and forgiveness of sins are essential for individuals and societies to survive and thrive. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/71949b989b1d/give-us-our-daily-bread-as-we-forgive-sins  

  Through our actions we can give glory to our Father and sanctify his name in the eyes of the world . Praying “ May Your name be sanctified ” is a call to action that must be followed by performing deeds that glorify his name the eyes of mankind . Those actions are revealed in the functions He created and empowered them to do. Continue reading at – https://mailchi.mp/329cbdcd6102/may-your-name-be-sanctified

English translations usually have either “ in heaven ” or “ in Heaven. ” I always thought that meant “ the place saved people go when they die .” I now know that “ a God in the heavens ” links this prayer to the first story in Genesis and “ the God that created the heavens and the earth .” John Walton helps us recognize and understand important clues in the first story in Genesis – clues we need to also understand The Our Father Prayer of Jesus. Continue reading at -- https://mailchi.mp/7777fe286f42/discovering-the-meaning-of-in-the-heavens

  This prayer is called the “ AVINU Prayer .” Its name came from the first Hebrew word in it – AVINU ( Our Father ). In the New Testament it is called “ The Lord’s Prayer .” We all pray to “Our Father.” Our relationships, those of everyone praying this prayer, are defined by their relationship with “Our Father.” This prayer helps people see more clearly what their true needs really are. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/f263f809ee0b/jesus-explains-his-movement-in-a-prayer